The Breakfast Club: Best of Full Interview – Papoose & Claressa Shields Talk 'Bars on Wheels,' Black Love, Remy Ma, Boxing & More

Release Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God, Jess Hilarious, Lauren Larose
Guests: Papoose, Claressa Shields

Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club features a rich, candid conversation with rapper Papoose and boxing champion Claressa Shields. The duo delves into Papoose’s new hip hop project "Bars on Wheels," the state of lyricism, the cultural impact of hip hop, their respective evolutions as public figures, and the journey they've undertaken in love and personal life. They also address public speculation about Papoose's relationship with Remy Ma, explore the realities of high-profile breakups for Black couples, and shine a light on Shields' boxing journey, business moves, and upcoming fights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Papoose Returns: Family and "Bars on Wheels"

• Reunion with the Breakfast Club: It's been a while since Papoose visited the new Breakfast Club studio, reflecting on the open-door policy he’s always had with the show. (01:04–01:12)
  • Quote: “I don't even recognize this room. Yeah, this is crazy.” – Papoose [01:13]
• Fatherhood: Celebrating his daughter’s seventh birthday at McDonald's, Papoose shares the joys of watching her grow. (01:39–01:47)
• "Bars on Wheels" Concept: The project extends his Instagram rap videos into a short film that aims to "save hip hop,” combining music and visual storytelling. (01:56–02:23)
  • Quote: “A Journey to save Hip Hop, man… I didn't want to just do it as an album. I wanted to do it as a short film and do something never done before.” – Papoose [01:58–02:23]

2. The State and Soul of Hip Hop

• Lyricism’s Place in Modern Rap:
  • Papoose asserts that pure lyricism is timeless, though he recognizes melodies and vibes are currently celebrated. (02:25–03:38)
  • Encourages authenticity: “Nobody could do you better than you… just be yourself.” (02:38)
• Younger Generation of Lyricists: Papoose gives shoutouts to emerging artists showing promise, highlighting ongoing diversity in the craft. (03:38–04:19)
  • Quote: “It's timeless, bro. It's timeless. In my opinion, it ain't going nowhere.” – Papoose [04:19]
• Society’s Criticism of Hip Hop:
  • Discussion on hip hop being scapegoated for societal ills, especially concerning violence and drugs. Papoose asserts mainstream America often blames hip hop for problems that aren’t unique to the genre and emphasizes how hip hop has created positive change. (04:51–06:42)
  • Quote: “People blame hip hop for things that actually go on in America. America has a problem with violence and all that. When hip hop was positive, I seen negativity going on.” – Papoose [05:57]
• Wealth Creation and Backlash:
  • Papoose suggests criticism is partially fueled by discomfort with Black success. (06:54–07:05)
  • Quote: “I think part of the reason why that happened is because they don't like that, you know, black billionaires and millionaires are being made out of this.” – Papoose [06:54]

3. Growth and Evolving Perspectives

• Leaving the Street Life Behind:
  • Papoose talks candidly about embracing positivity, growth, and responsibility as a Black man in the spotlight. (07:38–08:06)
  • Quote: “I love growth. I think it's very important. I embrace it. I'm all about positivity, bro.” – Papoose [07:38]
• Advice to Youth:
  • Strong message to young people idolizing the street: “Don’t do it. It’s not worth it. All y’all not gonna make it out.” (08:12–08:56)

4. Black Love, Remy Ma & Navigating Public Scrutiny

• Public Fallout:
  • Papoose addresses the “corny” atmosphere when his breakup with Remy Ma played out on social media. (09:35–09:45)
• Criticism for "Holding Down" Remy Ma:
  • Shares the initial backlash for supporting Remy during her incarceration, then how public sentiment shifted after media coverage. (10:08–10:54)
• Reality TV's Impact:
  • On appearing on Love & Hip Hop and their Black Love spinoff: While it exposed their lives to scrutiny, he says he doesn’t regret it, and is happy the audience could witness their authenticity. (11:27–12:17)
  • Quote: “I don’t regret it at all. Because it was real. It wasn’t like nothing was rehearsed, nothing was scripted.” – Papoose [12:17]
• On Oversharing and Celebrity:
  • Papoose maintains he has no issue being open, as it sets the record straight against false rumors. (12:44–13:24)
  • Quote: “I gave y’all an open book. So when someone wants to lie on me, you guys have been there all along. Y’all seen this, so that’s all you know. I embrace that.” – Papoose [13:14]
• Healthy Love in Hip Hop:
  • They discuss how public displays of love between Black couples became normalized after their example. (14:01–14:57)
  • Quote: “We need powerful black families to stick together.” – Papoose [14:01]
• Addressing Writing Remy’s Bars:
  • When asked if he wrote Remy's raps, Papoose tactfully refrains from commentary. (15:11–15:19)
  • Quote: “No comment, man. …I wish her the best, and that’s all I’m gonna say.” – Papoose [15:19]

5. On Moving Forward: Shields & Papoose as a Couple

• Clarissa Shields Joins:
  • Shields and Papoose describe being together for over a year and a half, navigating public questions about their relationship amidst the drawn-out separation and divorce process. (16:58–17:58)
  • Shields reflects on how fans struggle more than the people involved to let go of the former relationship between Pap and Remy. (20:32)
  • Quote: “It's harder for the fans that followed them to let go than it is for them." – Claressa Shields [20:32]
• Refuting Rumors:
  • Papoose firmly denies cheating allegations, emphasizing his family-oriented nature and dismissing speculation. (20:39)
  • Quote: “None of that was true, man. None of it. All of that was fugazi.” – Papoose [20:39]
• Public Relationships & Perception:
  • Shields and Papoose explain the inevitability of public scrutiny but choose not to dwell on old news—insisting they're both in a healthier, happier place. (25:42–26:02)

