New Rory & MAL – Episode 480 | "Neo Soul Sorting Hat"
Date: April 14, 2026
Podcast: New Rory & MAL (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)
Episode Overview
In this packed and lively episode, Rory, Mal, and Damaris reunite to bring a dose of witty banter, cultural critiques, wild stories, and hot takes—focusing on everything from club culture and generational divides, to the state of music festivals, the Euphoria season premiere, and the viral “Neo Soul Sorting Hat” meme from Jack Harlow’s latest album cycle. As always, the hosts blend humor with poignant commentary about pop and rap culture, friendships, and living in the digital age.
Table of Contents
- Catching Up: Returning from LA, Clubbing, and Generational Gaps
- Nightlife, Gender, and Judgment
- LA Experiences: Restaurants, Video Shoots, and Collard Green Lasagna
- Men’s Empowerment, The Last Supper, and Group Outings
- Viral Clips, Club Judgments, and Relationship Stories
- Flight Movie Review and Accountability
- Parenthood, Excuses, and Lying for Your Kids
- Euphoria Season 3, OnlyFans, and Drug Mule Storylines
- Coachella, Bieber’s Performance, and Festival Allure
- Usher & Chris Brown Mega-Tour Discussion
- Jack Harlow’s “Neo Soul Sorting Hat” and Ghostwriting Discourse
- Offset, Gambling, and the Rules of the Streets
- J. Cole’s Basketball Stint in China
- Summer Plans, Michael Jackson Biopic, and Maury on BET
- Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
1. Catching Up: Returning from L.A., Clubbing, and Generational Gaps
Main Points:
- Rory returns from LA feeling “over” clubbing, especially after observing much-younger crowds at Harriet’s.
- Mal, Damaris, and Rory joke about age differences in club culture.
- Damaris pokes fun at Rory and Mal for feeling old and judging young people.
Notable Moment:
"[Clubbing] is so trash ... it was jam-packed in there with a bunch of people born after 2000." - Rory (06:08)
2. Nightlife, Gender, and Judgment
Main Points:
- Discussion on women going out to clubs alone: Mal calls it a “red flag,” Damaris defends the practice as a normal part of youth.
- The hosts debate club behaviors, safety, and generational perspectives on partying.
- Mal: “A woman going to the club by herself with no friends is a red flag. I don’t care what you sit behind your desk and tell me, Damaris.” (08:38)
- Damaris: “Young girls do shit that ain’t safe ... Y’all are just old. And of course, you know better ... Old wise ones, stay our old asses home next to the fire.” (09:02)
3. LA Experiences: Restaurants, Video Shoots, and Collard Green Lasagna
Main Points:
- Rory recounts a trip to LA for a video shoot with friends and a dinner at Issa Rae’s restaurant, Somerville (“collard green lasagna” gets major props).
- Catching up with music industry friends.
- Damaris accuses Rory of being more social in LA than in NY.
Notable Quote:
“I wanted to live in that collard green lasagna.” – Rory (11:19)
4. Men’s Empowerment, The Last Supper, and Group Outings
Main Points:
- Joking about the awkwardness or perceived oddity of “men’s empowerment” events and large groups of men going out together.
- Satirical take on The Last Supper as a “men’s dinner full of low-key hating.”
- Witty riff: “More powerful together” – Rory; “Get the fuck out of here, men’s empowerment.” – Mal (13:05)
- Parallel drawn between The Last Supper and splitting the bill at group dinners.
5. Viral Clips, Club Judgments, and Relationship Stories
Main Points:
- The group revisits Damaris' viral moment about clubbing standards and getting concert tickets, leading to jokes about “burgers and bottles” and event etiquette.
- Damaris: “Don’t do that if you in her box and you can’t get a burger or a bottle.” (17:07)
- Discussion of being caught working at events vs. partying.
- Rory: “Making fun of your friends at work is the funniest.” (18:52)
6. Flight Movie Review and Accountability
Main Points:
- Spirited recap of the Denzel Washington film “Flight,” focusing on accountability, addiction, and morality.
- Conversations spin into funny takes about lying on relatives and kids for cover stories.
