New Rory & MAL – Episode 458 | Respect The Bubble

Release Date: February 20, 2026
Hosts: Mall, Peach, Baby D

Episode Overview

In this episode of New Rory & MAL, the crew dives into the theme of "respecting the bubble," exploring how everyone lives in their own perspective or "bubble"—whether in relationships, music opinions, or online culture. The conversation traverses topics like relationship trust and micro-cheating, the controversial Jadakiss vs. Drake debate in hip-hop, this year’s exciting music releases, the challenges and nuances of artist independence, and public figures caught up in controversy. The group also touch on cultural differences in therapy, fraternity life, and the responsibilities of having a public platform.

The tone is lively, irreverent, self-aware, and always rooted in humor with thoughtful critiques and plenty of inside jokes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Relationships, Trust, and “Micro-Cheating”

• Starts (02:59) with playful banter about sharing and turning off phone location with friends and significant others.
• Micro-cheating: Is disabling your location micro-cheating? They agree it generally isn’t unless another person is involved.
• Manipulation and trust: Baby D jokes about turning off her location to make her partner paranoid, leading to the idea of “starting fires” in relationships for amusement.
• Quote:
  • “If you give me a sleepless night, I owe you several.” — Baby D (05:05)
• Peach shares a story about someone tricking him with location-switching, leading to broader skepticism around trust and technology.

2. Faith, Fasting, and Life Updates

• Discusses Ramadan fasting (07:09) and Mall’s experience participating while podcasting. Peach and Baby D debate joining in spiritual fasts or giving something up for Lent.
• Lighthearted religious-cultural banter, comparing Lent and Ramadan:
  • "Lent is just really just white Ramadan." — Peach (09:45)
• Shout-outs to family, upcoming birthdays, and time spent with loved ones.

3. The Jadakiss vs. Drake Debate and “Respecting the Bubble”

• Mall and Peach recount their recent appearance on Math Hoffa’s podcast and a heated barbershop debate: Does Jadakiss have two classic albums, and does Drake have any? (11:19 – 16:39)
• This leads Mall to a personal “breakthrough”:
  • “Everybody is just living in their own world... I have to start respecting people's bubbles.” — Mall (12:10)
• They reflect on how people can watch the same movie or listen to the same album and have radically different opinions.
• “My entire podcasting career, I've just been trying to tell Maul, that's your bubble.” — Peach (13:20)
• Conclusion: Don’t try to force your “bubble” on others.

4. New Music, Industry Trends, and Social Media Algorithms

• Recap of hanging out at Math Hoffa’s, New York hip hop culture, and the uniting power of music.
• Hype for upcoming music releases: Baby Keem, Larry June & Curren$y & Alchemist, SZA, and more (20:02 – 24:42).
• The group debates whether 2026 will stack up to 2016 in terms of legendary music years.
• Social media’s role in music discovery: shift from Twitter to TikTok, how algorithms can “blackball” artists.
• “I respect the otter bubbles.” — Mall, after learning of Peach’s love for otters and viral animal videos (22:19).

5. LaRussell, Lil Wayne, and the "Substance" Twitter Wars

• Ongoing online controversy about LaRussell's critique of Lil Wayne's music “substance” and fan standom (28:38 – 33:42).
• Explores the cycle of artists giving opinions, fan outrage, and the “currency” in online drama.
  • “There's a lot of currency in becoming this stand leaders over the last few years.” — Peach (32:50)
• Debates whether LaRussell is truly being attacked or just playing into the attention for fun.
• Discussion of musician independence and fan expectations when artists partner with major labels.

