New Rory & Mal: "Checking In With Bag Fuel"

Release Date: September 25, 2025
Hosts: Rory & Mal
Guests: Bag Fuel (Esso, Heineken, Space, Randy)
Producer: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode, Rory and Mal sit down with the Bag Fuel crew for a long-awaited conversation full of banter, hot takes, industry insights, and behind-the-scenes stories. Topics flow from celebrity divorces and the state of hip-hop to podcasting's business realities and personal codes in relationships. The energy is loose, irreverent, and introspective—a blend of laughter and real talk that makes for an engaging listen.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Welcoming Bag Fuel and Setting the Tone

• [02:57] Rory welcomes Bag Fuel, expressing excitement and respect for their work.
• [03:14] Mal sets a relaxed tone: "Stop being so fucking formal and get the rolling start."
• The conversation quickly turns informal, focused on honest, humorous takes.

Cardi B & Offset Divorce Debate

Main Segment: [04:20–27:20]

The Situation:

• Bag Fuel leads a breakdown of Cardi B and Offset's alleged divorce proceedings, including rumors about asset divisions and alimony.

Key Points:

• Offset reportedly wants Cardi to pay his taxes and give him a property as part of the divorce deal.
• The group debates the fairness and gender dynamics of alimony and asset division.
  • Maul: "Cardi B definitely talked to Mary J. Blige, the only woman that's had to pay alimony." [04:54]
  • Randy: "Marriage is a business... At the end of the day, it's a business." [07:16–07:18]
  • Heineken: "If Offset has started off the marriage saying, ‘I want prenup,’ everybody would've dragged him and said, it’s about love...now the tables are reversed." [07:29]
• The hosts discuss male pride versus practical realities when accepting financial settlements:
  • Randy: "If Offset's not taking it on the chin and you know for a fact, we be taking a lot of bullshit...shouldn’t we salute him?" [25:12]
  • Maul: "But that's the difference though. As men we just at a disadvantage, because there’s certain things that we just gotta take on the chin and be like, yeah..." [25:04]
• Arguments around who elevated whom in the relationship and the importance of timing and pre-nups.
  • Randy: "When the Bodak thing...that relationship is what took her worldwide." [11:02]

Memorable Quotes:

• Randy: “If I really want to get this out the way, let’s just get it out the way, and let’s just move on. Why would I drag it out? That’s how I’m thinking if I’m Cardi. Because I’m in the driver’s seat.” [14:09]
• Heineken: “Marriage is a business.” [07:17]

Gender Double Standards in Relationships

Segment: [17:17–22:34]

• Discussion deepens over reputations, infidelity, and societal expectations.
  • Maul: "If you wife an allegedly promiscuous woman, that’s your prerogative. Just because you agree to do that doesn’t mean...now when I get in this relationship, I can fuck a bunch and embarrass her." [18:17]
  • Randy: "If I fuck with a thought or a hoe and I’m giving you a chance and you catch me a couple times, you best to turn your head." [18:52]
  • The hosts challenge old-school thinking, especially regarding who "deserves" loyalty or sympathy in breakups.

The Role of Rumors & Reputation

Segment: [22:39–24:40]

• Rumors and "scouting reports" play into dating decisions and reputations.
  • Maul: "At a certain age, every chick is gonna have a rumor about her." [24:09]

Artist Collaborations, Ghostwriting & Stardom

Segment: [28:29–41:44]

• Cardi B’s music is discussed, with focus on Partisan Fontaine’s songwriting and the balance between being a hitmaker behind the scenes and stepping into the spotlight.
  • Rory: "Party might be the messiest nigga in the industry." [30:12]
  • Heineken: "His strength is obviously his pen." [32:27]
  • Career paths of writers becoming artists: Dream, Ty Dolla $ign, Victoria Monet, Bryson Tiller, Neo, etc.
  • The relative merits of being lowkey (writing hits) vs. seeking stardom.

Friendship, Loyalty & Fallout in Hip-Hop

Segment: [58:48–68:47]

Cam’ron, Dame Dash & 50 Cent Drama:

• Dissecting the ongoing public beef and business/personal consequences.
  • Rory: "We can have disagreements but...certain shit you just can’t fall into." [59:15]
  • Heineken: "You got an animal in Dame Dash, Cam’ron and 50 Cent." [60:14]
• Noting how old wounds, pride, and public forums escalate issues, threatening to derail legacies and relationships.
  • Randy: "We always forget the beginning for some reason. We always remember when niggas is in the top spot and who got the leverage. This is a leverage game." [17:27]
  • Rory: "That's how I feel about this Cam and Dame shit...there was real genuine love there..." [67:42]

State of Hip-Hop & Superstar Culture

Segment: [73:13–78:53]

• The group laments a lack of excitement and “outside” presence from today's hip-hop stars.
  • Randy: "When Drake was in town, it was hysteria..." [74:09]
  • Heineken: "Once the battle died down, it’s been boring." [76:31]
• Debate about rollouts, old vs. new promotional strategies, and the accessibility of artists.

