Beats, Dimes, + Life: Recent Episodes
Beats, Dimes, + Life
Beats, Dimes, + Life is what happens when four lifelong friends get together and discuss their two loves: Hip-Hop and film. The conversations are in-depth, humorous, passionate and maybe even a tad insightful but no promises. Each week, Marcus, Ryan, C.J., and Tommy form like Voltron for your listening pleasure. Follow us on Twitter @beatsdimeslife and visit our website beatsdimeslife.com
It was a while but the boys are back. We took a bit of a hiatus but wanted to finish Summer '97 strong with a look at Master P's landmark album, Ghetto D. Does the gold and platinum tank still have its luster 20 years later? And what was it about P and his No Limit Soldiers that took us all by storm as we entered fall of 1997? All that and more on this episode.
It's hot outside. So the boys decided to stay in and chat about Money Talks. The Brett Ratner directed, Chris Tucker starring flick dropped in August '97 and marked the first time Tucker would carry a movie. How has his career evolved since then? Was this a prototype for the next flick these two would collaborate on, Rush Hour? Why does Charlie Sheen seem like he's in a different movie and why didn't they give Heather Locklear anything to do but look pretty? These questions and more on this week's episode.
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Wu Tang is for the babies. Summer '97 swarms on as the boys celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Wu Tang Clan's second group album. Also, a little education on Gucci Mane
Take that, take that. As Summer '97 continues, the boys look back on Puff Daddy aka Diddy and his monumental album, No Way Out. Put on your shiny suits, pull your crips Air Force 1s out the closet, and make sure your ad-libs are on point. Also, some political discussion because it's hard to avoid these days.
May '97 gave us Austin Powers, one of Mike Myers' greatest creations. He turned tragedy into success and spawned a film franchise. But does the first one hold up? Is this loving James Bond/Spy movie parody still as vibrant today as it was 20 years ago? The boys talk about it.
Men In Black from 1997 is the first flick we cover in our Summer '97 retrospective. All summer, prepare to go back 20 years to the good ole' days and some bad ole' days.
Power Rangers! That's right, after 20 years away from the silver screen, they're back. We look back at the 1995 Power Rangers movie and compare it with the 2017 model.
The boys discuss the impact of the music video and what's changed over the years. Also, C.J. gives his "Get Out" review.
The boys are back in town to discuss Jay Z being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and what it means for Hip-Hop. Also, the Remy vs Nicki beef.
Marcus and C.J. talk about race and pop culture and whether the color of your skin influences the content of the content you like. Also, R&B singers or the lack thereof.
Marcus - @AbstractPo3tic
C.J. - @CJBeatsDimes
The boys tackle potential conflicts when an artists they like, or love, has beliefs that clash with their own.
Merry New Year! The boys get back to business and kick 2017 off with a discussion about the difference between "beef" and a regular war of words. Also, MLK Day and all it entails this year.
15 years ago, Jay Z and Nas battled each other for hip hop supremacy. They released two landmark albums in their catalogues and to celebrate their anniversaries, the boys discuss the impact, the beef, compare albums, and reflect on how crazy 2001 was.
This week, C.J. gets on the therapist couch as the boys try to determine where his apathy for music came from and how to fix it.
After a long Thanksgiving break, the boys are back in town. We discuss the art of showmanship and how it impacts an artist and their fans. Also, kill this reunion talk.
The best thing to happen to the world in the past two weeks is the new and final album from A Tribe Called Quest. The boys discuss while introducing a new host.
The boys travel to the time of the Salem Witch Trials to discuss The Witch. Is it a horror flick? Of course it is. Also, Happy Halloween!
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Settling into the groove of the show, the boys slice and dice the sixth flick in the Chucky franchise, Curse Of Chucky. It may or may not be as notorious as the curse of the Billy Goat.
Is the movie that is said to be the best of 2014 really that good? The boys examine while also discussing other things
The boys sit back and talk about expectations in film and hip hop. Are they a gift or a curse and who do artists deal? They also get into a discussion of hip hop documentaries.
The boys discuss the social change in the game as drug users are en vogue while drug sellers aren't and what that has to say about the game as a whole.
Also, we've got a special guest so give him as much respect as you give us. Possibly a tad more.
Take a little time off and the world goes crazy. The boys play catch up and then dissect Tarantino's latest and its social relevance
The boys discuss the portrayal of gun violence in film and Marcus reviews Independence Day Resurgence
The boys look back at Richard Donner's last movie, 16 Blocks. Also, a discussion on James Wan and what it takes to get us in a theater.
Marcus - @AbstractPo3tic
C.J. - @CJBeatsdimes
Ryan -@RyanWhat_Dimes
Tommy -@AlexPKeaton19
It's been a long time, we shouldn't have left you. No seriously, we shouldn't have, but we took a bit of a break. Don't adjust your dial, this is episode 50 so for the momentous occasion, we delved into the 2006 LP from the Clipse, Hell Hath No Fury. Also, Ryan does his best to defend Interstellar.
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The boys discuss this era's infatuation with biting and why it's become A-OK. Marcus (@AbstractPo3tic), Ryan (@Ryanwhat_dimes), C.J. (@cjbeatsdimes), Tommy (@AlexPKeaton19)
Marcus and Ryan talk about the 1986 Eddie Murphy flick, "The Golden Child". Also, Marcus is sick, so that's a problem to deal with.
The Steiner Brothers (Marcus and C.J.) tackle the way films deal with evil characters. The bad guys you're supposed to hate, loathe, and sometimes even fear. Also...Birdman and C.J.'s Summer with Drake.
The boys discuss the tentacle like reach of hip hop on the fashion industry. Also, the Andre 3000 pump fake.
