Transcript

Baby D (0:00)

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Mall (0:02)

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Rory (2:20)

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Mall (2:27)

We are here.

Rory (2:28)

Studio is packed.

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Rory (2:34)

So loud. Can't even hear myself.

Summary

New Rory & MAL

Episode 487 | "The Greatest Songwriters"

Date: April 30, 2026
Podcast: New Rory & MAL — iHeartPodcasts & The Volume

Overview

This lively, free-wheeling episode is dominated by list debates and hot takes, with Rory, Mall, and Baby D dissecting recent media rankings of the greatest songwriters (NYT), vocalists (Consequence), NBA players (USA Today), and even the merits of Versus rematches. The centerpiece is their passionate, sometimes snarky deconstruction of the New York Times’ "Greatest Living American Songwriters" list—prompting a spirited discussion about hip hop’s place in songwriting, genre inclusion, and all-time great contributions that were snubbed. Along the way, they weigh in on the latest cultural headlines, listener voicemails, and offer plenty of signature banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Studio Catch-Up & Life Updates (02:20–07:00)

Studio is packed—lighthearted jokes about Ryan shaving his mustache.
The "is dinner going out?" debate: “No, going out is like the club.” (Baby D, 03:41)
Birthday talk: Rory’s approaching the “Rasheed Wallace year.” Discussion on the under-celebrated nature of men’s birthdays.

Movie Review: The "Michael" Biopic (09:02–16:35)

Rory, Baby D, and Mall share their takes after seeing the new Michael Jackson film.
Baby D’s sharp critique: “[It’s] very lazy writing... I think they did a disservice to the actors... It was very one dimensional and lazy.” (Baby D, 10:06)
Rory’s take: Impressed by the acting and direction, but “No disrespect whoever wrote it, but you were the reason it stunk.” (Rory, 11:10)
The group laments the missed opportunity for deeper storytelling and complexity, especially about Michael’s relationships and creative journey.

MAIN SEGMENT: Songwriter List Debates (17:02–31:48)

The New York Times’ "30 Greatest Living American Songwriters"

Instant reactions to the NYT list—praising its intention but frustrated by glaring omissions.
"Why stop at 30 if you're going to leave people like that off?" (Rory, 20:53)
Notable snubs according to the crew: Brian Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Johnta Austin, Ne-Yo, Dallas Austin, Nas, Beyoncé, Kanye West (“maybe best as producer/arranger”), Drake (excluded due to nationality), Eminem, Future, Raphael Saadiq, Sean Garrett, James Fauntleroy.
“Thug being there, no Jermaine Dupri or Brian Michael Cox is crazy.” (Mall, 21:14)
Genre and generational politics: “Songwriters and rappers are two completely different things... But Nas wrote Big Willie Style.” (Rory & Mall, 21:36)
Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny discussed as deserving—huge, self-writing stars.
“Bad Bunny’s music... I can't give him or take away his credit because I don't understand what he's saying.” (Baby D, 29:05)
Debate about inclusion of duos or groups (Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis vs. Outkast).
Grappling with who to take off to make room for snubbed icons.
“If you gonna have Thug, then where’s Future?” (Mall, 26:36)

Criteria & Industry Lens

Questioning NYT’s intent: is the list lyric-driven or broad composition?
“I like that a publication is honoring songwriters. This actually has some type of substance.” (Rory, 29:57)
The difficulty of recognizing behind-the-scenes contributors, especially in hip hop and R&B.

Consequence Top 100 Vocalists List (40:03–44:34)

Freddie Mercury ranked #1; Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson in the top 10.
Rappers included among "vocalists" (e.g., Kendrick Lamar at #20, DMX at #32).
“Freddie Mercury’s not the greatest vocalist of all time.” (Mall, 42:47)
“DMX is better than Luther Vandross? This is rage bait.” (Baby D, 41:38)
General consensus: The list is worthy of going viral but is trolling for clicks, and not taken seriously by the co-hosts.

USA Today’s Top 25 Basketball Players List (45:01–48:54)

Hosts review and critique the order: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry in the top four, with Maul defending Curry’s position over LeBron.
“He’s literally dominated LeBron—if Steph had an ego, they’d drug test him after every game.” (Mall, 47:19)
Arguments over placement; discussion of basketball ego and legacy.

