The Fred Minnick Show is available on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart:, Google Podcast: TuneIn, and Pandora.

American rapper and activist Killer Mike (Michael Render) joins The Fred Minnick Show this week, checking in to do a tasting and chat with Fred about a variety of topics. Mike has appeared in several films and frequently speaks on issues such as social inequality and police brutality. As a musician, he has released five albums since 2003 and also founded Grind Time Official Records. On the episode, he and Fred talk everything from Adult Swim’s “Frisky Dingo” to moonshine to the history of Uncle Nearest to bringing people together in a difficult time for American society.

Whiskeys tasted:

• Uncle Nearest 1820 Barrel Pick (8:13)
• Johnnie Walker Blue Label (31:25)
• Moonshine (45:05)

EPISODE SUMMARY

Here a few highlights from this week’s episode of The Fred Minnick Show:

• Fred commends Mike on his social leadership, in particular becoming a social leader after becoming a rapper
• Mike’s fourth grade teacher urged him to not become a rapper because he was such a good student and leader. Although, he considers himself a “reluctant leader.”
• Mike had a role on Adult Swim’s “Frisky Dingo,” and relished being an “arch villain” on the show.
• In talking leadership, he emphasizes recognizing we are all human beings – even our leaders. “Most leaders aren’t Superman, they’re more like Bruce Wayne … They can get hurt.”
• Mike also states he hopes Americans will be led by morals and principles and not led by men, a notion that would mean everyone does their part so that no one has to do too much.
• He also points out that slavery is so recent that it’s only “two Mitch McConnells ago.” He still believes racism is “curable.”
• Fred chimes in that he still wonders why American society doesn’t function as a unit as was the case when he was in the military. “We are one America. We’re all Americans.”
• Killer Mike calls Johnny Walker Blue Label his “Tom Brady of whiskey.” Nevertheless, he remains a Falcons and Packers fan, thanks in part to a guy named Brett Favre.
• Mike also talks about which rock bands and songs he would like to sample and/or collaborate with in the future, and also points out that rappers and country artists have a lot more in common that most realize, calling both “blue collar music.”
• Fred and Mike talk about the possibility of a Killer Mike whiskey happening someday. Fred tells Mike, “We can make that happen. I know a guy.”

QUOTABLES

“It brings further possibility of inclusion on all levels from all of us. … If more people in this country were less concerned with protecting their whatever it is and more with connecting with one another, I think that much like sipping a good whiskey together and talking some shit that you know great understanding and empathy comes from those things. … This whiskey like any good whiskey is going to bring people together, should be bringing people together, and creating an atmosphere of talks that will progress us in a way that I don’t think politicians and arguments will.” -Killer Mike, talking about how the recognition of Nearest Green’s whiskey legacy can apply to current events.

RESOURCES

FOLLOW KILLER MIKE

FOLLOW FRED

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SPONSORS

Michter’s: https://michters.com/ 

B-Line (Northern Kentucky Bourbon Trail): https://findyoursippingpoint.com/

Distillery 291: https://distillery291.com/