Best of Rory & Mal: Week of 9/29

Summary

New Rory & Mal: "Best of Rory & Mal: Week of 9/29" — Episode Summary

Podcast: New Rory & Mal
Release Date: October 5, 2025
Description: New stories, new laughs, random hot takes, and the signature chemistry of Rory, Mal (absent this week but the crew holds it down), Damaris, and Ali as they dive into music, sports, internet culture, and deeper conversations about ego, forgiveness, and personal growth.

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Episode Overview

This "Best of the Week" episode brings together the crew’s standout segments, full of unfiltered opinions and comedic banter. This week’s main themes include Bad Bunny being announced as the next Super Bowl halftime performer, a critical look at Doja Cat’s new album and artistry, an irreverent discussion about the ongoing public feud between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, and a poignant conversation about forgiveness, ego, and personal betterment.

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Bad Bunny Announced as Super Bowl Halftime Performer

[02:47–07:35]

• Breaking the News: Rory shares his disbelief about Bad Bunny getting the Super Bowl halftime spot after Taylor Swift and Adele declined.
  • "I thought they would find somebody else and kind of fill in that slot. I didn't know if Bad Bunny wanted to even be a part of it... but now that he is, it makes sense. I mean, he's one of the biggest stars in the world." — Rory [03:30]
• Political & Cultural Implications: Damaris highlights potential backlash from conservative football fans, referencing past criticisms when hip hop artists performed.
  • "This is going to be the most racist halftime Twitter timeline you have ever seen in your life this time." — Damaris [04:25]
• Latino Identity & Commercial Strategy: Ali and Rory note the NFL’s business play and the cultural weight of putting a Latin megastar front and center. They joke about how marketing might play into ethnic stereotypes ("same way they market Modelo or Corona") and speculate on audience size.
  • "It's not so much about the people in the stadium... but how many people can we get to tune in for halftime to push these commercials..." — Rory [06:58]
  • "It might be the highest-watched Super Bowl." — Ali [09:20]
• Immigration, ICE & Tour Concerns: The conversation pivots to Bad Bunny’s previous hesitation to tour the US for fears of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) at his shows.
  • "He was concerned that ICE would be at his shows arresting [fans]." — Rory [05:21]
• NFL “Script” Talk: Joking about Raiders, Cowboys, Chargers, and 49ers—teams with large Latino fanbases—possibly being part of an “NFL script” to chase ratings.
  • "Is the NFL scripted if somehow the Raiders go from 1 and 3 and go on a Super Bowl run?" — Damaris [07:35]

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Revisiting the Latin Halftime Show — Guests, Marketing, & Representation

[07:35–13:07]

• Marketing Strategies & Imagery: The crew pokes fun at the Roc Nation promotional images for Bad Bunny’s announcement (“looks like a Corona commercial”). They recognize the strong global pull of Bad Bunny.
  • "That's all you have to say—Bad Bunny's performing at Super Bowl." — Rory [09:15]
• Potential Guest Appearances: Speculation on who Bad Bunny might bring—Cardi B, Ricky Martin, Shakira, J Balvin (acknowledging current “static” between Bad Bunny and J Balvin).
  • "Cardi and Ricky Martin need to come out. Yeah, for sure." — Damaris [12:25]

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Doja Cat’s Album "Big Doge" — Artistry, Comparisons, and 80s Pop Debate

[13:07–24:34]

• Doja Cat’s Evolution: Rory is unequivocal in his praise for the new album, stressing Doja’s artistry and versatility.
  • "Doja, bro... I think Doja, as far as her artistry, her talent, her vision, I think she's right there with the Beyonces and the Rihannas." — Rory [13:36]
• Comparative Analysis: The team contrasts Doja Cat with Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj, focusing on talent versus accomplishments.
  • "Skill set, yes, I'm with you. But to put them in the same category, she'd have to accomplish the same things." — Damaris [15:59]
• Rap vs. Pop: Ali frames Doja more as a pop star in contrast to Nicki’s "rapper-first" identity; speculation whether Doja could compete with Nicki in rap.
  • "I look at Doja like a pop star... You think Doja can sit with Nicki talent-wise with rapping?" — Ali [17:01]
• Writing Credits & Artistry: Discussion on misleading social media claims about Doja Cat’s songwriting (her being the sole writer) and what this means for the narrative of female rappers.
• 80s Pop Sound: Damaris critiques the album for being "too on the nose" with the 80s homage, wishing Doja had made it more her own, while Rory believes Doja’s personality shines through.
  • "It's a little too on the nose of 80s pop. I would have liked her to make it more of her own." — Damaris [20:52]
• Stage Show & Visuals: All agree her live performance is must-see; anticipation for visuals accompanying the album.

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Social Media Feuds: Nicki Minaj vs. Cardi B — Crossing the Line

[29:41–41:42]

• The Drama Explained: Ali breaks down the escalation of insults between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B on social media, including attacks on each other's children—a new low the hosts unanimously condemn.
  • "When you're sending direct insults to the children, calling the children slow, saying they banging spoons, talking about the children's teeth... it got really, really bad and nasty." — Ali [31:00]
• Perspective & Backlash: Damaris notes that even the most loyal fan groups (“the Barbs”) are uneasy, calling both sides’ behavior "gross and disgusting."
  • "This is the weirdest fucking thing I've ever seen. Two A-list artists trying to one up each other on Twitter about who can insult their child the most. What are we doing?" — Damaris [32:15]
• Brands, Business, and Hip-Hop Culture: They discuss how such behavior reflects poorly on artists’ brands and sponsors. Rory muses about whether the "no holds barred" insult style is endemic to hip-hop or something else.
  • "If we being real, that's... our culture of hip hop culture? Who can say the worst shit about each other?... But tweeting about someone's kid? That's not hip-hop to me." — Damaris [38:13]
• Drawing the Line: All agree the feud has become personal, mean-spirited, and unproductive.

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Mental Health, Rumors, and Social Media Speculation

[41:42–44:51]

• Nicki Minaj Drug/Schizophrenia Rumors: Ali highlights internet chatter about Nicki's perceived erratic tweets and rants, which some interpret as drug use or mental health struggles. Rory pushes back, arguing against amateur diagnosis and reminds that social media isn’t the place to air grievances—"nobody cares on Twitter."
  • "I can't call somebody drugged out and schizophrenic because they're saying something that I'm not informed about or I don't believe. To me, that's not fair." — Rory [43:28]

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Forgiveness, Ego, and Personal Growth — A Candid Conversation

[45:00–56:13]

• Forgiving Without an Apology: Ali asks Rory about spiritual growth and forgiveness, especially when an apology never comes. Rory shares his journey with profound honesty, discussing his late brother’s death, the quest for forgiveness, and the practical (and spiritual) process of letting go for one’s own peace.
  • "I forgive people that have done some crazy shit to me that most people probably wouldn't forgive. But me not forgiving them does what?... When you forgive, you're like, listen, it's all good. And you kind of just move forward. I think that's a little easier sometimes because it's not on you." — Rory [45:26]
  • "Depends on what day you ask me... Some days I'm strong. Some days I'm weak as a motherfucker. If you ask me the weekday, where that nigga at? I'm ready to go." — Rory [47:24]
• Letting Go of Ego: Ali talks about the struggle of not getting an apology and how ego shapes our need for vindication. Rory urges reframing:
  • "When you know you right, the truth speaks for you. You ain't gotta say a motherfucking thing." — Rory [50:07]
• Ego in Relationships: Ali opens up about patterns of tit-for-tat behavior stemming from insecurity and childhood experiences. Rory gives encouragement, saying recognizing ego's role is the first step to healthier reactions.
  • "As long as nobody put their hands on you... but if it's just actions and something somebody said, I don't care about that, man. That shit is... that's all ego talking to you." — Rory [52:24]
  • "You start analyzing shit—just remove your ego from it a lot of times and just kind of look at the whole situation, and you'll land on the right side." — Rory [54:42]

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Notable Quotes & Standout Moments

