New Rory & MAL — Episode 471 | "Somebody Lying"

Date: March 24, 2026
Hosts: Rory & Mal (with Damaris)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This episode brings classic Rory & Mal banter: updates on recent misadventures, a hilarious pop-up event plug, travel woes, behind-the-scenes industry talk, and deep dives into hip-hop culture. The main focus is on J. Cole’s recent interviews, the fallout from the so-called “Big Three” battle in hip-hop, industry honesty, artist accountability, and plenty of spontaneous comedic riffs—plus a good dose of “somebody lying” throughout.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. NYC Pop-Up Plug & Life Updates

[03:31–06:37]

• Rory & Mall promote a special merch pop-up at Cafe Comada in NYC on March 28.
• Both will create exclusive non-alcoholic drinks for fans.
• Rory jokes about parenting woes and daycare costs, humorously weighing “Jay Z tickets vs. my kid’s food”.
• "J Amara. Amara Jay. Which one?" (Mall, [05:24])
• Jokes about DJ Ryan's setlist and lack of a proper DJ name.

Notable Quote:

“I never trusted DJs where it’s just their name.” — Mall, [06:49]

2. Damaris’ Airport Fiasco & "Baby D Challenge"

[07:12–14:39]

• Damaris is stuck in travel limbo due to airport shutdowns; Rory and Mall FaceTime her live from the airport.
• Damaris recounts her eventful Houston trip, including being trapped at the airport after a party ("burgers and bottles").
• Introduction of the "Baby D Challenge"—a playful bit about lying down in weird places, inspired by Damaris’ roof mishap in Houston.

Notable Exchange:

“How did you end up on that roof?”
“I went up there to talk on the phone and then I got sleepy. So I laid there and no one woke me up...”
– Rory & Damaris, [13:39]

3. The J. Cole/Nadeska Interview – Truth or Spin?

[16:10–19:39]

• Main Theme: J. Cole’s recent interview with Nadeska (and an upcoming Cam’ron sit-down) following his controversial apology after the hip-hop “Big Three” battle (Drake/Kendrick/Cole).
• Mall argues Nadeska went "too safe," not challenging Cole hard enough, and claims Cole’s “battle with himself” story over his apology seems performative.
  • “A lot of that was things that he probably just made up on the spot or just made up on the way there.” — Mall, [18:08]
• Rory partly disagrees, believing Cole’s anxiety and conflict over the issue are legit.
• Both agree Cam’ron’s forthcoming interview will be more direct, especially on battle-related questions.

Key Insight:

• Mall claims Cole did not undergo an internal battle over apologizing—believes he simply chose peace after a conversation with Kendrick.

4. Industry Fallout and Accountability:

[21:00–34:18]

• Cole’s album production timeline was derailed by the events of the battle; Mall notes he predicted Cole would have to redo the album:
  • “He had to call an audible musically because everything in that moment changed.” — Mall, [24:53]
• Discussion on why Cole hasn’t spoken to Drake since the battle. Mall insists there has been no real conversation, despite Cole’s vague remarks.
• Both stress the importance of real-life accountability and directly mending relationships after public fallouts.
• Rory: “Sometimes I get the message, like, if it’s not off one text, I’m not gonna beat this into the ground…” ([44:44])

Notable Quote:

“When you do things to your friends that, you know, hurt your friends... you gotta face that confrontation, bro.” — Mall, [33:16]

5. Healthy Debates, Hip-Hop Culture & Cole’s Stance

[45:53–52:23]

• The hosts lament the changing landscape of musical discourse, especially online “stan wars.”
• Mall and Rory defend healthy rap debates as foundational to hip-hop, criticizing the idea that debating equals tearing down artists.
  • “Rap is a competitive art form... part of the culture.” — Mall, [45:07]
• Call out artists who denounce fans/media for criticism while doing the same thing behind closed doors.

6. Big Sean’s Influence & Flow Borrowing in Rap

[53:05–59:54]

• Praise for Mike WiLL Made-It’s new project and for Big Sean’s impact: his flow has become foundational for hits by Cole, Drake, and others.
  • Rory: “Sean has created the blueprint for a lot of the pockets that have created the rap that we love today.” ([54:09])
• Expand on how artists borrow flows/cadences and how credit is rarely given but is part of hip-hop’s DNA.
  • “It’s sampling, bro. That’s what hip-hop is.” — Mall, [59:47]

7. Meek Mill on LinkedIn & Brand Building

[59:56–66:27]

• They examine Meek Mill’s new, authentic LinkedIn presence. Jokes fly about his bio, grammar, and authenticity.
• Amusing brainstorms on potential Meek/Mall business ventures—like helmets for dirt bikes (“Make helmets cool again!”).

8. Pop Culture Quick Hits

• Tyrese’s Social Security Office Story: Tyrese faked disability as a child for benefits—sparks comedic memories of parents coaching kids through the system. ([74:04–76:58])
• Tank vs. Tyrese Upcoming Verzuz: Mall and Rory break down potential rounds, giving Tank the edge if writing/producing credits count. ([77:04])
• Usher & Justin Bieber Gold Party Riff: Discuss “sources” and speculate if the apparent feud was business, personal, or nothing at all. ([82:04–86:49])
• Justin Timberlake’s DWI & Race: React to leaked police video and the reality of celebrity and privilege in the justice system. Rory shares a wild personal story about “beating” a DUI, mixing real talk with comedic storytelling. ([87:10–98:37])
• R.I.P. Chuck Norris: Reflect on the legendary action star’s passing and cultural impact. ([98:46–101:09])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Somebody lying.” (Episode’s phrase) — woven throughout, especially as they challenge narratives from artists/industry folks and even themselves.

• “Rap battles are really gay.”—Rory [44:56]
  Mall: “No, no, but—see, it's not gay. It's not gay...People just make it too emotional.”

• On pop-up life:
  “I just think a flat white would just be a funny, ironic, flat white, because I'm definitely a flat white.” — Rory, [04:18]

• On the reality of daycare costs:
  “Daycare is really kicking my ass right now...to the point that I looked at the Jay Z tickets and...nah, my kid gotta eat.” — Rory, [05:17]

• On debate culture:
  “If you're debating albums...That's always been a part of consuming art and being, you know, in this culture.” — Mall, [48:01]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Pop-up Plug & Parenting: [03:31–06:37]
• Damaris’ Travel Ordeal & "Baby D Challenge": [07:12–14:39]
• J. Cole Interview Deep Dive: [16:10–34:18]
• Artist Accountability & Relationships: [29:02–34:18]
• Hip-Hop Debate & Culture: [45:53–52:23]
• Big Sean’s Influence: [53:05–59:54]
• Meek Mill on LinkedIn: [59:56–66:27]
• Pop Culture Rapid Fire (Tyrese, Verzuz, Usher/Bieber, Timberlake): [74:04–94:10]
• RIP Chuck Norris: [98:46–101:09]

Tone & Style

True to form, Rory & Mal deliver with unfiltered honesty, sarcasm, and thoughtful hip-hop analysis. The episode balances deep-dive industry insights, playful jabs, irreverent humor, and life updates—a perfect listen for hip-hop heads and culture nerds.

For fans missing the episode: You’ll walk away with inside views on the current rap landscape, a sense of how real friendships (and real beefs) play out behind the music, plus genuine laughs and quotable lines you’ll want to share.