- “If I died and you’re my people, you can blame that on me to not go to jail for manslaughter.” – Rory (24:37)
- The hosts confess to having lied about “grandmas and kids” for convenience.
7. Parenthood, Excuses, and Lying for Your Kids
Main Points:
- Using children as excuses (“my daughter’s sick”) in various relational contexts.
- Damaris describes a boyfriend lying during a date, using his “sick daughter” as an excuse.
- “Just because you’re a good father doesn’t mean, like, you’re a good partner.” – Damaris (29:15)
8. Euphoria Season 3, OnlyFans, and Drug Mule Storylines
[31:26–36:42]
Main Points:
- Mixed reviews on Euphoria’s new season: strong focus on the shift from high school drama to adult storylines (cartel, OnlyFans, construction work, etc.).
- Mal: “That’s fair … I mean, it’s not far-fetched to go to high school with someone and then a couple years out you find out they work for the cartel.” (31:38)
- Discussion of a graphic drug mule scene – “I had to look away … the only time I want to hear gag is when I’m getting head” – Rory (33:05)
- The group debates realism, shock value, and the show’s change in tone.
9. Coachella, Bieber’s Performance, and Festival Allure
[41:39–55:00]
Main Points:
- Recap and analysis of Coachella 2026 performances—specifically Justin Bieber’s headline set that included reviewing old YouTube content.
- Rory argues the approach “fits the times,” while Mal and Damaris debate Bieber’s strengths as a live performer.
- Reflections on how Coachella’s appeal has shifted from music to content creation/influencer activity (“the content weekend”).
- Discussion on how technology and social media have changed the festival experience.
10. Usher & Chris Brown Mega-Tour Discussion
[55:42–58:50]
Main Points:
- Excitement about the newly announced Usher and Chris Brown joint tour, potential for legendary performances, and tour logistics.
- Mal jokes about possible backstage egos regarding who would “open.”
- “This is going to be one of the most iconic tours." – Mal (55:56)
- Consideration of possible openers (Kehlani, Summer Walker, etc.) and comparisons to past tours like Jay-Z/R. Kelly.
11. Jack Harlow’s “Neo Soul Sorting Hat” and Ghostwriting Discourse
[67:45–78:11]
Main Points:
- Discussion of the viral “Neo Soul Sorting Hat” meme, its SNL parody, and the conversation it has generated around Jack Harlow’s latest stylistic pivot.
- Whether he should “lean in” to the criticism, and what the fallout means for his name and career.
- “Sometimes you need more friends on your marketing plan, not in your studio.” – Rory (71:21)
- Jozzy’s interview about being asked to ghostwrite without credit, sparking a nuanced conversation about rap’s ghostwriting stigma and acknowledging writers in music credits.
- “I think it’s weird when you say, ‘I don’t want to credit you on the song for writing it.’” – Mal (77:11)
12. Offset, Gambling, and the Rules of the Streets
[83:11–87:43]
Main Points:
- Discussion of Offset’s shooting incident and the rumor mill around betting, debts, and street consequences.
- Reflections on the difference between the rap world and "real world" code regarding debts: “If you’re constantly ass-betting people and not paying them back, that is your fault. I’m sorry. It’s your fault.” – Rory (85:52)
13. J. Cole’s Basketball Stint in China
[92:00–97:00]
Main Points:
- Jokes and heated debate about J. Cole pursuing his basketball dream in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
- Mal is roasting but ultimately supportive; Rory frames it as “earned and cool, but funny.”
- “Going all the way to China to get one point, one rebound, and one assist is absolutely crazy.” – Mal (94:39)
- Damaris is excited for Cole’s upcoming tour ("Dreamville") and details ticket-buying anxiety.
14. Summer Plans, Michael Jackson Biopic, and Maury on BET
[100:18–110:36]
Main Points:
- The hosts talk about summer plans, excitement-levels (or lack thereof with age), and upcoming concerts (J. Cole, Kehlani).
- Lengthy segment on the forthcoming Michael Jackson biopic—concerns over accuracy, family involvement, and dealing with legacy.
