DISGRACELAND: Bonus Episode - Bad Men, Good Music, and the Developing D4VID Saga

Host: Jake Brennan
Release Date: September 25, 2025

Episode Overview

In this After Party bonus episode, Jake Brennan delves into the developing and disturbing saga surrounding rising hip-hop star D4VID and the shocking death of Celeste Rivas, drawing broader connections to themes of obsession, art versus artist, and the perennial struggle between myth and truth in music history. The episode also features listener call-ins, recommendations for rock music films, and a preview of upcoming Disgraceland and Hollywoodland episodes—including a sneak peek at the Paul Newman story. The discussion is raw, provocative, and unwavering in its mission to “confront the myth” and “reclaim the story” behind music’s most infamous characters.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The D4VID and Celeste Rivas Case: Obsession, Addiction, and Violence

• [09:47] Origin Story of D4VID

  • A teenage gamer from Houston started creating music to accompany Fortnite highlight reels.
  • His songs blew up on TikTok, leading to a record deal with Interscope.
  • Despite success, D4VID remained “obsessed” with gaming, especially Fortnite.

• [11:10] D4VID and the Celeste Rivas Saga

  • Allegedly dated Celeste Rivas (then 12) in 2022 while he was 17.
  • Released the song “Romantic Homicide” with lyrics:
    “In the back of my mind I killed you and I don’t even regret it. I can’t believe I said it, but it’s true. I hate you.” [12:41]
  • In April 2024, 15-year-old Celeste went missing; her dismembered body was later found in a car reportedly registered to D4VID.
  • Internet sleuths uncovered alleged Discord chats and an unreleased song by D4VID titled “Celeste.”
  • Celeste's mother confirmed she and D4VID had the same “Shh” tattoo on their fingers.

• [14:32] Jake’s Reflections and Parallels

  • Draws a chilling comparison to Aaron Hernandez and the effects of obsession, drugs, and brain trauma.
  • Ponders if “evil is sometimes like water; it finds its way,” suggesting both innate and environmental roots for violence.
  • Stresses the case is ongoing—no confirmed details—but suggests it feels “like an old school Disgraceland episode” (referencing season one’s Tay K47).

Art Versus Artist: Can We Still Love Music (or Film) from Bad People?

• [17:41] Teases a nuanced segment (All-Access exclusive) evaluating music and films made by “truly deplorable” artists—inviting listeners to confront the personal discomfort of loving art created by troubled or immoral figures.

  “What music from truly deplorable artists do we still love—and that we would recommend?” [18:07]

  • Zeth joins to discuss the film side, with Jake handling music recommendations.

Listener Calls, Texts, and Community Recs

Rock & Roll Films and Biopics

• [22:18] Brennan discusses his “complaining about the lack of quality music biopics,” but finds merit in the CNN Live Aid doc.
• [24:30] Brennan invites community recs on Patreon:
  • Noteworthy recs include:
    • True Stories (David Byrne-directed)
    • Dio's autobiography
    • A Ghostface-narrated audiobook

Voicemails

• [25:21] Fish Fan in Hawaii:

  • Recommends a Disgraceland episode on jam band Phish and notes Trey Anastasio’s struggles with addiction.
  • Brennan reveals a Phish episode is in production and references a recent fatal stabbing at a Phish show in Virginia.

• [26:47] Morty from 276 (Cracker Barrel Worker):

  • Suggests Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, calling it “rock and roll to the core...a parody of Hollywood...soundtrack is just kick ass.”

  “I just want to say a rock and roll movie that should be mentioned is Beyond the Valley of the Dolls...the soundtrack is just kick ass.” — Morty [27:01]

• [27:54] Text from “Stace” (914):

  • Trainspotting picked for its pairing of Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life” with “the choose life monologue delivered by a junkie—has lived rent free in my head since the film came out.”

  “What’s more rock and roll than heroin?” — Stace [28:08]

  • Pleads for more stories about “female music artists behaving badly,” not just the usual Amy Winehouse or Lana Del Rey.

More Film Recommendations

• [30:15] Listener from 302:

  • Suggests American Hot Wax (“my introduction to rock,” “teens dancing in defiance, races mingling, and cops trying to shut it down”)
  • Recommends Times Square (1980ish): “two young girls escaping a mental health hospital and in general, raising hell.”

