DONKEY: Ray Daniels Makes False Claim Of JAŸ-Z Album; Roc Nation Responds

Summary

The Breakfast Club – "DONKEY: Ray Daniels Makes False Claim Of JAY-Z Album; Roc Nation Responds"

Date: August 11, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Podcast Network: The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts

---

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Charlamagne Tha God awarding the "Donkey of the Day" to Ray Daniels, a Canadian music executive and podcast host, for making and doubling down on an unsubstantiated claim that JAY-Z’s new album was completed and forthcoming. Roc Nation quickly responded with a public denial. The crew discusses media responsibility, chasing viral moments at the expense of credibility, and Ray Daniels’ own motivations for making attention-grabbing statements in the podcasting world.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Ray Daniels’ JAY-Z Album Claim

• Ray Daniels’ Statement ([03:48]):
  • On his podcast, Ray Daniels confidently announced, “His [JAY-Z's] album is done, okay? It's completely done. We might get it if somebody partners with him. If nobody partners with him, it's not coming. Hey, he's not playing about his. You cannot play about your brand.”
• Charlamagne Tha God emphasizes that Daniels presented this as a fact instead of appropriately framing it as a rumor or unconfirmed report ([04:13]):

  “You say it like you 100% know what you're saying is the truth — that's when you lose credibility.”

Roc Nation’s Direct Response

• Roc Nation posted to their story, mocking the claim with the phrase “album done” in air quotes and labeling it “fake news” ([04:21]).
  • Charlamagne comments:

    “A part of me wishes Roc Nation didn’t even respond, because things like that are validation for the Ray Daniels of the world. And that’s really why I’m doing this donkey this morning.” ([04:21])

Consequences of Chasing Viral Attention

• Charlamagne criticizes Daniels and similar influencers, arguing that prioritizing virality and attention over accuracy ultimately erodes trust and damages reputations ([04:21-07:20]):
  • “People only care about going viral... They don’t care about being right. They just care about being acknowledged. But I’m here to tell you, that’s not sustainable.”
  • He draws a parallel between a “cultural referee” and actual sports referees:

    “When a sports referee consistently makes incorrect calls, their ranking goes down. Your ranking’s pretty low right now, Ray.” ([04:58])

  • He assigns a direct (sarcastic) grade:

    “To someone like me, you get an F at your worst, a C minus at your best.” ([05:48])

Integrity & Media Responsibility

• Charlamagne emphasizes how essential it is for podcasters and media figures to maintain their credibility by qualifying their statements and correcting mistakes ([06:30]):

  “Instead of saying, ‘jay Z album is done,’ how about, ‘someone told you,’ or, ‘I don’t know if this is true, but this is what I heard’... When you act like you know for a fact, you lose credibility.”

• Direct advice to Ray Daniels:

  “If you’re really the cultural referee, you won’t get mad at any of this. You’ll simply get on your platform and tell everybody you got it wrong.” ([07:50])

Charlamagne’s Personal Interactions with Ray Daniels

• Charlamagne recalls meeting Daniels at the Black Effect Podcast Festival, where Ray admitted (paraphrased) that he makes controversial statements in hopes of reentering the music industry ([06:38; 09:04]):

  “He told me... he only says the things that he says because he wants another job in the music industry.”

Co-hosts' Jabs & Reflections

• The co-hosts and guest speakers playfully question Ray Daniels’ real accomplishments and motivations ([08:36; 09:04]):

  • “Do we know what Ray did in the music industry?”
  • Charlamagne: “I have no idea. I just know what Wikipedia says.”

• Discussion about how making outlandish statements can be a strategy for virality but isn’t a reliable path for long-term industry credibility ([09:22]):

  “I'm just going to say outlandish sht, hope to go viral.”* — Co-host/Guest

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• Charlamagne’s Pro Tip on Reporting Rumors ([06:30]):

  “Instead of saying matter of factly, jay Z album is done, how about say someone told you or you don’t know if this is true or not, but this is what you heard, okay?”

• On Integrity ([07:50]):

  “Integrity is making sure that the things you say and the things you do are in alignment, okay? Integrity is telling the truth and fixing mistakes. Let's see how you call this on yourself, Mr. Cultural Referee.”