Bad Bunny Super Bowl Take:

• "So you thought right wing football was mad at Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg? This is going to be the most racist halftime Twitter timeline you have ever seen." — Damaris [04:25]
• "Puerto Rico is a territory of the U.S." — Rory [04:57]

Doja Cat as Superstar:

• "She might be... right there for me... as far as her artistry, her talent, her vision, I think she's right there with the Beyonces and the Rihannas." — Rory [13:36]

On Hip-Hop Feuds Going Too Far:

• "This is the weirdest fucking thing I've ever seen. Two A List artists trying to one up each other on Twitter about who can insult their child the most. What are we doing?" — Damaris [32:15]

On Forgiveness and Moving On:

• "When you forgive, you're like, listen, it's all good. And you kind of just move forward... because it's not on you... that's a little easier sometimes." — Rory [45:26]
• "When you know you right, the truth speaks for you. You ain't gotta say a motherfucking thing." — Rory [50:07]

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Final Thoughts

With their trademark blend of irreverent humor and raw honesty, Rory, Damaris, and Ali navigate some of the week’s most viral moments, both in music headlines and in matters of the heart. While they skewer pop culture and each other, real wisdom seeps through—the kind that makes “New Rory & Mal” a staple for listeners needing laughter, insight, and a healthy dose of reality.

No one asked for these takes, but listening will make you feel like one of the crew.

Transcript

[Ali]

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[Damaris]

This.

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[Rory]

Volume when I came out of the theater last night, I think Actually, my homeboy, while we was in the theater, I guess he checked his phone and was like, oh, shit. Bad Bunny got the Super Bowl. I thought he was lying. I was like, what? He's a bad bunny.

[Damaris]

Was that surprising to you?

[Rory]

Not that it was surprising to me, because news that came out that Taylor Swift turned it down and Adele turned it down.

[Damaris]

Yes.

[Rory]

So I was laughing with my homeboys about that. I was like, yeah, you know, when you, a big dog, you turn down the Super Bowl. You don't need the fucking Super Bowl. Just talking shit.

[Ali]

And meanwhile, the biggest dog, well, Benito.

[Rory]

Benito decided.

[Damaris]

He was like, what would you think Prince would be?

[Rory]

Well, no, I mean, it was jokes, it was just shit talking. But once Taylor turned it down and Adele turned it down, it was kind of like, well, damn, who's gonna. So then you obviously have to look at whoever's the biggest. The stars. That's what they. You know how they kinda go by it. So it was Bad Bunny. I thought about it, but I didn't think the NFL or Roc Nation would actually pull a trigger on it and do it. I thought they would find somebody else and kind of fill in that slide. I didn't know if Bad Bunny wanted to even be a part of it, the super bowl thing, but it makes sense. After he just had the residency in Puerto Rico, what he did down on the island, which was, you know, But I didn't think that it would land on Bad Bunny. After Adelin and Taylor Turner, he wasn't the first person I thought about. But now that he is announced as the performer of the super bowl, it makes sense. I mean, he's one of the biggest stars in the world.

[Damaris]

So you thought right wing football was mad at Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg? This is going to be the most racist halftime Twitter timeline you have ever seen in your life at this time. Bad Bunny, who's made comments about ice. Also, I think Bad Bunny would make more sense for maybe FIFA, just based off not only its popularity, but just the sport in itself. And now internationalists. Football is a very American thing. This is going to be interesting.

[Rory]

Well, Puerto Rico is a territory of the U.S. i fully understand.

[Ali]

Right.

[Damaris]

I just. It's an interesting pick. I like it. I'm just telling you, with the climate right now, this was a crazy pick.

[Ali]

A bold move, but I know, I'm not mad. I think the right.

[Damaris]

I can't wait to see it.

[Ali]

Bad Boy puts on a time where it needs to. I think it's the right move. He's the biggest pop Star in the world. So. Yeah.

[Rory]

Well, it's interesting because the reason why he didn't go on an American tour was because he. He was in. I guess concerned is the word. He was concerned that ICE would be at his shows arresting.

[Damaris]

Very fair.

[Ali]

Yeah.

[Damaris]

Assumption that that would happen. Without question.

[Rory]

The fact that there's people.

[Damaris]

They go to Home Depots. You don't think they go to the Bad Bunny show? They're good. They would be waiting outside.

[Rory]

But it's not. It's not interested to you that somebody that's here illegally, a migrant, could afford a Bad Bunny ticket in America?

[Ali]

What is that?

[Rory]

How. You know. How you know how expensive Bad Bunny tickets are?

[Damaris]

You know how much money the guy standing outside of Lowe's and Home Depot pull in cash?

[Rory]

No, I don't.

[Damaris]

A good amount.

[Ali]

I don't offer them something like, yeah, that ain't it.

[Rory]

But that's just nice.

[Damaris]

They buying the big. The big chicken tendon.

[Rory]

For the artists to be like, yo, I don't want to go on a US Tour because I'm afraid that ICE agents might be at my shows arresting people.

[Damaris]

Yeah.

[Ali]

And also, not even all of them have to be immigrants. They could be. The ICE be around with regular Spanish people. Like, they don't even have to be immigrants. They be fucking. They will arrest you and then figure out the details later. Oh, you American. Oh, my bad. Oh, you're a dreamer. Oh, my bad.

[Rory]

Yeah, I don't think that's happening.

[Damaris]

There's gonna be a few hiccups.

[Ali]

That's definitely happened plenty of times.

[Rory]

I don't know if that's happened, but it has happened. The interesting part is his show, his stage performance is incredible for sure. He puts on a better show than 90% of the artists. So, yeah, it will be a huge production. It will be great.

[Damaris]

Completely well deserved. I just think it's a bold move that I'm not mad just for this year. Well, going into next year. Yeah, it's a crazy pick.

[Rory]

And then we know what it's all about. You know, they getting the big. You know, obviously the Latin community will tune in to the halftime show. So the numbers are going to be incredible. And that's all this is about. It's not so much about the people in the stadium. It's not so much about the people that's actually at the super bowl, but more so about how many people can we get to tune in for halftime to push these commercials and things like that? So, I mean, Bad Bunny is, you know, he has a huge, huge global Audience. He puts on a great show. He has great music, great performer, great entertainer. So, I mean, it makes sense.

[Damaris]

Is the NFL scripted if somehow the Raiders go from 1 and 3 and go on a Super bowl run?

[Rory]

Why would that be scripted?

[Damaris]

Because a lot of Latinos are Raiders fan.

[Rory]

Cowboys fans, too.

[Damaris]

True. Chargers are doing pretty well.

[Rory]

49Ers fans. A lot.

[Damaris]

Is that a thing for the Niners?

[Rory]

Oh, you've never been to a Niners game? I haven't, no. Oh, yeah. Huge.

[Damaris]

Oh, okay.

[Rory]

Huge.

[Damaris]

What's the Niners record now? I'm just trying to see if.

[Rory]

3.

[Damaris]

And 1 charges 3 and 1.

[Rory]

9 is 3 and 1 script.

[Damaris]

Script is in.

[Rory]

It's in. It's in the Bay Area. The Niners might be in the game, man. The Niners might be in the bowl.

[Damaris]

And all Latino experience.

[Rory]

Oh, my God. And all Latino. Yeah.

[Damaris]

I'm curious how. How they're gonna not spin, per se, but, like, market the entire thing with Bad Bunny. I'm just interested to see the same.

[Rory]

Way they market, you know, Modelo. It's the same.

[Ali]

Y' all have a large Spanish audience.

[Rory]

Wait, no.

[Damaris]

We're being offensive.

[Rory]

No, we're not. How am I.

[Ali]

No. How's that? Just making sure.

[Rory]

No, that's not offensive. I'm saying they're gonna market it the same way they market anything else.

[Damaris]

In mall's defense, the image that Roc Nation did pick looks like a Corona commercial.

[Rory]

He was on the. He was. You know, he was on the beach with a goal post.

