Podcast Summary: New Rory & MAL – Episode 325 | Wacced Out Morals

Release Date: December 3, 2024

Hosts: Rory and Mal from iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

1. Thanksgiving Reflections and Dietary Choices [00:49 - 02:25]

The episode kicks off with Rory and Mal sharing their Thanksgiving experiences. Mal expresses his fondness for the holiday, not for its traditional significance, but for the relaxed atmosphere it offers:
“Not for what it represents, but just because there's no pressure. Just show up and eat.” (00:49)

Rory recounts his time with family and reflects on his dish selections during their Thanksgiving draft: “It was close. I tried to keep it on par with that, but I had to. I still obviously had Mac and cheese.” (02:25)

2. Mal's Vegan Break and Thanksgiving Meal [02:25 - 04:22]

Mal discusses his brief return to eating meat after four years of veganism for Thanksgiving purposes: “I made the meat cherry before the pilgrims... But now I'm back, though. Just one day. Just for the pilgrims.” (02:30)

He elaborates on his meal, emphasizing moderation to avoid discomfort: “I only had a little bit of Mac, a little bit of stuffed salmon. So I didn't go too crazy.” (02:41)

3. Mal's Oven Accident and Burn Injury [05:00 - 09:44]

A significant portion of the episode revolves around Mal sharing a harrowing kitchen accident. While preparing a steak under the broiler, his toddler, Amara, reaches for the pan. In trying to prevent her from grabbing it, Mal burns his hand severely: “I felt my skin come off when I took my hand off of it.” (05:17)
“I could feel, like, the skin actually coming off. And then it was... it was really nasty.” (07:15)

The hosts discuss immediate and long-term care for burns, emphasizing the importance of running the burned area under cold water immediately: “Run your hand under cold water to stop it from burning.” (07:08)

Mal reflects on the incident's impact, noting his resilience and the supportive response from City MD: “I was waiting for the moment to feel like some gripes and some pains and things like that. No, it was, it was pretty cool.” (02:41)

4. Music Industry Discussions: Drake vs. UMG Lawsuit [39:27 - 57:44]

The conversation shifts to a deep dive into the ongoing lawsuit between Drake and Universal Music Group (UMG). Mal supports Drake's decision to sue, viewing it as a potential catalyst for positive change within the music industry: “I fully support it. I don't know him. Neither do you guys. So who knows his real reasons? I think this is something that's extremely important...” (39:28)

Rory adds that the public often misunderstands the complexities of such legal battles, highlighting the contractual obligations artists have with their labels: “It's not about what Kendrick said. It's, yeah, Kendrick said this, but then the label amplified that to try to assassinate my character because I'm going through a renegotiation.” (44:02)

The hosts critique the public perception of artists suing their labels, arguing that contractual disputes are a business matter often misrepresented by fans: “Labels that do artists dirty. I watched a record contract is fucked all the way around, period.” (51:03)

5. Super Bowl Halftime Show and Performance Comparisons [63:50 - 72:14]

Rory and Mal compare the significance of Super Bowl halftime shows to other major performances, discussing the massive viewership and cultural impact: “Super Bowl commercials are one of the biggest ones.” (68:17)
“Yeah, but you can't compare a performance at Coachella to the halftime show.” (72:14)

They debate the effectiveness of high-profile performances in drawing diverse audiences: “This Super Bowl is going to have music fans plus non-NFL fans plus NFL fans. Like, it's the same Christmas game. No, it's not.” (73:09)

6. Voicemail Segment: Fall Offs in Hip Hop Careers [89:19 - 109:58]

The hosts address a voicemail from a listener asking which hip hop artists have experienced the biggest career declines. They discuss various artists:

• Bob: Highlighted for his early 2000s success with collaborations but perceived decline post-2014.
• Nelly: Recognized for his prolonged career but debated whether his reduced output constitutes a fall off.
• Fetty Wap: Mentioned for his initial surge and subsequent struggles maintaining momentum.
• Young Thug and Meek Mill: Discussed regarding their sustained relevance versus public perception.

Notable discussion points include: “I think 50 would have continued to make music... but he didn't.” (95:55)
“When you flood Billboard with that amount of hits at one time, you're fucking your artist over.” (96:02)

7. Personal Loss: Rory's Family Dog [134:11 - 137:09]

Towards the end of the episode, Rory shares a heartfelt moment about putting down his family dog, expressing gratitude towards the veterinary team: “I gotta check on my guy... thank you to Dr. Fig and the entire veterinarian staff at Virginia Tech.” (134:37)

Mal offers condolences and recounts his own experiences with veterinary care: “Best the two best. I wouldn't call it hospital because city md, but doctor visits. I've Ever had no wait time.” (19:23)

Notable Quotes

• Mal on Thanksgiving:
  “Just show up and eat.” (00:49)

• Rory on Vegan Break:
  “I tried to keep it on par with that, but I had to. I still obviously had Mac and cheese.” (02:25)

• Mal on Burn Injury:
  “She grab Amara? I don't think I ever had a process. I just went in there and just did what I did.” (05:31)

• Rory on Drake's Lawsuit:
  “Labels that do artists dirty. I watched a record contract is fucked all the way around, period.” (51:03)

• Mal on Music Industry Changes:
  “If Drake wants to go be Bruce Willis, I'm fine with that. Yeah, tell on everyone.” (54:23)

• Rory on Personal Loss:
  “I'm not even trying. That was one of the toughest things I ever had to do.” (134:07)

This episode of New Rory & MAL masterfully blends personal anecdotes with in-depth discussions on significant topics like the music industry's legal battles and the cultural impact of major performances. Listeners are treated to candid conversations, expert insights, and relatable humor, making it a compelling listen for both regular fans and newcomers alike.