Versus Debate: Rick Ross vs. French Montana (52:14–59:35)

Questioning the necessity & logic of repeat Versus battles.
“I’m done with Versus. This is now becoming a little… it’s corny now.” (Mall, 52:36)
Discussion of Versus business moves (sale, repurchase), waning cultural relevance, and the limitations of the format now that COVID lockdowns are over.
“If we’re doing a repeat with Ross just to go against French... why not Baby vs Gunna? I think they just know it’s gonna look like a Chrysler pulling up to a Bentley.” (Rory, 57:35)
Reflection on why culture-shaping young artists aren’t featured.

List Overload & List Culture Critique (various)

General fatigue and cynicism toward viral music and sports rankings.
Notable quotes:
- “We gotta stop addressing every list... this is just rage bait.” (Baby D, 41:49)
- “But I mean, my favorite comment here is: ‘No LeBron??’” (Rory, 30:18)

Voicemail Segment Highlights (64:41–76:24)

Co-Parenting Hotel Dilemma (64:41–76:24)

Listener asks advice: Is it a red flag for your new girlfriend to have her baby’s father stay in her hotel room at their child’s cheer competition?
Baby D sees both sides: “It could just be about structure and co-parenting, especially if he’s a distracted dude.”
Rory and Mall: think it’s a red flag if the only reason is to keep him from partying or chasing women; also advise the listener it’s too early in a relationship to deal with this much drama.
- “Go get your family back.” (Mall, 72:13)

The Diana Russini–Mike Vrabel Cheating Allegations (76:30–87:39)

Dissection of the “journalistic integrity” and family implications of the NFL reporting controversy.
“You don’t just name your kid after your side— that just don’t happen.” (Baby D, 78:12)
Group muses on the complications of naming kids after past partners and family dynamics when there are “side babies”.

Family Dynamics: Accepting "Side Babies" (89:00–91:24)

Baby D: “A lot of people don’t accept that kid. Like the Jacksons had a hard time accepting Giovani…”
The crew discuss blended families and mature ways to integrate half-siblings, referencing Mariah Carey/Nick Cannon’s kids.
Rory jokes: “You think Mariah does matching pajamas with everyone?”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

"[The Michael movie] is very lazy writing... Michael was such a complex person... making Joe Jackson the only antagonist is very lazy writing." — Baby D (10:06)
"No disrespect whoever wrote it, but you were the reason it stunk." — Rory (11:10)
"Why stop at 30 if you're going to leave people like that off? Because…[some] are the backbone of R&B!" — Rory (20:53)
"Thug being there, no Jermaine Dupri or Brian Michael Cox is crazy!" — Mall (21:14)
“Freddie Mercury is not the greatest vocalist of all time.” — Mall (42:47)
“DMX is better than Luther Vandross? This is rage bait.” — Baby D (41:38)
"Steph is definitely above LeBron for me, for sure." — Mall (46:25)
"We gotta stop addressing every list…" — Baby D (41:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

Studio Catch-up & "Is dinner going out?" – 02:20–04:48
Birthday reflection & Men’s birthdays – 06:33–08:55
Michael Jackson Movie Review – 09:02–16:35
NYT Greatest Songwriters List Debate – 17:02–31:48
Consequence Best Vocalists List Debate – 40:03–44:34
USA Today Basketball List – 45:01–48:54
Versus: Ross vs. French debate & relevance – 52:14–59:35
Voicemail: Co-parenting hotel dilemma – 64:41–76:24
Voicemail: Journalist cheating scandal – 76:30–87:39
Blended Families & “Side Babies” – 89:00–91:24

Tone and Language

True to the podcast’s style: irreverent, sharp, hilarious, and thought-provoking, with plenty of crosstalk, smart banter, and quotable zingers.
Language is frank and often explicit, with a conversational, sometimes combative energy—brilliant for fans, occasionally NSFW.

For Listeners Who Missed It

If you haven’t heard this episode, expect a deep and opinionated dive into the politics of “all-time” rankings, plenty of side jokes and cultural critiques, and a window into how music, pop culture, and relationship issues all collide in the group chat that is New Rory & MAL.

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Episode 487 | The Greatest Songwriters