New Rory & MAL – Episode 403 | "The Jeffrey Files"
Release Date: September 9, 2025
Hosts: Rory, Mall, Damaris
Theme: The team delivers their trademark blend of humor, music industry hot takes, and sharply opinionated cultural commentary, diving deep into the impact of the Young Thug (Jeffrey) jail leaks, the decline of music award shows, shifting dynamics in hip-hop, social media antics, and, of course, plenty of hilarious tangents.
Main Themes & Purpose
This episode centers around the recent flood of Young Thug’s jail phone call leaks ("The Jeffrey Files"), their implications on hip-hop culture, authenticity, and relationships. The crew dissects how these leaks—and an in-depth interview with Big Bank—shape perceptions of “snitching,” loyalty, and the blurred lines between the street and music industries. Along the way, they dish on the state of award shows (especially the VMAs), the Cardi B and Doja Cat marketing strategies, the ever-present drama around Ice Spice, rappers and pop stardom, and why last names matter in modern families.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Birthday Banter & Aging in Hip-Hop
- The episode kicks off with jokes about Maul's upcoming birthday and the group’s ages.
- Virgo or Libra: Damaris insists Maul is a Libra, not a Virgo, leading to playful debate about zodiac stereotypes.
- “You’re not old for the Earth. You’re old for the room.” – Rory (03:30)
- Maul contemplates a vacation for his birthday—cue jokes about "porn stars and cameras."
2. Cleaning, Gender Roles, and Internet Sensitivities
- Rory’s daughter is learning to clean—he posts a video, and friends accuse him of misogyny for making his daughter do chores.
- “You think I yelled her back in the kitchen after she was done?” – Rory (08:12)
- They riff on generational differences in "home training," cleaning, and class dynamics.
3. The Decline of Award Shows: Are the VMAs Over?
(10:09–16:21)
- None of the hosts watched the VMAs live.
- Damaris: “I think we’ve just aged out. I don’t think the people have stopped caring about the VMAs.” (11:01)
- Rory bemoans the lack of comedy and relevant performers:
- “Why aren't they giving Drewski the bag to do real skits...Drewski should be hosting this.” – Rory (11:48)
- Recap of the performers: Mariah Carey, Steven Tyler, Lady Gaga, Busta Rhymes, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, and more.
- They argue there are fewer new superstars to lean on:
- “This new generation doesn’t have superstars...There’s no new superstars—at least hip-hop or R&B—that’s going to run the show.” - Rory (14:59)
- Marketing talk: Cardi B’s street-level “vinyl selling” stunt praised for connecting with fans in a unique way.
4. Women in Hip-Hop: Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj & Pop vs Rap
(20:00–23:55)
- Maul praises Doja Cat’s performances.
- “She’s Madonna, she’s Janet, she’s Paula Abdul. She embodies the '80s and '90s pop.” - Maul (20:38)
- Debate over why Nicki Minaj isn’t regarded as “pop” in the same way as Doja.
- Damaris clarifies: Doja started as pop, Nicki transitioned from rap, so audience perceptions differ.
5. Safari, Yoko Ono, and the Art of Leeching the Stage
- Hilarious tangent breaking down Safari’s infamous performance beside Nicki Minaj and Will I Am on Letterman.
- “Two icons are performing on Letterman...and you have Safari standing like this.” – Rory (24:16)
- Yoko Ono’s “screaming” with Chuck Berry and John Lennon is likened to enabling, as the hosts ponder what drives some partners' willingness to let others leech their spotlight.
6. Ice Spice vs Lotto: Clock’s Still Ticking?
(34:54–38:21)
- Rory claims Lotto did Ice Spice a favor with their new collaboration.
- “Lotto has a career. Ice Spice is finding moments.” - Rory (36:43)
- Argument over who is “bigger.” Damaris defends Ice Spice’s impact but concedes Lotto’s consistency.
- Rory’s ongoing “clock is ticking” metaphor for Ice Spice’s career longevity:
- “Y’all make me out to be the biggest Ice Spice hater—I’m not. She just keeps finding moments to save her, while Lotto doesn’t have to do that.” (38:07)
7. Young Thug – The Jeffrey Files: Jail Leaks, Snitching, and Street Rules
(39:04–54:00)
- The “leaked” jail calls and interview with Big Bank spur a nuanced debate on "snitch" labels and community perception.
- Maul: “Putting that on someone is a very serious title...but if nobody got incarcerated because of what you said?” (45:19)
- Rory and Maul discuss the shifting goalposts around street credibility and the internet’s insatiable appetite for drama.
- Damaris and Maul agree the interview was well-conducted, holding Thug accountable, but acknowledge that nothing will override a hot new Thug album in the public’s mind.
8. Internet Jokes, Loyalty, and Thug’s Gaslighting
- The internet piles on Thug’s remarks about sexuality and loyalty.