6. The Dynamic of Their Partnership

• Why Papoose is Different:
  • Shields explains that Papoose is the “cheat code to life,” bringing experience, support, and empathy (29:48–30:28)
  • She appreciates the lack of jealousy and the mutual professional respect as two high achievers in their fields. (30:28–31:12)
  • Quote: “He's just so supportive... it's like he's a nice guy, but he also is a guy like that you don't mess with. I hate a guy who talk like he can fight, but he can't fight... When I'm walking with Pep it's like, he my security guard... I wish the motherfucker would.” – Claressa Shields [30:33]
• Supporting Each Other’s Greatness:
  • Both speak on being fans of one another, providing genuine support without competition. (31:12–32:23)
  • Shields discusses their teamwork: “When it’s your time to have your time, that’s your time… When it’s the other person’s time, there’s nothing wrong with you taking a back seat to your person.” (32:23–32:51)

7. Shields' Boxing Career & Gender in Sport

• Open Challenge:
  • Shields describes her $100,000 open boxing challenge, making it clear you have to win to earn it! (33:34–34:12)
  • Quote: “I gotta win.” – DJ Envy [34:10] | “You gotta kick my ass!” – Claressa Shields [34:11]
• Boxing’s Shifting Landscape:
  • Shields laments influencers crowding the sport with publicity stunts. (34:30–35:12)
  • Talks upcoming eight-fight contract and absurd fight offers she’s received. (35:12–36:07)
• Fame, Confidence & Fighter’s Mentality:
  • Shields is open about her confidence, willingness to defend her rep in and out of the ring, and not backing down from challenges or criticism. (36:07–37:48)
  • Papoose commends her self-belief, saying it inspires and potentially intimidates people. (40:33–41:01)

8. Sparring, Vulnerability & Gender

• Sparring Men:
  • Shields relays stories of sparring with men, being dropped (with possible foul play with gloves), but how these experiences never deterred her. (41:17–44:23)
  • Quote: “I've sparred 95% men in my sparring… Since the time I was 11 to now I'm 30... and I accomplished more than that cheat will ever accomplish in his life.” – Claressa Shields [43:25]
• Facing Internet Trolls:
  • Shields addresses trolling, misrepresentation of her sparring video, and gendered criticism from men online. (45:02–45:23)
• “Which Men Could You Beat?”:
  • Shields answers honestly: feels she could outbox Shawn Porter and Keith Thurman—stressing skill is more important than pure power. (45:47–46:39)

9. Shields’ Upcoming Fights & Grievances

• Shields promotes her February 22 fight against Franchón Crews-Dezurn, detailing her previous fights and criticizing a rival’s self-promotion during a suspension. (46:44–48:03)
• They circle back to Papoose’s project, with Shields plugging his "Bars on Wheels." (48:23)

10. Live Freestyle & Independent Artists

• Uplifting New Voices:
  • Ermine, an up-and-coming rapper, is given an opportunity to perform a heartfelt, vulnerable freestyle on the show, drawing praise from Papoose and the hosts. (50:20–51:43)
  • Quote: “That was tough, man.” – Papoose [51:38]
  • Papoose and Ermine trade stories about coming up hungry, hustling for a chance in the industry. (52:13–52:34)

11. Bars on Wheels: Behind-the-Scenes, WIN Records

• Creating the Project:
  • Papoose highlights the collaborative energy and creative process behind "Bars on Wheels," with production from Sean 'Two Miles' and support from WIN Records. (53:17–53:41)
  • Shields teases that she leaks Papoose’s music (jokingly), showing their playful rapport. (52:44–53:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Authenticity:
  “Nobody could do you better than you… just be yourself.” – Papoose [02:38]

• On Hip Hop’s Impact:
  “How many jobs y’all wouldn’t even be sitting here if it wasn’t for hip hop, Right?” – Papoose [06:34]

• On Black Love & Public Perception:
  “When she became incarcerated, they was killing me… He’s an idiot. He's down. All this bullshit, right? I didn’t care though, because that was my real life…” – Papoose [10:08]

• On Moving Forward:
  “I've got a new queen in my life, man, and she's one of the best things that ever happened to me.” – Papoose [13:47]

• On Shields’ Self-Respect:
  “If a man with me, he with me. I don't do second place. I never have. I got two Olympic gold medals, 19 world championships. Why would I have to be second place to another woman?” – Claressa Shields [27:21]

• On Mutual Support:
  “The better he do, the better we do. The better I do, the better we do. It's a team thing. I don't know why this whole relationship thing…” – Claressa Shields [32:23]

• On Boxing Confidence:
  “I'm a 19-time world champion and I've accomplished more than that cheat will ever accomplish in his life. I'm not ashamed of that.” – Claressa Shields [43:25]

• On New Voices:
  “I used to do the same thing you was doing… When you got that hunger, you just like, yo, I wanna get on, man. You got it for real, bro.” – Papoose to Ermine [52:18]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Papoose on Hip Hop & Lyricism: 02:25–04:25
• Society’s Blame on Hip Hop: 04:51–06:54
• Black Love & Reality TV: 09:35–14:57
• Addressing Remy Ma Breakup & Rumors: 15:11–22:56
• Shields Talks Boxing & Open Challenge: 33:34–37:48
• Shields on Sparring Men: 41:17–44:23
• Live Rap by Ermine: 50:20–51:43
• Bars on Wheels, WIN Records Discussion: 53:17–53:41

Final Notes

This episode offers a deeply personal and unapologetic look at the lives of two successful Black public figures, both unapologetically honest about the highs and lows in their family, love lives, and careers. Hip hop’s culture, the realities and challenges of being role models, their insights on the music and sports industries, and the constant balancing act between public and private life are all explored, making for a compelling listen for fans of either host or guest.