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]
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The team discusses the aftermath of Valentine's Day: pregnancy reveals, fake relationships, and "side chick appreciation" jokes.
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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)
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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.
