New Rory & MAL – Best of Rory & Mal: Week of 8/18 (August 24, 2025)
Episode Overview
This “Best Of” episode of New Rory & Mal is an engaging, laughter-filled highlight reel from the week of 8/18, packed with hot takes, hip-hop debates, insight into the evolving music and boxing industries, and playful banter on recent releases and internet discourse. The hosts dig into the state of hip-hop’s “authenticity,” breakdown pop culture’s latest talking points (J. Cole’s college credentials, Cardi B’s new single, and Tyler’s second act after "Water"), plus they debate boxing’s legitimacy in the Jake Paul era. Their irreverent, conversational style mixes humor with real commentary and a few memorable hot takes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Is J. Cole "Hip Hop" If He Went to College? (02:13–07:29)
- Background: The hosts riff about a Twitter "Spaces" debate suggesting J. Cole isn’t “real hip hop” because he went to college, prompting a broad discussion on the intersection of education and hip hop authenticity.
- Vibe: The crew calls out the absurdity and tiredness of this argument, listing a slew of college-educated rappers and making clear: hip hop isn’t defined by diploma status.
Notable Quotes
- Host 2: "J. Cole is definitely hip hop, even though he went to college. Again, my feelings aside, what doesn’t make you hip hop about college?" [03:36]
- Host 2: "People don’t realize college is just high school, you just sleep there. Like, I just sleep on the campus." [03:52]
- Hosts List College-Educated Rappers: Ice Cube (architecture degree), Luda, Talib Kweli, Childish Gambino, LL Cool J, Megan Thee Stallion, David Banner, Wale, Cam'ron—proving higher learning and hip hop coexist. [04:14–07:20]
- On Megan Thee Stallion's Degree: "That's a promise she made to her family that she would finish college." [06:49]
2. Hilarious Hospital Anecdotes (07:29–11:06)
- Content: The conversation veers into Maul’s hospital work history, last meal wishes, and humorous memories of childhood medical indignities (the dreaded rectal thermometer, wild hospital tales).
- Tone: Classic Rory & Mal, with warm, raunchy, and self-deprecating anecdotes.
Notable Moment
- Host 2: "Don't let him stick that in my butt. ... What type of kinky is this? I'm not that sick." [09:43]
3. Jake Paul vs Tank Davis: What Does It Mean for Boxing? (11:06–26:14)
- Overview: The crew unpacks the internet-breaking news that Jake Paul will fight Tank Davis. They question boxing integrity, the new celebrity-driven fight genre, rules ambiguity, and what’s at stake for both fighters and the sport.
- Analysis: Jake Paul moving from “circus act” to “prime time” as Tank Davis (in his prime) steps into the ring; implications for legacy and legitimacy in boxing.
Notable Quotes
- Host 3: "Congrats to the Paul brothers, by the way. ... [Tank Davis], in his prime, professional, just stamped that. These are professional boxers. You can't say a word about Jake Paul now, how could you?" [17:21]
- On Risk for Tank Davis: "He has the entire legacy of boxing on his back right now." [18:08]
- On Betting Odds and Size: The hosts analyze weight classes, reach differences, and joke about putting money on Jake Paul going the distance. “You know what it’s like to fight somebody with a 10-inch reach [advantage]?” [24:12]
- Host 2: “When you got a white boy in the ring that you know he willing to die in that—Jake Paul willing to die on Netflix.” [24:43]
4. Cardi B’s “Imaginary Players” – Single Review and the Art of the Flip (30:58–39:49)
- Topic: The team gives their takes on Cardi’s much-anticipated “Imaginary Players,” a flip of Jay-Z’s classic.
- Diverging Takes: Some praise the record as a classy, fashionable “girl version” with effective bars and style; others (most notably Maul) critique it for feeling too "produced," lacking authenticity, and disconnecting due to its delivery style.
Notable Quotes
- Host 3: "I think she was talking... it’s a cool girl version of [Jay-Z’s] that. I think it’s a great record." [31:18]
- Host 2 (on Cardi’s Delivery): “It just feels too… produced. It feels too coached… I just didn’t believe what she was saying in it.” [33:57]
- Host 1: “I think it’s because of Cardi’s accent. I think recording songs is a little bit harder for her... She’s trying to make y’all hear it.” [37:16]
5. Will Cardi B Drop Another Single Before Her Album? (39:27–42:09)
- Discussion: Speculation about album rollout, the “leaky” release of previous singles (“Outside”), and whether a major feature is coming soon. Guesses include R&B acts (SZA, Kehlani), but also nods to Bad Bunny, Doja Cat, and Ice Spice.
6. Tyler After "Water": The Struggle of Breaking Black Pop Acts (43:16–60:57)
- Premise: The hosts tackle why Tyla’s follow-up to her global hit “Water” isn’t connecting at the same level, and dive into why straight “pop” rarely breaks new Black female stars in America.
- Themes:
- Industry failures: Poor promo for Tyla’s EP (most didn’t know it dropped).
- The “Cardi syndrome” – how a smash debut sets up impossible expectations.
- The lack of artist development and unrelatable pop personas in a TikTok era.
- Deep industry question: When was the last new Black female pop act to break through without “crossover” R&B?
Notable Quotes
- Host 1: "It's the Cardi syndrome. If you do so well on your first drop, anything you do after... she’s never gonna be able to match ‘Water’.” [43:52]
- Host 2: "Tinashe’s dope... I don’t know what the disconnect is there, though." [56:39]
- Host 1: "Pop music for the longest has been centered toward the young teenage white girls... Taylor Swift is so popular not because her music is the greatest, it’s because every dorky white girl looks at her and says, 'she reminds me of me.'" [56:53]
- Host 3: "I think Tyler will be good if she doesn’t try to aim for America’s approval … other countries are more loyal than we are." [61:05]
- Host 2: "We need more MTV, Real World. We need those shows back. I think pop music was better with TRL." [60:42]
Memorable Moments & Banter
- Hospital Food Stories: Maul’s pride in his hospital food service and comedic what-if scenarios about patient last meals. [07:29–08:12]
- Boxing Jokes: “You got a white boy in the ring that you know he willing to die in that. Jake Paul willing to die on Netflix. You n****s ain't willing to die on Netflix.” [24:43]
- Cardi B’s Accent Debate: Playful disagreement about New York vs. LA accents and recording challenges. [38:37–38:40]
- Pop Music Riffs: Singing “Absolutely loved her” as they reminisce about early-2000s alternative rock and the old days of MTV’s TRL. [60:57–61:03]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- J. Cole & College Degrees in Hip Hop: 02:13–07:29
- Funny Hospital & Childhood Stories: 07:29–11:06
- Jake Paul vs Tank Davis – Boxing's New Era: 11:06–26:14
- Cardi B’s “Imaginary Players” Review: 30:58–39:49
- Album Rollout & Feature Speculation: 39:27–42:09
- Tyla, Black Pop Acts & Industry Barriers: 43:16–60:57
Episode Summary
For listeners and non-listeners alike, this “Best of” episode features a punchy and insightful mix of pop culture conversation, music debate, and signature Rory & Mal humor. The hosts deftly move from serious musical analysis to deadpan jokes about life’s oddities, always maintaining a tone that is both irreverent and authentic. Whether you’re interested in the roots of hip hop, the spectacle of new-age boxing, or the challenges facing international pop talent in the U.S. market, this episode serves up sharp commentary and plenty of laughs in classic New Rory & Mal fashion.