New Rory & Mal – Episode 451 | "What If?"
Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts: Rory, Mal, Foxy Brown (main co-hosts), with interjections from Nav Green
Podcast Theme: New stories, unfiltered laughs, and the kind of highly specific music and pop-culture conversation only Rory & Mal (and friends) can provide.
Episode Overview
This episode flows through a variety of cultural conversations: the crew’s hot takes on celebrity privacy, alcohol and emotions, predictions and excitement for J. Cole’s upcoming album "The Fall Off," candid thoughts on the music industry and Grammy categorizations, and how much (or little) we should know about celebrities. True to form, expect plenty of laughs, storytelling, and honest opinions.
Key Topics & Discussion Points
1. First Date Vibes, Lighting & Setting
[02:14–03:09]
- The crew opens with a lighthearted discussion on the importance of ambiance while dating and the role of lighting in setting the mood.
- Mall prefers "really low candle lit...the flicker flicker of the light."
- The team riffs on Janet Jackson music videos and the nostalgia they evoke.
2. Music Tributes & Janet Jackson's Legacy
[03:10–05:36]
- Debate over the best artists to tribute Janet that would do her legacy justice.
- Mall’s picks: Ciara, Victoria Monet, Teyana Taylor – “Janet’s daughters.”
- Foxy Brown: “Y’all don’t give Tinashe her props.”
- Reflections on why some talented artists (ex: Tinashe) never achieve mainstream longevity.
3. Vertigo and Health Updates (with Comedy)
[07:01–08:56]
- Rory shares he’s been suffering from vertigo.
- Foxy Brown’s advice: “You gotta sleep with your left leg hanging off the bed.” | [07:16]
- Playful shaming ensues: “A grown man complaining about his balance…” | [08:29]
4. Alcohol, Emotions, and Taking Breaks
[12:11–14:18]
- Mall opens up about how drinking affects her decision-making, leading to emotional "tripping."
- Mall: “When I’m drinking, the actions be listening to the feelings. And then I start tripping… I don’t like that feeling.”
- The crew discusses generational shifts—how drinking manifests differently in your 20s versus 30s.
- Decision for a February break from drinking, with wiggle room for special occasions (“I’ll have a drink for Cole”).
5. J. Cole’s Upcoming Album “The Fall Off”: Predictions & Hot Takes
[14:33–32:09]
- Hypotheses about features, track concepts, and whether the album will have substance and replay value.
- Two-disc format: one disc with features, one without? (Mall’s prediction).
- Scrutiny of tracklist titles, production, possible bonus tracks, and speculation about legal trouble over album artwork.
- Mall: “He can rap, but I want the music to be incredible. Replay value is what I’m hoping for.” | [30:29]
- Debate about whether Cole's verses will “stick” personally with the hosts.
- Producers like T-Minus are recognized for their involvement; discussions about the importance of sonic direction.
Notable Quotes – J. Cole Album Segment
- “The album must have completely changed… The concept of ‘The Fall Off’ is not that anymore.” – Guest Host/Rory [21:01]
- “I think we’re doing a disservice to hip-hop by not having subcategories.” – Guest Host/Rory [52:00]
- “Just let the music be incredible, because then at least I can listen to it… replay value.” – Foxy Brown [30:07]
6. Feature Predictions & Jay-Z/Kendrick Discourse
[36:51–46:42]
- Who (if anyone) will land on Cole’s album? Eminem, Jay-Z, 21 Savage, JID, Kendrick discussed.
- Consensus: Jay-Z feature highly unlikely; Kendrick also seems unlikely, with hosts somewhat dreading the drama it would cause online.
- “Rappers do not retire unless they podcast.” – Guest Host/Rory [38:31]
- The group debates what would inspire Jay-Z to rap again—“it would have to be something that moves him...”
7. Music Industry Structure & Grammy Categories
[49:02–55:51]
- Frustrations aired on the lack of subgenres in the Grammy rap categories.
- Playboi Carti as an example of an artist making major impact but not fitting “Best Rap Album.”
- Reference to genres in the country Grammy awards as a model.
- The importance of acknowledging alternative/experimental hip hop as part of the larger ecosystem.
8. The Oversharing Age: How Much Should We Know About Celebrities?
[63:26–75:39]
- Audience fatigue with knowing “too much” post-social media era.
