The Breakfast Club – September 22, 2025
Episode Title: Cardi B’s New Album Goes Platinum Amid Criticism, iHeart Festival 2025 with GloRilla, Mariah, LL, Ed Sheeran + Bobbi Brown Interview
Hosts: Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy, Lauren LaRosa, Jess Hilarious (absent)
Notable Guests: Bobbi Brown (Cosmetics Founder), Mimi Brown (Front Page News), iHeart Festival Highlights
Episode Overview
This episode covers big moments and current issues from music and culture:
- Cardi B’s album release and the controversy around its platinum status
- Highlights and behind-the-scenes stories from the 2025 iHeart Radio Music Festival (with marquee acts like GloRilla, Mariah Carey, LL Cool J, and Ed Sheeran)
- A deep-dive interview with beauty industry icon Bobbi Brown discussing her journey, new book, and philosophy
- Discussion of national news topics (Charlie Kirk memorial, media backlash, TikTok’s U.S. takeover)
- Interactive “Get it off Your Chest” and “Topic Time” segments, including a lively discussion about "break babies" in relationships
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Cardi B’s “Am I the Drama?”: Platinum Status and Debate
[18:49–22:20]
- Cardi B’s new album certified platinum <24hrs after release due to inclusion of prior mega-hits ("WAP," "Up").
- Fans and industry voices debate the fairness of this, since pre-released, multi-platinum singles count toward immediate sales.
- Charlamagne: “It can't be unfair if it’s the rules of engagement. If you can do that, then it’s not unfair.” [19:56]
- Lauren: "A lot of people are mad but she's also getting so much love... You people need something to talk about.” [20:02]
- Cardi’s emotional thank you to fans for the support and how much it means after she put her heart into the album [21:09, 21:54].
- Notable marketing moves: Doordash “Cardi Bodega”, Walmart drone delivery – resulting in a Guinness World Record for most drone deliveries of any product in one hour. [22:15]
- Relationship controversy: Cardi addresses online backlash over boyfriend Stefon Diggs’ paternity court news, affirms her happiness and ownership over her choices.
- Cardi: “If I have 10 kids, whoopty do, that’s her business.” [25:13]
- Lauren: “Cardi gon’ do what Cardi gon’ do.” [26:33]
2. iHeart Radio Music Festival 2025: Recap & Highlights
[69:12–76:05]
- Both Charlamagne and Lauren recount their return from Vegas, tired but energized by the festival’s “generational” diversity.
- Major artists and performances: GloRilla (festival closer), Mariah Carey, LL Cool J, Ed Sheeran, Diplo, among others.
- Lauren geeks out about Mariah Carey, even styling her festival fit as an homage. Fails to meet her but enjoys the fan experience. [71:14]
- Backstage moments:
- Charlamagne chats with Ed Sheeran about an offer to perform in space; Sheeran declined cause of high death risk:
Ed Sheeran: “They said it was like a 30% chance I might die, so I was like, I'm good.” [72:22] - Glorilla’s high-energy set “scared the white people” in the crowd—one attendee called it “the most horrible way to end a festival.”
Lauren: "The white lady turns to me and says 'What is this? This is horrible!'" [73:31]
- Charlamagne chats with Ed Sheeran about an offer to perform in space; Sheeran declined cause of high death risk:
- Both hosts stress that the festival offers genuine range for all generations and backgrounds, and urge listeners to experience it at least once.
3. National Front Page News: Charlie Kirk, Media Backlash & TikTok
[04:36–08:19], [28:50–39:00]
- Charlie Kirk’s funeral draws tens of thousands, with remarks by Trump and Kirk’s widow calling for forgiveness of his killer:
- Erica Kirk: “I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate.” [06:27]
- Charlamagne: “I always respect and wonder about people who have that kind of strength… I don’t know if I’m one of them.” [08:19]
- Jimmy Kimmel Live suspended over comments about Kirk; Disney+ faces mass cancellations and public backlash for the pull.
- Mimi: “ABC was pressured by affiliates and by SEC chair Brendan Carr... He called for an apology and a donation to Turning Point USA.” [28:50]
- Charlamagne: “At some point, we have to acknowledge this is simply Donald Trump’s hit list… This is just Donald Trump’s hit list.” [33:40]
- Sacramento ABC station was shot at, possibly linked to Kimmel controversy and protests [35:04].
- TikTok will not be banned, but algorithm and ownership shift to U.S.—Oracle (Larry Ellison), Fox Corps (Murdoch family) take control [36:26]. Raises questions about free speech, political influence, and the future shape of content.
- Lauren: “If you control the media, you control everything.” [37:08]
- Mimi: “Who will be those six Americans who sit on the board? How much power will Oracle have?” [38:08]
4. The Bobbi Brown Interview: Authenticity, Beauty, and Brand-Building
[39:30–68:26]
Bobbi’s Journey
- Began as a makeup artist, frustrated with the toxic, ill-matched products of the 1980s, created her own lipsticks.
