New Rory & MAL – Episode 408 | "Bodega Baddies"

Release Date: September 23, 2025
Podcast By: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode kicks off with the crew in upbeat spirits, fresh off a weekend of TikTok dances and Monday morning studio vibes. The main focus is a lively, in-depth review of Cardi B’s highly anticipated new album, including its rollout, standout tracks, songwriting credits, and “bodega baddie” energy. The discussion then pivots into a detailed behind-the-scenes look at Jay Electronica’s surprise album drop marathon, the tension around a Diddy feature, and the unique creative process behind these projects.

The back half explores the Kanye West documentary (“bootleg” edition), its depiction of post-meltdown/Calabasas-era Ye, and nuanced takes on whether supporting the documentary is problematic. The show rounds out with discussions on TikTok “rapture” rumors, torturous movie theater experiences, and a compassionate take on breakup closure, spurred by a listener’s heartbroken voicemail.

Throughout, Rory, Mal, Damaris, and Marlon serve up unfiltered humor, group-chat-level inside jokes, and healthy doses of pop culture analysis—with timestamps to guide you through the episode’s best moments.

MAIN DISCUSSION POINTS & TIMESTAMPS

1. Monday Morning Vibes & TikTok Banter

[03:03 – 04:00]

• The crew's positive mood and Damaris’ TikTok resurgence.
• Lighthearted teasing: “You can’t tick without the tock.”
• Marlon jokes about Damaris falling off TikTok and returning; “She makes it tick.”

2. Cardi B’s Album: "A Flawless Rollout" or Rushed Release?

[04:10 – 18:28]

Rollout & Initial Impressions

• Damaris admits she was skeptical about the rushed rollout, then praises the execution:

  “I thought the rollout was incredible for the time that they had… Atlantic, Cardi, incredible rollout.” (05:00)

Debate Over Track Selection

• Marlon: Some songs (“WAP,” “Up”) didn’t need to be on the album, even if they’re big hits.
• Rory: “She's already addressed that… they need somewhere to live.” (05:26)

Writing Credits and PartyNextDoor’s Role

• Marlon asserts PartyNextDoor’s songwriting influence—“I can hear Pardi's cadence.” (08:54)
• Damaris: “When Cardi says shit like ‘Balenciagas, the ones that look like socks,’ that’s definitely something Cardi said in the studio.” (09:21)

Memorable Diss Moments

• Crew highlights Cardi’s ruthlessly funny lines aimed at Bia and JT:

  “You how you 32 with acne on your face, you dirty ass bitch. Go change your pillowcase… That’s girl shit. Cardi said that.” — Rory (09:41)

Standout Tracks and Critiques

• Favorite songs: “Principal” (the Janet Jackson sample; 11:24), “Bodega Baddie” (16:11), “Safe” feat. Kehlani.
• Some debate over filler tracks and records better suited for Cardi’s diverse fanbase.
• Damaris: “I view this as what’s going to make women have fun at parties. That’s how I view Cardi B music.” (16:37)

Who Will “Live With” the Album?

• Discussion on replay value for the group personally, versus party settings.
• Damaris admits: She’ll play it around women—“I'll put the whole album on if I'm in a car with women.” (18:46)

Summary & Verdict

• The crew agrees Cardi delivered a solid project after a long wait, with personal growth and accountability evident in her lyrics (e.g., “Man of Your Word”).
• “She could have wrote this entire thing... But you would think that because what Party did with the Meg the Stallion diss... that's his bag.” — Damaris (14:29)

3. Jay Electronica’s Surprise Album Flood

[23:00 – 39:46]

On the Creative Process & Rollout

• Damaris and Marlon dive into Jay Electronica’s sudden release of multiple projects, including previously withheld work and new material recorded in real-time:

  “All of this was done in the last three days. Literally all of it.” — Damaris (24:45)

• Marlon praises the unorthodox, “blog era” spirit of the drop:

  “It’s against the grain… It’s exciting to see artists do things like this.” (31:58 & 33:36)

Diddy Intro Controversy

• Damaris explains her discomfort with Diddy featured on the album, citing her past on-air support for Cassie and her own ethical position:

  “Jay knows my stance… My stance was made, it’s never gonna be my call on that type of thing.” (29:28, 30:25)