The Future of Executives and Label Power

Segment: [78:53–83:23]

• Which executives can create new superstars? A discussion about risk-taking, the old guard, nepotism, and why rising execs like Coach K and P from QC (Quality Control) matter.
  • Heineken: "These Execs now are 50 and above. If they take a chance on the wrong artist and get fired—they're out forever." [79:48]
  • Maul: "I think nepotism is a good thing." [81:15]
  • Talk of record labels eventually signing podcasters and streamers the way they once did rappers [82:41].

Podcast Culture, Business, & Authenticity

Segment: [87:24–94:36]

• Personal and business relationships in the podcast world—why integrity and mutual value matter.
  • Heineken: "The conflict is good for YouTube, but business-wise, it don’t make sense." [88:30]
• The "podcast boom" is discussed as evolving from a gold rush to a space requiring real production, teams, and audience understanding.
  • Randy: "It was just fun and games, but now they realize you gotta have real cameras... if you don't have a Space Ghost... it's hard to find these niggas." [91:14]

Dating Norms, Spending Money & Societal Narratives

Segment: [101:10–108:45]

• Jokes fly about dating, "tricking," buying Birkins, and the "cheap" label.
  • Rory: "A girl brought that up to me last weekend. She was like, 'Yo, I heard you was cheap.' I was like, Where are y'all getting this from?" [102:09]
  • The crew rib each other over who pays for what, and whether dinner dates should lead to sex.

Memorable Exchange:

Randy: "I go on dinner dates all the time, bro. Why? I'm not looking for pussy."
Maul: "To get to know people."
Heineken: "You don't pay for pussy is what you."
Rory: "Yeah, I don't do that, but I'll definitely go being cheap in that." [103:31–103:42]

Lightning Round: Quick Stories & Anecdotes

Jail, Car Troubles & Fan Encounters

• Randy recounts almost getting arrested, only to be saved by a cop who recognizes him from Bag Fuel. [97:19–98:18]
• Shout-outs to fans in unexpected places—including jail.

Reflections on Authenticity & Podcasting Success

[93:02–94:36]

• The value of “perspective” over mere visibility is praised.
  • Maul: “Our only goal was perspective. We need to have an opinion to tell the people that are on camera what to do...This is why we can do long form content and the people that just want to be on camera can’t.” [36:34]

Supporting Each Other & Addressing Industry Recognition

• The group discusses being left off complex’s “best podcasts” list, but find validation in peer respect.
  • Randy: "If a dude is saying all your lists is trash, why would you list them on the list?" [95:07]

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• "Marriage is a business." — Heineken [07:17]
• "When the Bodak thing...that relationship is what took her worldwide." — Randy [11:02]
• "If Offset has started off the marriage saying, ‘I want prenup,’ everybody would've dragged him..." — Heineken [07:29]
• "At a certain age, every chick is gonna have a rumor about her." — Maul [24:09]
• "Party might be the messiest nigga in the industry." — Rory [30:12]
• "If you really got money and want this shit behind me, I’m putting this shit behind me." — Randy [14:29]
• "The podcast boom once upon a time, and now it’s...not the same no more." — Randy [90:27]
• "Our only goal was perspective..." — Maul [36:34]
• "When Drake was in town, it was hysteria..." — Randy [74:09]
• "If they take a chance on the wrong artist and get fired—they're out forever." — Heineken [79:48]
• "A girl brought that up to me last weekend. She was like, 'Yo, I heard you was cheap.'" — Rory [102:09]
• "That's why I don't go out no more." — Rory [100:58]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Cardi B & Offset Divorce: 04:20–27:20
• Gender Double Standards: 17:17–22:34
• Artist Ghostwriting/Career Choices: 28:29–41:44
• Hip-Hop Legends Drama (Cam, Dame, 50): 58:48–68:47
• State of Hip-Hop & Superstar Culture: 73:13–78:53
• Podcasting Business & Authenticity: 87:24–94:36
• Dating & "Cheapskate" Narrative: 101:10–108:45

Overall Tone & Character

The entire episode stays true to New Rory & Mal’s signature laid-back, witty, and candid style—juxtaposed against Bag Fuel’s no-filter honesty and seasoned industry perspective. Banter feels authentic, yet the crew goes beyond surface-level takes, giving listeners a seat at the table for genuine, insightful, sometimes spicy conversations about the music industry, gender roles, business, loyalty, and the evolving nature of hip-hop and podcasting.

For Listeners Who Missed It...

Expect:

• Unfiltered takes on celebrity relationships and the business of marriage
• Deep dives on what makes a lasting music career (and why some stars fade)
• Hot takes on the state of hip-hop and what’s lacking today
• Industry wisdom about friendship, loyalty, and "making it" in media and music
• Jokes, real-life stories, and a running thread of male bonding, self-reflection, and mutual respect

Listen for a mix of wild humor and hard-won wisdom—a true “checking in” with Bag Fuel and a testament to the power of keeping it real in hip-hop culture and podcasting.