Podcast Summary: My Momma Told Me – "Pon de Satan" (with Langston Kerman and David Gborie) RE-RELEASE

Release Date: September 25, 2025
Hosts: Langston Kerman & David Gborie

Episode Overview

This re-released episode of "My Momma Told Me" dives into one of the show's signature styles: exploring Black conspiracy theories with humor, cultural critique, and candid personal experience. Langston Kerman and David Gborie banter their way into a semi-serious (but mostly hilarious) examination of the persistent theory that high-profile cultural events—most notably, Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime performance—are rife with demonic symbolism and Illuminati connections. Along the way, the episode touches on Black nostalgia, pop culture, code-switching, and the religious imagination of Black America.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter and Black Nostalgia

Timestamps: 02:37–10:52

• Langston and Bori reminisce about figures like Kevin Hart, Terence J, AJ & Free, and Bow Wow, humorously critiquing the "talent" of various Black entertainment heavyweights.
• Conversations about high school reunions and social dynamics highlight their penchant for blending personal anecdotes and cultural analysis.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "We finally work to prove that when Kevin Hart got in that car accident with his side piece and then he ran away, it wasn't an accident. It was, in fact, an assassination attempt, because he was on his way to buy the rights to Think Like a Man 3." —Langston (04:07)

2. Setting Up the Episode’s Main Conspiracy

Timestamps: 10:52–13:57

• Introduction of the central topic: an audience-suggested theory that the Super Bowl (and similar high-profile concerts) are “demonic”—a topic inspired by conspiratorial interpretations of Rihanna’s halftime show.
• They discuss the enduring Black suspicion of mainstream spectacles and the perceived presence of “demonic” or Illuminati rituals in pop culture events.
• Quote:
  • “My mama told me that the Super Bowl was demonic.” —Langston (13:57)

3. Blackness, Sports, and the Threat of Appropriation

Timestamps: 14:13–16:17

• Veers into cultural anxiety about whiteness “taking over” Black cultural institutions like the NBA and hip-hop.
• Langston and Bori use Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, and Eminem as examples of white figures succeeding in traditionally Black spaces—and the unease that provokes.
• Quote:
  • “If they take basketball from us, I have a gun, and I'll go to the streets.” —Bori (14:34)

4. Examining Rihanna’s Super Bowl Performance: “Demonic” or Just Iconic?

Timestamps: 17:23–21:16

• Deep-dive into the specifics: Rihanna’s hand symbols (the “Roc”), her red outfit, and the rapid social media rumors about devil-worship and Illuminati gestures.
• The hosts analyze whether these gestures are genuinely “demonic” or simply part of pop culture’s interplay with provocative symbolism.
• Quotes:
  • “There were a lot of Illuminati suggestions. It’s a real fruit salad of crazy demon shit.” —Langston (17:23)
  • “If there was a Black pop star who I think would worship the devil...I think it would be Rihanna.” —Bori (21:17)

5. The Devil: Black, White, or Misunderstood?

Timestamps: 22:14–41:31

• Philosophical and comedic exploration of race in the imagery of good and evil: Is the devil Black? White? Does it matter?
• Langston stands firm that the devil is a big white dude; Bori argues for a more nuanced—or even “Black is beautiful”—take on the devil.
• Discussion of how Christianity, colonialism, and pop culture shape Black American perceptions of these archetypes.
• Quotes:
  • “For me, the devil is a big, old, sturdy-chested white man.” —Langston (37:56)
  • “I'm with Rihanna, where it's like, I don't even know if the devil's all bad.” —Bori (37:08)
  • “You're demonizing your own people. This is bad.” —Langston (38:29)