Analyzing Jay Electronica’s Style, Features, and Lyrical Easter Eggs

• Marlon: “He’s always going to be one of the greatest MCs… But the music is actually really great.” (26:04)
• Quentin Miller’s feature praised as "unexpected but dope."
• The group encourages listeners to research the track titles—deep references and historical “Easter eggs.” (38:25)

4. Consuming Music & Technology’s Impact

[34:23 – 36:11]

• Crew laments how streaming and smartphones fragment the music listening experience compared to the CD/vinyl/tape era.
• “It’s very hard to consume music through your phone.” — Marlon (34:41)

5. The Kanye West Documentary: Raw, Chaotic, Genuine

[48:45 – 62:53]

• Damaris watched a “bootleg” version, noting its raw, uncomfortable, and “chaotic” portrayal of Kanye post-meltdown.
• “It's Kanye West in a very… Paul’s raw form. I really enjoyed the doc.” — Damaris (51:19)
• Discussion on Ye's self-destructive behavior, impact on those around him, and authenticity.
• Marlon: “If he didn’t want this to come out… I don’t know how I feel about paying to see it.” (59:05)

6. TikTok, Rapture Rumors, and Life Lessons

[62:43 – 67:51]

• Crew riffs hilariously on viral TikTok rumors about the rapture, with practical questions about why people would sell their cars before the end of the world.
• Light-hearted tangent on loan sharks, legal vs. illegal gambling, and the logistics of running from the bank vs. a loan shark.

7. Torture, Movie Theater Mishaps, and Dark Humor

[69:23 – 81:48]

• Discussion of torture fears: nose punches, fingernails pulled, “Mexican manicure,” creative torture in films like “Law Abiding Citizen.”
• Marlon’s harrowing experience with moving and spraying movie theater seats:

  “Don’t spray me with no water. No movie theater!” (80:23)

8. Listener Voicemail Segment: The Closure Conversation

[89:29 – 113:04]

Voicemail 1:

• Caller seeks advice on coping with an unexpected breakup (delivered via physical letter!) and asks if he should seek closure.

Panel’s Perspectives & Advice

• The crew agrees: A breakup letter is definitive.

  “A letter? Nah, dog, it’s over.” — Marlon (91:22) “Closure comes from within, not from the other person. She already set the tone.” — Damaris (106:26)

• Rory jokingly prescribes “locking in” to self-improvement, Marlon and Damaris tease about burning/keeping the letter, and the group muses on whether a closure conversation ever works (usually not).

• Hilarious rapid-fire advice: show up unbothered, get a fresh haircut, “return to sender” stamp, or just let it go.

Voicemail 2:

• Same caller wonders specifically how to handle the closure conversation.

Panel doubles down:

• “Go into the conversation with your points ready, but assume it’s over. Don’t go in just to mope.”
• Ultimate wisdom: Closure is for you, not her (and rarely does any good if she’s done).

NOTABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• Cardi’s Diss Genius

  “You 32 with acne on your face, you dirty ass bitch. Go change your pillowcase…” — Rory, 09:41

• Marlon on Jay Electronica’s Drop

  “It’s against the norm… It’s exciting to see artists do things like this, to go against the grain…” — [31:58]

• Rory on Closure Letters

  “If you’re reading this, it’s too late… That’s the stamp in a relationship.” — [91:37]

• Damaris on Emotional Recovery

  “Closure comes from within, not from the other person… She already set the tone.” — [106:26]

HIGHLIGHTED SEGMENTS WITH TIMESTAMPS

• Cardi B Album Review and “Bodega Baddie” Track: [04:10 – 18:28]
• Jay Electronica’s Album Flood: [23:00 – 39:46]
• Diddy Controversy: [29:28 – 32:42]
• Kanye Doc Recap/Reactions: [48:45 – 62:53]
• Listener Voicemail (“Breakup/Letter/Closure”): [89:29 – 113:04]

FINAL REFLECTIONS

This episode balances deep-dive music critiques with sharp humor, nostalgic tangents, and real relationship talk. The hosts’ group-chat energy and willingness to debate, especially about Cardi’s rollout (and writing) and the ethics behind the Jay Electronica project, makes for lively listening. The blend of industry insight, honest opinions, and self-deprecating jokes will leave you both entertained and in-the-know, even if you sit this round of Bodega Baddie anthems out.