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Marcus: @AbstractPo3tic
Ryan: @Ryanwhat_dimes
C.J.: @cjbeatsdimes
Tommy: @AlexPKeaton19
This week, the boys talk about comic book movies and the sheer glut of them we find ourselves steeped in, this year in particular. But how long can the good times last? Also, some rappers are just doper than others.
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Marcus: @AbstractPo3tic
C.J.: @CJBeatsDimes
Ryan: @RyanWhat_Dimes
Tommy: @AlexPKeaton19
We eulogize a legend and discuss a legendary group
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Marcus: @AbstractPo3tic
C.J.: @cjbeatsdimes
Ryan: @RyanWhat_dimes
Tommy: @AlexPKeaton19
After a few moments of organized chaos, the boys discuss rappers they feel are the most underrated. Also, Marcus' dancing habits.
The boys discuss the good and bad of biopics. Also, an education on spider-man and some Zootopia insight
Marcus, C.J., and Ryan discuss the relatively new way of selling music through boutiques. Vinyl, cassettes, collectors editions, etc. How far can this go and how far should it go? Also, they have conversations with their past selves.
This week, on the last day of Black History Month, Marcus, C.J., and Ryan tackle George Romero's classic, Night of the Living Dead. The meaning of the film, the political and social implications, and any allusions Romero may have made to 1960s America. And as a cherry on top, one of the first horror flicks with a black man as the lead.
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Marcus, C.J., and Ryan give their oscar predictions. Who will win? Who will ho home empty-handed? Will Ryan subscribe to Tidal? These are the important questions of our time.
Marcus, C.J., and Ryan discuss A Genius Leaves the Hood, the unauthorized Jay-Z bio documentary. More specifically, they use the documentary as a launching pad to figure out the legacy of S. Carter and what it might be years from now. There's also some mention of a birthday, the polar vortex, what Marcus is really thinking, and Star Wars' lack of realism.
Marcus, C.J., and Ryan discuss the ins and outs of image and its importance. Also, Marcus goes on a mini rant. Which means it's not quite as tall as other rants but height doesn't count for everything.
Marcus, C.J., and Ryan discuss movies about the American Dream. Also, a special shoutout to Tommy
The boys get to the bottom of why they love the music they love along with discussing Oscar diversity. Which is not an old, wooden ship
Marcus and Ryan take to their corners, one for Kendrick Lamar and one for J. Cole. Who will emerge the victor? Who will go home crying to their moms? And what is it about both artists that appeal to them? So many questions, but no answers will be given.
Happy Holidays everyone. On December 19, the boys took a trip to a galaxy far, far away. Here's what they found. From our family to yours, enjoy your holidays. We'll see you next year. Peace
Marcus, Tommy, C.J. and Ryan discuss the pitfalls of our nostalgia fueled culture and some of the benefits as well. Also, can Kendrick Lamar get some love from urban radio?
Marcus, C.J. And Ryan are jointed by a guest who wants special treatment for some reason. The four of them discuss how they'd categorize Hip Hop into subgenres like other forms of music and if it could work.
Happy Thanksgiving! Before taking off for a week to get fat, Marcus, Ryan, and C.J. celebrate the 25th episode by talking about the dog, DMX. His impact, his meteoric rise, and his unfortunate fall to earth.
With Spectre currently in theaters, the boys discuss Skyfall and it's impact on the franchise going forward while also looking at it's past. Marcus and C.J., the resident Bond fans, attempt to guide Bond novice, Ryan, through the ups and downs of the franchise while adding more depth to Sam Mendes' flick.
Yeah, Halloween was a couple days ago, so sue us. Well don't do that, we don't get paid for this show. But anyway, here's our last horror show for the month of October and it's all about slasher movies. It's also about whether or not Ryan is going to a costume party or not.
Marcus. CJ, and What It Do tell you what David Fincher's Se7en does and what it does best. Does the 1995 flick still hold up?
CJ, Ryan, and Marcus are back in full effect for another week discussing horror remakes. The highs, the lows, the psycho remake, it all gets dissected and deconstructed. Also, Ryan finally got Twitter, slowly but surely stepping into the 21st century.
Marcus and Tommy do something they've done since they were kids: talk shop about horror movies. What scares them, why it scares them, horror icons, zombies, and even get a little philosophical. Or as philosophical as one can get when dealing with zombies and goblins and knives, oh my.
Okay, maybe not enough said. The boys delve into the practice of separating art from the artists, since several of our favorite artists have checkered pasts. Is it easy to do? Do we make exceptions for whom we do it? Is it right to do? These are the questions that probably won't be answered in this edition of your favorite podcast.
Words don't do this justice so let's not even attempt. Well, unless those words are video game movies, the good, the bad, the ugly, and Kickboxer. Also, the death of gangster rap?
This week, you get two topics for the price of one. And when that price is free, there's nothing to complain about. Then again, with this show, there's probably plenty to complain about. This week, the boys share their thoughts on the legendary Wes Craven and discuss the VMA's and other award shows. It's Freddy and Ghostface vs. Miley Cyrus and Kanye. They also tumble down the rabbit hole of Bizarro Films, while Marky gets jiggy with it and Ryan continues to live in the matrix.
25 years ago, Kid N' Play starred in House Party, and we've been trying to do that dance ever since. The boys discuss the film's legacy, the legacy of it's stars, and how it's still relevant 25 years later.
Three of the Fab 4 discuss some of their favorite summer blockbusters, some of their least favorite, and just celebrate that time period between May (April?) to August where the popcorn is in abundance and its all about the opening weekend. Also, what do Ghostbusters 2 and Josh Trank have in common?