Pour slow. Press play.

Track — “Who Got da Props” — Black Moon

Album: Enta da Stage (1992)

“Who Got da Props” stood apart in 1992 because it didn’t follow the dominant New York production trends of the era. Instead of stacking samples or chasing the brightness found in many early 90s mixes, DJ Evil Dee and Da Beatminerz carved out something darker, smaller, and more intentional. The beat centers on a filtered loop that feels like it was lifted straight from a late-night basement session. Drums hit clean and heavy, but the arrangement leaves real room around them. Nothing is layered for impact. Every element occupies its lane, and that restraint becomes its identity.

Buckshot enters with a tone that is close to the mic and free of extra tracking. His delivery is sharp, clipped, and slightly ahead of the snare, giving the verse a sense of movement without forcing pace. Unlike many of his peers, he didn’t rely on doubles or shouted ad-libs to build presence. He relied on cadence and timing. His voice sounds young, but the phrasing is confident. You can hear that he already knew what his pocket was supposed to feel like.

The chemistry between the beat and the vocal is what makes the track different. Evil Dee holds the frame steady. Buckshot steps into that frame without trying to reshape it. The record sounds like a crew that already understood how to work within their own limits and make those limits a strength. At a time when many hip-hop records pushed for scale and polish, Black Moon leaned into something more focused. That clarity is why the track still hits today. The drums remain sharp, the loop still pulls you in, and Buckshot’s delivery feels as immediate as it did on release.

That same sense of distinct identity carries into the pour.

Pour — Old Grand-Dad 114

Pour: Old Grand-Dad 114
Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery
Proof: 114 (57% ABV)

Old Grand-Dad 114 stands out in the bourbon world because it remains committed to a high-rye mash bill that shows off grain character rather than smoothing it into something sweet or overly rounded. Many modern bourbons rely on finishing techniques, extended aging, or secondary barrels to differentiate themselves. OGD 114 does not. It puts its profile in the hands of the mash, the barrel, and the Kentucky seasons.

On the nose, caramel leads with citrus, peanut, and dry oak following. The first sip opens with sweetness, but the rye quickly takes over, bringing pepper, cinnamon, and char. The proof rises in the middle and carries into the finish, which lingers with spice and a light dried fruit note. The edges stay firm but never feel out of control. The bourbon tells you exactly what it is from the first sip.

What sets OGD 114 apart is how directly it delivers its character. The profile isn’t shaped through added techniques or layered finishing. It comes from the grain bill, the barrel environment, and the decision to bottle it at a proof that preserves all of that. The distillery maintains consistency by tasting and selecting barrels that match the line’s established expression. It’s a straightforward process rooted in repetition and familiarity with the mash bill.

That approach mirrors how “Who Got da Props” was built. Both rely on foundational decisions handled with attention and confidence. Both stand out because they refuse to dilute what makes them unique. Each chooses clarity over embellishment, and that choice is what gives them longevity.

Final Bar

Black Moon opened their run with a track that arrived fully formed, even in its rawness. Old Grand-Dad 114 brings the same direct character through its recipe and proof. Both lean on a simple idea shaped well: trust the core ingredients and let them speak. Buckshot showed how a focused voice can define a song. The bourbon shows how a focused mash bill can define a bottle.

The track and the pour hold up because they stay true to what shaped them. Neither needs added motion. Each reflects a process built through consistency and intention.

Want More

• Stream “Who Got da Props” and the full Enta da Stage album.
• Revisit Black Moon’s catalog to watch how their sound developed throughout the Boot Camp Clik era.
• Find Old Grand-Dad 114 through your preferred local or online retailer.
• Visit The Warm-Up for pour terms and tasting structure.