Transcript

Commercial Announcer (0:00)

Everybody has goals, and every goal starts with an assist, whether it's on the field or off. That's why Halion is teaming up with US Soccer to launch for the Assist. It's a new campaign that celebrates those everyday acts of support that help people achieve their goals. As the makers of trusted brands like Advil, Centrum, Tum, Sensodyne and Voltaren, Halion knows how to support everyday wellness goals. To learn more, go to helionassist.

Sponsor Announcer (0:28)

This podcast is sponsored by Total Wireless, the official wireless partner of ufc. When you're streaming the fight or sharing those takedown highlights, you need a wireless provider that keeps you close to the action. With Total Wireless, you're covered by the Verizon 5G network, so you don't have to worry about your connection being knocked out at the biggest moments. It's not something you can usually say about a wireless provider, but Total Wireless really does have your back. They're in your corner every second of the day, so you never miss a thing. Visit totalwireless.com or visit your local Total Wireless store to learn more about how Total Wireless can be in your corner. 5G access requires a 5G capable device and a 5G service area. Additional terms apply. See website for details.

Fat Joe (1:19)

Saks off 5th is revealing the season's most wanted holiday steals. Whether you're gifting someone on your list or treating yourself to a designer score, find deals on McQueen, Valentino, Versace, Stuart Weitzman and more at up to 70% off every day, outshine at every event and outsmart your budget. From shimmer ready party looks to luxe layers and cozy giftable Accessories, Saks off 5th is your secret source for celebrating in style.

Mike Epps (1:44)

Style.

Fat Joe (1:45)

Your holiday shopping mission starts now@saksoff5.com or a Saks off 5th store near you. This is Julian Edelman from Games With Names. Football is back. That means it's tailgate time and this season the only meat I'm going to grill is Dietz and Watson. I'm loving the Black Angus Dietz dogs. They're flavor packed and you can tell they are made with the highest quality ingredients. Sundays just got a whole lot better. Visit deetsandwatson.com the right way to learn more about the deets difference. 10 athletes will face the toughest job interview in fitness that will push past physical and mental breaking points. You are the fittest of the fit. Only one of you will leave here with an IFIT contract worth $250,000. This is where mindset comes someone will be eliminated. Pressure is Coming down.

Commercial Announcer (2:50)

Trainer Games on Prime Video, January 8th. Watch the trailer on trainer games.com.

Summary

Joe and Jada Podcast: Mike Epps Tells Wild Jay-Z & DMX Stories, Talks Dave Chappelle & Top 5 Standups

Podcast: Joe and Jada
Hosts: Fat Joe & Jadakiss
Guest: Mike Epps
Release Date: December 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This vibrant episode of Joe and Jada brings legendary comedian and actor Mike Epps to the couch for a raucous, nostalgic, and no-holds-barred conversation about growing up, the grind of comedy, stories from hip hop’s golden era, and wild nights in New York. Mike, Fat Joe, and Jadakiss dig into deep laughs, real struggle, heartfelt moments, wild DMX encounters, and a passionate debate about the Mount Rushmore of standup comedy. The vibe is authentic—stories flow, jokes land, and the trio offers a masterclass in storytelling and hip hop culture.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Growing Up & Neighborhood Struggles

(03:00–15:18)

The trio share vivid memories of growing up in tough neighborhoods, the family pressures of staying out of trouble, and the struggle to get fly as kids.
Fat Joe remembers the sting of wanting designer clothes and the embarrassment when his father insisted on saving money (“He take you to the store, buy you the fucking plastic coat instead of the leather. Yeah, he'll embarrass me at every course.” – 11:47).
Mike Epps humorously recounts faking an overdose to get Jordans and ending up having to drink charcoal in the ER, a prank that actually worked:

“My dad was like, that made you upset. I took and put some pills in the toilet and flushed it and act like I overdosed ... my mother bought me them shoes.” (12:04–13:06)
They bond over the hard lessons on money, respect, and the adversity that shaped their ambitions.

2. The Drug Game & Street Life

(15:20–18:26)

Fat Joe speaks candidly about his brother’s rise and fall in the drug trade and the fickleness of street loyalty:

“I watched my brother, my brother ass kiss you. My brother was kingpin...When he needed a meal, wouldn’t let him in their house…” (16:02–17:30)
Mike Epps reflects on how the allure of the street is a trap, with loyalty evaporating the minute you’re down:

“That means the whole game is corrupt and filthy...the streets ain't really—it's really over. With all these cameras, you be a damn fool.” (17:30–18:09)

3. Comedian Grind – No Friends, Only Rivals

(28:09–29:14)

Mike Epps provides a brutally honest look at the comedy world:

“I never really had friends in comedy...it's cutthroat for sure. That shit is damn near worse than the rap game...It's dark. It's a dark art form. It don't brighten up until it starts paying you.” (28:09–29:14)
Discussion turns to the loneliness of the stand-up grind and mental health, referencing Robin Williams and the high suicide rate among comedians. Epps contrasts this with the violence in hip hop (“We get murdered at our prom, y’all.” – 29:37).

4. Legendary Hip Hop Stories: Jay-Z, DMX, and More

Mike Epps Runs Through 1990s NYC

(47:51–50:48)

Mike reminisces on living in NYC during the 1990s, seeing Jay-Z pre-fame in a polo shirt at Latin Quarters, ghosting through the Bronx and Harlem, and learning the city’s culture:

“I’ve been around everybody and everything. And I was a ghost. Nobody even seen me. And I said to myself, if I was a hitman, I could have killed the whole hip hop business.” (48:50)
Shares stories of hosting at Peppermint Lounge in New Jersey (“Motherfucker be dead in front of it, they still got the show going…” – 49:32).

