New Rory & Mal Podcast Episode: Checking In With Lola Brooke

Date: November 13, 2025
Guest: Lola Brooke (Brooklyn rapper)
Hosts: Rory & Mal (with contributions from Jonathan Goldstein)

Episode Overview

This episode is a lively, in-depth check-in with rapper Lola Brooke as she gears up for the release of her new album I Bet. The hosts dig into her Brooklyn roots, come-up story, signature energy, personal and musical evolution, and her perspective on relationships, the rap industry, and artistry. The conversation is light-hearted yet thoughtful, blending humor, nostalgia, and genuine insights—typical of the New Rory & Mal vibe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Identity: "Ghetto," "Ratchet," and Brooklyn Roots

Timestamps: 03:50–07:40

• The episode opens with playful debate about how Lola identifies—“ghetto,” “ratchet,” or neither.
  • Lola clarifies:
    • “Ratchet is just…over the top. It’s tasteless.” (04:48, Lola Brooke)
    • “Ghetto is… I’m from the hood. Still drink Kool Aid. Outspoken… I might say something that translates into being aggressive, but I don’t mean no harm. I’m just from the trenches.” (04:55, Lola Brooke)
• She shares her authentic “trench” upbringing, including time in family shelters and shuttling between Brooklyn and the Bronx.
  • “I come from the shelter. I’m from the trenches.” (05:28, Lola Brooke)

2. Album Genesis & New York Lingo: The Many Meanings of "I Bet"

Timestamps: 07:49–10:46

• The hosts preview songs from Lola's new album, I Bet, and ask about the meaning behind the album and the phrase.
  • Lola explains the phrase’s versatility in New York slang—ranging from compliance, to defiance, to threat, to heartbreak.
    • “I say it so much… my team is calling me to get things done… I be irritated… and I’m like, I bet. I got it… I bet means no.” (08:06, Lola Brooke)
    • “If you see your guy liking pictures of a girl that you kind of know he likes, what level ‘I bet’ is that?”
      “I bet don’t come back. You want to play.” (09:27, Host 1 & Lola Brooke)
  • The phrase is deeply tied to her New York upbringing and attitude.

3. Pain & Growth: Moving Beyond "Don't Play With It"

Timestamps: 10:53–17:31

• Reflecting on breakout single “Don’t Play With It” (2021), Lola discusses how its success brought both affirmation and pressure.
  • “Don’t Play With It was me 100%. That song is my brand.” (15:41, Lola Brooke)
  • On industry challenges: "Being in this business, the music business, you will lose yourself... You start overthinking. You don’t know what to do when it’s right in front of your face." (16:11, Lola Brooke)
• She recounts how advice from Bryson Tiller (at Rolling Loud LA) resonated:
  • “The moment you stop being yourself, it’s over.” (19:35, Lola Brooke quoting Bryson Tiller)

4. Authenticity, Family, & Brooklyn Pride

Timestamps: 21:23–26:13

• The hosts riff on New York borough stereotypes, and Lola ranks Brooklyn men at the top (“My daddy is from Brooklyn. My uncles, real good men…”)
• Lola describes growing up immersed in Brooklyn's Caribbean influences, even as a “Yankee,” and the music’s evolution.
• “To be tough like this, and I’m small with no siblings… I had no choice but to be this person.” (55:17, Lola Brooke)

5. Brooklyn & the Changing NYC Sound

Timestamps: 26:13–30:33

• On gentrification, unity, and musical shifts in Brooklyn:
  • She feels Brooklyn doesn’t get the recognition it once did, though the city’s sound is always evolving.
  • “Music in general is changing. So New York sound is trying to manage what is the New York sound?” (27:06, Lola Brooke)
• On “drill” and energy in rap:
  • “I don’t make drill music, but my energy is real tempo… the energy is just naturally in us because we have to fight with so many different energies when we get outside.” (27:35, 29:10, Lola Brooke)

6. Industry Realities & Collaborations

Timestamps: 30:33–32:26, 38:12–41:02

• Lola addresses why the “Don’t Play With It” remix featured out-of-town artists (Latto & Young Miami) instead of New York:
  • “I reached out to New York artists for that record. It just didn’t happen.” (30:43, Lola Brooke)
• She admits to wanting a Meek Mill collaboration, which for now hasn’t materialized on the iconic track, but hints at other songs together.
• On her approach to industry relationships and beefs:
  • “I do not pay attention to bullshit…My energy is very big, and I have to protect it… I do not feed into stuff like that.” (42:30, 41:02, Lola Brooke)

7. Relationships, Fame, & Dating in New York and Beyond

Timestamps: 20:43–54:55

• The hosts and Lola trade borough dating horror stories, debating the merits of men from Staten Island to the Bronx (Brooklyn wins).
• On the impact of fame on her love life:
  • “Not. Don’t change for me… Of course you be paranoid, like, yeah, who sent you?” (21:25, Lola Brooke)
• On finding love outside New York (even Cleveland!):
  • “Sometimes you gotta go out of town.” (52:02, Lola Brooke)
• On the value of independence:
  • “You gotta learn as a woman to learn how to be alone. That means I need time for myself.” (47:48, Lola Brooke)
• On celibacy and discipline in relationships—competitive banter about who can last longer abstinent.

