New Rory & Mal: "Best of Rory & Mal" (Week of 10/27) – Episode Summary

Podcast: New Rory & Mal
Date: November 2, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Featured Voices: Mall, Baby D, Jarvis

Overview

This week's "Best Of" compilation episode of New Rory & Mal delivers a lively discussion on the state of hip hop in 2025, generational shifts in music consumption, debates around rap culture and quality, and nostalgic reflections on pivotal hip hop moments. The episode is marked by Mall and Baby D's signature blend of candid hot takes, playful banter, and thoughtful critique, providing both insider perspective and street-level humor. From serious cultural analysis to lighthearted arguments about fish tanks, this episode is a snapshot of current conversations in hip hop, pop culture, and life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Is Hip Hop Dead? (02:42–17:38)

• Drastic Decline in Chart Presence

  • Mall notes the dramatic drop: Only 4 hip hop songs on global charts in September, down from 56 five years ago.
  • “That’s over 90% gone.” — Mall (03:14)

• Women in Rap: Dominance or Diversity?

  • Mall raises the question of women ‘dominating’ rap today and struggles to name new male superstars under 35, aside from NBA YoungBoy.
  • Baby D pushes back, arguing that while there are more female stars than ever, men still far outnumber them in chart presence.
    • "Women are not dominating rap ... There are more women hip hop stars than ever before, but that doesn’t mean that they’re dominating rap.” — Baby D (04:22)

• Genre Shift: Soulfulness and the R&B Hook

  • Baby D contends: Rap is less palatable without R&B hooks and soul, citing older hits as more widely relatable.
    • “We took the R&B out of hip hop ... the soulfulness out of hip hop, and that is what made it more palatable to other genres.” — Baby D (05:15)

• Music Consumption: Phones Changed Everything

  • Mall laments the impact of smartphones on music experience: interruptions, short attention spans, and casual listening have lessened attachment to albums.
    • “This—the phone is killing music. As much as we don’t want to admit it…” — Mall (09:35)

• Social Media & Song Longevity

  • Songs live longer on social media than personal playlists; virality outpaces genuine music appreciation.

• Quality Control & The Viral Economy

  • Major critique: Labels now prioritize social media following over musical talent, leading to a perceived dip in quality.
    • “There’s so many smoke and mirrors and just fugazi going on and that’s making people a star. … That’s how you get someone like some of our stars … you’re not good but you’ve created this persona.” — Baby D (13:46)

• The Legacy Artist Advantage

  • Legacy acts (like The Clips) get attention because of established fan bases; new acts struggle without viral antics.

Notable Quotes

• "We might have to start going to hospice and visiting this motherfucker... like, yo, this nigga might be on his way out." — Mall, on the current state of hip hop (17:27)

2. Cash Money vs. No Limit VERZUZ Recap & Master P’s Legacy (21:39–30:17)

• Legacy Label Battle: A Missed Opportunity

  • Mall and Baby D reminisce about the Cash Money vs. No Limit VERZUZ at ComplexCon in Las Vegas, asserting it should’ve taken place in New Orleans for true cultural resonance.

• Absence of Key Figures

  • The energy suffered without Lil Wayne and Turk. Mall expresses disappointment but gives credit to No Limit’s performance.
    • "Looking at it, I felt like No Limit won." — Mall (24:07)

• Master P’s Multifaceted Legacy

  • Discussion shifts to Master P’s underappreciated NBA stint, highlighting his dual success in rap and professional sports.
    • “We didn’t pause long enough to really salute Master P for that.” — Mall (26:17)

• Comparisons & Generational Shifts

  • Brief debate surfaces: Was Master P better than Bronny James? Mall firmly says no, but admires both journeys, especially Master P's lack of nepotism.

3. The JD (Jermaine Dupri) vs. Puff Daddy Producer Debate (30:17–33:49)

• Why the JD vs. Puff VERZUZ Matters
  • The potential faceoff is discussed as an underrated moment for hip hop history, with Baby D arguing JD doesn’t get enough respect in rap circles compared to R&B.
  • Mall explains the significance of JD's hands-on production vs. Puff Daddy's party vibe and branding.

