New Rory & Mal – Episode 456 "ICON" (February 17, 2026)

Podcast: New Rory & Mal
Episode: 456 – "ICON"
Release Date: February 17, 2026
Hosts: Rory, Mal, Damaris (+ guests/panel: "Pam & Gina")
Theme: Relationships, music reviews (Brent Faiyaz "Icon," Jill Scott, A Boogie), hip-hop internet controversies, NBA All-Star Weekend, and open, funny conversations about modern life.

Episode Overview

This episode finds the New Rory & Mal crew bouncing between hilariously candid relationship and Valentine's Day talk, passionate music reviews (spotlighting Brent Faiyaz’s "Icon"), debates about hip-hop discourse, internet viral moments, and spirited discussions about the NBA All-Star Weekend. The recurring through-line is how the internet twists narratives, the challenges of growing in the public eye, and balancing music criticism with fan expectations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Post-Valentine’s Day Reflections & Social Media Reactions

[03:13 – 05:52]

The team discusses the aftermath of Valentine's Day: pregnancy reveals, fake relationships, and "side chick appreciation" jokes.
Mal jokes about how Valentine’s Day always exposes relationship statuses:

"Valentine’s Day is...we should call it Revelations. A lot is revealed. You’ll find out who’s pregnant, who’s married, all that on Valentine’s Day." – Mal (05:29)
Social Media Pregnancy Reveals: Panel laughs about women doing pregnancy reveals on Valentine’s, causing awkward interactions with men who were flirting.

2. Valentine's Day Experiences & Relationship Rules

[06:07 – 16:00]

Roundtable on what each host did for Valentine's Day, with Mal watching the NBA Dunk Contest (“the worst dunk contest of all time”).
Damaris highlights the difference in how men and women celebrate—and that Valentine's Day is like a "draft day" for potential partners.

"Valentine's Day is draft day. So [guys] gotta impress me and tell me why they should continue to 2026." – Damaris (18:25)
Rory discusses taking his daughter out, sparking a debate about whether men should do something for their child's mother on Valentine’s Day ("I think you should treat your baby mother well...it’s love within your family" – Rory, 23:10).
Damaris strongly disagrees: Valentine’s Day is for lovers/romantic partners only, not for co-parents unless it’s on behalf of the child.

3. Elevator Etiquette & Insecurity

[09:08 – 16:00]

Damaris recounts an awkward elevator moment where a woman compliments another man’s cologne in front of her boyfriend, sparking debate: is that inappropriate or insecure?
Mal and Rory both insist certain lines shouldn't be crossed in public flirtation or compliments.
Fun barbershop wordplay:

"If she looking at his feet, that mean he could beat." – Damaris (16:09)

4. Defending Hip-Hop Opinions, LaRussell’s Lil Wayne Statement

[33:00 – 46:43]

Discuss the internet uproar when rapper LaRussell said he stopped resonating with Lil Wayne’s lyrics as he got older, finding a lack of substance.
Rory and Mal break down whether Wayne’s catalog is “substantial,” and highlight how social media/blogs create viral outrage cycles, often missing the nuance:

“Sometimes when all the blogs post at the same time with the same narrative, it’s because they’re lazy—not because someone’s paying them." – Rory (37:28)
The group notes Wayne himself has admitted to sometimes just “barring down” with less thematic depth.
Mal’s bold take: Rick Ross’s catalog has more musical substance than Lil Wayne’s; Patreon battle teased.

5. Internet Satire Gone Wrong: The Vlad Roc Nation Tweet

[49:04 – 55:33]

Rory recounts DJ Vlad’s Twitter post satirizing conspiracy theories around Roc Nation and the Megan/Tory Lanez trial, which many took literally.
Insightful commentary on media literacy:

"How can AI pick up on sarcasm before a human being?" – Rory (51:41)
Mal: "People don’t understand satire...they just want validation for what they already believe." (51:50)
They reflect on how social media drives false narratives, with people preferring wild conspiracies over logic.

6. NBA All-Star Weekend & Slam Dunk Contest’s Decline

[56:06 – 63:25]

Extended segment dragging the current NBA All-Star game format and especially the dunk contest:
- Suggestion: hand it over to YouTube/internet dunkers and let pros “sponsor” for entertainment.
- Nostalgia for the days when star players like Jordan, Vince Carter owned the event.
- Concern that fear of “brand damage” keeps superstars out of skills competitions.

7. Deep Dive: Brent Faiyaz’s Album "ICON"

[67:32 – 84:45]

Mal is glowing: "I have not stopped listening…That’s all I listened to all weekend. Incredible album." (68:00)
The team debates why online fans were disappointed—many missed Brent’s signature “toxicity” and wanted more vocal range.

