Club Shay Shay – Joe Budden Part 1

Date: February 4, 2026
Host: Shannon Sharpe
Guest: Joe Budden

Overview

This episode of Club Shay Shay is a candid, wide-ranging conversation between Shannon Sharpe—a Hall of Fame NFL legend—and Joe Budden, the influential rapper turned media mogul and "podfather" of hip-hop podcasting. The two explore Joe’s journey from artist to independent media powerhouse, the evolving landscape of podcasting, business philosophies on equity and ownership, and offer unfiltered takes on culture, race, and the realities of building and sustaining success in new media.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Joe Budden’s Road from Addiction to Media Mogul

• Joe opens up about his past struggle with pill addiction and the potential dangers he would have faced if fentanyl was as common during his struggle as it is today:
  • "I was addicted to Percocets and Oxycontin...I didn’t leave home with less than 40 pills on me. I was killing myself slowly but surely. I thank God every day that I experienced that at the time that I did, because that was before fentanyl." (00:00)
• Transition from rapper to influential cultural commentator and entrepreneur:
  • Acknowledges his long and winding career path, noting: "It has been a road. Long traveled road, man." (02:22)

2. Building an Independent Podcast Empire

• Joe’s move into digital media, initially through partnerships like Spotify, before going independent with Patreon:
  • Joe emphasizes autonomy over creative and business decisions: "Where could I celebrate in the growth of my own show without having to ask anybody? I mean, that was really...that’s always just the most important." (04:25)
• Joe’s dislike for traditional advertising and network deals:
  • "I never jived with any of that. And I was able to, because my show was so large, you know, kind of have my own say in things." (05:41)
  • Explains seeking equity in business partnerships:
    • "I’m never looking to just take the money up front...the podcast community is its own economy." (09:55)

3. Industry Insight – The Podcast Economy

• Both Sharpe and Budden reflect on how podcasting as a business was initially opaque, and how “A-list” celebrities originally overlooked the space:
  • "You look at Netflix is starting to get involved in podcasting...if it wasn’t what is growing, they ain’t wasting no time with it." (11:00)
  • Sharpe: "A lot of people just think, well, Joe Budden making 20 million, I wanna make...I should make at least 15. They don’t understand. You didn’t start out making 20 million. There is a gradual process, but everybody wants to skip the process." (12:05)
• Joe’s commitment to consistency:
  • "You could count on the Joe Budden Podcast to drop twice a week, 52 weeks out the year...I’m gonna be there." (14:49)
• The importance of self-investment:
  • "You gotta believe in yourself. You have to invest in yourself. You have to make it work." (21:30)

4. Negotiation, Equity, and Media Deals

• Why Joe rejected large, upfront podcast deals:
  • "That’s not my concern. Gotta ask him. You gotta ask him. Let him say no." (23:18)
  • On the value of self-ownership: "At some point, if you do it enough times, we pass belief, we pass proof of concept stage. I’m done convincing people what’s going to happen." (24:08)
• Learning he was underpaid:
  • "Money was never the driving force, which is how we all end up underpaid because we’re doing it for the love and the look." (24:43)
• On turning down major Spotify deal (~$40m):
  • "You can take this 30 million or whatever the number was, or you can trust what the data is saying...I’m going to take these people with me over here and see what happens." (27:21)

5. Race, Equity, and Industry Barriers

• Joe refuses to compare his experience to white podcasters but recognizes the differences:
  • "There’s no need for me to be starting the conversation wrong...My fight is different from their fight." (28:18)
• Cites black examples of IP ownership: “There are black examples of what happens when you own your IP...Congratulate all of those people you name...But not the same.” (29:03)
• Eric Benét on “invites to the boardroom”:
  • "We keep inviting y’all to the cookout, but when are you guys gonna invite us to the boardroom?" (67:00)
  • Joe: "I’m not with waiting on invites from people either...I’m from build it yourself, do it yourself." (67:39)

