New Rory & Mal Episode 402 – "Hotline Sing" (September 4, 2025)

Overview

In this episode, Rory and Mal are joined by Fat Joe and Damaris for their signature blend of comedic banter, irreverent hot takes, and behind-the-scenes insights from music and New York culture. They revisit stories from Labor Day weekend, dissect the ripple effects of leaked jail phone calls in the Young Thug/YSL saga, wade into heated debates about snitching and rap authenticity, and break down current shifts in hip-hop media, notably Drake’s selective interviews and a shakeup at NYC radio station Hot 97. The episode is a mix of offhand humor, real talk, and playful group therapy for the culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Professional Podcast Voices & Inside Jokes (02:43–04:43)

• Rory and Fat Joe joke about podcast “professional voices”—with Rory feeling called out (again!) for adopting one, and Fat Joe poking fun at Jim Jones for the same.
• Damaris catches strays for supposedly ignoring Rory's music links—a running show gag about friends not supporting each other’s creative work.
• Mal clarifies Damaris' viral 'baby's first parkway' post, which wasn’t about her but her friend experiencing the parade for the first time.
• Quote:
  • Rory: “Sometimes you have to put on a whole different voice to be formal.” [02:52]

2. Weekend Recaps: Parkway Princess, Parties, & Studio Sessions (03:29–11:00)

• Recap of Labor Day weekend: Mal hit the parkway parade; Rory recorded with artist Jozzy and tried to share his new "lesbian love-making record" (hilariously targeting Damaris as the perfect listener/test audience).
• Lighthearted beef as Rory laments Damaris not responding to his music/video links—she defends her busy weekend with modeling gigs and parties.
• The crew riffs on nightlife, strip club culture, and the myth of men or women “just joking” about asking for money or sex—leading to a tongue-in-cheek debate about sincerity in ‘jokes’ related to relationships.
• Quote:
  • Fat Joe: “Rory, sometimes you need a point more than you need a nut. That’s fine. That’s what you chose.” [09:50]
  • Mal: “When not women, humans, when you pussy is just when you stand on what you say.” [11:43]
• The group explores mutual accountability and translation issues between male and female friends—blending jokes about sexual innuendo with real friendship grievances.

3. Music, Sex, and “Used Car” Analogies (14:12–16:09)

• The pod slides into wild analogies as Fat Joe asserts that women should “start pricing their [pussy] based on how it smell… just like they put a price on used cars.” [14:12]
• A comical back-and-forth about performance reviews in relationships—worst vs. best sex ever, and how reputation, comfort, and energy affect the experience, punctuated by references to other podcasts and gossip.
• Quote:
  • Rory: “One said it was the worst experience, one said it was the best she ever had. That sounds about right for me.” [15:32]
  • Fat Joe: “Saying you’re the worst is crazy.” [16:05]

4. Parade Chaos & Contact Highs (18:03–27:07)

• Mal, Fat Joe, and Damaris detail their respective Labor Day weekend events: vegan barbecue, Punch’s infamous backyard pool party with “15 porn stars,” high-energy parade scenes, and Damaris’ accidental contact high before a brand event.
• Recurring humor around not inviting each other, travel logistics (Brooklyn vs. Jersey), and who is “playing the corner” at parties.
• Quote:
  • Mal: “I planned on being sober because I had been drunk all weekend … I could not do the parkway sober.” [25:20]

5. Adult Allergy Talk, Eye Drops & Black Trauma (22:23–24:30)

• Rory laments newfound adult allergies and inability to use eye drops, leading to a digression about black people’s instinct to avoid closing their eyes in the shower “in case something pops off.”
• Quote:
  • Fat Joe: “Black people, we not shutting our eyes in the shower. What if some run up in the crib while I’m in the shower?” [24:05]
  • Rory: “Cuz Republicans don’t think black trauma exists.” [24:22]

6. YSL Leaked Calls: The Street Code Debate (29:40–58:26)

• Major Segment: The group analyzes the fallout from leaked jail phone calls/interrogations in the Young Thug/YSL RICO case—including whether law enforcement is actively sabotaging Thug’s image.
• Fat Joe argues that the government will “win the war” by tarnishing Thug’s public character through deliberate leaks (e.g., calls with Mariah the Scientist).
• They debate: Who leaks jail calls—rogue COs, the government, or lawyers?
• Meticulous discussion of snitching vs. loyalty, the reality of street codes, and surprising lack of outrage among fans over such issues.
• Rory, Mal, and Damaris note how Gunna’s plea/“snitch” accusations didn’t really impact his standing because he was never perceived as “really about that life,” whereas Thug’s image was more affected.
• Quotes:
  • Fat Joe: “The rules or code, no, that shit is only upheld by a select few.” [35:20]
  • “Snitching is part of the streets… You cannot be in the streets and not think people are not cooperating.” [36:14]
  • Mal: “Do people still like Young Thug?” [53:58]
  • Rory: “People don’t care about snitching… If the music is good, that’s all they care.” [58:00]
• The crew applies Mario Bros. analogies, reality checks about the public’s indifference, and contextualizes how even major “street cred” artists like Thug are ultimately judged by music quality and likability, not street rules.