- “Being like Sammy the Bull is the same as Jason Lee is the funniest thing to me.” – Rory (48:16)
- Thug’s gaslighting apology tweets dissected.
- “He spun the police. I don’t think he’s a rat. I really think he was spinning the cops, bro.” – Rory (73:06)
- Comparison of loyalty in street culture vs. romantic relationships; Damaris debunks "being young" as an excuse for cheating.
- “You want somebody to be loyal to you but you can’t keep your dick between your legs…Don’t preach me loyalty.” – Damaris (73:49)
9. Aftermath: Does Thug’s Interview Change Anything? (50:13–54:00)
- Mall: "I'm still on the side that nobody cares. As long as he puts out music that people like...nobody really cares."
- Discussion on who will work with Thug or Gunna in Atlanta post-leaks, and how industry politics—especially relationships with figures like P from QC—may complicate things.
10. Blending Street and Industry: Is It Time to Separate?
- Mall asks: “Are we finally at a point where we need to have the conversation—listen, we’re doing this to get away from that...let’s not blend the two?” (57:25)
- Reflection on hip-hop's roots, authenticity, and the tension between business and "realness."
11. Family Names & Gender/Ego in Modern Parenting
(79:17–92:46)
- Spirited debate: Is it wrong for Ciara to let her son take the last name “Wilson” alongside “Wilburn” while Future is still in the picture?
- “Nothing is more important than your last name, your legacy, your family.” – Rory (87:31)
- Damaris: “That’s so ego driven...Somebody else is there every day with your son and you’re that worried about it?” (87:19)
- Discussion segues into last name traditions, hyphenation, and co-parenting dynamics.
12. Relationships, Friendships, and Social Obligations
- Listener voicemail: Should she invite a friend (now estranged) to her baby shower?
- Damaris: “Don't invite her. It's given that y’all not friends.” (100:47)
- Mall: “You just outgrow each other; life takes you in different directions.” (100:56)
- Larger point on outgrowing friendships, wedding/baby shower politics, and the discomfort of confrontation.
- "If you care about this person, call and ask what's up—don't be afraid of the uncomfortable conversation.” – Damaris (116:56)
13. Funny & Personal Moments
- Rory’s uncle’s ashes are (unsuccessfully) scattered at Yankee Stadium—only to blow onto Jerome Avenue.
- Jokes about wills, death, and legal agreements in business.
- Playful speculation about Maul and Rory marrying each other as their true life partners.
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
| Time | Quote | Speaker | |---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | 03:30 | "You’re not old for the Earth. You’re old for the room." | Rory | | 11:01 | "I think we’ve just aged out. I don’t think the people have stopped caring..." | Damaris | | 14:59 | "This new generation doesn’t have superstars...There’s no new superstars..." | Rory | | 20:38 | "She’s Madonna, she’s Janet, she’s Paula Abdul. She embodies the '80s pop..." | Maul | | 24:16 | "Two icons are performing on Letterman...and you have Safari standing like this."| Rory | | 36:43 | "Lotto has a career. Ice Spice is finding moments." | Rory | | 45:19 | "Putting that on someone is a very serious title...but if nobody got incarcerated because of what you said?" | Maul | | 73:49 | "You want somebody to be loyal to you but you can’t keep your dick between your legs…Don’t preach me loyalty." | Damaris | | 87:31 | "My name has my daddy’s blood on it. Nothing is more important than your last name, your legacy, your family." | Rory |
Segment Timestamps (Selection)
- Birthday Banter & Aging: 02:45–06:20
- Gender, Cleaning & Culture: 07:31–10:09
- Award Shows/VMAs: 10:09–20:00
- Women in Hip-Hop/Pop Debate: 20:00–23:55
- Safari & Yoko Ono Tangents: 23:55–28:02
- Cardi’s Marketing: 17:33–18:51
- Ice Spice vs Lotto: 34:54–38:21
- The Jeffrey Files – Young Thug Leaks & Interview: 39:04–54:00
- Cheating, Loyalty & Gaslighting: 61:35–75:01
- Family Names & Legacy: 79:17–92:46
- Friendship & Invitations (Voicemail): 99:06–116:56
Tone & Style
- Classic New Rory & MAL: Irreverent, honest, sometimes confrontational, but always funny and analytical.
- Language remains authentic to their style: playful swearing, sharp asides, and deep music/culture knowledge.
- Affectionate bickering and transparent disagreements provide both comic relief and thoughtful context.
Summary Takeaways
- The Jeffrey Files episode explores the ever-messy intersection of street life, loyalty, and the changing rules of both hip-hop and celebrity culture in the age of social media.
- With humor and candor, the crew examines Young Thug’s leaked jail calls, debates the decline of the award-show era, and checks the pulse of today’s female rap scene.
- Episode highlights include reflective discussions about the meaning of legacy, friendship, loyalty, and why sometimes personal drama is more compelling than the art itself.
