From Nutcrackers NYC to Shade 45
From Nutcrackers NYC to Shade 45: The Rise of Da Inphamus Amadeuz
In New York City, hustle is more than survival — it’s an art form. Few embody that better than Da Inphamus Amadeuz, whose path from selling nutcrackers on city streets to hosting his own show on Shade 45 (SiriusXM) is as unlikely as it is inspiring. His journey was first spotlighted on National Geographic’s Underworld Inc. (Season 2, Episode 1), where cameras followed him during the height of the underground nutcracker hustle.
But what the world saw as a street hustle, Amadeuz saw as branding.
“People didn’t understand I wasn’t selling nutcrackers, I was selling my personality,” he explains.
That charisma, resourcefulness, and ability to connect with people would eventually become the foundation of his career in media and music.
The Nutcracker Legacy
For those unfamiliar, nutcrackers are more than just a street drink — they’re a piece of New York folklore.
“Nutcrackers are New York City’s version of moonshine,” Amadeuz says.
Typically made by mixing fruit juices with strong spirits, nutcrackers became the go-to hustle during hot NYC summers, sold in beaches, parks, and uptown blocks. In the Underworld Inc. episode, the documentary not only followed Amadeuz’s grind but also explored the history of the drink, including Jose of Flor De Mayo, who is widely credited as the inventor of the nutcracker.
The episode even tied the story back to the cultural food history of the city, highlighting “Chifa” style Chinese food — a fusion of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine that reflects the layered immigrant identity of uptown Manhattan.
For Amadeuz, it was never just about the drinks. It was about storytelling, culture, and creating an experience.
From Corners to Corporations
After the episode aired, Amadeuz could have remained another chapter in New York’s underground history. Instead, he flipped the hustle. Using the same skills that once made him one of the most recognizable faces in the nutcracker game — charm, business savvy, and a sharp understanding of what the streets wanted — he pivoted toward hip hop media.
Already an emcee and producer, Amadeuz launched The Punchline Academy, first as a platform to showcase lyricists, freestyles, and raw cyphers. Word spread quickly, and his movement grew into one of the most respected hip hop segments on the air. That eventually led to him securing a home on Shade 45, Eminem’s SiriusXM channel, where he now hosts The Punchline Academy every Wednesday at 9PM EST.
A Hustler’s Blueprint
The story of Da Inphamus Amadeuz is bigger than nutcrackers. It’s a testament to hip hop’s entrepreneurial spirit — the idea that you can take whatever resources you have, flip them, and build something greater. From selling hand-mixed drinks in Harlem to curating freestyles from legends and new talent alike on national radio, Amadeuz proves that hustlers don’t just survive — they reinvent.
Today, as he continues to release music, produce full albums (*The Punchline Playbook: Lesson 1*), and break new talent on Shade 45, the journey comes full circle. What started as a neighborhood hustle has become a **national platform for hip hop culture.**
Or as Amadeuz himself puts it:
“I wasn’t just hustling drinks — I was hustling a dream.”