[Damaris]

Like, you know, the Corona commercial with the silhouette of. Of the little hut in the palm tree. Yeah, it was the same thing.

[Rory]

It's the same thing. It's Bad Bunny.

[Ali]

That's.

[Rory]

That sells itself. Good dope sells itself. You know that, Rory. Bad Bunny.

[Damaris]

It's magic. It's a brand name.

[Rory]

Bad Bunny's performing at Super Bowl. That's all you have to say?

[Ali]

Super Bowl. I don't know.

[Rory]

Okay.

[Ali]

It might be the highest. Watch Super Bowl.

[Damaris]

I don't think that's a bad take at all.

[Rory]

Nah, not more than. Not like us.

[Damaris]

All right, I'm not trying to. I will say, between the numbers of people that watch the halftime show regardless, plus an entire new demographic that may not watch it. Yeah. This could be the highest. Highest rated.

[Rory]

He's not being Kendrick, though. He's not. No way he's gonna beat Kendrick. No, he's not.

[Ali]

He's. Yeah. I would go on the limits.

[Damaris]

He's probably gonna be Bruno Mars and Beyonce.

[Ali]

Y' all got bad boys.

[Damaris]

See, now that's offensive. We were not a few.

[Rory]

What was that? I don't know if that. What was that? That was Italian. What was that?

[Ali]

All of my friends.

[Damaris]

That's like when my dad says gracias at a Mexican restaurant.

[Rory]

What the was that?

[Ali]

All of my friends who say bad. They all say bad. Bo all say it like that.

[Damaris]

I'm telling you, none of them are Latino.

[Ali]

Bad Bunny. Yes, they are. Who are bad Bunny fans? Like, all of them shout out to an. Shout out to rocks. Like the ones that traveled to Puerto Rico to go see Bad Bunny. That's how they say it.

[Rory]

Yeah, but you can't say that, though.

[Ali]

Why the can I?

[Rory]

Well, you look like you could be Spanish. You do. You look.

[Ali]

The mustache.

[Rory]

No, you just. You look like you could be Honduran. You look like you can be Puerto Rican. You like, you could be Dominican. Yeah, you got that. You got that look to you. Costa Rican, maybe? Yeah, you got that look.

[Damaris]

Definitely a Puerto Rican mannerisms, for sure.

[Ali]

What does that see? That feels racist.

[Rory]

That felt racist or anything from his face. His white face is going to come across.

[Damaris]

You're acting like I was quoting the young thug intro.

[Ali]

What was the. Why young Thug turn everybody white? What's going on?

[Rory]

Well, he said young thug said, you know, the thing about what the music industry used to be is if you want to be big and be successful, go white. So that's what he was trying to do. Like, he was trying to.

[Damaris]

This is his bluegrass album.

[Ali]

But why did he turn everybody on?

[Rory]

This is not his bluegrass. This is not. I don't even want you to. This is not Young thugs bluegrass. No, this is not that. But that was his reason saying, you know, they used to have black artists when they. But back in the days, the album cover would be like white people on a beach. It wouldn't even be the black artist on that. So he's kind of like alluding to that. If you want to be the biggest, you got to go white.

[Damaris]

Okay. Was that a fake tweet when he posted here's all my friends and was all the features and they were all white, too? Because again, I didn't have service. I didn't know if that was a troll.

[Rory]

Probably a troll.

[Damaris]

I don't know. It looked like it was a real account, but it had all of the features and they were all white, which made me wish that Central Cee was on the album so I could see the white version of Central Cee that he would make.

[Rory]

Just put a picture of Central C.

[Damaris]

If it was all Them and then just see as is.

[Rory]

Do we think Bad Bunny's going to bring anybody with him?

[Ali]

Cardi B. I would not be surprised, but I don't think so. I wouldn't be surprised, but I don't think so.

[Rory]

Bodega Baddy at the Super Bowl?

[Damaris]

No. What was the one from the first album that they have now?

[Ali]

I Like Diamonds. I Like Diamonds.

[Damaris]

Yeah. I think Cardi comes out and they. They do that.

[Ali]

I like it like that.

[Rory]

Oh, yeah. They definitely got like. If you're gonna do. I like it like that anyway, it has to be at the Super Bowl.

[Damaris]

Yeah. That's such a. Cardi and Ricky Martin need to come out. Yeah, for sure.

[Rory]

Shakira, while they're at it, see if she's free.

[Damaris]

Didn't she already do the Super Bowl?

[Rory]

She did, yeah.

[Damaris]

Yeah, yeah. I think Cardi gets brought out. I don't know. Is there another artist from that genre?

[Ali]

J. Balvin.

[Damaris]

J Balvin?

[Ali]

Yeah.

[Rory]

J. Balvin.

[Damaris]

Isn't he on? I like it like that, too.

[Rory]

J. Balvin and Bad Bunny got a little.

[Ali]

Oh, static.

[Rory]

It's a little static between them right now. I mean, I don't know if it's. I wouldn't say beef, but I don't think that they're on the terms that they used to be on right now.

[Damaris]

But they could squash it at the Super Bowl. That would be like, a nice moment of unity.

[Rory]

It'll be like Thug and Lucci, maybe the same thing.

[Ali]

No worry. Have you guys listened to Big Doge? I know Maul did.

[Rory]

Did I? That's all I've been listening to all weekend.

[Ali]

Really?

[Damaris]

What he put on his Back to the Future. What's. The sneakers?

[Rory]

You got the mags.

[Damaris]

You definitely put those on to listen to that.

[Rory]

No, I didn't do that.

[Damaris]

You was walking around the house in them.

[Rory]

No, I definitely didn't do that.

[Ali]

I haven't heard it yet. Is it more rap? Is it pop? Is it. What is it? I haven't heard it. I've been busy.

[Rory]

Oh, my God.

[Damaris]

It's very 80s pop. Very much 80s pop.

[Rory]

This album is incredible. Incredible music. Doja, bro. Listen, man, she might be. Y' all know how I feel about Nikki, but, like, Doja is, like, right there for me. I think she. I think Doja, as far as her artistry, her talent, her vision, I think she's right there with the Beyonce's and. And the Rihanna's and all of them. Absolutely. Like her artistry and her skillset and her vision, like her stage show, her performance. Everything is right. She just doesn't have the big production that those artists have. But, like, her talent level, her skill set.

[Ali]

You just named two artists that ain't even on the same talent level. So, like, are you putting her on a level with Rihanna?

[Rory]

No, I'm saying she's right there.

[Ali]

Or a level with Beyonce?

[Rory]

I'm saying she's right there in the same scope with those artists. She's right there.

[Ali]

What I was saying is them artists are not on the same scope as each other. That's why I was confused.

[Rory]

No, but I mean, those are like, superstars.

[Ali]

Okay, you're saying she's a superstar. All right. Absolutely. I thought you were talking about actually.

[Rory]

Like, no, she's not on the same. No, she does. She hasn't had the success that those artists have had. But skills, skill set and talent. 1,000.

[Damaris]

Okay. I agree with you there, 1,000%. She definitely has the skill set.

[Rory]

1,000%. Like, she's. Bro. Like, you can just look at an artist and tell, like, if they had. Because as you know, Roy, a lot of people, a lot of what comes with the lore of a superstar is, you know, production is the production big and the stage president, all that kind of adds to. But I'm just talking about skill set, talent, vision. Like, she has all of that. I mean, anytime you see it at these. When we seen at the Met, like, she was the most talked about person on the carpet. Like, she has that thing that she has that superstar quality that those other ladies have. Without a doubt.

[Ali]

Okay. That's all I was. I just wanted to clear up because I'm. When I hear you say that you comparing Doja to Beyonce, I don't want to be hive to kill you.

[Rory]

So that's why I just want to clear up what you think about that.

[Ali]

We not saying that Doja Cat is as talented as Beyonce. That's some crazy ass shit to say.

[Rory]

I'm saying she is.

[Ali]

Okay, Okay.