"You do have to have a niche or a gimmick when you’re not that vocally talented...Brent’s a vibe and a lyricist." – Damaris (69:04)
Rory and Mal defend "ICON" as Brent’s best work and argue it elevates him to a different level in R&B.
Mal controversially claims:

"If Frank [Ocean] never puts out another project, as long as Brent keeps doing this, we’ll be all right.” – Mal (78:32)
Even braver: "Brent has surpassed Frank Ocean." – Mal (79:42)
Group concedes Frank’s classics are untouchable, but applauds Brent’s consistency and Icon’s cohesive sound.
Production notes: Shout-out to Raphael Saadiq, Benny Blanco, Mike Dean—great production energy.
Damaris vows to give the album another listen.

8. Jill Scott & A Boogie with the Hoodie New Music

[84:48 – 89:53]

Jill Scott’s new album praised for positivity, strong features (Tierra Whack, DJ Premier), but noted as a "long listen."
Damaris: “For over a decade, A Boogie has been making better music than the rest of you.” (87:12)
Warm props for A Boogie’s EP "Before Artistry": enduring sound, “never dated,” keeps NYC music vibrant.

9. Listener Voicemail: Kink Conversation on Pegging

[91:09 – 99:20]

Listener asks for advice on how to ask his girlfriend to peg him, and whether it’s shameful.
The crew explores kink acceptance, notes some women are open, most aren’t, but:

"If that's what you into, just ask. That's why we need to stop kink-shaming—so people can be more open." – Damaris (98:58)
Mal and Rory advise caution: odds are, most partners aren’t up for it, so choose your moments wisely!
Hot take: “If you want your kinks satisfied, be with someone willing to do it. If she shames you, move on.” – Damaris (97:52)

10. Obama and Aliens, Rest In Peace, Shanae Curry

[103:01 – 108:18]

Quick, funny exchange about Obama’s quiet “confirmation” that aliens are real, and the lack of public reaction.
The crew closes on a somber note: heartfelt condolences for the recent loss of friend and industry peer Shanae Curry—a vibrant presence in their lives.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Relationship Exposés:

“Valentine’s Day should be called Revelations. A lot is revealed.” – Mal (05:29)
On treating your baby mother on V-Day:

"If you think I wouldn't send flowers to her house...we have a child together. Like, that's the greatest gift ever. Happy Valentine's Day." – Mal (23:30)
On internet conspiracy thinking:

"How can AI pick up on sarcasm before a human being?" – Rory (51:41)
On Brent Faiyaz’s new album:

"This album is crazy...this might be Brent’s best album...I can't believe he made this album." – Mal (73:41, 74:12)
"Brent has surpassed Frank Ocean." – Mal (79:42)
On the decline of NBA dunk contest:

“Just give it to YouTube. I don't need to see NBA players do this anymore.” – Rory (56:17)

Segment Timestamps

Valentine’s Day aftershocks: 03:13 – 08:00
Elevator etiquette & insecurity: 09:08 – 16:00
Baby mama on Valentine’s: 19:27 – 26:19
LaRussell, Wayne, and hip-hop commentary: 33:00 – 46:43
Vlad’s Roc Nation sarcasm tweet: 49:04 – 55:33
NBA All-Star Weekend: 56:06 – 63:25
Brent Faiyaz "ICON" Review: 67:32 – 84:45
Jill Scott & A Boogie music reviews: 84:48 – 89:53
Listener Kink Voicemail: 91:09 – 99:20
Obama & aliens, RIP Shanae Curry: 103:01 – 108:18

Tone & Original Language

Candid, irreverent, quick-witted.
Language: Raw, no-filter, plenty of playful barbs and running jokes; safe for those familiar with the show’s laid-back chemistry.
Energy: Upbeat, sometimes argumentative, but warm and inclusive—always circling back to camaraderie.

For New Listeners

If you want a lively mix of real-life mess, thought-provoking debates about music and culture, and a crew unafraid to poke fun at each other and society, this episode is a strong example of what makes New Rory & Mal a beloved, off-the-cuff hip-hop/entertainment podcast. The highlight is the “ICON” album review and the heartfelt segments on relationships and internet madness—all with laughs and (occasionally) actual wisdom.