- Foxy Brown: “People started caring too much about everything other than the person’s talent level.” | [64:52]
- The tension between enjoying public access and preserving artist mystique.
- Mall: “I like the mystique and the mystery of certain celebrities…incentivizes me going on tour.” | [75:31]
- Contrasts with podcast culture, where oversharing is basically the job.
9. Should Podcasters & Artists Preserve Some Mystery?
[76:13–78:10]
- Discussion on the required level of openness in podcasting vs. traditional stardom.
- Rory suggests even non-gossipy sharing of family stories is “over-sharing by world standards.”
- Candid reflections on personal boundaries and what the public really knows about the hosts.
10. Society’s Evolving Relationship with Privacy and Public Spectacle
[78:20–80:07]
- Debating the trend of live-streaming everything—even funerals.
- “We’ve had funerals that are live streamed… eventually Live Nation is going to start selling tickets to funerals.” – Guest Host/Rory [78:20]
- Acknowledgement that public spectacles are nothing new but are now amplified by tech.
11. Tracy Morgan Viral Moment: Handling Past Bullies
[80:07–84:51]
- Discussion about Tracy Morgan publicly shaming an old comedy peer who’d wronged him in the past.
- “You crossed me, if you crossed me, you were wrong… I’m a good person.” – Mall [81:44]
- The hosts defend Tracy’s right to withhold generosity, noting people shouldn’t manage other people's money or insist on “forgiveness by force.”
12. On the Cycles of Revenge, Forgiveness, and Maturity
- When, if ever, it’s fair to let go of childhood or adolescent slights.
- Consensus: Be civil, but you don’t owe anyone a relationship or support. Some lines, once crossed, don't get uncrossed. [84:28+]
13. Career Day & Mentorship – Giving Back
[89:53–94:02]
- Mall invited to career day at an elementary school; hosts get nostalgic and discuss what they wanted to be as kids (“a ninja!”).
- Idea floated to do a kids’ podcast or interview for fun and inspiration, presenting podcasting as a real career path to today’s youth.
- Commitment from the crew to mentor and inspire, with a touch of classic humor (asking kindergartners “apple juice or orange juice?” vs. “Palestine or Israel?” as a satirical jab on weighty topics). | [94:09–94:12]
Memorable Quotes & Moments
| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 07:16 | “You gotta sleep with your left leg hanging off the bed.” | Foxy Brown | | 13:08 | “When I’m drinking, the actions start listening to the feelings.” | Mall | | 21:01 | “The album must have completely changed… the concept of ‘The Fall Off’ is not that anymore.” | Guest Host/Rory | | 30:29 | “Just let the music be incredible… at least I can listen to it, it could have replay value.” | Foxy Brown | | 38:31 | “Rappers do not retire unless they podcast.” | Guest Host/Rory | | 52:00 | “I think we’re doing a disservice to hip hop by not having subcategories.” | Guest Host/Rory | | 64:52 | “People started caring too much about everything other than the person’s talent level.” | Foxy Brown | | 75:31 | “I like the mystique and the mystery of certain celebrities…incentivizes me going on tour.” | Mall |
Timestamps of Key Segments
- Ambience & Dating Lighting: 02:14–03:09
- Janet Jackson Tributes: 03:10–05:36
- Vertigo Health Update (Humor): 07:01–08:56
- Alcohol/Emotion Talk: 12:11–14:18
- J. Cole Album Deep-Dive: 14:33–32:09
- Features & Retiring Talk: 36:51–46:42
- Industry/Grammy Critique: 49:02–55:51
- Celebrity Oversharing Debate: 63:26–75:39
- Podcast Openness vs Mystery: 76:13–78:10
- Tracy Morgan Viral Clip: 80:07–84:51
- Career Day Segment: 89:53–94:02
Episode Tone
Unfiltered, thoughtful, self-aware, and playful—lots of classic banter between friends who know each other well enough to challenge ideas and keep things fun. The conversation moves fluidly between humor and sincerity, with honest dives into contemporary culture, music nostalgia, and their own personal journeys.
For New Listeners
If you haven’t heard the episode, expect honest debates about music, privacy in the age of social media, and vulnerable reflections about personal boundaries—all with plenty of laughs, hot takes, and side quests into nostalgia and pop culture. The episode is both insightful and relatable, keeping that signature New Rory & Mal blend of sharp wit and grounded conversation.