New Rory & MAL – Episode 472: "Hovpocrisy" (March 26, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode, titled "Hovpocrisy," sees Rory and Mall dive into the massive ripple effects of Jay Z's recent GQ interview and the ongoing conversations around rap beef, industry hypocrisy, and accountability. The duo dissects Hov’s perspectives on Drake vs Kendrick’s beef, challenges of being an elder statesman in hip hop, the contradictions that come with growing older in rap, and speculate on the state of Jay Z’s business and personal relationships, especially with J. Cole. The second half offers humorous but poignant takes on rap label “March Madness,” the evolution of young artists, industry dynamics, and media accountability, plus banter about “payola” and working in hip hop radio.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jay Z’s GQ Interview & The State of Rap Beef

• Stakes of Rap Beef: Is It Healthy?

  • The hosts dissect Jay Z's comments about whether current-day rap beef is beneficial or damaging, emphasizing how the stakes have escalated due to social media and intensified standom.
  • Rory outlines Jay's point:
    “Jay was suggesting that maybe where the stakes are now and where rap is now, the rap beef may not be healthy for the culture the way that it is weaponized…” (09:35)
  • Mall supports the idea of competition, but feels the “battle” element is intrinsic:

    “Battling is part of hip hop. It’s part of rap. It’s a competitive thing. Who’s the better MC?... I don’t think you could ever remove that.” (10:19)

  • Discussion of how beefs have changed with modern “stan” culture:

    “The stan shit is getting a little too toxic and nothing to do with music.” (13:07)

• Hypocrisy in Critiquing Rap Beef

  • Rory points out Hov’s contradictory stance:

    “That is extremely hypocritical when you then take that very toxic thing that Jay is speaking to and you put it on the largest platform ever with the Super Bowl.” (17:28)

  • Mall expands on how the “pedophile” accusations in the Drake/Kendrick beef changed the energy entirely, noting the big difference from earlier era beefs:

    “…once you introduce that energy into this, it’s a completely different thing now because the energy changes from everybody.” (15:50)

• Contradiction in the Business vs. Moral Stance

  • Both hosts note that while Hov can express exhaustion or alarm at rap beef’s toxicity, he also profited and amplified it on the biggest stage in America (the Super Bowl), making his stance seem contradictory.

    “You kind of have to just sit down and shut up a little bit if you’re doing that. Like, you could feel that way quietly, but you can’t say that and then contribute the way that you contributed.” (20:55)

2. Jay Z’s Relationship with J. Cole & the Business of Auditing Labels

• Cole & Hov’s Current Relationship

  • Discussion on Frazier’s GQ interview asking about J. Cole, Hov’s PC answer, and what might be going on behind the scenes after an audit:

    “Jay Z gave a very, very good PR PC Jay Z answer of he’s very proud of J. Cole and everything that he’s done, but there’s shit behind the scenes like audits…” (41:30)

  • Rory speculates the audit is why Jay and Cole aren’t as tight:

    “But once you do audit somebody...I don’t know if you guys have the coolest relationship. It may. You may not hate that person. We’re not going to the studio.” (45:57)

  • Mall argues it’s just business and not necessarily a dead friendship:

    “Doesn’t mean that we can’t be friends. Doesn’t mean that we can’t sit down and do business after this. Doesn’t mean that it’s any hard feelings. It’s business.” (51:14)

• Industry Insights on Audits

  • Rory advocates for artists routinely auditing their labels, noting firms could make a killing if they did pro bono work uncovering label accounting errors:

    “If there was a law firm that did pro bono audits... they would make so much fucking money...if you audit a major label...you’re finding bread though.” (44:00)

• Hypotheticals and Lighthearted Auditing Bars

  • The hosts joke about how if Cole did get money from Jay in an audit, he shouldn’t ask for a feature, and Jay would just diss him on a verse about it:

    “Don't walk away with $5 million of my money and then text me, hey, I have this open 16 for you.” (50:06)

3. Hip Hop Journalism & Radio: Payola, Bias, and Real Friendships

• Ebro, Payola, and Objectivity
  • Discussion around Ebro’s controversial comment that only Kendrick has “paid his bills” (i.e., supported his show), leading to a playful but insightful exchange about payola and objectivity in hip hop media.