• Classic “Hee Haw” Segment ([08:31]):

  • Remy Ma’s signature “hee haw” is invoked to punctuate the donkey award.
  • “Please let Remy Ma give Ray Daniels the biggest hee haw. Hee haw, hee haw.”

---

Highlighted Timestamps

• 03:00–04:21: Charlamagne details Ray Daniels’ claim and introduction to the issue.
• 04:21–07:50: Discussion about Roc Nation’s response, implications for credibility, and personal recollections.
• 08:36–09:41: Co-hosts discuss Ray Daniels’ motivations and credibility; further commentary on the perils of chasing clout.
• 07:50–08:31: Charlamagne’s advice to Ray and the classic “hee haw” segment.

---

Conclusion

This "Donkey of the Day" episode serves as both a pointed critique of Ray Daniels’ reckless claim about a JAY-Z album and a broader lesson on the importance of honesty, humility, and credibility in the media and podcasting industries. Charlamagne urges Ray, and others, to prioritize accuracy and integrity over fleeting attention—reminding listeners that while viral buzz may be tempting, it can come at the irreversible cost of one’s reputation.

---

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human Happy Birthday to Hip Hop. Today we're celebrating the culture, the artists, the stories and the tracks that continue to inspire generations. The debate of what's the greatest hip hop track of all time will never end. Everybody's got that one song that they will defend no matter what. And that's what makes the Sprite Living Track List so dope. Sprite took some of the most iconic lyrics ever and turned them into limited edition collectible cans. Every can is a different piece of Hip Hop history, so building the full set is part of the fun. Your mission is to build your own physical playlist. Go out and hunt down all 26 limited edition cans of Sprite and Sprite Zero Sugar. This is the Sprite Living Track List. Obey your thirst. Here's to Hip Hop's past, present and everything that is still to come. Happy Birthday Hip Hop.

[State Farm Advertiser]

The wait was worth it. The keys to your dream home have been secured. Now comes the time to fill it with memories. But first, furniture and movers. Where's the housewarming? Who's cooking? Or should you cater? All that planning can be stressful, but insuring your home shouldn't be. And that's where State Farm comes in, because State Farm agents can help you choose the coverage you need. Just call, go online or check out the app. An agent is ready to help so you can focus on showing off your new home. If you know, you know like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Peace of mind starts with knowing what supports the journey is steady, grounded and dependable, especially during seasons of change. That's why Nissan engineers push their vehicles to the limit to demonstrate quality, reliability and durability, making those principles a foundation across every vehicle built. That commitment has earned recognition from J.D. power, ranking Nissan number one in new vehicle quality among mainstream brands. Because when trust is built into the foundation, it creates more space to move through life with clarity, confidence and intention, getting the most out of the journey wherever it unfolds. For J.D. power 2025 U.S. initial Quality Study Award information, visit J.D. power.com Awards Awards based on 2025 model year. Newer models may be shown Back to

[Target Advertiser]

School is here and Target has everything families need to help head into the school year feeling confident and ready to do their thing. From school supplies and stylish apparel to accessories, kids Target makes it easy to check every box on your list at a great value. We're talking backpacks starting at just $5 and up to 60% off school supplies. Plus, kids can express their style with brands and Collabs they love like Love Shack, Fancy Cat and Jack Overtime. And customizable Owalla bottles with stickers, charms, and much more. The prices parents want and the brands kids love all in one place at Target.

[Ray Daniels]

Made it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's time for Donkey of the Day. There's a bunch of donkeys out here in these streets. How to make Donkey of the Day. Call donkey. It really caught me off guard. If we live a life where we bite our tongue based off who we may offend, we never would say anything.

Charlamagne. Give it to him.