[Rory]

I don't think she's. She's not. She's not. She's not as strong vocally as Beyonce. But talent. She dances, she raps, she sings. Like she has. She checks all of the. Her performance. She checks all of the boxes. Without a doubt. Like, Doja Cat is that type of talent. Without a doubt.

[Damaris]

Skill set. Yes, I'm with you. But to put them in the same category, she would have to accomplish the same things that I feel like those.

[Rory]

Well, that comes with time. Yeah, that just comes with time. That's all we talking about.

[Damaris]

Because, I mean, when it comes Obviously, she's not a better singer than Beyonce, not a better dancer. Catalog, and hasn't done any of the tour scales that Beyonce has done. I mean, I don't even think she's there with Nikki yet, but she could be on the path to get there. Like, I think she's great. I just think she needs to accomplish more to be in those conversations.

[Rory]

When you say she's not on Nikki's level, what do you mean as far as what?

[Damaris]

Skills, talent, accomplishments.

[Rory]

That's time. That comes with time, bro. You talking about things that come with time.

[Damaris]

I know, but that's what I'm getting at. Catalog, impact, hits. Like, I. I don't think Doja could stand toe to toe with Nikki and come even close in A versus.

[Rory]

Yeah, but you. Okay.

[Damaris]

And that's. That's. I'm talking about songs. Just songs.

[Rory]

I'm talking about talent level, skill set. Yeah. Superstar quality.

[Ali]

You think that Doja Cat is when it comes to rap music, Right? Rap. Because I look at Doja like a pop star. I look at Nicki as a pop star, too, but Nicki leans more towards rap. You think that Doja can sit with Nicki talent wise with rapping?

[Rory]

Absolutely. Absolutely. I think if Nicki. I think if Nicki and Doja have a Get a record together where they're just rapping, I think Doja definitely holds her own. Definitely will have people like, oh, shit, I didn't know Doja was like that. Without a doubt.

[Damaris]

I think she would definitely hold her own.

[Ali]

Agree.

[Damaris]

But I mean, again, and it's not slight to Doja at all, but, you know, she'd be on a record with somebody that clearly had a huge influence on her.

[Rory]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Damaris]

And I don't know. That way. Everyone should.

[Rory]

Absolutely.

[Damaris]

Absolutely no influence by.

[Rory]

Listen, y' all know where I put. But I'm just saying, like.

[Damaris]

But you can hear Nicki through a lot of doja cats.

[Rory]

100%. But when you. I'm just saying, when you listen to a Doja Cat record or album and you just hear just the. Again, the talent level for somebody who is probably writing all of this shit.

[Damaris]

Well, yeah, Twitter, I forgot what page it was put out. A very misleading stat. That Doja Cat is the first female rapper to have only herself in the writing credits of a full album.

[Rory]

And I was like, no, well, that's wrong.

[Damaris]

Yeah.

[Rory]

But to what I'm saying, she's writing all of this, whether it's a rap, pop, R and B, whatever. She's like. She's writing that. She's executing it. She sounds great. If she, you know, at her show, her performance is incredible. Like, I just was talking about what she did at the VMAs. Her performance at the VMA. She had Michael Bolton.

[Damaris]

Yeah.

[Rory]

Was it Michael Bolton or Kenny G?

[Damaris]

Kenny G. Kenny G. Kenny G. It was Kenny G. Yeah.

[Rory]

Kenny G. She had Kenny G come out. Just that attention to detail for a stage show that just lets you know that this is an artist that is looking at things differently. She's paying attention to the detail of everything. And that is what a superstar does to me.

[Damaris]

I mean, sans fashion and producing to some degree. I know Doja Cat does produce, but she's more in a Tyler Lane to me than she would be comparing her to Nikki.

[Rory]

What?

[Damaris]

Yeah, I get what Rory said.

[Rory]

No, you don't.

[Damaris]

This album here, I mean, she doesn't compare it to the last project, which was more. It was a rap project. She doesn't rap that much on this project. It's a pop album. So, like, that's where the. Nikki. Yeah, but I mean, I wouldn't even.

[Rory]

Like, forget the project. I'm just saying her skill set.

[Damaris]

Sure, okay. Yeah.

[Ali]

Ty, you said Tyler or Tyler?

[Damaris]

Tyler. Tyler, the creator.

[Ali]

Okay.

[Rory]

Oh, okay. I thought you talking about Ty.

[Ali]

He said Tyler and I'm like, no, no, he meant Tyler.

[Rory]

Okay, okay.

[Damaris]

The creator.

[Rory]

Okay, okay, okay. Got you got.

[Damaris]

I said sans fashion and producing. Tyler produces all this stuff. And I know Doja Cat produces, but I don't think she does to the degree that. That Tyler Crater does.

[Rory]

Okay.

[Damaris]

And Tyler has a. Like, his fashion is over here too. But I would put. I would put Joe.

[Rory]

Now you see why I was kind of like, what?

[Damaris]

Yeah, no, that's all I'm saying.

[Rory]

That's all I'm saying. And there's no disrespect to Tyler.

[Damaris]

I think she's a weird.

[Rory]

But I'm just saying, for you to say that, I was like, how are you comparing that? But okay.

[Damaris]

Yeah, I would put her more in a comparison there than Nikki, who obviously does have pop hits and does sing. But Nikki is, at the end of the day, like, you think rapper first, hardcore rapper first. Whereas Doja, you know, is spread across the whole spectrum when it comes to music. This album being one of those where she's rapping. I love her raps, but that wasn't the focus on this. This was way more melodic. Way, way more in the sense, like, this was. It was an 80s pop album.

[Rory]

Yeah.

[Damaris]

My only critique of it, because I really do love it. It's a little too on the nose of 80s pop. I would have liked her to make it more of her own. I think it is, like, straight up, like, hey, I'm making an 80s pop album.

[Ali]

Bruno. Marcy.

[Damaris]

No, no, no. Not in that. Like, it doesn't need to be warmer. It's just like. Like, all right. Day and Night to me was like a cuddy. It was a weird version of, like, an 80s pop record, but Cudi made it his own and made it in this time. This doesn't sound like an 80s album in 2025. It just sounds like an 80s pop album that Doja Cat is singing, rapping over, which is fine. I think it's great.

[Rory]

I think that's what she was fired. I think that's what she was trying to do. Now the content is definitely Doja.

[Damaris]

Hell, yeah.

[Rory]

What she's saying is definitely Doja.

[Damaris]

She's talking. She's talking shit on you.

[Rory]

But the music is. I think that's what she wanted. She wanted to kind of capture that sound that. You know, that. That energy of 80s pop. And I think she did that, but she's. I think she still kept it. Doja with the lyrics and with the content, for sure. Yeah.

[Ali]

Yeah.

[Damaris]

This is definitely a tour that I will pay.

[Rory]

Oh, no. I'm going to the show.

[Damaris]

Like, this is going to be.

[Rory]

I'm going to the show at the Garden. Without a doubt. I'm not missing Doja again. It's not happening.

[Damaris]

What happens when, like, the lights go too crazy? Epilepsy. What do you get? I would like. I want to get epilepsy at the Garden.

[Ali]

I'm ali.

[Damaris]

If it's 80s themed with all the lasers, like, yeah. I want this to be that.

[Rory]

Yeah. I'm definitely going to. 100%. I'm not. I was mad I missed her last tour. We got to la, I think the day after. She just ended the tour. That's not happening this year. I will be at the Garden for that Doja show, without a doubt. Gotta see her live. She's one of those artists that I just. I feel like I. I have to see it. I have to actually go to the show and just. Just see it and feel the energy and. And what her fan base is.

[Ali]

I'm mad I missed Global Citizen Fest in New York this weekend.

[Rory]

What is that?

[Ali]

It was like. Like a. Kind of like a. Not really a festival, but a festival. Global Citizen. They had Tyler, they had Cardi B up there performing Pregnant. They had Mariah the Scientist. They had a bunch of people. I Was heartbroken. Did. No, I don't think Dosha performed, but it was a lot of people.