    “I need to see tax returns on you and on Ebro because I got to see if TDE’s paying better or OVO's paying better.” (82:53)

  • Both Rory and Mall admit their own biases but emphasize still being able to critique those they like and work with:

    “You can disagree with people that support you...you can also still be, you know, like, yo, nah, I don’t just...I disagree with that move or I disagree with what you said.” (85:32)

4. Parenting, Nepo Babies, and Jay Z the Dad

• Jay’s reflections on Blue Ivy’s work ethic as a “Nepo Baby” was seen as a rare billionaire-parent acknowledgment of privilege.

  “He straight up said it was the first thing she had to ever work for in her life...I thought that was like a perfect Nepo baby parenting point of view.” (33:41)

• Classic Jay as protective dad moment:

  “Blue wanted to be on every song. I said, if you think you’re dancing to six inch heels at this show, get the fuck off stage.” (35:52)

5. Rap Label March Madness Bracket

• The hosts run through fan-voted “March Madness” matchups between legendary rap labels, with some upsets and playful banter about the power of public voting.
  • Example: “If y’all roaring Kitty Grand Hustle to the to the final four, I would be so fucking mad.” (103:37)

6. Young Artist Energy & Industry Evolution

• Light debate about the new generation of rappers, the “Yeet effect,” the search for a new exciting young artist, and what sets apart current acts:

  “I want to like, I'm looking for the next young artist to like...like one of the 20-whatever-year-olds that has a different energy, different vibe, different sound...” (71:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Jay Z’s Hypocrisy (17:28)

“That is extremely hypocritical when you then take that very toxic thing that Jay is speaking to and you put it on the largest platform ever with the Super Bowl.” — Rory

On Rap Beef’s Energy Shift (15:50)

“Once you introduce that energy into this, it’s a completely different thing now because the energy changes from everybody. And I think that is what turned this into something that became more mudslinging, more of an attack.” — Mall

On Audits and Business (45:57)

“But once you do audit somebody...I don’t know if you guys have the coolest relationship...We’re not going to the studio.” — Rory

On Media Bias & Payola (82:53)

“I need to see tax returns on you and on Ebro because I got to see if TDE’s paying better or OVO’s paying better.” — Rory

On Parenting & Privilege (33:41)

“He straight up said it was the first thing she had to ever work for in her life...I thought that was like a perfect Nepo baby parenting point of view.” — Rory

On the Grand Hustle Bracket (103:37)

“If y’all roaring Kitty Grand Hustle to the to the final four, I would be so fucking mad.” — Rory

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• Jay Z on Rap Beef & Hypocrisy: 08:10 – 24:36
• Super Bowl, Stand Culture & Amplification: 16:56 – 22:32
• Jay Z & Auditing/Relationship with J. Cole: 41:30 – 54:55
• Rap Beef, Audits, and Hypotheticals: 54:55 – 51:14
• On Ebro, Payola, and Media Objectivity: 80:06 – 86:23
• Jay Z as a Parent & Nepo Babies: 33:41 – 35:58
• Young Artist Talk – “Yeet” & Defining the New Wave: 71:09 – 74:47
• Rap Label March Madness Bracket Debates: 96:00 – 104:56

Tone and Style

The episode is marked by Rory & Mall’s signature playful banter, authenticity, and ability to toggle between genuine critique, theoretical debate, and comedic takes. They balance fan curiosity, industry insider perspectives, and “just two guys talking hip hop” energy, never shying away from calling out contradictions (even their own) and embracing the grey areas of business, art, and culture.

This summary is intended as an engaging, complete companion piece for anyone who missed the episode—or wants to revisit the most memorable beats of “Hovpocrisy.”