Podcast Episode Summary
Podcast: Joe and Jada
Hosts: Fat Joe & Jadakiss
Guest: Swae Lee
Date: April 9, 2026
Episode Title: Swae Lee talks ‘Same Difference,’ Rae Sremmurd, “Unforgettable” & Coachella Plans
Episode Overview
This episode features a lively and in-depth conversation with Swae Lee, looking back on his journey from Mississippi basement studios to global stardom with Rae Sremmurd and as a solo artist. The hosts and Swae Lee delve into his new solo project, “Same Difference,” the story behind hits like “Unforgettable,” his evolving artistry, upcoming Coachella set, and collaborations with artists like French Montana, Post Malone, and Jhené Aiko. Throughout, Fat Joe and Jadakiss reflect on the grind of the music industry, sharing humorous banter and memorable stories.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Swae Lee’s Early Grind and Discovery
- Mississippi to Atlanta Grind
- Swae Lee describes how he and his partner Slim Jxmmi were “working at McDonald’s, just doing what we could to get some money at the time.” (06:15)
- A connection with Ear Drummers (Mike Will Made-It’s crew) led them to Atlanta. “Drove that shit from Mississippi to Atlanta, just locked in like a whole year in the basement...cooking up with Mike Will, cooking up with the Ear Drummers, just creating a new sound.” (06:39)
- Reflecting on the Journey
- The hosts discuss how the most valuable times are often before you blow up—“There was nothing more priceless than that time when you was in the basement creating that music.” (07:21, Fat Joe)
- On the initial industry resistance: “Clubs...turned us around. So many people told us, ‘nah, we can’t even play this’...So the turnaround was crazy. The same clubs...welcomed us with open arms.” (08:10, Swae Lee)
Street Grinding & Success
- Both Swae and the hosts agree that hustling in the streets and “getting it on foot” is timeless for music hustle.
- “You can’t really be successful just standing in the corner, sitting on your couch.” (09:21, Fat Joe)
- “Nobody gonna give you that success or get you to where you going without you out there grinding, putting in that work.” (10:04, Fat Joe)
“Same Difference” Album and Collaborations
- Album Details:
- “Yeah, I’m dropping a project. 16 songs, literally. Yeah. Me, Jhené Aiko, Post Malone, French Montana.” (16:00, Swae Lee)
- Collab Stories:
- “Crazy Don’t Even Call” with Rich The Kid, became a Miami club hit before it blew up more widely. (10:52–11:43)
- Teased an in-person creative session with Rich The Kid and an upcoming mixtape together: “We did, like, three other songs, too, so that's fun. Yeah. We actually working on a tape, me and Rich.” (21:41, Swae Lee)
- Song with Jhené Aiko, Post Malone. Stories about how features came together, and artists’ chemistry, especially with French: “You and French, you already got that chemistry.” (41:32, Fat Joe)
The “Unforgettable” Saga
- Addressed rumors and creative process behind the hit with French Montana:
- “It wasn’t the traditional way you go about clearing a song...but the outcome of the song was everything we could have imagined.” (17:02, Swae Lee)
- The miscommunication and lingering feelings online. “He gonna go to the grave with that one…” (17:46, Fat Joe)
- “But so classic. Like, real classic.” (18:06, Swae Lee)
Coachella and Stage Moments
- Swae Lee’s excitement for Coachella:
- Promises surprises, including “humanoid robots” dancing on stage, and a possible Justin Bieber appearance. (21:57, Swae Lee)
- Invites Jadakiss to his Coachella set: “No cap. Jadakiss, first ever at Coachella. That’s legendary.” (01:13, Swae Lee)
- Hosts reflect on performing at festivals and maintaining high energy:
- “When I step on that [stage], you give me…that’s over. And if they give me 15, 20 [minutes]...I just give you a minute of all these chips, you dizzy by the 15th one I’m out of there.” (24:15, Fat Joe)
Navigating the Industry & Artistry
- The cyclical nature of success:
- “For me, I just think, like, everybody had a time, you know what I’m saying? Just be ready when it come back to you. Don’t get comfortable…wait for your time.” (44:50, Swae Lee)
- Fat Joe’s take on longevity:
- “To make a hit record, just one hit record is a miracle...But imagine the guys that keep making those hits. Those guys and girls are exceptional.” (45:38, Fat Joe)
- Discussion on artists, ghostwriters, and people’s taste:
- “People gotta like you...I always use Cardi B as an example, but people thought she was funny and they liked her before they ever knew she was ever gonna put out a record.” (51:07, Fat Joe)
Lifestyle, Health & Culture
- Swae Lee’s Men’s Health collaboration and thoughts on fitness. Planning to “shock the world when I take my shirt off [at Coachella]” (59:25–59:34)
- The group jokes about aging, health, and iconic hip-hop culture, with Fat Joe and Jada poking fun at health supplement commercials and the challenges of gym life. (52:58–61:32)
- Funny banter about pork—no one in the group eats it, even for cultural or religious reasons. (“Only thing the Muslims and the Jews agree with is they don’t want pork.” 29:26, Fat Joe)
Fashion & Miami Living
- Swae Lee and hosts discuss Miami’s flashy culture, car game, and why "everybody seems rich": “They got valet in Walgreens!” (14:33, Fat Joe)
- Jokes about the difference in reaction to success and displays of wealth in Miami vs. New York: “You come in New York with that Rolls Royce...they can’t take that, basically.” (13:07, Fat Joe)
- Elephant skin jackets, fashion inspiration, and the scene in Miami: “This girl, she walked by, she had this shit in burgundy with the elephant skin.” (20:27, Interviewer/Host)
Connection with Audience
- Swae Lee visits colleges to inspire students: “I went to some HBCUs…just like a seminar. Letting them know what’s going on…just motivating them, getting them ready, putting them on the album too.” (19:06, Swae Lee)
- Fat Joe praises Swae Lee for “going to the schools and talking to [the youth]. That’s pretty unique in this day and era.” (19:40, Fat Joe)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [06:00] – Swae Lee on getting discovered & the Mississippi–Atlanta journey
- [08:10] – First taste of stardom, clubs turning around
- [10:52] – Story of “Crazy Don’t Even Call” and working with Rich The Kid
- [16:00] – Album announcement, collabs (Jhené, Post Malone, French Montana)
- [17:02] – The “Unforgettable” backstory
- [21:57] – Coachella plans: Justin Bieber, robots onstage, inviting Jadakiss
- [44:50] – “Everybody has a time”: cycles in music careers
- [51:07] – The importance of being likable as an artist
- [58:53] – Fitness, Men’s Health, and Coachella prep
Tone & Flow
The conversation is candid and irreverent, switching between wise industry reflections, storytelling, and comic asides about culture, food, fitness, and fame. The trio’s chemistry makes the episode feel like a roundtable among friends, supportive but unfiltered.
Closing Notes
**“Same Difference” is out now, featuring star collaborations and Swae Lee’s genre-bending sound. Swae Lee’s Coachella set is set to be a spectacle, possibly with robot dancers and high-profile guests.
Fat Joe and Jadakiss wrap with mutual props and more laughs, promising to see each other in Miami, the gym—or maybe at the next historic performance.**
Want more behind-the-scenes insights from hip-hop legends? Subscribe for exclusive interviews, real talk, and culture.