• [31:40] Brennan responds:

  • Intrigued by Times Square, evokes Over the Edge (“great rock and roll movie that's not about music...Incredible soundtrack”).

Upcoming / Current Disgraceland Content Recap

• [38:40]
  1. Current Full Episode: Ol’ Dirty Bastard
  2. Rewind: Pantera/Dimebag Darrell
  3. Next Tuesday: Led Zeppelin & The Haunting of Headley Grange (Part 2)
  4. Hollywoodland: Paul Newman episode
  5. Community Call: Share your own stories of haunted houses/ghostly encounters for the Spooky October theme ([20:44] — call/text 617-906-6638).
  6. Merch Reminder: Limited run ends September 30—“Just Say No to Kasm” shirts, Disgraceland hoodies, zombie Elvis hats.

Paul Newman Segment (with Dr. Lundy)

• [34:44] Dr. Lundy describes Paul Newman’s authenticity and philanthropy—how his company, Newman’s Own, funneled 100% of profits into supporting kids with serious illnesses:

  “It was like, holy shit, no actor has ever pulled this off before...he did it because he just believed in helping other people.” — Dr. Lundy [35:26]

  • Recommends the HBO doc series The Last Movie Stars.

• [36:41] Jake reminisces about finding out about Paul Newman's death and waxes poetic about Slap Shot and New England identity.

Sports Rant: Patriots Pain

• [37:20] Quick-hit sports rant sponsored by 5-Hour Energy; Jake bemoans being a Patriots fan—“This team is an embarrassment. I can’t get over how far we’ve fallen. I can’t believe this is what we’re left to root for every frickin’ Sunday.”

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Balance and Obsession:

  “If all I did was talk into this microphone to you guys and write and record stories about crazy musicians and ignore my wife and my kids in the process, I’d probably be more successful, but I would also be less happy in life. Balance. Balance. Balance. Balance.” — Jake [06:15]

• On the D4VID Case:

  “I don’t know if this guy David had anything to do with Celeste Rivas’s death, but I know that we’re going to find out soon. And if David is responsible for the cruel and callous end to Celeste Rivas’s life...There’s no telling yet why or how something like this could happen.” — Jake [13:57]

• Art Versus Artist:

  “Some murderers, I suppose, are just born bad. They’re just born that way. There’s evil, and evil is sometimes like water. It finds its way. I truly believe that.” — Jake [15:30]

• On Female Rage in Music History:

  “The problem has always been that women just aren’t as fucked up as dudes...but however, I found a way in, and the second piece here that you might appreciate is we’re working on a way to bring you guys more fully into the process of helping us choose these stories.” — Jake [29:45]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:00-05:10] — Ad reads/merch/plugs (skipped)
• [05:12] — Start of After Party; thoughts on obsession, balance, and “bad men, good music”
• [09:47] — D4VID’s background, rise to fame, relationship with Celeste Rivas, and the ongoing murder investigation
• [14:32] — Reflections on the potential making of a murderer, art imitating life
• [17:41] — Teaser for art versus artist segment
• [22:18] — Music doc/biopic state-of-the-nation and community discussion
• [25:21] — Listener voicemails: Fish, rock movies, and requests for more female artists
• [34:44] — Hollywoodland preview: Paul Newman and Dr. Lundy on philanthropy
• [37:20] — Sports Rant: The agony of being a post-Brady Patriots fan
• [38:40] — Recap and closing calls to action (episode line-up, merch, phone line, community, etc.)

Tone & Takeaway

True to DISGRACELAND’s irreverent, confessional, and boundary-pushing style, this bonus After Party explores real, dark musical scandals with a mix of curiosity, suspicion, and empathy. Brennan brings listeners into his own ruminations—never shying from uncomfortable truths, and always wrestling with the question: must we lose our love for art when artists are monsters? The community-driven element is strong, with Brennan uplifting listener suggestions and inviting all into the “disco” fold of obsessed, truth-seeking music heads.

For Listeners:

• Dive into the full Ol' Dirty Bastard and Wu-Tang archives now.
• Share your ghost stories before the October special via call/text 617-906-6638.
• Get your limited-run DISGRACELAND merch before September 30th at shopdisgraceland.com.
• Join the community and get exclusive content via Patreon.
• Stay tuned for updates as the D4VID/Celeste Rivas case unfolds—likely to become a main DISGRACELAND story if warranted.