[Rory]

I never heard of global citizenship.

[Ali]

Really? Wow. Yeah, it was in New York this.

[Rory]

Weekend, but so it's just like a festival.

[Damaris]

Yeah, it's been going on for.

[Rory]

For a while now.

[Damaris]

Was it at Shea stadium?

[Ali]

No, it was on some lawn.

[Rory]

It was on some lawn.

[Ali]

No, I'm for real.

[Rory]

Oh, that's a lawn. Central park is a lawn, so. Yeah, I get it. PHARRELL, Alicia Keys. One Republic Her. Carol King.

[Ali]

Yeah, that's very old. That's 2019, baby. Oh, I'm like her.

[Damaris]

That was when the world was okay.

[Ali]

Yeah, I'm like her. Yeah. The. It is called the great law in Central Park. I knew I wasn't crazy. Shakira, Cardi B. Tyler, Ira Starr, Mariah, Scientists. Camilo, Eliana.

[Rory]

Yeah.

[Damaris]

Okay. Oh, I'm sure that was fun.

[Ali]

Yeah, we missed it, but fine.

[Damaris]

Well, yeah. Check out Doja Cat's album. I'm curious to see what the visuals look like on this. I'm actually shocked with that type of production that she didn't release like similar. Like what Beyonce did with this self titled album. Like a visual for every single song. Because this is one of those that I think like every song warrants. Even if they did like a short film of all the songs, I think that would make sense because there's so much you can do with that 80s pop for sure. But yeah, other than that, she's been on a run. I mean, last from 2021 to 2025. Four projects. Like, she's staying super consistent for being a list artist.

[Rory]

Like, she's incredible, man. I love Toja Cat. Like I'm like a doja cat fan.

[Ali]

I love that.

[Rory]

Like a real doja cat fan.

[Damaris]

Maybe she come on the pod.

[Rory]

Yeah. Let's get dojo on, man. I might DM her. Let me. I'll DM and see if she. She responds.

[Damaris]

And if she can't. Come on, we can maybe just do like a. Like a chat online.

[Rory]

Yeah, something.

[Damaris]

Yes, a little chat with her.

[Rory]

Have her in the zoom Zoom room. She can show us her feet.

[Ali]

Now.

[Damaris]

She's not gonna answer her bad bunny impressions, so we can keep the theme of the racist chat.

[Ali]

No warrior. Now.

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[Rory]

Lenovo.

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[Damaris]

An ad by BetterHelp. October 10th is World Mental Health Day and this year I think we should take the time and focus our attention on thanking our therapists. The people that we dump all of our problems on every day that just have to go out in the world and digest all the nonsense and insane things that we say to them. We need to say thank you to the therapists. Check up on your strong friend. I'm sure it takes a toll on them as well. This year, BetterHelp is shining the spotlight on therapists, people who truly make the world a better place. If something keeps you up at night, just go get a therapist, dump that problem on them, and then we'll celebrate them on the 10th. BetterHelp therapists work accordingly to a strict code of conduct and are fully licensed in the US with over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. And it works with an average rate of 4.9 out of 5 for a live session based on over 1.7 million client reviews. The World Mental Health Day. Let's celebrate the therapists who've helped millions of people take a step forward. If you're ready to find the right therapist for you, BetterHelp can help you start that journey. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com rorymol that's betterhelp.com rorymol.

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[Rory]

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[Ali]

Well, this week, have y' all been on the Internet? The Internet? Been Internet and y' all been on the Internet?

[Damaris]

Nah, I went back up to New Hampshire.

[Rory]

What happened?

[Ali]

Yep.

[Rory]

I don't even know.

[Ali]

I went back to New Hampshire.

[Rory]

What happened on the Internet? What happened on the Internet this week?

[Ali]

A lot of. A lot of that we don't have to talk about exact, but I'm sure y'. All, I mean, we're going to talk about it, but Nikki Cardi.

[Rory]

Did we say merch is available?

[Ali]

Yes. Nikki Cardi, J.T. santana.

[Damaris]

Oh, I'm thinking about something like important, like the continued Genocide in Gaza. You talk about Cardi and Nikki.

[Ali]

That's. That's not happening on the Internet. That's happening in the room.

[Damaris]

I thought you saw like a real conflict, the way you talking about how.

[Rory]

We'Ve come to an agreement that they're going to stop killing people in the. On the Gaza Strip. Like, I thought that's what we told my Nikki. Oh, my bad.

[Damaris]

They're talking about the government shutting down this week.

[Ali]

Yeah, yeah, no, that's happening in real life, not the Internet. I asked. You been on the Internet?

[Rory]

Okay, okay. No, I haven't been on the Internet. So what happened on the Internet, baby? Give it to us.

[Ali]

So there has been some conflict between the female rappers.

[Rory]

Oh, I thought you about to say Israel when you say conflict. I. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Go ahead. I'm sorry, go ahead.

[Damaris]

Look at how we use words, though. Yeah, the same thing. Is party niggas a conflict.

[Rory]

It's not a conflict. They beef.

[Damaris]

Nobody's conflicted. They've made their points very clear.

[Rory]

They beefing. It's all our war. Like, it is what it is. But go ahead, give it to us. Give it to the people that may not know what happened on the Internet, baby.

[Ali]

D, go to the people who may not know what happened on the Internet. Basically, Cardi and Nikki been on there talking shit about each other's kids again. Yeah, it's. But it's bad. It got really bad. It got bad to the point where, like, everybody was kind of like, y' all need to stop. Like, when you're sending direct insults to the children, calling the children slow, saying they banging spoons, talking about the children's teeth. Yeah, it got bad.

[Rory]

Banging spoons.

[Ali]

They make fun of Nikki's child because they're saying there's a rumor that Nikki's child is non verbal or autistic. Okay, okay, so Cardi attacked that because Nikki, I mean. Cause Nikki was attacking culture and talking about her gums and talking. It's just bad. It just got really, really bad and nasty. Like, really, really bad and nasty. And it has gotten to the point where people are kind of like pulling out of it. It's not even, like entertaining anymore. And I just kind of wanted you guys opinions on. I know we say, like, for example, the pedophile bar was too far. Right? Allegedly. The pedophile bar was too far. Talking about kids is obviously too far.

[Damaris]

And you're not even rhyming.

[Ali]

Yeah, like, oh, no, there was a whole bunch of A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Yeah, But I mean.

[Damaris]

Anytime the barbs say, hey, maybe we should pull back a bit and have some civil discourse, you know, something is. Is really, really wrong. This is. This is weird. I also don't care about the theory that Nikki is only saying the things that Cardi has said about people in the past to put the mirror. And we just don't understand the triple entendres. This is gross and disgusting on both sides. I don't care who started, who said the kid shit first. Both people participated and are still participating to continue to talk about children. This is the weirdest fucking thing I've ever seen. Two A list artists trying to one up each other on Twitter about who can insult their child the most. What are we doing? I know. We can have the LOLs. What. What the is this? Who on either side? Family members, baby fathers, husbands, anybody. Somebody just rip out the Verizon wireless in their house.

[Ali]

Yeah, yeah, the PR people are at home just chewing on their. Like, I would just be chewing my fingernails off if I was their pr. Like, what am I here for? What is my job?

[Damaris]

I got. I got eight hours of sleep and woke up and they were still. They were just going through more kids.

[Ali]

It got bad. And allegedly it started from obviously, Cardi's rollout and everything. Her rollout was going great and everything. And then Nikki started, you know, tweeting stats and little things like that. And then she started. She started mocking some things that Cardi was saying on her album, and that sent Cardi into a blind rage. And my thing is, I just. We've said it before. I just want Cardi to stop taking the bait because now we were just talking about how she had a great album, great rollout, everything was going great. She. She. She did what everybody wanted her to do. And now you don't let yourself get pulled into some mess. And now no one's talking about that. They're talking about this.