- Mal wonders about Janet Jackson’s reaction; reference to Paris Jackson’s comments that the film is “not accurate” and caters to fans.
- Blanket Jackson’s privacy and celebrity childhoods are discussed, with jokes about name changes.
- BET's new “Who's the Baby Daddy?” show is discussed with tongue-in-cheek suggestions about IG influencers and social media celebrities appearing on it.
- “This might beat Video Soul and 106th & Park!” – Mal (108:36)
Memorable Quotes & Moments
Club Culture, Aging, and Judgement
- “The only girls that love going out Christmas Eve to the club … where’s your dad?” – Mal (07:13)
- “Stay y’ all’s old asses home next to the fire.” – Damaris (09:02)
Music and Culture
- “Clubbing is so trash … it was jam-packed in there with a bunch of people born after 2000.” – Rory (06:08)
- “What would be a big moment even for nostalgic artists that you’d be like, ‘We gotta go see that?’ Usher, Chris Brown together.” – Rory (48:30)
- “If you’re doing an OnlyFans storyline on Euphoria, you’ve got to show hole.” – Rory (36:13)
Industry/Artistry Insight
- “Sometimes you need more friends on your marketing plan, not in your studio.” – Rory (71:21)
- “If you have someone that has a pen, you can kind of help you with a record … as an artist it’s supposed to be to create the best art, right?” – Mal (77:20)
Life Wisdom & Humor
- “Excitement is for rookies. Act like you’ve been here before. Put your game face on.” – Mal (100:51)
- “If I died and you’re my people, you could blame that on me to not go to jail for manslaughter.” – Rory (24:37)
- “Just because you’re a good father doesn’t mean you’re a good partner.” – Damaris (29:15)
Topical/Current Events
- “Coachella is just an influencer weekend … it’s just not what we used to look at the stars.” – Rory (50:27)
- “You can experience everything now with social media, you don’t even have to actually go.” – Mal (53:19)
Jack Harlow & Viral Memes
- “The Neo Soul sorting hat is hilarious.” – Damaris (67:53)
- “Where’s the hat, Jack? That should be the name of his next album.” – Mal (70:27)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:46–04:44 – Return to podcast, LA trip recap, "clubbing is trash"
- 06:13–09:02 – Club culture and generational judgment
- 11:05–11:27 – Shout out to Issa Rae’s Somerville restaurant
- 13:05–15:25 – Men’s empowerment and The Last Supper
- 17:07–19:04 – Viral club clip and event etiquette jokes
- 23:06–24:47 – “Flight” movie review, moral dilemmas
- 29:15–29:34 – Parenthood, lying on kids, and relationship ethics
- 31:26–36:42 – Euphoria S3 deep-dive (OnlyFans, cartel, realism)
- 41:39–55:00 – Coachella, Justin Bieber, festival content culture
- 55:42–58:50 – Usher & Chris Brown mega-tour
- 67:45–78:11 – Jack Harlow’s “Neo Soul Sorting Hat,” SNL, ghostwriting
- 83:11–87:43 – Offset shooting incident, gambling, “pay your debts”
- 92:00–97:00 – J. Cole's China basketball saga
- 104:03–106:22 – Michael Jackson movie, family reactions, blanket privacy
- 108:13–110:36 – BET’s “Who’s the Baby Daddy?” & viral potential
Tone:
Conversational, irreverently insightful, pop-culture-savvy, peppered with pointed humor and self-awareness.
Summary
This episode of New Rory & MAL serves as a cultural snapshot: wrestling with aging, generational divides in nightlife, the shifting role of music festivals, and the meme-ification of artists like Jack Harlow. The hosts seamlessly blend hilarious roasting, real industry insight, and genuine curiosity—whether reviewing Euphoria’s startlingly adult turn, critiquing festival culture, or pondering the weight of legacy in biopics and ghostwriting.
The tone oscillates between sarcasm and sincerity, keeping both die-hard fans and newcomers entertained and informed, especially with recurring riffs (“men’s empowerment,” “where’s the hat, Jack?”) that will likely continue in future episodes.