8. Women Rappers, Aggression & Legacy

Timestamps: 56:46–59:19

• Lola discusses comparisons to Foxy Brown and Lil Kim—two key influences she credits with shaping the unapologetic Brooklyn style.
  • “Fox and Kim…you gotta know those two women in rap…they are very much Brooklyn.” (57:04, Lola Brooke)
  • On the ongoing pressure for female rappers to be less assertive or aggressive, especially when compared to iconic predecessors:
    • “Why I’m getting punched on? Like, I thought women in Brooklyn was rawr. That’s what I am.” (57:45, Lola Brooke)
• On public perception:
  • “People be thinking that I purposely want to be aggressive or gangster…But I had no choice but to be this person.” (55:17, 56:05, Lola Brooke)

9. Industry Marketing & Artistic Integrity

Timestamps: 39:51–41:02

• On new marketing pressures for artists in 2025:
  • “I can’t make music that I can’t sell. If it don’t fit for my brand, I’m not trying to fit in… I can’t feed into stuff like that.” (40:13, 41:02, Lola Brooke)

10. Fan Voicemail: Soul Stolen by a Bronx Woman

Timestamps: 62:00–67:44

• A listener calls in about heartbreak from a woman in the Bronx. The response:
  • Hosts and Lola joke he should block her, see more women, and “you always love the next person more than the last,” adding their signature blend of humor and realness.
  • “He’s putting her on a pedestal that maybe she doesn’t belong on.” (65:22, Host 2/Mal)
  • “That’s cause he’s sleeping on a woman in the Bronx… she said wang, bang, bang.” (65:40, Lola Brooke)

11. Dating Rappers (and Rapping Arguments!)

Timestamps: 68:00–69:45

• On what it’s like dating a rapper, and whether arguments ever become lyrical sparring:
  • “See, when I argue, it sound like I’m rapping. So I already got it out.” (69:20, Lola Brooke)
  • The hosts joke about the dangers of having your missteps immortalized in a hit song.

12. Album Details and What’s Next

Timestamps: 70:16–72:12

• Lola plugs the new album I Bet (out Friday, Nov. 14th), hints at a big Brooklyn hometown show, and voices excitement for continued performances.
• On live energy:
  • “I gotta see a full Lola Brook set. I need to see what you do with the stage.” (72:12, Host 1/Rory)
• She celebrates her hard work, growth, and anchoring in Brooklyn pride throughout.

Notable Quotes

• “The moment you stop being yourself, it’s over.”
  —Bryson Tiller to Lola Brooke (19:35)

• “Don’t Play With It was me 100%. That song is my brand.”
  —Lola Brooke (15:41)

• “I’m not spiteful. Like, I don't do spiteful things. My get-back is moving on.”
  —Lola Brooke (11:28)

• “I can’t make music that I can’t sell. If it don’t fit my brand, I’m not trying to fit in.”
  —Lola Brooke (40:13)

• “People be thinking that I purposely want to be aggressive or gangster…But I had no choice but to be this person.”
  —Lola Brooke (55:17, 56:05)

• On Brooklyn:
  “My daddy is from Brooklyn…My uncles are good men…All my uncles…I don’t got not one uncle that don't take care of his kids.”
  —Lola Brooke (24:57-25:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | |---------|-------------|-----------| | Identity Debate | Ghetto vs. Ratchet | 03:50–07:40 | | Meaning of "I Bet" | New Album Themes & Lingo | 07:49–10:46 | | Success of "Don't Play With It" | Navigating Fame & Pressure | 10:53–17:31 | | Brooklyn Dating & Family | Ranking Boroughs, Family Pride | 21:23–26:13 | | Brooklyn Music Evolution | Gentrification, Drill | 26:13–30:33 | | Collaborations & Industry | Remix Choices, Industry | 30:33–32:26; 38:12–41:02 | | Relationships & Fame | Dating as a Celebrity | 20:43–54:55 | | Womanhood, Rappers, Identity | Aggression, Foxy, Kim | 56:46–59:19 | | Marketing & Authenticity | Artistic Integrity | 39:51–41:02 | | Listener Voicemail | Soul Stolen by Bronx Woman | 62:00–67:44 | | Rapping in Relationships | Dating Rappers | 68:00–69:45 | | Album & Upcoming Shows | What's Next | 70:16–72:12 |

Memorable Moments

• New York Lingo Skit: Lola performs different tones of “I bet,” with the hosts guessing which scenario fits each tone.
• Borough Stereotypes Game: The group playfully ranks the boroughs for best partners, with Lola fiercely defending Brooklyn.
• Bryson Tiller’s Advice: The moment of advice that helped Lola recenter and stop people-pleasing.
• Calling Out “Don’t Play With It” Remix Snubs: Lola’s candor about wanting a NY-heavy remix and how it didn’t materialize.
• Brooklyn Energy vs. “Sleepy Rap”: Debate over the “energy” in contemporary rap and why Lola’s high-octane style stands out.
• Playful Reflection on Relationship Dynamics: The hosts and Lola share stories on arguments, celibacy, and what it means to find your person while being a public figure.

Overall Tone & Vibe

The conversation is honest, funny, and deeply Brooklyn-centric. Lola is candid about her struggles and growth, proud of her roots, and unafraid to speak on industry realities or personal truths. The hosts’ banter, occasional teasing, and New York humor complement her stories, creating a space for both vulnerability and laughter.

For New Listeners

This episode is a warm welcome into the world of Lola Brooke. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her music, she comes across as authentic, witty, and driven—committed to her craft and proudly representing Brooklyn, both in life and in her art. The hosts foster a fun, comfortable environment for real conversation and plenty of laughs, making this episode both insightful and highly entertaining.

DON’T MISS:

• Lola’s “I bet” lingo demonstration (08:53)
• Candid discussion of music industry struggles (16:11, 17:45, 19:35)
• Deep dive into Brooklyn pride and musical evolution (24:47, 26:13, 27:06)
• Reflections on handling fame and relationships (47:48, 55:17)

Stream Lola Brooke’s album I Bet—out now!