Joe and Jada Podcast

Episode: "Fat Joe, Jadakiss & Lola Brooke Talk MASSIVE Changes in Last 20 Years of Hip Hop"

Release Date: February 17, 2026
Podcast Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Main Guests: Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Lola Brooke

Episode Overview

This episode features dynamic conversations between hip-hop icons Fat Joe, Jadakiss (mostly referred to as "Jada" or "Kiss"), and rising star Lola Brooke. The trio dives into personal journeys and the seismic shifts in hip-hop culture, industry practices, and social landscape over the past 20 years. Lola shares firsthand stories of her rise from Brooklyn, insights on industry pressures, her creative process, and the legacy of legendary women rappers. The episode is rich with nostalgic anecdotes, generational comparisons, and real talk about creativity, success, and staying grounded.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Starting Out & The Early Grind

• [02:03] Lola Brooke explains she didn’t start music for money:

  "I didn't start doing music for a bag, but I caught a bag. So I'mma continue to do it for that as well...I gotta get this shit off. Cause if I don't, I'm be going craz."

• [04:09] Joe Crack lauds Lola's work ethic and humility, noting her early years hustling in small-town gigs, giving personal recognition for "making your chops" and not waiting for luck.

• Having a supportive, business-savvy team and OG mentors is critical (05:02):

  "A lot of these young dudes, if they ain't got no unc, no real OGs, positive people, I can see where they fuck up at." — Joe Crack

Navigating Success, Money, and Section 8

• [09:38] Joe Crack asks Lola when she recognized she had a hit. She reflects on delayed gratification and being raised by a hard-working mother.

• Realness about financial progress and generational struggles:

  • Lola shared leaving Section 8 housing, and the challenge of "passing it down":

    "I dropped my section eight when I popped. I'm like, oh, I can leave section 8 now. My mom's passed down the section 8." — Lola Brooke [11:36]

  • Joe contextualizes Section 8 as both help and a system that "controls you from competing…to own shit" [13:00].

    "That system is a trap...It's really not a flex. That shit is meant to be temporary..." — Joe Crack

  • Lola credits her mom for teaching her to use such assistance as "a way forward" [14:04].

Team 80, Mentorship, and Brooklyn’s Legacy

• Lola tells how she joined Team 80 in 2016, emphasizing the uplifting energy of being among other passionate music-makers [15:41].

• Fat Joe brings up Brooklyn's deep lineage of female MCs (Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown) and the pressure/inspiration Lola feels [16:19–17:53].

• On standing out from Brooklyn:

  "At first it felt like pressure. But I'm from Brooklyn. Like it's in me, not on me." — Lola Brooke [17:47]

• Comparison to Lil’ Kim and Foxy:

  "...they always compare me to both. So I be like, I guess I'm like half and half. Like I'm lemonade and Ice T. I'm a half and half." — Lola Brooke [18:14]

• Anecdotes about the intricacies of Brooklyn neighborhoods, culture, and local landmarks fill an engaging segment (esp. [20:26–27:34]). The crew reminisces about iconic food spots, sporting legends, and the city’s diversity.

The Realities of the Music Industry & Making Hits

• Discussion about the sacrifices required after landing a hit—no time to actually enjoy the moment [10:10].

• The business always demands "the next one." Even with massive songs, industry pressure is relentless [42:13]:

  "No matter what you do, if you put out a hit, they want the second. Lean Back. I put out Lean Back...the next song I put out was Make It Rain. The shit went full platinum...And N was still like, this ain't Lean Back, yo. They was dead ass." — Joe Crack

• On creative process:

  • Lola shares that she doesn’t chase radio hits but uses music as therapy:

    "I don't be in the studio like, oh, I gotta make a hit. I'll be in the studio like, oh, I gotta get this off. Because if I don't, I'll be going crazy." — Lola Brooke [42:58]

  • Jadakiss admits he often knows "when you got a hit" in the studio (notable for "Why") [44:02].
  • They discuss the uniqueness of classic hits and how industry standards and tastes have shifted dramatically, making it harder to predict what will pop [47:59–48:54].

