New Rory & MAL – Episode 401 | "King of Dubai"

iHeartPodcasts & The Volume | August 29, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Rory, Mal, and Damaris return for another round of banter, storytelling, and culture commentary. Fresh off Damaris’ vacation, the crew dives into stories about getting hurt on trips, content-creator relationships, the elusive "Song of the Summer," recent music releases, celebrity engagements, and the never-ending debate about friends who cross boundaries. The episode blends humor and authentic perspective, especially on friendships, music criticism, hip-hop culture, internet drama, and modern dating.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Damaris’ Vacation Story and the Inflatable Pool Incident

• Damaris returned from vacation (Curacao) with a massive bruise after a fall.
• Discussion about missing home beds versus hotel beds and the reality of cheap hotel stays.
• Damaris recaps her scary fall by the pool, her inability to swim, and the video that resulted (and went TikTok-viral).
  • [08:59] Damaris: “If you would have leaned a little bit to the right, you’d have been out of here, and I’d have had no clue. That is crazy.”
  • [09:13] Damaris: “It was scary. It was very scary. I saw my life flash before my eyes.”
• The crew joke about posting the fall video for DSP content and brand partnerships.

2. Vacations with Content Creators

• Rory and Mal discuss differences between vacationing with the “content chick” (obsessed with Instagram, YouTube, etc.) and more chill partners.
• [12:24] Rory: “It’s actually not that bad. I thought the content chick was going to ruin every moment... It was actually okay. I got my alone time.”
• Mall recalls dating a gamer girl, comparing bringing a PS4 to Cabo vs. non-content trips.

3. Song of the Summer & The State of Music Releases

• Discussion on whether any song managed to claim "Song of the Summer" for 2025.
  • Nominations: "Somebody Loves Me" by Party & Drake, “Shake it to the Max” (NY anthem), and children’s videos like “Mr. Sun.”
  • [17:18] Rory: “The last few years, even if I wasn’t outside, you would know the distinct ‘song of the summer.’ That’s been kind of weird.”
• Reflecting on recent releases:
  • DJ Khaled’s new A-list dancehall single (“You Remind Me”), Post Malone/NBA Youngboy collab.
  • Speculation on Rihanna’s return to music vs. focusing on beauty/fashion empires.
  • Respect for Beyoncé continuing to drop ambitious albums—three-part album series, Cowboy Carter, stadium tours.

4. Deep Dive: Mariah the Scientist – Lyrics, Production, and Recognition

• Damaris passionately argues the importance of lyricism, championing Mariah the Scientist’s vulnerability and pen.
  • [29:03] Damaris: “Mariah’s music...is what it sounds like when you’re writing in your diary and you know no one will ever read it...It’s a different kind of vulnerable.”
  • Comparison: Summer Walker is like women venting to friends; Mariah is raw diary truth.
• Technical note: Majority of Mariah’s album was produced by 1985 (Ovo’s 40/Drake circle), making it appealing even to new listeners.
  • [31:01] Damaris: “To me, lyrics are everything, so I judge that most importantly...”
• “Can a great song exist with good lyrics and bad music?” Crew concludes that melody and music usually win even with weak lyrics, but R&B has a higher lyric standard than hip-hop these days.

5. Taylor Swift vs. Mariah the Scientist – The “Relatability” Argument

• Damaris contends Mariah deserves as much “relatability” credit as Taylor Swift.
  • [38:39] Damaris: “Give it to the black girls too. That’s all I’m saying.”
  • The group debates who writes better melodies; consensus is Taylor does, but both deserve respect for songwriting.

6. Celebrity Engagements: Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce, and French Montana’s Royal Move

• The crew joke about feigned excitement over celebrity engagements.
  • [47:08] Rory: “I truly don’t think I’ve ever been happy for a couple that I didn’t know...”
  • [49:51] Rory: “If the entire podcast community is not invited to the wedding, then I do feel some type of way.”
  • Jokes about logistics of planning a Taylor Swift wedding, global visibility, and navigating last names (Swift-Kelce).
• French Montana’s engagement to Dubai royalty is called "the number one hip-hop couple that’s ever existed" and triggers debate on rapper legacy and the fantasy of ruling Dubai.
  • [61:17] Rory: "He may end up, like, on a senate floor at some time. He’s going to be a diplomat... Might be one—French Montana, one—Jay-Z at this point, if you want to talk rappers."

7. Hip-Hop Snitching Debate: Young Thug, Gunna, and the Street “Rules”

• Mal breaks down the recent Thug interrogation audio leak and why internet accusations of snitching are often misplaced.
  • [74:47] Mall: “If the guy that he’s saying ratted on him is saying that Thug didn’t rat, no matter how we feel, we heard an audio clip...”
• Rory raises the inconsistency about what counts as snitching (referencing Gunna, Gotti Jr.), noting the hypocrisy and moving goalposts in rap culture.
• Mal insists, when in doubt: “You have the right to remain silent. ... I wouldn’t have been saying anything.”