[Damaris]

Well, also, on Nicki side, Cardi kind of said the same thing we were saying a few episodes ago of Nikki even posting her album date or even getting involved during this rollout. Like, now you're putting yourself. You're the goat. Cardi's like, I have two albums out. You came out when I was in high school.

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[Damaris]

Now we're. Now we're the same. Why are you even entertaining me if you're supposed to be up here? Why the. Is my rollout part of your rollout now for next year? Nikki has now put Cardi at the exact same level.

[Rory]

Yeah, but that's I mean, wasn't Cardi. Wasn't she on the phone screaming at Ice Spice and her people? Ice Spice is younger than her. She came out, her album came out. Ice Spice was in high school, like, so none of that matters at an age. And when you came out, if you don't like somebody, you got issues with somebody, you express it. I think this is the wrong way to express it. I think it's the wrong way to go about it. I think it's distasteful. I think it's, you know, But I mean, listen, man, people don't like each other. We know that people are, you know, competitive women. When you have women involved, it can become very catty and very, you know, that's just because that's the thing that women have in them. You know, they have that ability to kind of like, keep receipts and, you know, weaponize things with family and, you know, personal things about each other. And, you know, I mean, it's unfortunate that it's Cardi and Nikki, but, I mean, is it surprising anybody at this point? Obviously, these two women don't like each other.

[Damaris]

We know that there's other ways to express not liking someone.

[Rory]

Yeah, through the music.

[Damaris]

Sweet away. I just don't know why kids have to come into anything whatsoever to this degree. I'm not saying there hasn't been in the past when it comes to hip hop, that kids haven't been involved. Little shots here and there. I'm not saying that hasn't happened. I'm not saying they're. These two are the first people to ever bring children into a verbal altercation. But to this degree, it's been three days of just trying to one up kids that are, like three and four years old. Who could say a nastier thing about a child? Kendrick has. He said nasty things about children.

[Rory]

He called Drake a pedophile.

[Ali]

But that's not him attacking his child.

[Damaris]

Okay?

[Rory]

That's him saying Drake is a pedophile. You know what a pedophile is?

[Ali]

I do know what a pedophile is, but it's not attacking a child. It's not talking about a child.

[Rory]

Not a specific child. Yeah, but it's the same thing.

[Damaris]

Okay, fair. But completely aside from that, with this conversation, calling children out of their name and then talking about certain issues or physical appearance. This is fucking gross.

[Rory]

It is.

[Damaris]

Like, what type of adult or parent would even feel comfortable doing this? And listen, to Kari's credit, I know she would say, what would you say if somebody said something about your kid? Maybe you'd get a tweet out of me, but maybe probably just silence. And I'm not calling for anyone violence whatsoever. But if you think I'm going tit for tat on Twitter once you bring up my kid. No.

[Ali]

Well, that's what she said. She said, I don't even want to keep doing this. At this. At this point, you got to see me.

[Damaris]

But insinuating anything. I'm just saying it would be quiet if it got to that line.

[Ali]

Yeah.

[Damaris]

There would be no banter back and forth.

[Rory]

Yeah, Well, I agree wholeheartedly. I agree.

[Ali]

Yeah, I. I know there are so there are some conspiracy theories that Cardi and Nikki are the stupidest fucking conspiracy theories. But people are like, they're working together for this. And at this point, I'm like, they're not working together. But what I would like to know is someone is sitting there thinking that this is good marketing, and I'm just wondering where the line is drawn, because there is a thing as. There is such a thing as bad publicity. Not all publicity is good publicity. This has to look shitty for whatever brands they work with. This looks bad. If I'm the CEO of a major company and I have a partnership with somebody or I'm paying somebody to sponsor my brand, I would never want them attached to this. I don't care who started first. You see what I'm saying?

[Rory]

But why do you say it looks bad?

[Ali]

These are grown women attacking children.

[Damaris]

Yeah.

[Ali]

Like that looks bad for a brand. If I'm the CEO of a major brand. Yeah. I don't want this person attached to my brand.

[Rory]

I mean, I get it. But the. What you're saying is correct. When you start talking about each other's children, you know, now that's a whole different level of disrespect and, you know, just nasty things to say. But if we. If we being real, that's. Is that not our culture of hip hop culture? Who can say the worst shit about each other? Who can disrespect each other the most? Who can. Is that not it? Is this. Like, I'm not. I'm not as surprised as anybody else is. Like, granted, yeah, they're talking about kids, but it's like, okay, okay, okay.

[Damaris]

But you don't think there's an arena for that? Like, they're not on. They're not on stage at Summer Madness at URL.

[Ali]

Yeah. So that's the only place I can think where they.

[Damaris]

This isn't. To me. No, this isn't hip hop. Yes. Are the two people involved in this verbal altercation, both hip hop and both rappers, of course, but that's. That's not hip hop. Tweeting about someone's kid is not hip hop to me. So I'm not quite sure of your example. I mean, of course, in rap battles, yeah, there's probably no rules on a lot of stuff, whether we agree or not. They've said insane things in Euro that I could not even believe. People stand there and just take it. They have the patience of a fucking Jedi.

[Rory]

So this is cool.

[Damaris]

This is. This is just two people insulting each other's kids. There's nothing hip that just because they both rap doesn't make it hip hop.

[Rory]

So if it was a beat plan.

[Damaris]

And they said these, I would say this is a nasty battle. That's what I was. It is a really nasty battle.

[Rory]

All right, so this is Acapulco. That's all. We just gotta.

[Damaris]

But I just. When Demeritar said nobody rhymed yet, this is just statement.

[Rory]

I saw Cardi say something. She was kind of rapping on one of us.

[Damaris]

I know I laughed when they were doing the. I thought it was funny. But then it just got to that line. Whenever Nikki had said culture, whatever, I was like, well, here we go. In 48 hours straight of just naming kids.

[Rory]

Yeah. I mean, you know, it's unfortunate for it to play out like that. And again, you know, whenever you start disrespecting each other's kids, it's reached a whole different. A whole different tone, a whole different level. So, I mean, I came here last week. You know, y' all know how I feel about Nikki. Y' all know how I feel about Cardi. I came in here, tried to, you know, throw Nicki some bassin. Nah. When she announced the album, I was like, nah, that ain't got nothing to do with Cardi. That's just, you know, Nicki. But it's clear as day, like, they. These two women just absolutely do not like each other for whatever reason. I don't even know where they started. I don't know what was the cause of it. At first, years ago, I thought it was just a competitive thing, you know, Nicki being the top dog and, you know, here comes Cardi. They trying to place somebody in that lane and kind of give, you know, healthy competition to whoever the top female MC is, which we understand in music. So I just thought it was a competitive thing. And I thought, you know, fan bases, you know, add to that and fuel that a little bit. But it was okay. Cause it seemed like it was just a competitive rap thing, like who's the top female rapper? But now it's going way too left. It's personal. It's a lot of behind the scenes shit, I believe that is going on on both sides. Things that are being said, information that is being fed both ways, a lot of pillow talking, a lot of, you know, group chats.

[Ali]

The rumor is that Nikki is schizophrenic or on drugs. Right. Why is that the rumor there's been. Because of the things that, the rants that she goes on. People would say that they don't connect. Accusing Jay Z of trying to kill her and ruin her career or of like that whole Jay Z, Roc Nation thing. Even when she was arguing with Cardi, she was throwing that out there. Like she's been attacking Jay Z for like a year now. Damn near so. And it's just certain things that, like saying that, oh, they set Juice wrld up to be killed on her birthday. Like, things like that. Like Mal, I'm asking you as like a, a barb. Like you don't. Are you not seeing anything weird or like maybe anything like a red flag? Like this is not making sense. Like this is not normal human behavior.

[Rory]

Yeah, but I'm not tying drugs and schizophrenia into it. I think that Nikki is just saying things that she feel maybe she has information that we don't have. I mean, I don't know, but I don't go to drugs and schizophrenia. Like, if we didn't hear that, if we didn't hear that Cardi rant about Ice Spice, would one say she was on drugs? And when she was on the phone yelling at whoever she was yelling at, somebody would say that's a drugged out. Her tweaking out on the phone though. No, just because she's not tweeting it, but she's actually yelling it over her phone.

