Podcast Summary: Joe and Jada – The Real Report

Episode: DaBaby talks 'BE MORE GRATEFUL,' NBA YoungBoy project & 50 Cent bond
Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Uncle Murda (guest host)
Guest: DaBaby

Episode Overview

This high-energy episode of The Real Report features DaBaby sitting down with Fat Joe, Jadakiss, and Uncle Murda for an unfiltered conversation about his new album "Be More Grateful," his unique creative process, his relationships with NBA YoungBoy and 50 Cent, family life, and the realities behind success in hip-hop. The crew also dives into Southern culture, food, and car collections, maintaining their trademark blend of humor, honesty, and hip-hop wisdom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

DaBaby's Daughter and Family (00:00–04:42)

• DaBaby shares a heartfelt story about recording a song with his young daughter:
  • “She a whole G at eight years old. A princess and a gangster at the same time… what she said on that, I didn’t even tell her to say that shit.” (DaBaby, 03:51)
  • He recalls her confidence in the studio and how organically her part came together.
  • DaBaby got emotional about her talent and presence, highlighting how special it felt to put out a track recorded two years prior, when she was only six.

Gratitude & Longevity in the Industry (01:38–02:33)

• What DaBaby’s grateful for:
  • “The journey itself. The character developed along the way. Still being… seven years in the game. Still being in a position to feed a family. And still being able to put this shit on display.” (DaBaby, 01:44)
• The hosts appreciate DaBaby’s consistency and resilience, noting how few artists make it past seven years at his level.

Creative Process & Album Construction (02:49–06:25)

• Creating for Clubs and Picking Beats:
  • DaBaby explains his approach to club bangers and shouts out hometown producers KO and others whose beats inspired last-minute recordings:
    • “As soon as they sent [the beat], I called my engineer, like, ‘Meet me at the spot right now.’ I knew that was one.” (DaBaby, 03:02)
• Why release 23 tracks?
  • Initially considered making the album a double, but opted to deliver all at once since “n****s ain't ready to receive shit as a double album no more ... I’d never put out 23 songs, but the mode I’m in… I ain't dropped an album in four years." (DaBaby, 05:37)
  • Wanted to “check every single motherf***ing box,” from club turn-ups to lyricism and songs for his female audience.

Visual Ambitions and Inspiration (06:40–08:00; 19:32–21:13)

• Music Videos as Mini-Movies:

  • DaBaby's visuals are inspired by “Ludacris and Busta Rhymes” for their creativity and spectacle, blending character, entertainment, and originality.
  • “I produce ‘em, my team produces ‘em. I handpick the actors, dancers—I even run around and get wardrobe myself.” (DaBaby, 20:08)
  • Describes investing in top-tier camera gear and taking a hands-on approach to “really make this shit pop up right here, in front of a n****.”

• Industry Wisdom from 50 Cent:

  • 50 encouraged DaBaby not to rush into acting: “He like, nah n****, you ain't done with music yet... you could do that sh*t whenever.” (DaBaby, 21:13)

Relationship with NBA YoungBoy & 50 Cent (07:27–10:24)

• NBA YoungBoy Collab under Pressure:

  • Recorded an album while NBA YoungBoy was under house arrest:
    • “That's the only n**** out my era I was even listening to…pull up on bro, it was while he was on house arrest…I’m that type of n****, if I'm rocking with you, I'm rocking with you. I don’t give a fuck.” (DaBaby, 07:42; 08:53)
  • They discuss being blackballed alongside YoungBoy and loyalty in the business.
  • “A friend to everybody is a friend of none…that’s why I fuck with n****s like 50. He don't fuck with nobody…but the way he rock with me…fuckin’ people up when they see that." (DaBaby, 09:36)

• 50 Cent’s Loyalty and Respect:

  • Fat Joe and DaBaby describe 50 Cent having DaBaby's back after controversy, despite only recently meeting:
    • “You got all the reason in the world to say nah…you don’t owe me no loyalty, you just met me.” (DaBaby, 10:38)

DaBaby's Evolution and Resilience (13:43–16:54)

• Career Ups and Downs:
  • Candid about setbacks and industry politics:
    • “I take accountability. I could've been did this shit like this, but I was out of love with the game and the business...so I had to take a step back...let me soak up what I need, then re-approach this shit." (DaBaby, 15:47)
  • His preferred approach: “I don’t like the calm shit … I get bored. I’m gonna give you a bunch of records so I can… smack their ass around … a lot of singles on the album the whole year.” (DaBaby, 16:35)

Album Rollout & Marketing Genius (16:54–19:32)

• Miami Rollout Masterclass:
  • “I told the whole team, flying out Miami tomorrow. We shot content, brought dancers … by the time I left Miami, that song was the talk of the motherfucking world.” (DaBaby, 18:06)
• Stresses the importance of how songs are introduced visually, not just musically.

