N.O.R.E. breaks silence on Kanye West fallout, death threats, and Diddy calls [VIDEO]

The Drink Champs co-host opens up about the backlash from Ye’s 2022 interview, receiving death threats, a pivotal call from Diddy, and his approach to handling hip-hop conflicts on his platform.

N.O.R.E., the veteran rapper and co-host of the long-running Drink Champs podcast, sat down with Jason Lee for an unfiltered two-hour conversation released on BET Networks’ YouTube channel. The episode covers the most turbulent period in the show’s decade-long history. N.O.R.E. explains for the first time the full context behind the controversial 2022 interview with Kanye West (Ye), the editing decisions that followed, and the personal toll that included death threats.

Beyond the Kanye episode, the interview delves into other industry flashpoints: a removed question involving Offset, Quavo, and Takeoff; a direct call from Cardi B demanding an end to Nicki Minaj comparisons; a reconciliation with Dame Dash; and N.O.R.E.’s evolving philosophy on guest selection. He also shares intimate details about his 17-year marriage, becoming a grandfather, and a daily running regimen he calls “Run Champs.”

The 2022 Drink Champs Episode That Brought Death Threats

The centerpiece of N.O.R.E.’s interview is the October 2022 Drink Champs episode featuring Kanye West. During that broadcast, West made remarks about George Floyd and the Jewish community that triggered immediate backlash. N.O.R.E. recalls that the interview was filmed on a Saturday night and released the following morning. Thus, leaving little time for review. He admits he did not initially grasp the weight of certain remarks: “I did not understand the Jewish part of the conversation and I did not understand the George Floyd part of the conversation.”

The aftermath was brutal. N.O.R.E. says he “went through hell” and that “those couple of weeks were horrible.” Drink Champs absorbed significant criticism as the platform that aired the interview. It was the first and only time in the show’s history that content was edited and removed after publication. N.O.R.E. reveals that he received death threats in the weeks following the broadcast. While he does not go into specific details, his tone makes clear the severity of the situation. The experience forced him to reconsider the show’s editing protocols.

N.O.R.E. now regrets not cutting more, specifically a comparison West drew between Martin Luther King Jr. and George Floyd. He explains the rationale at the time: “It wasn’t about what he said… It was how it was delivered.” He compares his earlier editing philosophy to Howard Stern’s unedited style but now believes that was a mistake. “I should’ve listened to my own material,” he says. He notes that West later issued public apologies, but N.O.R.E. feels a direct apology on the same platform would be appropriate.

Diddy’s Call and the Editing Regret That Lingers

One of the most revealing moments in the interview concerns a phone call N.O.R.E. received from Diddy, who was then chairman of REVOLT, the original platform for the Drink Champs episode. After the Kanye West broadcast, Diddy advised against certain edits. According to N.O.R.E., Diddy told him that his own portions could remain but suggested reconsidering other segments, saying, “I do not suggest that.”

N.O.R.E. took the advice partially but now wishes he had listened more closely. He notes that Diddy’s call was not a directive but a piece of counsel from a seasoned media executive. The exchange highlights the delicate balance between creative freedom and editorial responsibility. N.O.R.E. says that had he reviewed the episode more thoroughly before release, he would have cut the most problematic sections. The regret is clear: “I should’ve listened to my own material.”

Diddy’s involvement also extended to other Drink Champs conflicts. N.O.R.E. mentions that Offset once reached out to Diddy under the impression that Diddy controlled the show, but N.O.R.E. clarifies that this was not the case. The call from Diddy regarding Kanye remains a key moment in N.O.R.E.’s reflection on the incident. He also offers a neutral reaction to Diddy’s legal situation, stating he has no firsthand knowledge and expresses uncertainty.

Offset, Cardi B, and the Unaired Questions That Never See Light

N.O.R.E. addresses several interpersonal disputes that have arisen from Drink Champs episodes. One of the most discussed is an unaired moment from a 2022 episode with Quavo and Takeoff (one of their final joint appearances before Takeoff’s death). During that recording, N.O.R.E. asked Quavo about rumors that Offset had been involved with Saweetie, Quavo’s former partner. Offset’s associates were present, and Offset later contacted N.O.R.E. requesting removal of the segment.

N.O.R.E. complied, citing “man code,” and states that the footage will never be released, regardless of offers or pressure. Another significant moment involves Cardi B. N.O.R.E. recounts that Cardi called him personally to demand that Drink Champs stop pitting her against Nicki Minaj in discussions. He immediately complied: “I never did [use Nicki vs. Cardi] on the show anymore.”

However, he expresses admiration for both artists and notes that he has not yet hosted Nicki Minaj but maintains close ties to her circle. He emphasizes that he did not want to insert himself into their dynamic. The interview also touches on a reconciliation with Dame Dash. Also, a clarification of a perceived conflict with Stephen Jackson. Finally, an emotional exchange with Pusha T concerning a Pharrell Williams segment. N.O.R.E. frames these incidents as learning experiences.

Family, Fitness, and the Run Champs Discipline

Later in the interview, N.O.R.E. shifts to personal topics. He speaks about his long-term marriage. Thus, emphasizing daily commitment and fidelity. He states there has never been a night spent apart in a manner that would compromise the relationship. He also discusses becoming a grandfather and how that has changed his perspective on life and legacy.

A dedicated segment covers his running regimen under the “Run Champs” banner, which he has maintained for 17 years. He describes it as a private discipline involving infrared saunas, cold plunging, and other wellness practices that he has only recently begun to share more openly. He references a story involving Kevin Hart in the context of fitness, though he does not elaborate on the details.

N.O.R.E. also addresses his philosophy on guest selection for Drink Champs. He explicitly states a policy of refusing interviews with new or emerging artists, explaining that the show prioritizes legacy conversations. He describes his interviewing technique as one of “disarming” guests—reading energy, adjusting tone, and eliciting stories without aggressive confrontation.

Social Media Reacts to N.O.R.E.’s Revelations

Following the release of the interview, social media platforms saw immediate discussion. On X, users highlighted N.O.R.E.’s admission that he did not understand the antisemitic implications of Kanye’s remarks at the time. One user wrote, “N.O.R.E. admitting he didn’t get the Jewish part is wild. How do you host that and not know?” Another commented, “He went through death threats. People need to understand the real cost of giving a platform.”

The segment about Offset and the unaired question also drew attention. A user posted, “N.O.R.E. holding onto that footage forever. Man code is real.” Another wrote, “Offset called Diddy thinking he ran Drink Champs. That’s hilarious.” The Cardi B call prompted reactions praising the rapper for protecting her peace. “Cardi really called him and said stop that Nicki vs. Cardi talk. Respect,” one reply read.

Some users expressed sympathy for N.O.R.E. over the death threats. “Nobody should go through that for doing an interview,” a comment stated. Others criticized him for not editing the Kanye episode more aggressively at the time. On YouTube, comments praised N.O.R.E. for his honesty. One viewer wrote, “This is the most real interview I’ve seen in years.” The interview generated substantial engagement within 24 hours.

Conclusion

N.O.R.E. spent two hours on The Jason Lee Show explaining why he did not stop Kanye West mid-sentence, why he cut a question about Offset, and why he took a call from Cardi B seriously. The death threats he received after the 2022 episode were not hypothetical. They were real. The call from Diddy was not a warning but a piece of advice he now wishes he had followed.

The interview is not a public apology. It is a veteran broadcaster explaining the rules of his game: give legends space to speak, protect sources, and when a woman like Cardi B asks for a topic to die, it dies. N.O.R.E. may have learned these lessons the hard way, but he learned them. And he is still standing.