Give it to him. You are a donkey. That is why Charlamagne is here. Some donkey todays just saw themselves on the Breakfast Club. Okay, Charlamagne, who you giving donkey of the Day to today? You know, donkey of the day for Tuesday, August 11th goes to Ray Daniels. Okay? If you don't know who Ray Daniels is, Wikipedia says he's a Canadian music executive, record producer and talent manager. But, you know, he's a podcast. Nowadays he calls himself the cultural referee. Well, if you're going to call yourself a cultural referee, then you have to call things correctly. And yesterday, Ray Daniels got it really wrong. See, he was on his podcast, Ray Daniels Presents, I believe it's called. And he said definitively, okay, without a shadow of a doubt, that Jay Z had a new album coming out. Let's listen.

[Ray Daniels]

You gotta guard your reputation at all cost. We have to learn from hov. HOV is not going to put himself out there to be laughed at. It's just, I'm not doing 60,000, y'.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All.

[Ray Daniels]

By the way, tell you something know I heard about on the Jay Z tip, little quick update. His album is done, okay? It's. It's completely done. It's just we might get it if somebody partners with him. If nobody partners with him, it's not coming. Hey, he's not playing about his. You cannot play about your brand.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You said this like a month ago.

[Ray Daniels]

Yeah, somebody called and confirmed it from me. So I was like, okay, I just want to reveal it on the team.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You heard it here first.

[Ray Daniels]

Heard it here first. Let's go.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, you need to block that somebody, Ray, okay? Because Rock Nation, who I work for, allegedly replied to that commentary by posting in their story album done in air quotes, fake news. Okay? There is a part of me that wishes Roc Nation didn't even do that. Because in a lot of ways, things like that are validation for the Ray Daniels of the world. And that's really why I'm doing this donkey this morning. See, nobody cares about Having a voice that has actual value. People only care about going viral by any means. Okay? I know Ray is loving this attention, okay? This is what these guys do this for. They don't care about being right. They don't care about having credibility. They just care about attention. They just care about being acknowledged. But I'm here to tell you that's not sustainable. Okay? You know, Ray told me once himself. I only met Ray once in my life. I think I talked to him twice, once on the phone. And I met him because he was at the Black Effect Podcast festival earlier this year in Atlanta. And he said to me that he only started podcasting and he only says the things that he says because he wants another job in the music industry. I don't even know what that means, okay? Because I thought he was in the music industry already, but he said to me, saying the things he says gets him attention from these music industry folks. I guess he's trying to work with. Well, Ray, when you get things so wrong consistently, all you do is show people exactly why you don't have a job in the music industry, okay? You call yourself a cultural referee? Well, when a sports referee consistently makes incorrect calls, Major professional leagues and amateur organizations use internal gradings to hold them accountable. And poor grades directly lower an official's ranking within their league. Oh, your ranking's pretty low right now, Ray. Okay, look, I don't know what your grade is amongst people who don't know any better, okay? The regular everyday person who gets on YouTube and listens to you might swear by you because they don't know any better. But to someone like me, you get an effort. Your worst. A C plus at your best. Well, actually a C minus. A C minus at your best, okay? Because majority of the time I listen to you, I think to myself, is there anyone on planet Earth who knows less about what's going on in the music and podcasting business than Ray Daniels? Just my opinion, Ray, okay? And I know you think I work for Roc Nation, okay? I've heard your commentary on it. So you're going to try to say Roc Nation paid me to say this, but this is just all my opinion. Okay, here's a pro tip, all right? Instead of saying matter of factly, jay Z album is done, how about say someone told you or you don't know if this is true or not, but this is what you heard, okay? If you carry it like that, then it really doesn't damage your reputation or credibility in this space. But when you say it the way you said it as if you in the studio sitting next to Guru, okay, while the track list is being arranged, as if you in the marketing meetings listening to what the rollout plan is, okay? If you. If you. If you say it like that. If you say it like you 100 know what you're saying is the truth, that's when you lose credibility, okay? You lose credibility as a media personality by breaking the trust your audience places and your accuracy, independence and integrity. That's what y' all try to do to me when you say I work for Roc Nation, okay? You want the audience to not trust my independence and integrity. But what about your integrity, Ray Danielson? For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain a few clicks, go viral a little bit, and lose his own soul? Okay, I know we in an era where people think all publicity is good publicity, but it's not, okay? Because negative attention can destroy consumer trust. All right, Ray, this might be some people's first time hearing about you, and now they know you as the guy who's loud and wrong. That can cause damage to your brand or reputation, and that can take years to fix, okay? So if you're really the cultural referee, you won't get mad at any of this. You won't make excuses for any of this. You will simply get on your platform and tell everybody you got it wrong, okay? Integrity is making sure that the things you say and the things you do are in alignment, okay? Integrity is telling the truth and fixing mistakes. Let's see how you call this on yourself, Mr. Cultural Referee. Please let Remy Ma give Ray Daniels the biggest hee haw. He ha hee haw.

