On The Bootleg Kev Podcast, hip-hop veteran and “Drink Champs” co-host N.O.R.E. gave a hilarious and insightful interview, touching on the evolution of podcasting, behind-the-scenes stories from the road, and his journey from coach seats to luxury lounges — all while racking up miles like a frequent flyer king.
N.O.R.E. predicted podcasting still has a solid five to seven years of growth left, calling out how artists and labels are beginning to take the medium seriously as both a cultural force and a business move. He acknowledged that while Joe Budden was an early mover, Drink Champs brought a different energy, especially for artists-turned-podcasters. N.O.R.E. said he’s proud to have helped usher in a wave where authenticity, humor, and storytelling thrive in this new media space.
N.O.R.E. raved about the Fat Joe & Jadakiss podcast, praising the chemistry between the two — Joe’s loud, wild energy contrasted perfectly by Jada’s calm, sarcastic responses. He joked that the show feels like “Fat Joe at dinner” — meaning loud, unfiltered, and casually dropping wild stories even in inappropriate company. It’s this authenticity that N.O.R.E. believes makes the show work so well.
He also pointed out the Roc Nation influence behind the scenes, noting that the duo are both signed to the label. The setup, the sneaker store location, and the raw conversations all give the show a natural vibe, despite clearly being part of a bigger play by Roc Nation to enter the podcast arena.
N.O.R.E. hilariously recounted his early days of touring under Chris Lighty’s management, especially with Mike Lighty, who’d trick him into doing in-store appearances by promising “weed and women” — neither of which ever materialized. The worst part? Flying economy class in row 67Z — an experience so traumatizing that he now refuses to fly anything but first class.
That trauma turned him into a points and miles expert. N.O.R.E. bragged about his million-point balances across Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton, and AMEX, revealing he’s not just a podcaster — he’s a miles mogul. He detailed how one of his crew members used a label card to rack up hotel points by covering everyone’s incidentals, earning presidential suite upgrades while N.O.R.E. stayed in standard rooms. That moment taught him the power of owning the card — and the perks that come with it.
The conversation took a nerdy but hilarious turn as N.O.R.E. and Kev bonded over credit card travel hacks, the value of loyalty programs, and the joy of airport lounges. From flying United and American Direct to recording radio shows in Thai airport lounges, N.O.R.E. showed he’s not just a rapper-turned-podcaster — he’s a seasoned traveler who never pays full price when there’s a reward to be claimed.