- Bobbi: “I spent my life doing makeup, and I had this crazy idea that you should put a foundation on that's the exact color of your skin.” [40:19]
- Created Bobby Brown Cosmetics, sold to Estée Lauder after four years, stayed on for 22 years under non-compete.
- Launched "Jones Road" once non-compete ended; emphasizes her products’ focus on natural beauty, clean ingredients.
Philosophy & Advice
- No fan of injectables or artificial enhancements:
- Bobbi: “I don’t like any of it. It doesn’t look natural… If I look bad, I look at myself and say, ‘What have you been doing that’s not working?’” [44:44]
- Stresses kindness, hard work, being yourself; recommends starting in a company, learning the ropes, and not over-investing for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Bobbi: “Try to work for someone first... When you’re ready to launch your own business, don’t over invest. Do it slow.” [53:04]
- “Don’t just go out there and do what other people are doing. You gotta have a point of difference.” [55:22]
- Family and teamwork: Now works with her son Cody (CEO of Jones Road) and relishes having three generations involved.
On Authenticity, Legacy & Looking Back
- Memoir writing was cathartic; allowed her to see the roots of her entrepreneurial spirit from her immigrant family’s hustle and adapting.
- On self-image and beauty: “How you feel about yourself is more important than how you look. Feeling confident, being comfortable in your skin – that's what really makes you beautiful.” [115:43]
- On trends: “Authenticity is a trend now? Just be yourself, be real.” [65:10]
- Looking forward, wants her story to encourage young people, especially women, that you don’t have to be perfect to succeed.
Fun moments:
- Discusses doing Whitney Houston’s makeup (“She wanted a lighter foundation. I used to fight... it’s gotta match your skin!”) [41:09]
- Recalls dancing on stage with Flo Rida and Salt-n-Pepa (“It takes me years off!”) [59:37]
- Praises her husband: “I dedicated my book to my husband – he is the light of my life... 37 years, not easy, nothing's easy.” [49:44]
5. Open Phones & Topic Segment: "Break Babies"
[85:16–99:56]
- Inspired by the show “Reasonable Doubt,” Lauren and callers share personal experiences with having or accepting children born from breaks in relationships (“break babies”).
- Charlamagne’s stance: If you take someone back after a “break baby,” accept the whole situation and move on without resentment.
- Charlamagne: “If you choose to still be with a person after the break baby, that’s on you. You’ve got to eat that.” [95:07]
- Real stories and varying perspectives from listeners on forgiveness, trust, double standards, women’s emotions, and accountability in relationships.
- Caller: “As you get older, you learn... to create that balance. ...It doesn’t make you any less of a boss lady because you made a decision with your heart.” [99:46]
6. Other Notable Stories
- AI Music Artist Zenia Monae ([104:05–110:15]): Debate as AI “singer” signed multi-million dollar record contract; concern among real musicians (Kehlani, SZA, Chloe Bailey).
- Kehlani: “No one on earth will ever be able to justify AI to me. Especially not in the creative arts.” [105:20]
- Raises issues of intellectual property, “how much human will still matter,” and the limits of “virtual fame.”
- Talisha J. Jones (real human) operates the AI, writes lyrics, but uses AI to create the 'voice'/artist.
Selected Notable Quotes
“You gotta have a point of difference or you’re just gonna sit there and invest too much money.”
—Bobbi Brown, on starting a business [55:22]
“If you choose to still be with a person after the break baby, then that’s on you. You’ve got to eat that.”
—Charlamagne Tha God [95:07]
“How you feel about yourself is more important than how you look.”
—Bobbi Brown [115:43]
“Some moments you feel like you forgive the person who killed somebody you love, because you’re supposed to... but I don’t know if that’s possible.”
—Charlamagne Tha God on forgiveness [08:52]
“At some point, we have to acknowledge this is simply Donald Trump’s hit list.”
—Charlamagne Tha God on media backlash [33:40]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Cardi B Album Platinum/Fan Debate: 18:49–22:20
- Mariah Carey/iHeart Festival Recap: 69:12–76:05
- Charlie Kirk Funeral/Forgiveness: 04:36–08:19
- Jimmy Kimmel Suspension/Media Backlash: 28:50–39:00
- Bobbi Brown Interview: 39:30–68:26
- Break Babies Topic & Calls: 85:16–99:56
- AI Music Artist Controversy: 104:05–110:15
Episode Takeaway
Today's Breakfast Club was a vibrant blend of news, raw personal stories, and cultural debate, all stitched together with laughs and real-life advice. Whether unpacking the music industry, relationships and “rules,” or the meaning of authenticity in careers and life, the team brought energy, tough questions, and a little shade, as always.