Notable Timestamps:

• Snitching/Street code deep dive: 29:40–58:26
• Thug vs Gunna career aftermath: 44:03–58:26

7. Segue to Media, Interviews & Hip-Hop Journalism (67:45–82:36)

• Transition to hip-hop media conversations, sparked by the viral Drake/Bobby Althoff interview and journalist Elliott Wilson’s critique that all podcasters/rappers-turned-media figures are indistinguishable “media men.”
• The crew discusses whether artists owe “the culture” in-depth interviews, especially after major beefs (Kendrick/Drake), or if fun/personal content with outsiders (e.g., Kai Cenat, Aiden Ross, Bobby Althoff) suffices.
• Mal and Damaris note that black creators and platforms are skipped, causing warranted frustration—and that these selective interview choices are always strategic, not accidental.
• Quotes:
  • Fat Joe: “He doesn’t want to be culture vulture anymore. So he sits down with a white girl.” [87:22]
  • Rory: “Drake doesn’t owe us explanations for anything. But as a fan, I would love to hear him with someone who’ll ask questions I want to know.” [74:08]
• The group compares generational changes—how music journalism, fan access, and celebrity obligations have shifted since Jay-Z/ Nas days.

8. Radio Shakeups and NYC DJ Drama (91:11–98:15)

• Conversation pivots to the recent shakeup at Hot 97, spearheaded by Funk Flex allegedly orchestrating the departure of DJ Enough and Camilo.
• Rory suggests Flex played a corporate/“teacher’s pet” role in downsizing but may not be the sole decision-maker.
• References budget cuts, radio industry downsizing, and hints at a potential huge impending lawsuit in the music/radio business—hinting at money laundering and RICO cases.
• Quote:
  • Fat Joe: “Flex gonna be at Hot 97 long after you and I are gone.” [96:17]

9. Listeners’ Voicemails & End-of-Show Banter (99:15–end)

• The show wraps up with a listener’s follow-up about family drama over a guy, leading to playful teasing about “getting your aura up,” cousin dating confusion, and more “toxic” relationship humor.
• Group reflects on “daddy’s girls,” unhealthy relationships, and honestly debates who brings the most “blessing” or light to a room.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Fat Joe, on jail phone leaks:
  “This is not by accident. This is not a leak. This is a planned thing that I feel like the government...they want to get you. We may not have you behind bars, but we're gonna get you.” [29:43]

• Mal, on street codes:
  “The rules are cold. No, that shit is only upheld by a very select few. Everybody’s not a rat. Everybody’s not a snitch. But there are rats and there are snitches.” [35:20]

• Rory, on Gunna vs. Thug:
  “Gunna never really became unlikable other than the snitching thing. Thug has seemingly been picking on Gunna since he got out…now these leaked phone calls are coming out.” [44:31]

• On likability and music:
  Fat Joe: “If you put out good music, that’s all that matters.” [55:08] Rory: “People don’t care about snitching…If the music is good, that’s all they care.” [58:00]

• On Drake’s interview choices:
  Fat Joe: “He doesn’t want to be culture vulture anymore, so he sits down with the white girl.” [87:19]

• Elliot Wilson’s “media men” rant:
  “You podcasters and media men…we’re all the same motherfuckers…You're all media men. I’m not a journalist…I’m a media personality.” [69:11–69:57]

• On Hot 97 shakeup:
  Rory: “Flex is the leader of ‘I will do whatever corporate wants’...Flex gonna be there forever.” [95:40] Fat Joe: “Flex...he gonna be a Hot 97 for long, long after you and I are gone.” [96:17]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Professional voices, podcast persona: 02:43–04:43
• Labor Day/weekend recap & friend drama: 03:29–18:00
• Sex, analogies, and relationship debate: 14:12–18:00
• YSL jail call leaks & snitch code: 29:40–58:26
• Hits vs. snitch narrative—Thug/Gunna: 44:03–58:26
• Kendrick/Drake interviews, new media: 67:45–82:36
• Hot 97, Funk Flex, DJ Enough drama: 91:11–98:15
• Listener voicemails, comedic wrap: 99:15–end

Episode Tone

• Fast-paced, sarcastic, and playful with sharp wit
• Candid, sometimes explicit, but peppered with real-life reflection
• Balances NYC nostalgia, music industry inside scoops, and lighthearted therapy