[Ali]

Okay, so there's a difference between like getting upset about something. I don't. People don't. People don't attribute you cussing somebody out or going off to drugs. Like, that's not. That's just. You just mad. You pissed the fuck off when shit is not making sense or like connecting.

[Rory]

But that's what I'm saying. Maybe she has information we don't have. This is Nicki Minaj.

[Ali]

You think Jay Z is out to ruin Nicki Minaj's career and is doing everything he.

[Rory]

I don't think that. I'm saying Nicki may have information where she thinks that I can't call somebody drugged out and schizophrenic because they're saying something that I'm not informed about or I don't believe. To me, that's not a fair. To put that on somebody is not fair. Now, do I think going on Twitter and expressing that is the best thing? No, I think that's like, why would you even do that? Because, first of all, nobody cares on Twitter. I can promise you that. Nobody gives a fuck. So going on there and expressing these things that you feel are true and you think are real for what, like, that doesn't. People on there, they're just gonna use that for memes and to say, you're on drugs and like, they don't care about that. So to me, expressing it there, to me, makes no sense. I never understood why people run to social media and express things like this as if people care. I promise you, people do not give a fuck. But I just can't go to diagnosing somebody with schizophrenia and being drugged out because of what they're tweeting. I'm not doing that. I can't do that. Because sometimes you do that and you're wrong. And then now you look like an insensitive person because it's like, oh, shit. This person wasn't just going crazy on their Twitter and saying things like that was really happening. And sometimes it's not happening. You know what I'm saying? But again, I don't put. I'm not here to diagnose somebody with schizophrenia and being on drugs. I don't do that. I don't. I don't run to that.

[Ali]

No worry about. I want to ask you a question, actually, because I value your opinion. I value your opinion.

[Rory]

Okay.

[Ali]

Some things.

[Rory]

I love this.

[Ali]

So I was reading my devotional today, and the message was about forgiveness, right?

[Rory]

Okay.

[Ali]

Being able to forgive people that have hurt you.

[Rory]

Okay.

[Ali]

Because as God has forgiven us for our sins and I've sinned many a times.

[Rory]

Amen.

[Ali]

How do you feel about being able to forgive somebody even if you don't want them in your life anymore? Somebody that did some fucked up shit to you and you don't want them in your life anymore, are you still able to forgive them?

[Rory]

I think it depends on where you're at mentally, emotionally, if you're at that. If you're that mature. Yeah, I've done it. I forgive people that have done some crazy shit to me that most people probably wouldn't forgive. But me not forgiving them does what? You know what I'm saying? Like, I think that energy is just on You. But when you forgive, you're like, listen, it's all good. And you kind of just move forward. I think that's a little easier sometimes because it's not on you. It's not like a constant thought or something that you're constantly thinking of. It's like, I'm over that. I've grown since that. I've matured since that. But you have to be at that point, though. You have to be at that point in your life where you just like. Cause when I was younger, you know what? I battle with that a lot, with finding out who killed my brother. And I think about that a lot. Like, if I was to find out now, what would my reaction be? Would I want revenge? Or would I just be like, you know, kind of like, forgive, move forward. Cause that's what the Quran says, right? Forgive. And you know what I'm saying? You move. But it's like, it depends on what day you ask me that. Just being honest, you know what I'm saying? Some days I'm like, fuck no, nigga. I gladly go sit down in prison to revenge my brother's death. You know what I'm saying? But then there's some days where I'm like, I can't put my moms through that. I can't put my nieces and nephews through that. I can't put my brothers and sisters through that. Like, them having to come visit me in prison and all, you know what I'm saying? So you battle, and that's like. That's like the biggest thing they try to forgive somebody for is taking the life of one of your loved ones. But it's like, you have to get to that point where it's like, nah, I forgive and I move forward with my life. Family is blessed. Family is healthy. You look at those things and you kind of compare it to. What would be the point of me not forgiving this person? Like, what does that do now, again? Depends on which day you ask me.

[Ali]

Of course.

[Rory]

Some days I'm strong, and some days I'm weak as a motherfucker. If you ask me. The weekday, where that nigga at? I'm ready to go.

[Ali]

After we did three episodes.

[Rory]

Oh, man, I'm ready. I'm ready to raise hell. I'm ready to raise hell. I'm ready to raise hell. Like, kill everybody. You know what I'm saying? But then there's some days where, you know, I get videos of my nephew playing golf, and I'm just like, damn, my nephew. Like, golf. That's fire, Like, And I want to see him grow and see him become a man and do things like, do I want to do that from a prison? You get me? Like, you start thinking about the things that you won't be here for and the things that you'll miss. Me talking to my homeboys that's locked up and hearing how they talk about not being around for they kids and not being around for their family. Like, you weigh a lot of those things. And forgiveness sometimes is the best choice and just to move on.

[Ali]

Even if you never get an apology.

[Rory]

Even if you never get an. Cause sometimes you don't need it. There's plenty of things that I moved on from that I don't want an apology from. I don't care to get an apology from. Like, it's like, for what? Like, I don't. I don't even. This person to me is not even. I don't care to have an apology from you. Like, it's just stay out of my way, though, you know what I'm saying? Like, we ain't gonna be hanging out kicking. Ain't none of that. I ain't that strong, you know what I'm saying? But it's just like, I'm not tripping either, though. Like, I'm not bent out of shape. I'm not looking for no apology. I'm not looking for. Life goes on, man. As tough as that is, sometimes to just accept life does go on, you know what I'm saying? And you have to go with life. Like, all right, it is what it is. Never forget. You don't forget what you've been through. You don't forget what you went through. You don't forget those feelings and those emotions, but you learn from them, you grow from them. And you kind of say, all right, well, I have to move with life. Life goes on to me, I mean, I'm just speaking for myself. I can't speak for everybody. But I think it's easier sometimes to just kind of just forgive and move forward.

[Ali]

I agree. My biggest thing is I have a hard time with not getting the apology I need. Because now you're giving that person too much power.

[Rory]

Too much. You're giving them too much. You know what I'm saying? Like, you don't. What you need what you need what you need that person. Cause that's ego. A lot of that is ego that you talking about. Like, what you need that person to apologize.

[Ali]

I hate when a motherfucker, like, when I know I'm right. Like, I know I'M right. Like, in this scenario, I know I didn't do anything wrong. I know I'm right. And you just won't give that to me. And I know that that is ego, right? I know that that's ego, and I need to let that go. But it's like, nah, you need to fucking apologize. Cause you're not even. You're not even sorry. You ain't even gonna pretend to be sorry. Nah.

[Rory]

But you know what it is, though, Damaris? Like, when you know you right, the truth speaks for you. You ain't gotta say a motherfucking thing. Sometimes you just watch the truth speak and you just sit there just looking at everybody like, I tried to tell y' all this however long ago. So something you don't. You don't need no apology from nobody.

[Ali]

For what?

[Rory]

Nah, you don't. You don't need. That's. We tell ourselves that that's ego talking to us. And now he gotta say sorry. She got. Not she. That she gotta apologize for that. For what she know. She know or he know. He know the truth. He know the real. Like, that gonna eat them up every. You know, sometimes when you just remove yourself from people, like, your presence and your energy, that's all you don't need. No, I don't need no apology from nobody. You ain't got to say, I'm sorry. I was fucked up. It was my fault. I don't need that. Because you ain't stopped nothing. It's been lit since that, like, very shit been. You know me. So you. You look at that. All that other shit is just your ego talking to you. Like, you don't need that shit, man. We put too much on our ego. But it's. Again, I know because I've been in those situations too. I'm like, I didn't even need that. Like, that was stupid, but that was your ego. But as you get a little older, you start understanding. Like, it's gonna light the day, gonna end the. And hopefully you see the next day and that's it. Just move forward. You don't need people to tell you that they up, yo, I was wrong. They know that already. And if they get to a place where they are ready to say that and admit that, then cool. But you don't need that, though. Like, so we gotta stop saying I need not. They gotta. For what?