Lawsuits, Legal Lessons & Industry Realities (22:16–24:52)

• On Lawsuits:
  • DaBaby cracks jokes but also reveals the real costs—financial and personal—of constant litigation in hip-hop.
  • “[A] broken jaw could cost you $50 to $70,000. A lawyer just to retain, that's $70K…Keep your hands to yourself. Or lure ‘em into the back alley around the corner. They say no camera.” (DaBaby and Host 1, 23:03; 23:17)
• Describes how the threat of lawsuits changed his behavior and made him more cautious about being outside.

Giving Back & Community Roots (24:52–25:00)

• DaBaby’s active in philanthropy—turkey drives, community giveaways—and is “mad humble” despite success.

Southern vs. New York Culture, Cooking & Cars (25:00–34:48)

• Cooking:

  • Extended, funny discussion about Southern food, cooking skills, and cultural contrasts.
  • “All the n****s from the south can’t cook that…no knife, though. I don’t know nobody that can cook like me … I don’t hire chefs … they put the little green shit on my food…” (DaBaby, 27:09)

• On Cars:

  • Favorite ride varies (currently the Cybertruck for convenience, but loves his Maybach truck and Phantom too).
  • “I’m past this shit…I may go get rid of one or two of them bitches after this interview.” (DaBaby, 29:41)
  • Jokes about New Yorkers not knowing luxury cars and keeping his car game lowkey.

• Southern Hospitality:

  • DaBaby loves hosting and cooking for those around him, tying it back to his roots and approach to family.

Food Segment: "The Chopping Block" featuring Cuts and Slices (31:30–35:48)

• The hosts and DaBaby dig into Brooklyn’s Cuts and Slices (jerk chicken and oxtail pizza), raving about the flavors.
• “From 1 to 10, I’mma give this a 12.5. What time they close?” (DaBaby, 35:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "She a whole G at eight years old. A princess and a gangster at the same time."
  (DaBaby on daughter, 03:51)

• “A friend to everybody is a friend of none…I wasn’t ever really on friendly time…that’s why I fuck with n****s like 50.”
  (DaBaby, 09:36)

• “I produce ‘em, my team produces ‘em. I handpick the actors, dancers—I even run around and get wardrobe myself.”
  (DaBaby on music videos, 20:08)

• "When you get sued, a broken jaw could cause you $70,000. Keep your hands to yourself or lure 'em into the back alley where the cameras ain't at."
  (DaBaby, 23:17)

• “I don’t like the calm shit … I get bored. I’m gonna give you a bunch of records … a lot of singles on the album the whole year.”
  (DaBaby, 16:35)

• “From 1 to 10, I’mma give this a 12.5.” (DaBaby rating pizza, 35:26)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment |
|-----------|-------------------------------------------------|
| 00:00–04:42 | Recording with his daughter & fatherhood |
| 01:38–02:33 | What DaBaby is grateful for |
| 02:49–06:25 | Album creative process & song selection |
| 06:40–08:00 | Music videos and visual identity |
| 07:27–10:24 | Working with NBA YoungBoy, loyalty, 50 Cent |
| 13:43–16:54 | Talking resilience and reinvention |
| 16:54–19:32 | Rollout strategy and marketing in Miami |
| 19:32–21:13 | Video budgets, production, inspiration |
| 22:16–24:52 | Lawsuits, industry pitfalls |
| 24:52–25:00 | Giving back to the community |
| 25:00–34:48 | Cooking, Southern vs. NYC culture, car talk |
| 31:30–35:48 | Food review: Cuts and Slices, pizza segment |
| 36:01–End | Closing remarks, celebration of DaBaby |

Tone & Takeaways

The episode channels the rowdy, authentic spirit of hip-hop barbershop talk—respectful jabs, high praise, real-life lessons, and community pride. DaBaby comes across as creative, humble but unyielding, fundamentally grateful, and deeply rooted in his family and background. The hosts keep it light and animated, always connecting conversation back to the bigger stories of culture, authenticity, and realness in music.

For fans and new listeners alike, this episode offers a deep, personal look at DaBaby’s journey, his thought process, loyalty, and why he remains "one of them guys"—unapologetically himself, always pushing forward.