Something Wrong With The Podcast: Episode 52

A$AP Rocky/Drake & ICE Violence

Host: Julian Delgado
Date: January 27, 2026

Overview

Episode 52 of “Something Wrong With The Podcast” dives into two core themes:

• The maturity and ongoing dynamics of the A$AP Rocky and Drake feud following Rocky’s new album release
• The disturbing normalization of violence by ICE and police in America, especially concerning recent killings

Host Julian Delgado brings his signature blend of sharp cultural critique and humor, balancing pop culture discussion with a raw, unfiltered appraisal of America’s political and social failings.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. A$AP Rocky’s Album and Growth Compared to Drake

(Start: 00:43)

• Julian opens by critiquing Rocky’s latest album, Don’t Be Dumb, acknowledging Rocky takes creative risks but the music isn’t personally appealing to him.
• Focus shifts to Rocky’s personal growth, contrasting it with Drake, who Julian perceives as stuck in previous behaviors.
  • “Musically I think he's lost his footing… But I kudos to him for committing to the album, putting out the album.” (00:57)
  • Rocky’s maturity linked to two life events: the loss of close friend Yams, and starting a family with Rihanna.
  • On Rocky’s growth:

    “I think we're seeing a mature version of Rocky and that's what I want to focus on mostly… Also in how they approach issues in the beef, so to speak, within the hip hop, you know, zeitgeist.” (02:30)

The Rocky/Drake Feud & Public Perception

• Ongoing rift mainly attributed to personal issues over women, notably Rihanna.

• Rocky, in recent interviews (Ebro, DJ Akademiks), says:

  “Hip hop tactics and beef are like wwf. It's like wrestling all the way. But this thing between us… it's not real smoke, but I just don't fuck with him. I don't. We were once friends. I feel like it's over females. I feel like he wasn't happy. And he expressed that.” (Quoted at 04:33)

• Julian notes how Drake repeatedly references the feud and Rihanna in “scripted” ways during his tour performances:

  • Example: Playing “Work” and then dismissing it with lines like “I don't sing that shit no more,” turning it into a public jab at Rihanna (03:30).

  • “It's like a stand up comedian — these aren't jokes that come off the top of your head… That DJ set is a can DJ set. It's the same DJ set every night. So if you really have beef with somebody… the simplest answer would be to just remove that song from the set list, right? One would think. But of course, we're talking about Drake.” (03:45)

On Rocky’s New Mindset

• “This is, I think, like the classic case of… Rocky just outgrew the games… These things that Drake gets so hung up on… Rocky doesn't put any thought into or care to address…” (08:05)
• DJ Akademiks interview: Rocky says, “Don't get it up. Like, if I wasn't with my girl, I'd probably be fucking your bitch.” (Paraphrased at 08:30)
• Julian stresses Rocky as having “shelved that lifestyle” to focus on family and personal growth, not the “petty stuff, the arguing over women.”
• On the broader point: Drake’s disputes with industry peers allegedly often revolve around women, a pattern Julian finds notable.

Notable Quote

• “Some relationships are worth losing no matter how… big the person on the other end… is.” (09:30)
• “He was just like the jiggy. Like that was his whole thing. So for him to change and mature and to really show growth… I truly do believe that that is secondary to him just becoming a better man.” (10:10)

2. Brief Diversion: Travis Scott’s Cameo in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’

(13:38)

• Travis Scott to appear in Nolan’s new blockbuster; Julian casts doubt on Scott’s acting chops and overall fit for the film.
  • “I can't not see Travis Scott when I'm seeing him… From what I know… Travis Scott is not much of an actor.” (13:55)
• Sees the move as marketing and online chatter fodder, more than meaningful to cinema or storytelling.

