In Episode 33 of 40 Years & 40 Beers, Bob Bain and Joe Massi break down the Wu-Tang Clan’s foundational albums and pioneering solo careers — from Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and Wu-Tang Forever to standout solo projects like Tical, Liquid Swords, Ironman, and Return to the 36 Chambers. We explore how these releases reshaped hip-hop and created a lasting cultural legacy.

What we cover:

• The 1993 debut that set the tone for East Coast hip-hop and 90s rap.

• How the group structure allowed solo careers to flourish and influence the genre.

• Why Wu-Tang’s music and mythology still resonate today.

Wu-Tang Clan albums, 36 Chambers meaning, solo hip-hop careers, Method Man Tical, Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Ghostface Killah Ironman, Ol’ Dirty Bastard Return to the 36 Chambers, hip-hop legacy, East Coast rap history

https://linktr.ee/40years40beers

This episode is pure Nintendo Entertainment System nostalgia: getting the NES as a kid, the classic “blow the cartridge + hit reset” ritual, Blockbuster rentals, and why Nintendo Japan’s quality and creativity felt unmatched in the 80s.

What we cover:

- NES vs modern gaming: instant play vs installs/patches

- The universal NES cartridge ritual (and why it was the system’s one big flaw)

- Why renting games made you grind harder (Blockbuster + video store culture)

- The Wizard (1989), the Power Glove, and Super Mario Bros. 3 as a pop-culture moment

- Bobby’s Top 10 NES games + Joe (Massi)’s Top 10 NES games

- Why Super Mario Bros. 3 is the GOAT for the NES era

NES nostalgia, Nintendo Entertainment System podcast, retro gaming podcast, The Wizard 1989 Nintendo, Power Glove, top 10 NES games, Super Mario Bros 3, Blockbuster video game rentals, 80s childhood gaming, classic Nintendo games

https://linktr.ee/40years40beers

Joe Massi and Bobby kick off their Musical Icons series with a deep dive into Tupac Shakur, from the impact of “Brenda’s Got a Baby” in 1991 to the Death Row era and Makaveli’s The 7 Day Theory. They cover Pac’s albums, acting career (Juice, Poetic Justice, Above the Rim, Gridlock’d), creative process, and why his legacy still dominates hip-hop decades later.

Tupac, 2Pac, Makaveli, The Don Killuminati, The 7 Day Theory, All Eyez on Me, Me Against the World, 2Pacalypse Now, Brenda’s Got a Baby, Dear Mama, California Love, Digital Underground, Shock G, Death Row Records, Suge Knight, Interscope, Juice, Poetic Justice, Above the Rim, Gridlock’d, Gang Related, Hip Hop History, 90s Rap, Music Icons