New Rory & MAL — Episode 422 | Wavy Nominations

Date: November 11, 2025
Podcast: New Rory & MAL (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)

Overview

This episode sees Rory, Mal, and Damaris dig deep into the newly announced Grammy nominations for 2026, debating notable snubs, surprises, and predictions for the big show. The trio’s signature blend of lighthearted banter, music industry insight, and irreverent tangents brings extra energy as they riff about the state of R&B/adult nightlife, Outkast’s Rock Hall induction, the reality behind the Grammy “rigging” controversies, and the funniest moments in their own personal and professional lives.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Classic R&B Energy & Nostalgia (03:49–04:46)

• Hosts reminisce about iconic R&B ad-libs (“oh yeah”), Joe to See, and the genre’s lost emotional touches.
• Quote: “They don’t say ‘oh my God’ enough in R&B no more...I miss a good Jodeci ‘oh yeah’.” (Rory, 03:49)

2. Weekend Catch-ups: Fatherhood, Baby Showers, and Changing Social Habits (05:08–09:36)

• Mall talks about his nomadic dad “Jake the Snake” and family weekends.
• Rory jokes about endless baby showers, and discusses how gender dynamics at these events have shifted—men now routinely attend.
  • “When did the turn change where men were part of baby showers? I’d like to go back to when it was just the women, please.” (Mall, 07:43)

3. Modern Adult Nightlife Preferences (09:25–10:08)

• Panel admits they now prefer early evening events ("grown and sexy") and home by 8pm, rather than the old late-night scene:
  • “Invite me early. Don’t tell me to meet you at midnight. I’m sleep though, I’m watching Tulsa King.” (Rory, 09:27)

4. Sex & Relationship Dynamics: First Night Links, Courting, and Respect (10:08–14:16)

• The trio debates first-night hookups, societal perceptions, and whether it affects long-term potential.
  • “My best relationships have come from that... We could still be forever together forever if you let me beat the first night.” (Mall, 10:48)
• Damaris notes: “Every time I’ve hit somebody on the first night, I end up in a relationship.” (Damaris, 12:16)
• Personal stories about waiting months, or even reuniting after a decade with someone.

5. Veterans Day and Government News (14:57–17:34)

• Brief gratitude toward veterans in their families.
• Discuss the government reopening, SNAP benefits resuming, and fairness (or lack thereof) in veteran compensation.
  • “There’s a lot of veterans on the street. Look, a lot of them AWOL.” (Rory, 17:32)

6. Grammy Nomination Deep Dive (17:36–37:02)

R&B Categories (17:41–22:24)

• Damaris laments Mariah the Scientist’s snub: “People say she can’t sing, but the writing on her album was really good.” (Damaris, 18:16)
• The group debates:
  • Best R&B Album: Giveon (“Beloved”), Coco Jones (“Why Not?”), Lettucey (“The Crown”), Teyana Taylor (“Escape Room”), Leon Thomas (“Mutt”).
  • Consensus favorites: Leon Thomas for artistry; potential split between Coco Jones and Giveon.
  • “That Leon Thomas album was incredible...one of the best R&B albums I heard in a long time.” (Rory, 18:37)

Best R&B Song (19:53–22:00)

• Kehlani (“Folded”), Summer Walker (“Heart of a Woman”), Chris Brown/Bryson Tiller (“It Depends”), Duran Bernard (“Overqualified”), Leon Thomas (“Yes, it is”).
• Mall and Damaris lean toward “Folded,” but recognize “It Depends” and Leon Thomas as strong contenders.
• “This might be the toughest category in my opinion. Any one of these could win.” (Mall, 20:28)

Best Rap Album (22:24–25:20)

• Nominees: Clipse (“Let God Sort Them Out”), Glorilla (“Glorious”), JID (“God Does Like Ugly”), Kendrick Lamar (“GNX”), Tyler the Creator (“Chromo Copia”).
• Damaris strongly predicts Kendrick will sweep, but insists Clipse should win.
  • “GNX is going to sweep and it's going to piss me off because the Clipse deserves to win.” (Damaris, 22:44)
• Prompt debate about representation, surprise over Glorilla’s inclusion.
• “I think they’ll give it to Clipse, but not album of the year. I don’t think the Grammys has the balls to snub the Clipse twice.” (Mall, 23:57)

Album of the Year (27:50–30:44)

• Wide-ranging nominees: Justin Bieber (“Bad Money Swag”), Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, Tyler, Kendrick, Clipse, Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas.
• Most expect Kendrick or Bad Bunny to win (coinciding with Super Bowl), but celebrate Leon Thomas and Clipse’s crossover presence.
  • “It’s major... Leon and Clipse have far surpassed whatever genre they tried to put them in.” (Mall, 28:20)

