Podcast Summary: New Rory & MAL – Episode 327 | Reasonable Doubt

Release Date: December 10, 2024
Hosts: Rory, Mal, Julian, and Damaris
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Title: Reasonable Doubt

1. Mal’s Turbulent Weekend: Parenting Challenges and Personal Struggles (00:40 – 05:59)

The episode opens with Mal recounting her hectic weekend spent alone with her daughter, Amara. From 00:40, Mal shares her experience taking Amara to Legoland, which quickly turned chaotic. She mentions, “I did not even see her. She was doing a whole” ([02:16]), highlighting how Amara managed to "steal a brick of Legos" ([02:19]). Mal discusses the challenges of managing a toddler’s tantrums, particularly during interactive attractions like the 3D movie at Legoland, where Amara mistook the mist for her iPad, resulting in a public tantrum ([02:39]).

The situation escalates when Mal contracts food poisoning, leading to sleepless nights and further complications. At 05:08, she shares her ordeal: “And you know, Amar, she's curious about that. Like, she's looking in the bowl like, yo, what is” ([05:02]). Mal details the strain of balancing her health issues with parenting, including her mother’s unsupportive attempts to help and the embarrassment of dealing with public vomiting incidents ([07:26]).

2. Allegations Against Jay Z: Legal Battle and Public Perception (18:00 – 45:00)

A significant portion of the episode revolves around shocking allegations against Jay Z, who is now facing a civil lawsuit filed by a lawyer named Tony Busby. The hosts express skepticism about the legitimacy of the claims, which accuse Jay Z of raping a 13-year-old girl at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards after-party. Mal questions the authenticity, noting, “We will litigate the facts in the court, not in the media” ([26:50]).

Julian and Mal analyze Jay Z’s swift public response through ROC Nation’s Instagram, interpreting it as a strategic move to maintain transparency and control over the narrative. Mal states, “Everything is case by case basis. I fully think there's a bunch of nasty fucking people in the music industry” ([33:55]), emphasizing the importance of due process.

The discussion delves into the broader implications for black celebrities, drawing parallels to past cases like Michael Jackson and Puff Daddy. Rory remarks, “It's like, you do realize this... complete bullshit” ([34:50]), highlighting the enduring stigma celebrities face regardless of their innocence. The hosts also scrutinize the credibility of Tony Busby, citing his history of similar lawsuits and the potential for a smear campaign against Jay Z ([26:57]).

3. Critique of Forbes’ Top Rappers List (60:00 – 69:00)

Transitioning to a lighter topic, the hosts critique Forbes’ recently published list of the top 50 rappers of all time. Mal expresses frustration with the subjective nature of such rankings, questioning the criteria used: “Best song. I would still take that as the best songs. Not my favorite songs” ([66:08]). They discuss discrepancies in genre classification, debating whether artists like Bad Bunny and Sean Paul qualify as rappers ([60:53]).

Damaris adds, “Music is so subjective” ([68:04]), agreeing that attempts to create definitive lists often fail to capture the diversity and creativity within the genre. The conversation highlights the challenges of balancing critical acclaim, cultural influence, and personal preferences in ranking artists.

4. Personal Music Projects and Creative Process (70:00 – 99:00)

The hosts shift focus to their own music endeavors, discussing the intricacies of mixing and mastering tracks. Mal elaborates on her method: “You have to go see what that rental car would it sound like?” ([72:30]), emphasizing the importance of testing mixes in various environments, from phone speakers to car acoustics.

Rory and Julian share insights into their creative processes, including collaboration challenges and the expectations of peers. Mal expresses frustration over unresponsive collaborators, humorously referencing a mock court scenario regarding music sharing: “Shout out to it... You keep sending me random” ([85:00]).

5. Listener Voicemails: Relationship Advice and Coping with Loss (93:00 – 101:54)

Two voicemails feature listener questions that the hosts address with empathy and practical advice.

• Voicemail from Black (93:28 – 85:00): Black seeks guidance on how to approach his wife about needing personal space after 15 years of marriage. The hosts encourage open communication, suggesting scheduling dedicated time apart to preserve the relationship’s health.

  Mal advises, “Let me know that you're not tired of her. You just think we need some space” ([95:16]). Rory adds, “Just to humanize this person that you love, it might be something to consider” ([95:26]).

• Voicemail from Jinzu (102:43 – 105:25): Jinzu shares a traumatic experience of his mother being murdered by a sibling, seeking advice on handling profound familial loss. The hosts offer heartfelt condolences and emphasize the importance of therapy and time in coping with such deep-rooted trauma.

  Julian reflects, “It's a tough situation to be in. It's some deep trauma that I don't think you ever fully get over” ([105:03]), while Mal underscores the necessity of personal healing: “Go through the proper emotions with yourself” ([105:16]).

6. Conclusion and Upcoming Events (106:00 – 111:00)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts promote their upcoming live show at Gramercy Theater scheduled for December 14th, encouraging listeners to secure tickets soon. They share playful banter about their music projects and maintain an engaging, casual tone as they sign off.

Julian concludes, “Looking forward to seeing y’all at Gramercy Theater. Enjoy the rest of your week” ([110:14]), while Rory and Mal tease future musical releases and continue jesting about their creative processes.

Notable Quotes:

• Mal on Public Tantrums: “Amara loves mist. She's having a blast. The shit ends. She thinks it's her iPad and throws a fucking fit because I can't restart the movie” ([03:07]).

• Julian on Jay Z’s Response: “If I know what Jay is and where he's at in his life and his lawyers... He's not gonna allow people to try to pull him down” ([20:44]).

• Mal on Due Process: “Everyone should have due process, including the alleged victim, and we should see this thing through” ([25:08]).

• Rory on Music Lists: “There’s so many people that sit back and do nothing with their lives that can't fathom that someone could be that successful without some type of cheat code” ([53:44]).

• Damaris on Music Subjectivity: “Music is so subjective” ([68:04]).

• Julian on Coping with Loss: “It's a tough situation to be in. It's some deep trauma that I don't think you ever fully get over” ([105:03]).

This episode of New Rory & MAL delves into intense personal experiences, high-profile legal controversies, and critical discussions on the music industry, interspersed with humorous interactions and listener engagement. The hosts provide a multifaceted conversation that offers both empathetic support and sharp critiques, making it a compelling listen for both regular followers and newcomers alike.