[Podcast Host]

You stupid mother. Are you dumb?

[Ray Daniels]

All right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Co-host/Guest]

Question. Do we know what Ray did in the music industry?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I have no idea. I'm just kidding. I know what Wikipedia said. It says he's a music executive, record producer, and talent manager. I have no idea, okay? I'm just me. I didn't even know. I didn't know him until he started doing the podcast thing in the podcasting space. But he told me at the Black Effect Podcast Festival that he only says these things because he's trying to get another job in the music industry. I don't know what that means because I don't know what his job was.

[Co-host/Guest]

Oh, so he's just saying things just because he's just trying to get an

[Charlamagne Tha God]

attention to try to get attention? That's what he told me. That's what he took. That's what I took from what he said to me. His exact words was he only says the things that he says because he's trying to get another job in the music industry. That's his way of garnering attention from those music industry folks.

[Co-host/Guest]

I'm just going to say outlandish is hope to go viral. Hope.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's what I take. That's what I take from. That's my. That's my personal opinion. But once again, as I said, Ray, if you're the cultural referee, let's see how you call this on yourself. Okay? Integrity is telling the truth and fixing mistakes. Let's see how you call this on yourself, Mr. Cultural Referee.

[Co-host/Guest]

All right, well, thank you for that Donkey today.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And that was sponsored by Roc Nation. Oh, my God. What?

[Ray Daniels]

All right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Donkey today is sponsored by renowned personal injury attorney Michael the Bull Laminsoft. Don't be a donkey when you need a fighter on your side. If you're ever injured, go to michaelthebull.com that's michaelthebull.com and when you mess with the bull, you get the horns. Mom, are we there yet? 10 more minutes. Only 10 minutes. Can he drive slower? What's up with them today? Lingokids, that app we downloaded last week.

[Reese Witherspoon]

They love it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The games, this funny baby bot character.

[Podcast Host]

Kids, we're almost there.

[Co-host/Guest]

No.

[ChatGPT Advertiser]

With more than 4,000 interactive games, songs and shows little ones can't get enough of, Lingokids is the number one entertainment platform for young kids.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Why didn't we download this sooner?

Lingokids, everything kids love, download it for free.

[Co-host/Guest]

Whether you're calling the wise women in your life, video, calling your girlfriends across the country, or checking in on someone who always knows how to make you smile, staying connected matters. Those small conversations, shared laughs and quick hellos are what keep relationships strong. Even when life gets busy. Some of the most life giving conversations start with just a phone call. That's why AT&T guarantees a network you can rely on, so you can focus on the moments and people that matter the Most. That's the AT&T guarantee. AT&T connecting changes everything. Terms and conditions apply. Visit att.comguarantee for details.

[Reese Witherspoon]

Reese Witherspoon here, checking into my favorite hotel in Paris.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Bonjour. Bonjour.

[Reese Witherspoon]

I'm traveling with my Wells Fargo autograph Journey card, so I earn rewards wherever I book travel five times points with hotels, four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel, and one point on other purchases. Phew, that was a lot. I need to lie down. Is the room ready?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Visit wells fargo.com autographjournal Terms apply

[ChatGPT Advertiser]

Some people use ChatGPT to answer questions. Others use it to get real work done. With ChatGPT work, you bring the goal plus real inputs like briefs, notes, files, feedback, data, and project plans. It can help turn them into an analysis, tracker, deck, outline, prototype, or workflow. You can review and keep shaping. You stay in control, giving direction and choosing the final output. Put ChatGPT to work on your most ambitious ideas and projects. Get [e-mail] by selecting work mode available on plus and Pro plans.

[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.