Memorable Exchange

• “Humble sometimes will leave you out of the conversation because you ain’t braggadocious … It's easy to forget about you when the loud niggas and the boisterous niggas, like, yeah, yeah. But then … play them records, though. And then I really produced that.” — Mall (33:55)

4. Modern Masculinity: Toxic or Hilarious? (35:30–40:45)

• Mall’s Hot Takes Deconstructed
  • Baby D confronts Mall’s history of labeling mundane things (“having a fish tank,” “having a teacup dog”) as “gay” or odd for men.
  • Mall’s defense is tongue-in-cheek, showing the generational and social complexity of Black masculinity humor, while Baby D calls out the inconsistency.

Notable Quotes

• “If you walked in a dude’s house and he had a fish tank, you don’t have no questions for him?” — Mall (37:08)
• “That's not fair. Because they care about their fish? ... People can’t care about their fish?” — Baby D (39:10)

5. Voicemail Segments & Audience Interaction (40:47–44:12)

• Jarvis from Georgia Delivers a Poetic Voicemail

  • Jarvis sends in a heartfelt poem for Baby D, sparking playful back-and-forth and a light roasting by Mall.
  • Baby D appreciates the gesture but reveals she's taken:
    • "Unfortunately for you, I am in a relationship. Fortunately for me, I'm very happy." — Baby D (43:09)

• Mall on Male Fan Poems:

  • “Nah, I ain’t [accepting poems from men] ... Because that’s gay. I’m not gay. I don’t like men. Shouldn’t write me poems.” (44:06)

Highlighted Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

| Timestamp | Quote/Moment | | ---------- | ------------ | | 03:14 | "That’s over 90% gone... we had a talk with Berg... now in September, only four hip hop songs on the global charts." — Mall | | 04:22 | "Women are not dominating rap. ... There are more women hip hop stars than ever before, but that doesn’t mean ... they’re dominating rap." — Baby D | | 05:15 | "We took the R&B out of hip hop ... and that is what made it more palatable to other genres." — Baby D | | 09:35 | "This—the phone is killing music. As much as we don’t want to admit it..." — Mall | | 13:46 | "...there’s so many smoke and mirrors ... and that’s making people a star. ... that’s how you get someone ... you’re not good but you’ve created this persona." — Baby D | | 17:27 | "...we might have to start going to hospice and visiting this motherfucker... like, yo, this nigga might be on his way out." — Mall (re: hip hop) | | 24:07 | "Looking at it, I felt like No Limit won." — Mall | | 26:17 | "We didn’t pause long enough to really salute Master P for that." — Mall | | 33:55 | "Humble sometimes will leave you out of the conversation..." — Mall | | 37:08 | "If you walked in a dude’s house and he had a fish tank, you don’t have no questions for him?" — Mall | | 43:09 | "Unfortunately for you, I am in a relationship. Fortunately for me, I’m very happy." — Baby D | | 44:06 | "Nah, I ain’t [accepting poems from men] ... Because that’s gay. I’m not gay. I don’t like men. Shouldn’t write me poems.” — Mall |

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• 02:42 – Debate begins: "Is hip hop dead?", chart data breakdown.
• 09:20 – How mobile phones changed music listening habits.
• 13:00 – Shift in what labels value: attention over talent.
• 21:39 – Cash Money vs No Limit VERZUZ analysis.
• 26:00 – Remembering Master P’s NBA journey.
• 30:17 – JD vs. Puff VERZUZ: deep dive on their legacy and skillset.
• 35:30 – On labeling things “gay” and the toxic masculinity debate.
• 40:47 – Voicemails: Jarvis' poem and responses.

Tone & Energy

• Conversational: Banter between Mall and Baby D is both playful and honest.
• Candid: No-holds-barred hot takes on current and past hip hop culture.
• Nostalgic: Real appreciation for legacy acts and moments.
• Critical: Willing to critique the industry and wider music consumption patterns, with humor and curiosity.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a multi-faceted ride through contemporary and classic hip hop debates, peppered with humor, honest takes, and a report card on the state of the genre. Rory & Mal (with Baby D stepping in), critique the industry's shifts from soul to spectacle, question changes in audience behavior, and celebrate (and roast) each other and their listeners in equal measure. If you want to understand the pulse of hip hop culture and its intersection with digital life—as well as get some laughs—this episode is a must-listen.