The Wildest DMX & Jay-Z Anecdotes

(75:00–77:19)

Jadakiss and Epps reveal long-standing beef between DMX and K Solo (“Spellbound. They was in the mining block in Long island somewhere and locked up together…” – 75:08).
Fat Joe’s legendary story:

“I got one DMX story. DMX and Big Pun had a show in like, a baby arena in Brooklyn. We went to the gas station and DMX said, yo, hold up one second. And stuck the guy up for his chain and came back with the guy chain on. And I'm like, yo...He got the whole world going ‘Get at me, dawg’ and he stick this [guy] up for his chain in the gas station.” (75:46–76:24)

5. Comedy Mount Rushmore & Dave Chappelle Debate

(52:12–52:59)

Mike Epps lists his “Mount Rushmore” of standup:
Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Robin Harris
When Joe brings up Dave Chappelle:

“He ain't up there with them. To me, that's my opinion. Now I have to put him in a category that’s right after them...You can't tell the kids that. Me and him looking up at the same person.” — Mike Epps (52:45–52:59)
Fat Joe compares this to hip hop’s generational divides (“Say…you would get mad if a [guy] tried to say you…look up to Tim Dog.” – 53:06).

6. The State of Stand-Up & Touring Now

(39:01–39:59)

Epps discusses the success of the “We The Ones” comedy tour, the shifting lineups, and the challenges and pride of headlining.
Conversation on joke theft and originality in comedy (“When a big [comedian] steals something from you, you're like, damn…No, a small [comic] stole it from me and got around him…” – 40:22).

7. On Confidence, Fat Joe’s Origin Story, and Self-Belief

(86:42–89:24)

Fat Joe opens up about always having confidence, even when young and broke:

“I never had a confidence problem...I own the name Fat Joe since I'm fucking three years old...I got green eyes, I'm fly, smell good, army jacket.” (87:07–87:28)
Mike Epps on seeing Joe glow up:

“When I see you in front of them Roll Royces with them outfits…that [man] deserved that shit. Cause I seen that [man] poor.” (61:00–61:11)

8. Cycle of Poverty, Food Stamps, and Breaking Free

(91:16–94:45)

Mike Epps and Fat Joe reflect deeply on welfare, Section 8, and how systems can trap generations:

“Black people let the fucking shit go. I'm tired of seeing three generations of mothers on fucking food stamps...It's systemic. To hold you back from competing.” (91:48–92:48)
They urge listeners to break free, celebrate independence, and reach potential—using their own rise as examples.

9. Power of Strong Partnerships & Podcast Chemistry

(72:53–73:40)

Mike Epps credits the dynamic between Joe and Jada as what makes the podcast work:

“Y' all totally different and he's...got a whole different story...Y' all just different...If they would have had another guy that was similar to you or another guy, that shit wouldn't have worked.” (72:53–73:25)
Fat Joe:

“You gotta have peanut butter and jelly...he brings me back to life. Peanut butter and jelly.” (73:25–73:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“I never had friends in comedy...It's cutthroat for sure. That shit is damn near worse than the rap game.” — Mike Epps (28:09)
“I watched people that my brother bought the tv, the furniture, he bought their whole crib…wouldn’t let them in their house when he needed a meal.” — Fat Joe (17:14)
“DMX said, yo, hold up one second. And stuck the guy up for his chain and came back with the guy chain on.” — Fat Joe (75:46)
“He ain't up there with them. To me, that’s my opinion…Now I have to put him in a category that’s right after them.” — Mike Epps, on Dave Chappelle (52:45)
“You drinking water, you're being healthy...All of this is connected to you being responsible...You got to cover every base.” — Mike Epps (94:45)

Notable Segments & Timestamps

Nostalgic neighborhood stories: 03:00–15:20
Street life & fickle loyalty: 15:18–18:26
Comedy’s dark side: 28:09–29:37
Living in New York City in the 1990s: 47:51–50:48
Wild DMX stories: 75:00–77:19
Mount Rushmore Debate: 52:12–52:59
Touring standup—‘We the Ones’ Comedy Tour: 39:01–39:59
Self-confidence & Fat Joe’s glow-up: 86:42–89:24
Systemic poverty & family: 91:16–94:45
Podcast chemistry: 72:53–73:40

Episode Tone & Style

Loose, hilarious, and heartfelt—Joe and Jada keep it 100, mixing raw honesty with jokes, tough-love advice, and pure hip hop nostalgia. Mike Epps’ storytelling is magnetic, with a blend of humor and wisdom. It’s a masterclass in locker-room camaraderie and hip hop storytelling, for anyone who wants a genuine dose of realness from three of the culture’s icons.

Listen If You Want…

Unfiltered stories from hip hop and comedy legends
Wild DMX and Jay-Z anecdotes you can’t hear anywhere else
Honest talk about struggle, unbreakable self-belief, and community
Deep-dive into the hustle of comedy and why “cutthroat” is an understatement
Debates about who’s really top 5 in standup
To laugh hard, relive 1990s NYC, and walk away inspired

wavePod

Mike Epps tells WILD Jay-Z & DMX stories, talks Dave Chappelle & top 5 standups