Inspiration, Influences & Staying Hungry

• Lola’s Hip-Hop inspirations growing up included Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, and 50 Cent for various reasons (lyricism, authenticity, and drive). She reflects on mixtape-era Wayne’s impact [56:19–57:54].
• The conversation underscores the difference in work ethic between generations. Fat Joe credits Wayne for teaching him to "work fast" in the studio [56:31].

Vision for the Future

• Lola wants to expand beyond music:

  "Being on the movie screens, having my own show. That's what I want." — Lola Brooke [59:50]

• The importance of being ready for "your moment" is discussed, with Teyana Taylor’s recent glow-up as a prime example [60:18–61:15].

• Fat Joe’s recurring message:

  "You gotta stay in the game. You never know." [61:33]

• On using others’ success as inspiration rather than envy:

  "When you watch somebody else blessings or somebody else pockets, then you ain't focused on yours." — Lola Brooke [66:12]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On hustle:
  "You was doing shows, you was getting your name out there early and not just waiting for Plymouth Rock to land on you. You was out there..." — Joe Crack [04:20]
• On creative process:
  "Hits come from great energy. It's a room full of energy. A hit is guaranteed gonna be made." — Lola Brooke [48:54]
• On being from Brooklyn:
  "It's in me, not on me." — Lola Brooke [17:47]
• On pressure and adapting:
  "You gotta adapt...It still don't change. You gotta adapt to enjoy your fruits of labors. That shit don't work like that." — Joe Crack [10:54]
• On generational assistance:
  "I dropped my section eight when I popped. I'm like, oh, I can leave section 8 now. My mom's passed down the section 8." — Lola Brooke [11:36]
• On artistic authenticity:
  "Music for me is a lifestyle. I'm making music because it's making me feel good. I do music because it speaks for me like...it's therapeutic." — Lola Brooke [42:58]
• On generational legacy:
  "If you keep it consistent, nothing changes...you talking your shit… and people could relate. That's powerful right there. That never changes." — Joe Crack [48:18]
• On readiness:
  "You could tell that she [Teyana Taylor] patiently waited for her moment, and when it came, she was ready. A lot of people not ready for their moment." — Lola Brooke [61:04]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:03] — Lola on starting music for passion, not money
• [04:09] — Joe praises Lola’s grind and humility
• [09:38] — Recognition of a hit; challenges with celebrating success
• [11:36] — Section 8, welfare, and generational financial progress
• [13:00] — Joe: Section 8 "is a trap," discussion of system’s limitations
• [17:47] — How Brooklyn’s legacy influences and complicates Lola’s journey
• [18:14] — Being compared to Foxy Brown and Lil’ Kim
• [42:13] — The industry's relentless demand for new hits
• [42:58] — Lola's view on her creative process
• [44:02] — Jadakiss on knowing you have a hit
• [47:59] — The unpredictability of what becomes a hit today
• [48:54] — The role of energy in creating hits
• [56:19] — Lola’s musical inspirations
• [59:50] — Lola’s career goals beyond rap
• [61:33] — Joe’s advice: "You gotta stay in the game. You never know."
• [66:12] — Lola’s philosophy: focus on your own blessings, not others'

Conclusion

This episode is an energetic, heartfelt exploration of what it means to come up in hip-hop, adapt to change, and stay true to yourself—both as an artist and as a person. Joe and Jada provide an OG lens, balancing humor and hard truths, while Lola Brooke embodies the next wave with humility, insight, and readiness for new heights. For fans, artists, or anyone interested in the realities behind fame, success, and hip-hop's evolving landscape, this conversation is packed with wisdom and motivation.

Key Takeaway:
Stay focused, stay hungry, and recognize that every success is a stepping stone—not a stopping point—no matter what the world, or the industry, throws your way. As Joe says:

"You gotta stay in the game. You never know." [61:33]