New Rory & Mal – Episode 456 "ICON" (February 17, 2026)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Post-Valentine’s Day Reflections & Social Media Reactions

[03:13 – 05:52]

The team discusses the aftermath of Valentine's Day: pregnancy reveals, fake relationships, and "side chick appreciation" jokes.
Mal jokes about how Valentine’s Day always exposes relationship statuses:

"Valentine’s Day is...we should call it Revelations. A lot is revealed. You’ll find out who’s pregnant, who’s married, all that on Valentine’s Day." – Mal (05:29)
Social Media Pregnancy Reveals: Panel laughs about women doing pregnancy reveals on Valentine’s, causing awkward interactions with men who were flirting.

2. Valentine's Day Experiences & Relationship Rules

[06:07 – 16:00]

Roundtable on what each host did for Valentine's Day, with Mal watching the NBA Dunk Contest (“the worst dunk contest of all time”).
Damaris highlights the difference in how men and women celebrate—and that Valentine's Day is like a "draft day" for potential partners.

"Valentine's Day is draft day. So [guys] gotta impress me and tell me why they should continue to 2026." – Damaris (18:25)
Rory discusses taking his daughter out, sparking a debate about whether men should do something for their child's mother on Valentine’s Day ("I think you should treat your baby mother well...it’s love within your family" – Rory, 23:10).
Damaris strongly disagrees: Valentine’s Day is for lovers/romantic partners only, not for co-parents unless it’s on behalf of the child.

3. Elevator Etiquette & Insecurity

[09:08 – 16:00]

Damaris recounts an awkward elevator moment where a woman compliments another man’s cologne in front of her boyfriend, sparking debate: is that inappropriate or insecure?
Mal and Rory both insist certain lines shouldn't be crossed in public flirtation or compliments.
Fun barbershop wordplay:

"If she looking at his feet, that mean he could beat." – Damaris (16:09)

4. Defending Hip-Hop Opinions, LaRussell’s Lil Wayne Statement

[33:00 – 46:43]

Discuss the internet uproar when rapper LaRussell said he stopped resonating with Lil Wayne’s lyrics as he got older, finding a lack of substance.
Rory and Mal break down whether Wayne’s catalog is “substantial,” and highlight how social media/blogs create viral outrage cycles, often missing the nuance:

“Sometimes when all the blogs post at the same time with the same narrative, it’s because they’re lazy—not because someone’s paying them." – Rory (37:28)
The group notes Wayne himself has admitted to sometimes just “barring down” with less thematic depth.
Mal’s bold take: Rick Ross’s catalog has more musical substance than Lil Wayne’s; Patreon battle teased.

5. Internet Satire Gone Wrong: The Vlad Roc Nation Tweet

[49:04 – 55:33]

Rory recounts DJ Vlad’s Twitter post satirizing conspiracy theories around Roc Nation and the Megan/Tory Lanez trial, which many took literally.
Insightful commentary on media literacy:

"How can AI pick up on sarcasm before a human being?" – Rory (51:41)
Mal: "People don’t understand satire...they just want validation for what they already believe." (51:50)
They reflect on how social media drives false narratives, with people preferring wild conspiracies over logic.

6. NBA All-Star Weekend & Slam Dunk Contest’s Decline

[56:06 – 63:25]

Extended segment dragging the current NBA All-Star game format and especially the dunk contest:
- Suggestion: hand it over to YouTube/internet dunkers and let pros “sponsor” for entertainment.
- Nostalgia for the days when star players like Jordan, Vince Carter owned the event.
- Concern that fear of “brand damage” keeps superstars out of skills competitions.

7. Deep Dive: Brent Faiyaz’s Album "ICON"

[67:32 – 84:45]

Mal is glowing: "I have not stopped listening…That’s all I listened to all weekend. Incredible album." (68:00)
The team debates why online fans were disappointed—many missed Brent’s signature “toxicity” and wanted more vocal range.

"You do have to have a niche or a gimmick when you’re not that vocally talented...Brent’s a vibe and a lyricist." – Damaris (69:04)
Rory and Mal defend "ICON" as Brent’s best work and argue it elevates him to a different level in R&B.
Mal controversially claims:

"If Frank [Ocean] never puts out another project, as long as Brent keeps doing this, we’ll be all right.” – Mal (78:32)
Even braver: "Brent has surpassed Frank Ocean." – Mal (79:42)
Group concedes Frank’s classics are untouchable, but applauds Brent’s consistency and Icon’s cohesive sound.
Production notes: Shout-out to Raphael Saadiq, Benny Blanco, Mike Dean—great production energy.
Damaris vows to give the album another listen.