6. Direct-to-Consumer Music: Even & Major Labels

• Explains UMG’s partnership with Even, likened to Patreon for musicians, empowering artists to sell directly to fans (38:25 – 43:16).
• Peach and Mall break down why this move is both progressive and just another instance of majors playing “catch up.”
• Discussion on art versus commerce—most “independent” companies still want to make money, and that’s not “selling out.”
  • “Not everything is revolutionary. Some people just come in this business to make money.” — Peach (43:01)

7. The DaBaby Discussion: Blackballing, Cancel Culture & Artist Growth

• In-depth talk about DaBaby’s career, perceived blackballing, TikTok virality versus mainstream algorithms, and whether casual or core fans will stand by artists after controversy (44:44 – 55:34).
• The hosts argue that DaBaby’s lack of musical evolution and doubling down on negative PR moments hurt him, not just “cancel culture.”
• Comparison to other controversial artists, and how sustained greatness (Kanye, etc.) “protects” some from being canceled.
  • “You can be the villain, but you gotta be putting out art that's undeniable.” — Mall (54:32)
• A nuanced look at the lasting impact of trauma and mental health challenges, especially in Black communities:
  • “He's dealing with hurt. He's dealing with trauma. He's dealing with his own shit mentally.” — Mall (61:47)

8. Cam Newton, Kevin Samuels, & Red Pill Conversations

• The group reacts to Cam Newton's latest controversial takes about women's value and fatherhood (65:00 – 67:57), connecting it to broader "red pill" and men’s podcast discourses.
• Reminiscing about Kevin Samuels’ legacy versus the new wave of misogynist online personalities—how public platforms can harm or help, and the responsibility that comes with them (68:13 – 78:11).
• Peach and Baby D agree Samuels was mean, but articulate, and not as “off the rails” as present-day Manosphere content.
  • “Kevin Samuels was not as bad as I thought he was, man. That guy was—he was kind of on point.” — Peach (74:11)

9. Fraternities, Hazing, and Membership

• Debates about Greek life, fraternities, and why people join, prompted by a viral hazing video (84:14 – 91:49).
• Peach explains his personal journey with Kappa Alpha Psi and how it offers lifelong community, which is compared to gangs or other lifelong communities.
• Lighthearted jokes about the culture shock of fraternity rituals and how these experiences vary.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [05:05] Baby D: "If you give me a sleepless night, I owe you several."
• [09:45] Peach (on Lent): "Lent is just really just white Ramadan."
• [12:10] Mall: "Everybody is just living in their own world... I have to start respecting people's bubbles."
• [13:20] Peach: "My entire podcasting career, I've just been trying to tell Maul, that's your bubble."
• [22:19] Mall: "I respect the otter bubbles."
• [32:50] Peach: "There's a lot of currency in becoming these stand leaders over the last few years."
• [43:01] Peach: "Not everything is revolutionary. Some people just come in this business to make money."
• [54:32] Mall: "You can be the villain, but you gotta be putting out art that's undeniable."
• [61:47] Mall: "He's dealing with hurt. He's dealing with trauma. He's dealing with his own shit mentally."
• [74:11] Peach: "Kevin Samuels was not as bad as I thought he was, man. That guy was... He was kind of on point."

Important Timestamps

• 02:59 – Trust, location sharing, and micro-cheating
• 07:09 – Mall discusses fasting and Ramadan
• 11:19 – Math Hoffa podcast experience; Jadakiss vs. Drake classic albums debate
• 13:11 – “Moment of clarity” for Mall about respecting others' bubbles
• 16:39 – “Bubble” barbershop communities in hip hop
• 20:02 – Upcoming music releases, shifting social media role in promotion
• 28:38 – LaRussell vs. Wayne, opinions vs. outrage currency
• 38:25 – The “Even”/UMG direct-to-consumer platform explained
• 44:44 – DaBaby’s “hot single,” TikTok vs. mainstream, blackballing/music growth
• 61:47 – Trauma and personal context for public figures
• 65:00 – Cam Newton, “villain” era of public figures
• 68:13 – Kevin Samuels, platform responsibility, and "brutal honesty"
• 84:14 – Fraternity hazing video goes viral; lifelong community, perceptions on Greek life

Tone and Style

True to New Rory & MAL, this episode weaves sharp, direct, frequently hilarious banter with deeper, honest talk about relationships, music culture, and social issues. The hosts encourage self-reflection ("respecting the bubble"), champion nuance over outrage, and aren’t afraid to poke fun at themselves—or their listeners.

For New Listeners

This episode is a perfect example of the show’s signature mix of comedy, culture commentary, and self-awareness. If you’re looking for honest perspectives on hip hop, relationships, internet culture, and how to stay sane (and funny) in the midst of it all, this one’s a must-listen.