6. Entertainers, Symbolism, and Playing with the Devil

Timestamps: 41:31–58:16

• The mingling of spirituality, showmanship, and publicity: are pop stars purposefully invoking the devil for shock value (like rock stars with Satanic imagery), or is it all just marketing?
• Comparison between staging “demonic” performances and other celebrity spiritual bandwagoning (Ashton Kutcher and Kabbalah, etc.).
• Quote:
  • “Anytime you're performing your religious faith...you’re just being like, ain’t this kind of fun and silly?” —Langston (56:04)
  • "It’s done in the spirit of entertainment more than it’s done in the spirit of actual spirituality.” —Bori (57:02)

7. The Nuance of Faith, Privilege, and Cultural Imagination

Timestamps: 58:16–60:02

• There’s a direct thread drawn between class, economic stability, and the “luxury” of exploring spirituality.
• Entertainers can dabble in whichever ideology or symbology they like, but such privilege is unavailable to most.
• Quote:
  • “Being a Buddhist as a poor person—which arguably is kind of how you should do it—is a lot more difficult...than to be a Buddhist when all your needs are met.” —Bori (58:17)

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Funny Moment | |-----------|-----------|--------------------| | 04:07 | Langston | “We finally work to prove that when Kevin Hart got in that car accident… it wasn’t an accident. It was, in fact, an assassination attempt…” | | 13:57 | Langston | “My mama told me that the Super Bowl was demonic…” | | 14:34 | Bori | “If they take basketball from us, I have a gun, and I’ll go to the streets.” | | 17:23 | Langston | “It’s a real fucking fruit salad of crazy demon shit…” | | 21:17 | Bori | “If there was a Black pop star who I think would worship the Devil…I think it would be Rihanna.” | | 37:56 | Langston | “For me, the devil is a big, old, sturdy-chested white man.” | | 56:04 | Langston | “Anytime you’re performing your religious faith, you’re just being like, ain’t this kind of fun and silly?” | | 58:17 | Bori | “Being a Buddhist as a poor person…is a lot more difficult…than to be a Buddhist when all your needs are met.” |

Other Memorable Segments

• The Rihanna–ASAP Rocky Devil Romance: Fantasizing about Rihanna luring ASAP Rocky into devil worship after sex, involving “killing a goat together” (23:53).
• Code-switching by Celebrities and the Hosts: Hilarious discussion of Travis Kelce’s shifting speech patterns, SNL’s Adrien Brody’s Jamaican accent, and Tarantino on 106 & Park (41:43–46:43).
• On Entertainers and Spirituality: Comparison of pop stars’ satanic gestures to Ashton Kutcher’s Kabbalah phase (57:25).

Engagement, Listener Takeaways & Tone

• The duo utilize a unique blend of cultural critique and Black barbershop-style humor.
• Listeners get a thorough dissection of paranoia around demonic symbolism in Black pop culture—and why such narratives endure.
• The hosts debunk simplistic readings but delight in wild theorizing; their playful arguments highlight the difference between "spirituality" and the commodification of the “demonic” by celebrities.
• Concludes with love for Rihanna and ASAP Rocky, celebrating their partnership and poking fun at the internet's wildest claims.

Structure / Segment Timestamps

• [02:37–10:52] Black Nostalgia, pop culture roast
• [10:52–13:57] Setting up the “Super Bowl is Demonic” theory
• [14:13–16:17] Cultural fear of white “takeover” of Black domains
• [17:23–21:16] Rihanna’s allegations, Illuminati & Super Bowl breakdown
• [22:14–41:31] Devil’s race, Christian symbolism, and personal views
• [41:31–58:16] Pop stars, showmanship, and spiritual “performance”
• [58:16–60:02] Spirituality, class privilege, and Black American faith
• [60:02–end] Wrap-up and comedic sign-off

Final Thoughts

With sharp banter, irreverent takes, and in-depth cultural references, Langston and Bori dissect how and why the sight of a pop star in red, throwing up triangles, becomes fuel for Black conspiracy theory. They ultimately argue that the so-called “demonic” is more playful spectacle—entertainment rituals for the masses—than genuine spiritual warfare. Still, the duo never misses a chance to celebrate Black culture’s imagination, suspicion, and world-building.