New Rory & MAL – “Best of Rory & Mal: Week of 1/12”

Episode Date: January 18, 2026
Podcast Hosts: Rory & Mal (with guest Baby D)
Length: ~55 mins (summarized for main content)
Theme: Heated hip-hop debates, industry news, J. Cole’s album anticipation, and a dose of classic podcast humor

Overview

This “Best Of” episode of New Rory & Mal spotlights the hosts’ signature blend of hip-hop commentary, playful banter, and cultural critique. Discussions orbit impactful rap album drops (especially J. Cole’s “The Fall Off”), the politics of release dates, the perennial Andre 3000 “top five” debate, and transformations in radio and streaming culture. The return of Baby D brings both comedic relief and genuine insights into stanning, healing, and J. Cole obsession.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Anticipation and Disappointment: The J. Cole Album Drop Fiasco

• [03:09] Album Rumor Accountability

  • The episode starts with the fallout over a failed prediction that a major rap album (implied to be J. Cole’s) would drop.
  • Rory playfully demands Mal does “10 pushups for the culture” for spreading the rumor and getting fans’ hopes up.
    • Quote:
      “I feel like you owe the culture some push ups.” – Host 1/Rory [03:09]
  • Mal stands by his intel, saying he had “very good conversations that it was supposed to drop, but... things happen.” [05:02]
  • Discussion on whether podcasters should have a “swear jar” fine system for misinformation.
    • Quote:
      “Maybe we should get fined for misinformation.” – Rory [04:24]

• [06:14] The Release Date Waiting Game

  • Are Drake and Cole playing chess over who drops first? Both hosts agree artists of that level move on their own time.
    • “Drake is the algorithm. He does what he wants.” – Mal [06:53]
  • Speculation about whether the two would ever drop on the same day or within the same month.

• [08:07] Who Would Win? Drake vs. Cole Release Head-to-Head

  • If Cole and Drake dropped the same day, who would go #1? Both sides considered, but “it’s neck and neck” due to loyal fanbases.
    • “I think you underestimate the Cole Stan fan base... the numbers that Cole does.” – Rory [08:07]
  • Both agree: neither Cole nor Drake wants to compete directly, but it may happen due to tight timelines.

2. The "Overrated" Andre 3000 Debate

• [11:45] Triggered Over “Overrated”

  • The hosts revisit Mal’s viral take that Andre 3000 is sometimes “overrated” if ranked in the “top five” without a solo rap album.
    • “If you have him in your top five, that’s overrating him.” – Mal [12:17]
  • Nuanced take: Mal calls 3 Stacks “one of the most creative people we’ve had in our culture,” but personally values solo discographies more [13:39].
  • The discussion includes regional bias accusations and how the definition of greatness in hip-hop often hinges on solo output.
  • “The fact that I even have Andre 3000 in that conversation [as a New Yorker] means I’m not being biased.” – Mal [13:38]
  • Rory: “If someone’s like, yo, I got three stacks at 12 [it’s not disrespect].” [15:16]

• [16:00] Regional and Recency Bias in Hip-Hop Lists

  • Both hosts concede regional bias is real, but not always negative.
    • “By proxy, wherever you grow up, you’re probably going to like that music more.” – Rory [16:41]
  • The “NY top three” (Jay-Z, Biggie, Nas) as a universal among older hip-hop heads.
  • “We all kind of have some regional bias – the music means something different to people in different places.” – Mal [18:31]
  • Ultimately, both agree: Andre 3000 is “one of the greatest ever to put pen to paper,” but the lack of a solo album complicates definitive rankings. [20:46]

3. Changes in Radio – Mero's HOT 97 Takeover

• [25:29] Hot 97’s New Era with Mero
  • Mero’s appointment as HOT 97 morning host sparks excitement and speculation.
  • “Congrats to our brother Mero... I think it’s a great fit for where HOT is right now.” – Rory [26:24]
  • Discussion on what morning rap radio needs in the streaming era—the YouTube-ification of radio, and a plea for innovation.
    • “Radio just needs a revamp... give us a reason to turn it on.” – Rory [28:02]
  • Hope expressed that Mero has the “creative freedom” to platform new artists and tap young creators/streamers for discovery, not just music. [29:23]
    • “Make morning shows great again.” – Mal [30:40]