3. ICE Violence and America’s Numbing to Death

(15:14)

Social Media, Overexposure, and Desensitization

• Julian discusses his viral tweet comparing gun violence/ICE killings to sports replay analysis:

  • “The fact that we're watching American citizens getting shot and killed, like game tape, as if the stakes were, ‘did he catch both feet? Did he keep both feet in bounds?’ Shows how desensitized we've become to violence.” (16:08)

• Overexposure leads to normalization of horrific events.
• Julian speaks candidly about the creep of numbness even in his own reactions — “these things… normalize… because you'll just start seeing these things as normal, which I find in myself, which is really troubling. Because none of this is normal.” (17:08)

On the Inescapability of Police Lethality

• “Why does death seem to be the only option in these instances? Why can't there be another path to just smooth things over, disperse and just remove people from… a high stress situation?” (19:38)
• Critiques how justifications are manufactured post-fact, e.g. “they did this, therefore their life should end.”
• References a George Orwell quote:

  “They told you the party told you to reject the evidence of, of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” (21:48)

• Ties in user-generated content: the contradiction of live, multi-angled accounts being met with official denial.

On Civic Response and the Value of Voices

• Calls for speaking out safely (“use your voice rather than go to the streets… If you have a platform, no matter how big, no matter how small, speak up.” (23:38))
• Encourages understanding and dialogue, not arguments or violence.
  • “This is far more effective when you're speaking to people that believe differently than you… understand why somebody may think differently than you.” (24:00)
• Memorable plea:

  “How about we just don't kill each other? That's a fucking great start.” (25:08)

4. Personal Reflection & Community Advice

(26:15)

• Briefly shares a small good deed: picking up dinner to spare a delivery driver from the New York blizzard.
  • “That was my good deed of the day, was saving a delivery guy a trip. Little things like that, at least to me, make a difference.” (26:38)
• Reminds listeners to “support your community and support each other and try to be aware of what's going on, but don't fall into the bullshit. Don't fall into the trap.” (27:35)
• Parting advice:

  “Understand that no matter what's going on in your life, there's someone out there going through so much worse than you are… You're surrounded by a lot of good people that want to do well and will also want to see you do well.” (27:48)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Musically I think he's lost his footing… but I kudos to him for committing to the album…” (00:57, Julian)
• “It's not real smoke, but I just don't fuck with him. I don't. We were once friends. I feel like it's over females.” (04:33, A$AP Rocky per Julian)
• “Some relationships are worth losing no matter how… big the person on the other end… is.” (09:30, Julian)
• “The fact that we're watching American citizens getting shot and killed, like game tape… shows how desensitized we've become to violence.” (16:08, Julian’s tweet)
• “How about we just don't kill each other? That's a fucking great start.” (25:08, Julian)

Key Timestamps

• 00:43: Start of main episode & introduction to topics
• 02:30: Rocky & Drake beef, musical and personal growth differences
• 04:33: A$AP Rocky’s “it’s not real smoke” quote (via Julian)
• 08:05: Rocky’s growth and contrasting maturity to Drake
• 13:38: Brief on Travis Scott cameo in ‘The Odyssey’
• 15:14: Shift to ICE violence, desensitization, and Julian’s viral tweet
• 19:38: Deep dive into America’s acceptance of police lethality
• 23:38: Advocacy for nonviolent activism and community support
• 27:35: Closing thoughts and personal/community advice

Tone & Style

Julian maintains a conversational, sometimes irreverent tone, infusing personal anecdotes, humor, and directness. He blends therapeutic candor (“your unlicensed therapist”) with cultural critique, ensuring listeners feel both provoked and understood.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a must-listen if you care about:

• The wider context of hip hop culture and how artists mature (or don’t) over time
• Honest, nuanced takes on highly publicized celebrity feuds
• Genuine outrage and concern at the normalization of state violence in America, and why we can’t afford to let it slip into the background
• The importance of community, empathy, and action — even in small ways

Julian Delgado offers not solutions so much as unfiltered clarity: a call not just to care, but to notice, to change, and—above all—to keep your humanity alive.