Podcast Summary: New Rory & MAL – Best of Rory & Mal: Week of 6/23

Release Date: June 29, 2025
Hosts: Rory Farrell, Malcolm, and Parks
Description: New stories, new laughs, new random hot takes that no one asked for... New Rory & Mal

1. Cardi B’s Upcoming Album Release

Announcement and Anticipation
Rory Farrell [02:52] kicks off the conversation with exciting news: Cardi B is set to release her new album, "Am I the Drama?" on September 19th. Parks confirms the date, while Malcolm emphasizes the long-awaited follow-up to her breakout success.

Rory Farrell [02:52]: "The great Cardi B is dropping her album September 19th. She made the announcement."

Marketing Strategy and Single Releases
The hosts delve into Cardi B's recent single releases, particularly "Bongos", questioning its impact and timing. There's speculation that the label may have rushed the rollout, possibly due to leaks or internal pressures.

Parks [04:19]: "Well, also on Friday she put out, which I assume would be the first single outside without a video, which made me feel like it was rushed..."

Concerns Over Album Performance
Malcolm expresses apprehension about whether the sophomore album can match the monumental success of "Invasion of Privacy." He notes the unique position Cardi holds in female rap and worries about labeling pressures and changing market dynamics.

Malcolm [09:14]: "There’s nothing worse... Because they have to rush the artist if the artist doesn't feel."

Track Listing and Collaborations
Discussion around the album's tracklist reveals that songs like "Up and Wap" are featured as the last two tracks. Malcolm and Rory are skeptical about their potential impact, fearing they might not contribute positively to the album's momentum.

Malcolm [13:42]: "To be fair, they are the last two tracks on the pre-order track list. So I don't know if you know as far as the listen of the album, if it matters, but I don't. I don't like that though."

Impact on Female Rap Dominance
Rory and Malcolm discuss the shifting landscape of female rap, noting that Cardi B's initial success was part of a larger wave that may no longer be as prevalent. They express hope that Cardi's creativity won't be stifled by current industry metrics.

Rory Farrell [09:07]: "What I don’t want for her is for her to not reach what she did previously because that’s just very unlikely for anybody to reach what she did previously..."

2. Jay Z’s Public Activities and Music Plans

Recent Public Appearances
The hosts transition to discussing Jay Z's recent appearance in Paris alongside Beyoncé. They debate whether Jay is hinting at new music or simply enjoying family time.

Malcolm [51:16]: "I think Jay is, to me, the greatest of all time... But as far as new music and recording and I don’t think Jay is doing any of that."

Speculations on New Music
There's a consensus that Jay Z is unlikely to release new music imminently. Malcolm underscores Jay's potential disengagement from the current rap scene, focusing instead on his business ventures.

Malcolm [52:08]: "I think he's too entrenched in other things outside of music."

3. Viral Moments and Public Perception

Jim Jones and Nas Discussion
A significant portion of the episode revolves around Jim Jones' comments comparing his Billboard entries to Nas. The hosts analyze the implications of Jim’s statements and how virality affects the legacies of established artists like Nas.

Malcolm [21:03]: "But at the same time, Jim is going viral for talking about Nas, who hasn’t said anything. That’s the crazy part about all of this."

Impact on Nas’s Legacy
Parks and Malcolm debate whether Nas cares about viral moments, contrasting his status as a legendary rapper with Jim's current focus on virality.

Malcolm [22:08]: "Nas is not trying to be viral much. If that..."

4. Financial Struggles and Friendship Dynamics

Shakina and B. Simone’s Viral Clip
The conversation shifts to a viral clip featuring Shakina discussing financial struggles despite having wealthy friends like B. Simone. The hosts explore themes of pride, the reluctance to seek help, and how financial transparency impacts friendships.

Malcolm [64:25]: "Yeah, but like Rory said, she didn’t land it, didn’t word it properly. But I understood what she was saying."

Personal Anecdotes on Seeking Help
Malcolm shares a personal story about his reluctance to ask friends for financial assistance after a friend declined his request. This leads to a broader discussion on the stigma associated with financial vulnerability.

Malcolm [65:36]: "So some people be struggling, fucked up, and you don't have no idea. Some people's front game is immaculate."

5. Humorous Banter on Aging and Relationships

Hypothetical Scenarios
In a light-hearted segment, the hosts engage in humorous hypotheticals about finding a second spouse in old age. They joke about the challenges and absurdities of such scenarios, blending humor with underlying social commentary.

Malcolm [40:38]: "I wouldn’t want somebody that’s got this stuff together that’s not just in it..."

Stereotypes and Appearance
The discussion includes playful takes on stereotypes related to aging, attractiveness, and the complexities of relationships involving older individuals.

Parks [35:05]: "She didn’t land her point is pretty."

6. Recurring Advertising Breaks

Throughout the episode, the hosts navigate through numerous advertising segments promoting products like Meta AI, Degree Cool Rush deodorant, Mint Mobile, Amazon Business, and Greenlight. These ads are seamlessly integrated but do not contribute to the main content discussions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Cardi B’s Album Announcement
  Rory Farrell [02:52]: "The great Cardi B is dropping her album September 19th. She made the announcement."

• Concerns Over Album Rollout
  Malcolm [04:52]: "I think Cardi may have been ready. I think that they probably, you know, whatever."

• On Female Rap Dominance
  Rory Farrell [09:22]: "That's a completely different trajectory."

• Jim Jones on Nas
  Malcolm [21:13]: "What Jim is saying. Jim is wrong."

• Personal Finance Struggles
  Malcolm [65:36]: "But again, people had his pride and this ego."

• Humorous Aging Commentary
  Malcolm [40:38]: "Somebody that's got this stuff together that's not just in it."

Conclusion

The episode of New Rory & MAL offers a blend of critical discussion on Cardi B's highly anticipated album release, insightful commentary on the dynamics of virality in the music industry, and relatable conversations on financial struggles and personal relationships. The hosts navigate these topics with a mix of humor, personal anecdotes, and thoughtful analysis, making the episode both engaging and informative for listeners.