4. J. Cole Standom & Album Hype – Baby D Checks In

• [36:16] Baby D Returns as Senior Cole Correspondent

  • Baby D calls in from bed rest, humorously crediting J. Cole’s album news with giving her “something to live for.” [36:43]
  • “I literally had nothing to live for. And then, boom, something to live for.” – Baby D [36:43]
  • She orders the “The Fall Off” vinyl within three minutes of drop:
    • “That’s like two meals I can’t eat this month, but it’s fine. I don’t care.” [38:38]
  • Comic asides: her healing journey, bingeing SVU, and “getting prayer done.”

• [41:02] Album Predictions

  • Hosts and Baby D predict a “bop” will appear on the album, not just introspection.

    • “I think there’s something on there that’s going to play outside.” – Rory [41:12]

  • Guest speculates on possible features (hoping for 21 Savage, expecting maybe JID, less likely Kendrick).

    • Baby D: “I’m praying for a 21 Savage feature.” [42:40]

  • The hosts stress: they want authentic music, not needless rap beef or subliminals.

    • “Just give us great music, great bars, no subs.” – Mal [44:39]

5. Friendship Asides, Hospital Humor, and Podcast Meta

• [47:05] Family Dynamics

  • Baby D reflects humorously and poignantly on her friends’ support through surgery.
    • “Shout out to my friends that reached out, that were there... I had a huge village... but I seen [who showed up].” – Baby D [48:16]

• [49:53] Jokes About Pain Meds & Surgery

  • The group riffs on Oxy prescriptions, darkly comic references to fentanyl, and office hijinks.
    • “We could sell them.” – Rory [49:47]
    • Mal (deadpan): “No, we do not. There’s no fence nowhere in this office.” [49:59]

• [51:13] Dreaming of the Listening Party

  • Discussion about throwing a “The Fall Off” listening party at the office.
    • “All I want is to listen with real Cole fans.” – Baby D [51:42]
    • “I don’t want to listen to Cole fans either. Y’all gonna hit subpar bars.” – Mal [51:51]

• [54:23] “2/6: The New Valentine’s Day”

  • Playful speculation about J. Cole’s release date, astrology, and what it means for celebratory plans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Maybe we should get fined for misinformation.” – Rory [04:24]
• “If you have [Andre 3000] in your top five, that’s overrating him.” – Mal [12:17]
• “J. Cole doesn’t want to drop the same day as Drake. I don’t think he does either.” – (Both hosts) [09:47]
• “By proxy, wherever you grow up, you’re probably going to like that music more... That’s not bias in a negative way.” – Rory [16:41]
• “Make morning shows great again.” – Mal [30:40]
• “I literally had nothing to live for. And then, boom, something to live for.” – Baby D [36:43]
• “That’s like two meals I can’t eat this month, but it’s fine. I don’t care.” – Baby D [38:38]
• “Just give us great music, great bars, no subs.” – Mal [44:39]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:09 – Push-ups for album drop misinformation & podcaster accountability
• 06:14 – Speculation on J. Cole vs Drake release strategies
• 11:45 – Andre 3000 “overrated” debate starts
• 16:00 – Regional/recency bias in hip-hop
• 25:29 – Discussion on Hot 97’s new era/Mero’s role
• 36:16 – Baby D’s return & J. Cole fan stanning
• 41:02 – Album predictions, feature wishlists
• 47:05 – Friendship, hospital humor, reflection
• 51:13 – Plans for a J. Cole album listening party

Tone & Style

Consistently irreverent, funny, and insightful. The hosts’ chemistry delivers both loud laughs and real hip-hop analysis—ideal for fans who appreciate nuance and outright silliness in equal measure.

Summary Verdict:
This episode is a perfect encapsulation of Rory & Mal’s strengths: hip-hop industry speculation, robust argument over GOAT status, clever inside jokes, and an affectionate roast of fandom. If you want the pulse of rap conversations and podcast culture with honest, occasionally wild, hot-takes, this episode delivers.