Podcast Summary

Podcast: Something Wrong With The Podcast
Host: Julian Delgado
Episode: SWWP #48 - 'Ebro In The Morning' Canceled, Rob Reiner Tragedy, Civil Unrest Continues
Date: December 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Julian Delgado unpacks several major stories disturbing the cultural landscape:

• The sudden cancellation of Hot 97’s iconic ‘Ebro in the Morning’, the consequences and messy fallout in the hip-hop world
• The shocking murder of film legend Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle
• Reflections on waves of civil unrest and violence
  He weaves sharp social commentary, music industry nostalgia, pop culture history, and personal anecdotes—delivering his signature blend of humor, honesty, and real-talk cultural critique.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. ‘Ebro in the Morning’ Suddenly Canceled (00:42 – 13:09)

The Announcement, Fan Reaction, and Fallout

• Julian opens with the surprising news: “Hot 97 abruptly has come to an end, which is honestly quite startling.” (00:45)
• The show's trio—Ebro, Peter Rosenberg, Laura Stiles—shared emotional statements on Twitter. Laura called it “the most beautiful listeners” and said working together made “so many of my dreams at Hot 97” come true.
• Ebro posted cryptically: “it’s done. Period. More to come. Period.” (paraphrased, 01:36)

Ebro’s Theories—Censorship and Economics

• Ebro speculated on Instagram Live that he was forced out for being “outspoken…about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu” and challenging powerful economic and casino interests involving Trump.
• Quote: “They need my talking anti-Netanyahu, anti-government progressive out of the way, bro. They trying, they’re trying to get bags, they want to get VC to raise some capital.” (03:21)
• No official reason from the station; many in hip-hop, media, and fans speculating.

Drake’s Petty Involvement, DM Exchange

• Drake, longtime rival, publicly comments on the cancellation with an ax emoji, then privately DMs Ebro:
  • Drake: “Die slow pussy. We got some shit for you.”
  • Ebro: “Relax, you’re salty about losing to Kendrick. You’re not mad at me. Love, bro.” (05:05)
• Julian: “The Drake effect still exists, especially when it comes to pettiness.” (04:45)

Academics’ (DJ AK) Response

• DJ Academics goes on a livestream, pulling archival beef and stating, “he exposed Rosenberg’s wife cheating on him, which led to their divorce,” intensifying the drama (paraphrased).
• Academics draws parallels between Ebro and Diddy: “Ebro was always supposed to just be a behind the scenes guy. But like Diddy couldn’t run away from the spotlight...even though he was never billed or built to be a person in that position.” (07:43)
• Julian partially disagrees but praises Ebro’s journalistic credentials.

The Old Guard vs The New Wave

• Memorable moment: Julian recounts Ebro dismissing Lil Uzi Vert in an old interview for not wanting to rap on a “Nas type beat."
  • Uzi: “I’m a rock star...I do rock star things, I’ll always be a rock star.”
  • Ebro: “You’re not important enough. We’ll see how long your career lasts.” (09:21)
• Julian’s reflection: “You could fast forward and obviously see that Lil Uzi was right...Ebro was wrong.” (09:45)

On Rigidity and Flexibility in Hip-Hop Media

• Julian likens inflexible hip-hop gatekeeping to “why the best windows are flexible—even on skyscrapers...if it doesn’t have any give, it cracks because it’s so rigid and stiff.” (10:17)
• Broader point: adaptability is crucial in music, media, and life. Not changing “is a really dangerous tool when it comes to an industry that skews more on the younger side.” (11:50)

Personal Reflection & Wishes

• Julian, a Hot 97 alum: “I don’t have many interactions with Laura nor Rosenberg, but Ebro was always very nice to me...I do wish them all the best.”
• Encourages the trio to embrace new media: “Don’t just chase another radio opportunity...maybe challenging themselves to doing a livestream or podcast.” (13:59)

2. Decline of Hip-Hop at Music Festivals (13:59 – 23:55)

Statistical Decline

• Coachella 2026: only 6 hip-hop acts, a “nearly 70% drop from four years prior.”
• UK’s Wireless Festival: major decline in UK artists from 37 in 2023 to far fewer subsequently.
• Cancellation/postponement of R&B/hip-hop focused festivals: Made in America, Juicy Fest, Hot in Toronto, Dreamville Fest.