8. Cardi B Lawsuit: Security Guards, Viral Depositions, and the Price of Fame

• Damaris outlines Cardi B's court battle after an altercation with a security guard while pregnant.
  • [78:41] Damaris: “Cardi is like, yo, why you recording me? Like, you supposed to be security for the building. … Why the f--- you following me?”
  • The crew ridicules the frivolous lawsuit and sympathizes with celebrities battling grifters using the court system for clout or cash.

9. Voicemail Advice: The “Friend” Who Wants All Your Men

• A listener calls in about a friend who only wants men she’s interested in, asking whether to “slap the friend or not.”
  • [99:28] Mall: “First, it’s not your friend. We’ll start there.”
  • Damaris’s take: “She not afraid of you. … That’s the problem. … That isn’t your friend.”
• Extended debate: group sex boundaries, dirty macking, and the morality of sharing romantic partners.

10. “Tricking” and Modern Dating – Cash, Cars, and Complications

• The crew debates cash vs. gifts vs. relationship value.
  • [114:16] Mall: “When you’ve had 20 years of free p---y, you’re not going to just start tricking.”
  • Mall admits he’ll cover hair/nail appointments but draws the line at luxury requests or “pay-to-play” encounters.
  • Discussion of leaked texts showing transactional relationships (Yachty, Lil Baby, OnlyFans girls), with Damaris arguing that sometimes dating men “is work and you should be compensated.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:07] Mall: “It would make total sense if Sirius Satellite has made that song…”
• [08:12] Mall: “You was homeless? … That’s some homeless shit.”
• [11:08] Mall: “As a man, when we look at the girl, like, and we give ’em that little head nod, like, three [other women] done flash[ed].”
• [18:02] Mall: “Song of the Summer would be Ms. Rachel’s latest rendition for sure.”
• [29:03] Damaris: “Mariah’s music feels like you’re writing in your diary… That’s the way she talks in her music. It’s a different type of vulnerable.”
• [22:58] Mall: “Music is like, if you have that old bike in the garage, and maybe you take it out for a spin… That’s what music is for Rihanna.”
• [38:39] Damaris: “If we can give [Taylor Swift] all that props for her writing… give it to the Black girls too. That’s all I’m saying.”
• [49:51] Rory: “If the entire podcast community is not invited to the wedding, then I do feel some type of way.”
• [61:17] Rory: “French Montana may rule the world for all we know.”
• [99:19] Mall: “She might have to do a co-Zoom. … First, it’s not your friend. We’ll start there.”
• [114:07] Mall: “I’m not paying for p---y. P---y is like water.”
• [123:12] Mall: “All right, man. Well, let me get out of here. My allergies kicking my ass.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Damaris’ Vacation Recap & Pool Fall: 02:28 – 10:16
• Content Creator Vacationers: 12:07 – 13:37
• Song of the Summer & Music Discussion: 16:03 – 22:36
• Rihanna/Beyoncé/New Albums: 22:36 – 26:46
• Mariah the Scientist Deep Dive: 26:27 – 36:55
• Taylor Swift vs. Mariah (Melody & Relatability): 38:02 – 41:41
• Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Engagement: 45:47 – 54:00
• French Montana’s Engagement, Rapper Royalty: 59:54 – 70:00
• Young Thug/Lyrics/Snitching Debate: 73:40 – 77:13
• Cardi B Security Guard Lawsuit: 77:50 – 84:55
• Voicemail: “Friend” Crossing Lines: 97:41 – 110:13
• Tricking/“Pay-to-Play”/Modern Dating: 112:13 – 124:20

Tone & Language Notes

The conversation is strikingly candid, with the hosts' signature blend of NYC sarcasm, cultural references, and frank talk about relationships, music, and street code. Damaris is especially passionate about music writing, vocal about boundaries, and uncompromising about friends’ disrespect. Rory and Mal balance self-deprecating humor about their dating pasts with genuine wisdom about relationships and rap culture. The back-and-forth reveals authentic friendship dynamics and honest, sometimes awkward, truths.

Final Takeaways

• The episode masterfully blends laughs, hot takes, music debate, and real discussion about love, loyalty, and boundaries.
• Listeners get both pop culture insights (from Taylor Swift to French Montana-royalty alliances) and street-level common sense about friendship, snitching, and personal respect.
• Strong themes include: the evolution of hip-hop culture, the cost of fame, the importance of genuine writing, and setting/defending relationship boundaries.

For more on relationships, music, and internet culture—listen to New Rory & Mal every week.