8. Jill Scott & A Boogie with the Hoodie New Music

[84:48 – 89:53]

Jill Scott’s new album praised for positivity, strong features (Tierra Whack, DJ Premier), but noted as a "long listen."
Damaris: “For over a decade, A Boogie has been making better music than the rest of you.” (87:12)
Warm props for A Boogie’s EP "Before Artistry": enduring sound, “never dated,” keeps NYC music vibrant.

9. Listener Voicemail: Kink Conversation on Pegging

[91:09 – 99:20]

Listener asks for advice on how to ask his girlfriend to peg him, and whether it’s shameful.
The crew explores kink acceptance, notes some women are open, most aren’t, but:

"If that's what you into, just ask. That's why we need to stop kink-shaming—so people can be more open." – Damaris (98:58)
Mal and Rory advise caution: odds are, most partners aren’t up for it, so choose your moments wisely!
Hot take: “If you want your kinks satisfied, be with someone willing to do it. If she shames you, move on.” – Damaris (97:52)

10. Obama and Aliens, Rest In Peace, Shanae Curry

[103:01 – 108:18]

Quick, funny exchange about Obama’s quiet “confirmation” that aliens are real, and the lack of public reaction.
The crew closes on a somber note: heartfelt condolences for the recent loss of friend and industry peer Shanae Curry—a vibrant presence in their lives.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Relationship Exposés:

“Valentine’s Day should be called Revelations. A lot is revealed.” – Mal (05:29)
On treating your baby mother on V-Day:

"If you think I wouldn't send flowers to her house...we have a child together. Like, that's the greatest gift ever. Happy Valentine's Day." – Mal (23:30)
On internet conspiracy thinking:

"How can AI pick up on sarcasm before a human being?" – Rory (51:41)
On Brent Faiyaz’s new album:

"This album is crazy...this might be Brent’s best album...I can't believe he made this album." – Mal (73:41, 74:12)
"Brent has surpassed Frank Ocean." – Mal (79:42)
On the decline of NBA dunk contest:

“Just give it to YouTube. I don't need to see NBA players do this anymore.” – Rory (56:17)

Segment Timestamps

Valentine’s Day aftershocks: 03:13 – 08:00
Elevator etiquette & insecurity: 09:08 – 16:00
Baby mama on Valentine’s: 19:27 – 26:19
LaRussell, Wayne, and hip-hop commentary: 33:00 – 46:43
Vlad’s Roc Nation sarcasm tweet: 49:04 – 55:33
NBA All-Star Weekend: 56:06 – 63:25
Brent Faiyaz "ICON" Review: 67:32 – 84:45
Jill Scott & A Boogie music reviews: 84:48 – 89:53
Listener Kink Voicemail: 91:09 – 99:20
Obama & aliens, RIP Shanae Curry: 103:01 – 108:18

Tone & Original Language

Candid, irreverent, quick-witted.
Language: Raw, no-filter, plenty of playful barbs and running jokes; safe for those familiar with the show’s laid-back chemistry.
Energy: Upbeat, sometimes argumentative, but warm and inclusive—always circling back to camaraderie.

wavePod

Episode 456 | ICON

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

New Rory & Mal – Episode 456 "ICON" (February 17, 2026)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Post-Valentine’s Day Reflections & Social Media Reactions

2. Valentine's Day Experiences & Relationship Rules

3. Elevator Etiquette & Insecurity

4. Defending Hip-Hop Opinions, LaRussell’s Lil Wayne Statement

5. Internet Satire Gone Wrong: The Vlad Roc Nation Tweet

6. NBA All-Star Weekend & Slam Dunk Contest’s Decline

7. Deep Dive: Brent Faiyaz’s Album "ICON"

8. Jill Scott & A Boogie with the Hoodie New Music

9. Listener Voicemail: Kink Conversation on Pegging

10. Obama and Aliens, Rest In Peace, Shanae Curry

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Segment Timestamps

Tone & Original Language

For New Listeners

Summary

New Rory & Mal – Episode 456 "ICON" (February 17, 2026)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Post-Valentine’s Day Reflections & Social Media Reactions

2. Valentine's Day Experiences & Relationship Rules

3. Elevator Etiquette & Insecurity

4. Defending Hip-Hop Opinions, LaRussell’s Lil Wayne Statement

5. Internet Satire Gone Wrong: The Vlad Roc Nation Tweet

6. NBA All-Star Weekend & Slam Dunk Contest’s Decline

7. Deep Dive: Brent Faiyaz’s Album "ICON"

8. Jill Scott & A Boogie with the Hoodie New Music

9. Listener Voicemail: Kink Conversation on Pegging

10. Obama and Aliens, Rest In Peace, Shanae Curry

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Segment Timestamps

Tone & Original Language

For New Listeners