6. On Ad Models and Control

• Joe’s move to building his own ad team and controlling brand partnerships:
  • "It was cheaper to just hoe around and add yourself to death versus nurturing a relationship with a brand that you understood, that understood you." (17:00)
  • Sharpe: "People don’t understand. I say this: talent costs money. People don’t work for free." (20:42)

7. The Grind and Popularity in New Media

• On the work required to succeed in podcasting:
  • "All you do is work. I did this for years for free.” (12:49)
• The rise of streamers and their celebrity vs. rappers:
  • “Are streamers more popular than rappers? Some, yeah. Some shit.” (70:49)
• The evolution of the audience and networks:
  • “This is the new late night television...this is where they’re digesting this. Not over there, where y’all are spending hundreds and millions and millions of dollars.” (72:10)

8. Personal Reflections: Success, Fatherhood, and Staying Authentic

• On enjoying the fruits of his success:
  • "Went out and bought the Ferrari and then bought the...whatever...I did that. I had a year of cars. I don’t drive." (22:10)
  • Currently building his dream home.
• On fatherhood and generational changes:
  • "It's fun sitting in this seat and watching your kids grow...He’s super humble...His mother did a really good job..." (75:45)
• Importance of authenticity, even through early reality TV and “Love & Hip Hop”:
  • "Anytime I was authentic, it worked. So I try to always be authentic.” (47:40)
• Navigating critique, especially of peers and women in the industry:
  • "If I hurt their feelings, I’ll apologize. That’s not beneath me...But for the most part, it’s cool with everybody." (57:31)

Notable Quotes

• Joe Budden:

  • "I make no mistake about it, I get to wake up, live, eat, dream and music...I really love this. Why would you not dedicate every second to this shit?" (34:10)
  • “I’m proud of who he is. I'm proud of how he thinks, how he shows up for himself, his determination, his work ethic...It's fun watching your kids grow.” (74:57)
  • "If you don’t acknowledge these personalities and their infrastructure, you won’t be here anymore. It’s not dumbness leaving somewhere." (71:40)
  • On being “difficult”: "I’m not asking for handouts. I’m not begging nobody. I’m not convincing nobody." (67:39)

• Shannon Sharpe:

  • "People really just think you and your group, y’all just show and just—no, you got a rundown. We got a direction in which we want to go." (15:24)
  • "If you want a different set of eyeballs, these kids—well, you gotta give with the times." (71:19)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Intro/Opening (Addiction & Music): 00:00-01:23
• Joe’s Transition, Business Moves, Equity: 02:12 – 07:53
• Podcasting Business: Models and Myths: 09:34 – 14:49
• Ownership & Deals – Negotiation Philosophy: 24:08 – 27:54
• Race, Representation, Equity: 28:18 – 29:37; 67:00
• Streamers vs. Rappers, The New Networks: 70:07 – 72:45
• Complex & 'Everyday Struggle' Era: 41:38 – 45:56
• Reality TV & Authenticity: 46:03 – 48:10
• Critique in Hip-Hop & Media: 50:38 – 57:31

Memorable Moments

• Joe candidly reflecting on nearly dying from addiction and gratitude for surviving before fentanyl era (00:00)
• Real talk about new money in podcasting (“YouTube ain’t the only space anymore…should they be worried?”) (37:27)
• The necessity of betting on yourself and the pains/rewards of building from scratch—especially for Black creators
• The viral Complex/Lil Yachty moment and reconciliation, highlighting influence and growth (48:10)
• Honest, no-fluff discussion about the toil, burnout, and meticulous prep behind the scenes—“People don’t see how the food is made, they think it’s easy to cook.” (15:24)
• On new media landscapes: Acknowledgment of personalities like Kai Cenat and the streamer world overpowering traditional outlets (70:49+)
• Deep dive into shifting generational opportunity, fatherhood pride, and struggles with critique and fairness as a Black voice in media

Tone & Language

Authentic, unfiltered, insightful, sometimes humorous, always sharp and real. Both men keep it honest, pulling no punches on topics about race, industry exploitation, independence, personal growth, and the evolving digital landscape.

End of Part 1.
For more, head to the next episode for Part 2 of Shannon’s conversation with Joe Budden.