Driving Factors

• Financial Pressures: Skyrocketing costs (production, travel, insurance), inflation, tariffs.
• Shifting Audience Demand: “Younger audiences appear to favor single day events or club shows...trend of declining music consumption and interest among some fan bases.”
• Genre Competition: “Hip hop’s market share in the US has slid...while country and Kpop have surged. Country is just a ricochet off Trump’s audience.” (18:49)
• Ticket Costs: “If you cop a ticket off the secondary market, that’s like three weeks, four weeks of groceries... It is incredibly stressful to get tickets and financially burdened as well.” (21:17)
• Competition from Live Podcasts, Comedy Tours: “Comedians are selling out the same theaters and arenas as these artists...there are many forms of entertainment where one could get a ticket.” (22:20)

Worries About Community Impact

• “It would be really sad to see those communities squeezed out... More often than not, the black and brown spaces are the ones that are always affected first.” (23:09)

3. Rob Reiner Tragedy and Civil Unrest (23:55 – 39:27)

Rob Reiner & Wife Murdered (23:55 – 29:51)

• Tribute to Rob Reiner: “Rob Reiner’s five film run from 1986 to 1992 is as impressive as they come... these are all classics.” (24:36)
• Details of the tragedy:
  • Killed by son Nick Reiner after a fight at Conan O’Brien’s party.
  • Their daughter Romy found the bodies.
  • Julian: “It’s really terrible... but of course the world rallied around him...” (25:57)
• Trump’s Reaction
  • Trump on Truth Social: “A tortured and struggling but once very talented movie director... reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome.” (27:44)
  • Julian: “The fact that this is real is fucking insane. But sadly not surprising... Any time he has the opportunity to show his true colors, he does.” (29:51)

On Family, Legacy, and Addiction

• Rob and Nick worked together on a movie inspired by Nick’s struggle with addiction: “You could tell Rob wanted to include him in his work and give his life purpose...” (30:45)
• Julian reflects on Rob’s empathy and kindness: “He really was a beautiful soul, brought a lot of good into the world with his art and as a person.” (31:08)

Civil Unrest and Tragedy Update (31:09 – 34:40)

• “Brown University, there was a shooting… tragic shooting in Australia on Bondi Beach… civil unrest seems to be the norm.” (32:05)
• “We’ve certainly hit that tipping point where frequency is so often we’re so numb...things that should be scary have happened so many times, we just see them as a way of life.” (32:50)

4. Brief Film Recs, Life Updates, and Uplifting Moment (34:41 – episode end)

Movies Watched

• Eternity Last Night (Miles Teller, Callum Turner, Elizabeth Olsen):
  • “It’s emotional. If you’re in a healthy relationship, see it—it’s cute. If you’re single, thugging it out like me, go see it and cry alone.” (36:00)
• Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke):
  • “It’s fucking great...Just watching a lot of classics or seeing films for the first time—it’s been fun. I could do this all day.” (37:05)

Personal Wins & Good Vibes

• “Huge update...I did get a new job; I’m starting next week. I’m pretty excited, it’s a great opportunity... Ending the year strong. Certainly much stronger than I was at this point last year, which was quite difficult.” (38:13)
• Holiday sendoff: “Please be safe. Stay warm... If you’re not listening from New York, just stay inside... Pray for the Knicks.” (39:03)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Die slow pussy. We got some shit for you.” — Drake to Ebro (DM) (05:03)
• “Relax, you’re salty about losing to Kendrick. You’re not mad at me. Love, bro.” — Ebro’s reply to Drake (05:07)
• “Not being flexible and not embracing fluidity is a really dangerous tool when it comes to an industry that skews more on the younger side.” — Julian (11:50)
• “Ebro was always supposed to just be a behind the scenes guy, but like Diddy couldn’t run away from the spotlight…” — DJ Academics (07:43)
• “If you cop a ticket off the secondary market, that's like three weeks, four weeks of groceries.” — Julian on festival prices (21:17)
• “He really was a beautiful soul that brought a lot of good into this world with his art and as a person as well.” — Julian on Rob Reiner (31:08)
• About Trump: “Anytime he has the opportunity to show his true colors, he does. That's why certain people love him, because he shows you who he is at every given time.” (29:51)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Ebro in the Morning Cancellation Begins: (00:42)
• Drake/Ebro DM Drama: (04:44–05:07)
• Academics vs. Ebro History: (07:00–09:45)
• Julian’s Thoughts on Hip-Hop Gatekeeping & Flexibility: (10:13–11:50)
• Hip-Hop Festival Decline Stats and Discussion: (14:19–21:17)
• Community & Financial Impact: (22:01–23:09)
• Rob Reiner’s Film Legacy: (24:36–25:12)
• Details on Reiner Tragedy: (25:15–27:44)
• Trump’s Response: (27:44–29:51)
• Civil Unrest Commentary: (32:05–33:50)
• Film Recs and Personal Update: (36:00–38:13)
• Holiday Sendoff: (39:03)

Tone and Style

Julian’s tone is wry, passionate, and peppered with self-aware humor and honesty. He moves seamlessly between sharp criticism (especially of media figures and politics), heartfelt nostalgia for hip-hop and classic cinema, and vulnerable personal asides. While tackling heavy news, he balances gravity with levity, insight, and empathy.

For Listeners:

If you missed the episode, this summary gives you:

• An in-depth breakdown of Hot 97’s fall, music industry shifts, and cultural flashpoints
• Candid reflections on grief, addiction, family, and resilience in the wake of tragedy
• Thought-provoking takes on generational divides, the future of hip-hop, and why empathy—and adaptability—matter more than ever
• Personal moments and movie picks to lighten the mood and end on hope