[Ali]

How do you get better at not operating out of your ego as. As an adult? I. I've been struggling more with that, with my relationship. Like, I've. I peep it now, right? Because I. I peep it because I'm in a healthier relationship. When I was a very bad space in a different relationship, it was okay for the ego to fly because we was just doing a whole bunch of toxic anyway. But now that I'm trying to be in a healthy relationship, I see my ego creep up. I'm like, oh, that was. That was ego. That wasn't necessary or that wasn't or. So I'm trying to get better at recognizing it and not speaking from it. But it's like in the back of my mind, I'm like, if something goes wrong and I didn't flex my ego, I'm gonna regret it. And I'm trying to get out of that mind state. So help.

[Rory]

The fact that you're trying to get out of it is great. That means. Cause you recognize it. Like, yo, that's unnecessary. So that right there is enough. Eventually you'll just see that you're just doing it. Like you just completely removed yourself from having that ego where it's just like. Cause at. Again, it's. Everybody got their shit, everybody got their faults, everybody. Nobody's perfect. Life is tough for everybody. Some. Some people's lives are tougher than yours. So when you just look at shit like that, like, from that perspective, like, let me remove myself and my emotions from this and let me just assess the situation, what happened, what's going on. Once you do that and you realize first, a lot of the times the energy you be trying to put into shit ain't even worth it. The situation ain't that serious. The moment ain't that serious. It's just like, remove that ego. Cool. As long as nobody put their hands on you. Nobody ain't physically. Because I need my lick back. You hit me, nigga, I'm hitting back. That's. Yeah, that's what we doing. But if it's just actions and something somebody said, I don't care about that, man. That shit is. That's all ego talking to you. And you get to a point in life where you just like, no matter what happens, I'm gonna do what I want to do. I'm gonna enjoy myself. Like, whether people are along for the ride or not, we gonna have fun. Ego will stop you from experiencing and really enjoying a lot of. Because you so caught up in your own thoughts, in your own mind of what you. How you feel like it's supposed to go and how you feel like it's. No, it's not. Sometimes it's just. It's not what you. You overthinking a lot of. She overanalyzing a lot of that. A lot of times we make up situations. That's not even a real thing. Like, that's not even. I hear people like, yo, I don't with that. What happened? And then niggas tell you what happened. You be like, that's what happened. Like, that's what all of this. Y' all back and forth for that. Like, it'd be. It's like, yo, y' all just. It's ego talking.

[Ali]

Yeah.

[Rory]

And that's just. But that's. Again, that's human nature. We all have it. We all have been through it. But then you get to a point where you understand how to control it. You understand when and where to use your ego. Cause ego is good. It's good to have an ego. But you gotta understand when and where to use it, though, and how to use it. Like, sometimes you need ego for competitive things and things like that. Like, to kind of talk to yourself and get yourself going. But, like, pushing it on situations. That's not even, like, serious or worth it. That's. That's. That's just immaturity. That's stupid.

[Ali]

Damn, that's some real ass wisdom coming from the birthday boy. Thank you so much.

[Rory]

I mean, I'm just, you know, just trying to, you know, just trying to tell, you know me how it is, man. When you live long enough, you start looking at shit like, that was stupid. Oh, I should have never said that. I should have never did that. And I mean, I live. We. I'm in front of a mic and on camera, like, you know how much shit I say and years ago, and I hear now I'm like, damn, I don't even. I'm not even that person no more. But it's real in the moment. It's how I felt. If I'm older, more mature now, of course I don't feel those ways and think like that I would hope that I've grown and matured since 10 years ago. You know what I'm saying? Like, shit, I said 10, 11 years ago. No, I don't feel away about a lot of those things anymore. But in the moment, yeah, I may have felt like that, but that's where I was at in my life in that moment. And that's just. You gotta accept that from anybody. Like, that's just who they are. But again, when you start analyzing shit, just remove your ego from it a lot of times and just kind of look at the whole situation and you'll land on the right side. Once your ego is going, it's easier to kind of. Kind of hit the mark. At least that's what I think. You know, I'm just giving you what I think. So in relationships, just remove your ego a little bit.

[Ali]

Yeah.

[Rory]

Why he ain't call me?

[Ali]

Why he ain't mine is more like.

[Rory]

This world might be melting. This nigga might be going through a fucking depressed state. He ain't verbalized it. He ain't talked about it. It'd be a lot of that too. You'd be like, yo, why he ain't. Why? He's probably depressed. Or she's depressed, as that's what I'm saying. It ain't got nothing to do.

[Ali]

My problem is that I need everything to be like. I can be very tit for tat. I can be very like, oh, you doing this. I gotta double it.

[Rory]

That's like that.

[Ali]

I gotta stop. I know I'm. I know, I know. I'm aware. And I try to. I try to get better at it, but it's like, you way too long to text me back. Back. Not in my current relationship, but I would be like, oh, you wait too long to text me back. I'm gonna double it. I'm gonna double the time. You take 22 hours to text me back, I'm gonna take three to text me back.

[Rory]

Where do you think that stemming from, though? Where you think that's stemming from?

[Ali]

If I was to be real honest with myself, like, real, real deep. What I think a therapist would say is that there's an insecurity in making sure nobody plays with me. I don't. I don't ever want. You can't. I don't want anybody to play with me. I never want to look stupid. And if I was to dig real, real deep into that, it's probably because of shit that I endured in childhood where I was embarrassed a lot as a kid just because of, like, family shit or things like that. And it's just like, I never wanna be embarrassed again. I take embarrassment really, really hard. So I think that it's that it's like, I'm never gonna give you the chance to say that you had, like, one up on me. Like, I don't like that feeling. I don't like that feeling of, like, not being in control or somebody knowing something that I don't know. Like, I'm very nosy. That's why I used to have that phone problem. Not even because I would feel, like, always feel like somebody was Ch. And it was just like, I never. I used to go through my friends phones when I was in middle school and high school. I would go and search my name, like, because it was like. Or in. Like in college, because I would feel like, yo, are you talking about me behind my back? Like, is there something that you know that I don't know? Is there something you're saying about me that I don't know? I don't like that feeling. And I'm trying to let go of that because at one point I can see, oh, this has the potential to ruin my relationship with somebody that I love and I care about, because I don't trust that what they. What they say they feel about me, they actually feel about me. And that has more to do with, I'm sure, my own self worth or that I've gone through than anything that they've shown me. So I'm. I'm aware of that.

[Rory]

So what? We all have an insecurity. Insecurities, ego.

[Ali]

Yeah.

[Rory]

Human nature.

[Ali]

Human nature.

[Rory]

But I'm getting better, getting older. Maturing and realizing your flaws and making those, you know, your strengths and kind of working on that. That's. That's it. It'll happen. But I'm glad that you understand that that's exactly what that is. Insecurity, ego, and shit like that. Because that's all it is once you remove that. Because either way, if you do search a man's phone and he's cheating, then what?

[Ali]

Then what? Then what?

[Rory]

Then what? So it's just like, either way it.

[Ali]

Go, it's like your heart gonna be broken. Either way, that's okay.

[Rory]

You gonna be all right.

[Ali]

Hello?

[Rory]

You gonna move on. Life goes on, right?

[Ali]

If that nigga don't work, get another one. That one don't work, get another one. Y' all have seen me come on this podcast and be madly heartbroken and then come in, what, a month later? I was like, oh, my God, I'm the happiest I've ever been in my time.

[Rory]

It's like clockwork. As the seasons change, so does Baby D. As the seasons change, so does Baby D. I get it. It's all good. But, you know, yeah, remove that ego insecurities and, you know, we're gonna be good.

[Ali]

We're gonna be good.

[Damaris]

No worry about ever go to McNachos.

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[Rory]

Lenovo.

[Ali]

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