7. Grammy “Rigging” Confirmation & Industry Cynicism (33:17–37:41)

• The recent whistleblower comments by a suspended Grammy CEO spark a lively debate about award show credibility.
  • “Now it’s confirmed the Grammys are rigged… once we get confirmation, it’s like we don’t even care anymore.” (Rory, 34:19)
  • Mall breaks down the existence of “Grammy consultants” and how major labels secure nominations, but both agree: deserving artists still sometimes break through (“Leon Thomas deserved it, and I’m sure being on a major helped, but nobody would say he’s here because it’s rigged.” [Mall, 35:52])

8. Outkast Induction: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (43:22–48:18)

• The hosts celebrate Outkast’s legacy, brotherhood, and the positive energy surrounding their Hall of Fame induction.
  • “To see Outkast this weekend at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—some cool shit. It’s dope to see them still together.” (Mall, 43:26)
  • Praise for Big Boi and 3 Stacks’ relationship and influence.
• Funny moment: Doja Cat botches lyrics at the event, Tyler the Creator and Janelle Monae step in.
  • “I refuse to believe Doja Cat doesn’t know Ms. Jackson. Everybody knows Ms. Jackson.” (Rory, 47:16)

9. Summer Walker’s New Album & Marketing Gimmicks (48:42–53:53)

• Discussion of Summer Walker’s marketing stunt: fans dump ex’s belongings in a “dump truck.”
  • “Brilliant marketing. I'd be tight if I saw one of my hoodies thrown in a dump truck in Atlanta.” (Mall, 49:47)
• Hopes and expectations for the new album, predictions for features, and debate about pressure on this next project for R&B legacy.

10. Vince Staples Show & Recent TV Picks (75:31–79:01)

• Shout-out to Vince Staples’ show’s new season; praise for its writing and comedy style.
• Recs: Chief of War (Jason Momoa), Tulsa King, Game of Thrones nostalgia, and Jason Momoa’s archetype.
  • “They got him reserved for those type of roles. He’s like The Rock but indigenous.” (Rory, 78:29)

11. Discord, Fanmeetups & Audience Community Tangent (81:01–83:54)

• Talk about podcast fan communities becoming real-world social circles—sometimes a bit more than that.
  • “Podcast communities be [hooking up]. We can’t just put that on the Game of Thrones people!” (Damaris, 82:05)
• Hilarious confessions about accidentally hooking up with fans and awkward tour bus moments.

12. Red Flags, Representatives, and Relationship Advice (89:42–99:51)

• Listener voicemail asks: How do you spot when someone’s “representative” (their best self) is fake?
  • “Everybody puts on their representative at first. Just watch people's habits and patterns. People can say anything.” (Mall, 92:29)
• Rory and Mall warn against people who are “too nice” or never disagree as a red flag.
• Damaris shares about ignoring early signs of insecurity and warns against relying on third parties for information about partners.
  • “We're all living in someone else’s projection of what reality is… Don’t ask nobody about me, don’t tell nobody about me. Experience me yourself.” (Damaris, 98:18)

13. Shout-outs, RIPs & Closing Notes (88:32–101:22)

• Rest in peace to Lenny Wilkins (NBA legend) and Poster Boy (NYC rap/Freestyle Friday legend).
• Shout-outs to Reason (new album “Everything in My Soul Blue”), Royce (health updates), and other recent music.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Once you get confirmation of what we all kind of felt...it's like, duh, we knew that. People just don’t care.” (Rory, 34:19)
• “The Clipse deserves to win. GNX is going to sweep and it's going to piss me off." (Damaris, 22:44)
• “If you let me beat the first night…we could still be forever together forever.” (Mall, 10:51)
• “I refuse to believe Doja Cat doesn’t know Ms. Jackson. Everybody knows Ms. Jackson.” (Rory, 47:16)
• “Don’t ask nobody about me, don’t tell nobody about me. Experience me yourself.” (Damaris, 98:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• R&B & Grammy Nom Deep Dive: 17:36–37:02
• Grammy Rigging/Industry Cynicism: 33:17–37:41
• Outkast/ Rock Hall Induction: 43:22–48:18
• Summer Walker Album /Marketing: 48:42–53:53
• Listener Dating Advice/Red Flags: 89:42–99:51
• Confessional/Fan Stories: 81:01–83:54

Tone & Style

The episode is energetic, irreverent, and candid, with plenty of self-deprecating humor and industry-insider perspective. Serious music debates are balanced with playful confessionals and sharp observations of modern life. The hosts maintain a conversational, comedic, occasionally raw NYC-adult flavor throughout.

Summary

Episode 422 is a lively “state of the culture” slice: music’s highest honors, nightlife evolution, industry cynicism, and memorable tangents about friends, fandom, and relationships. Rory, Mal, and Damaris do what they do best: take the biggest news, break it down honestly, and still keep listeners laughing.