Taste The World Podcast

This week we kicked it with Stevie Kim, Director of Vinitaly International. We talked rap spirit animals, how the largest wine and spirits expo in the world handled Covid, Clubhouse chats, and gave our first-ever rhyme note, where she broke down the lyrics for Jay Z’s “Marcy Me”. 

This week we took it back to the essence with wine attorney by day rapper by night John Dawson aka DJ Jahbaz. We discussed the business behind wine, growing up in the early stages of hip hop, ties with the Zulu Nation, and going from rapping to wine. 

This week Jermaine touched down in the ATL for a casual conversation with rising hip hop star, OMB Peezy. Jermaine introduced Peezy to a few classic wine varieties while they discussed Peezy’s album Too Deep For Tears, musical influences,  and his start in the industry.

This week we kicked it with Wine Writer, Consultant, and social media maven Renee Sferrazza. Over a

This week we kicked at Brooklyn hot spot ”Sauced” with James Molesworth, Senior Editor for Wine Spectator and all-around cool dude. Over a bottle of 1997 Fonsalett, we discussed his start in journalism, the post covid wine content boom, and how music has impacted his life.

This week we kicked it with Super Bowl champ turned wine MVP, Will Blackmon. We discussed what attracted him to the wine industry, how he developed the concept for The Wine MVP, and what it feels like to win a Super Bowl.

This week we checked in with Australian restaurateur Dan Hong. We chopped it up about Dan’s Hip Hop influences, the Australian food scene, and their emergence from the Covid lockdowns. This was an ill perspective on Wine and Hip Hop from the other side of the world.

In this very special live-streamed episode, we kicked it with entertainment manager and entrepreneur Yandy Smith-Harris. We discussed wines of Germany as we paired Yandy’s new favorite song to a bottle of 2018 Weiser-Kunstler Riesling Zeppwingert Sekt. She also chatted with us about life before and after Love and Hip Hop, What it feels like to drop a hit record, and took great questions from the audience. It’s impossible not to be inspired by her story. Tap in and enjoy

This week we kicked it with Vanessa Price, best-selling author of the Cardi B recommended book Big Macs and Burgundy. Vanessa's book truly is the definitive guide to wine and everyday food pairings. We talked wine and food pairings, hip hop's role in her life growing up, and what Jay-Z's new deal with LVMH means for the future of wine and hip hop culture. 

We finally get to chop it up with the illustrious Soil Pimp. A visionary and connoisseur of Riesling and rap music. We discuss Hip Hop being a true American art form, Buffalo NY love, buying German wine, and one epic Freddie Gibbs show. This episode is full of gems. Tune in!

This week we kicked it with Author, Sommelier, and Wine Merchant Grant Reynolds for an inspiring conversation about surviving the times in the wine industry. A few years ago, Grant moved from Somm on the floor of famed NYC restaurant Charlie Bird to running Parcelle, a cutting-edge retailer that embraced E-commerce early on. Since Parcelle carries the Wine and Hip Hop Vino Three Pack, they also broke down the hype behind the bottles in a pairing with Puff Daddy’s sleeper track, “Old Man Wildin,” Featuring Styles P and Jadakiss.

This week we kicked it with Master Sommelier and Managing Partner for Lawrence Estate Winery. In our conversation, he tells us how he went from humble beginnings in DC to running some of the most iconic wineries in Napa. We talked about the relationship between terroir in wine and being a product of your environment in America, Surviving 2020, and how he hopes to reshape the wine industry. Carlton drops some gems on us so pop a bottle and tune in!

This week Jermaine kicked it with his friend, business partner, and wine industry veteran Michael Jessen. In their candid conversation, they discuss Michael’s rise to power in the wine auction industry, his love for music, fatherhood, and how their relationship inspired Jermaine to create the Wine and Hip Hop movement.

This week we kicked it with Hip-hop entrepreneur and self-proclaimed cookie chemist, Hip Hop Mike. In our convo, we talk wine and cookie pairings, being a pizza connoisseur, clout chasing, and Mike’s journey from fan to host at New York’s legendary radio station Hot 97.

Check out Jermaine's most in-depth interview on his producer Jerome Fenton's podcast, H For Hustle...  H For Hustle tells the entrepreneur's journey from working a 9 to 5 job to starting their own business. In this episode, Jermaine details his process when leaving wine auction and becoming an entrepreneur. 

In this next insert to the Respect The Producer series, we kicked via Zoom all the way from Shanghai, China, with producer and engineer extraordinaire Bao Pham. No pun intended, but Bao's track record speaks for itself. Aside from producing our theme song, he’s also worked with Doe B, Jr Boss, T.I., Jay-Z, Gucci Mane, Moneybagg Yo, Young Dolph, Yo Gotti, Busta Rhymes, Future, Young Dro, Rick Ross, and more! His most recent credit comes as one of the Executive Producers of the late Doe B's posthumous album. We talked about; His musical influences growing up in Alabama, What it was like working with Doe B, his process of putting together the album DOTA 2, the wine scene in Shanghai, and what it would take to get wine in the hands of more rap artists.

Last week we sat down with Dave East for our first live episode! Big Shout out to everyone who tuned in. We took it back to our classic format with Jermaine pairing a bottle of 1995 Krug to Dave’s song of choice, Sugarhill by AZ. We also discussed his journey from struggle to success, NBA aspirations, and what it’s like going bar for bar with some of the greats. Happy Holidays !!

This week we kicked it with sommelier of sound Charlie Reyes. We chopped it up over razorback clams, fried chicken and Chenin Blanc live on location at famed NYC restaurant, Charlie Bird. Our discussion covered his journey in restaurants from busboy to head bartender, to sommelier, to playlist curator for some of your favorite restaurants. We also dive into the true impact of hip hop on restaurants and embracing diversity in hospitality. Hip Hop & Hospitality at its finest.

In this week's episode of Wine & Hip Hop, we’re taking it to the streets with an old friend and underground battle legend, Oun-P. Recorded on location at Philippe Chow’s in NYC, Jermaine and Oun reconnect and reminisce over a bottle of Beaujolais. They touch on everything from rapping in the lunchroom at school, laying off the Hennesey, and strategies to get the hip hop culture deeper into wine culture. Throughout this episode, you’ll hear about what inspired Oun-P to get in that booth and pick up that pen. More than just ‘co-signs’ from Jadakiss to Allen Iverson, Oun-P has a pen game that’s thoroughly respected nationally and especially throughout the five boroughs. This is a New York specialty, respect the pen and tune in!

THIS WEEK WE KICKED IT WITH TAHIIRAH HABIBI, FOUNDER OF HUE SOCIETY AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE ROOTS FUND. WE DISCUSSED HER VIRAL VIDEO, WHICH SPARKED A CHANGE TO THE COURT OF MASTER SOMMELIERS, HER MISSION TO DIVERSIFY THE WINE INDUSTRY AND, WHAT IT MEANT FOR HER TO BE ON THE COVER OF WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE’S 40 UNDER 40 TASTEMAKERS ISSUE.