The Breakfast Club – Sept 3, 2025
Episode: Drake Fires Back at Media, Cardi B Throws Pen Over Pregnancy Question + Donnell Rawlings Interview
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Overview
This episode centers around the viral new interview between Drake and Bobbi Althoff, heated debates about media representation, Cardi B’s confrontation with a reporter over pregnancy rumors, and a lively interview with comedian Donnell Rawlings. Beyond the headline topics, the show mixes birthday celebrations, trending news, listener call-ins, and a candid examination of comedy, masculinity, and social commentary.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
1. DJ Envy's Birthday & Morning Banter (02:49–06:54)
- DJ Envy, Charlamagne, and Jess Hilarious celebrate Envy’s birthday with playful jokes about their ages and family routines.
- DJ Envy reflects:
"There's no better thing than... enjoy my family and my kids." (04:07)
- Discussion about August Alsina coming out and debates over defining sexuality.
2. Front Page News: Politics & Current Events (07:01–11:50)
- Government Shutdown looms as Congress returns with only 14 legislative days to reach a deal. The Trump administration attempts to bypass Congress for a $5B funding rescission sparks major debate, especially with hardline House Republicans demanding aggressive policy riders.
- D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signs an executive order for further federal collaboration on crime reduction, triggering concerns about the expanded power of federal agencies and military presence in cities.
- Charlamagne weighs in:
"I don't want the military on American streets...but if it's working, what are you supposed to do?" (11:04)
3. Listener Call-ins: Mental Health & Social Issues (12:18–16:15)
- Listeners share personal experiences, including worries about young Black men's safety during routine processes like the DMV.
- Charlamagne discusses his upcoming free Mental Wealth Expo (Oct 11, Newark, 15:06), emphasizing:
"It's a day of mental health education and healing." (15:15)
4. The Latest with Lauren: Drake x Bobbi Althoff Interview (23:26–38:20)
- Drake’s much-discussed second interview with Bobbi Althoff is dissected. Main talking points:
- Drake’s Rationale for Non-Traditional Media: He frames the original viral interview as "just recognizing somebody...I fully believed in," which "pissed off so many like storied journalists." (24:12)
- Pushback from Hosts:
- Charlamagne pushes back, arguing that platforms like Kai Cenat's have their own pull:
"The Kai Senats and Black Boy Maxes... they’re the reason artists started going to streamers, not Drake and Bobby Althoff." (25:04)
- DJ Envy adds:
"You go to those because you get easy interviews...she didn’t listen to the album, know anything about it.” (25:44)
- Charlamagne pushes back, arguing that platforms like Kai Cenat's have their own pull:
- Media "Conspiracy" Claims: Drake suggests media coordinate to decide opinion stances, which Charlamagne rejects:
"Nobody does that. How come artists only say people conspire against them when it's bad?" (35:06)
- Lighter Moments: Classic jokes about Drake’s alleged cosmetic procedures and his "white side" emerge.
- Industry Insight: Lauren drops news on a Spotify playlist bribery probe extending from Turkey to North America, hinting at big changes ahead for music labels. (37:17)
5. Donnell Rawlings Interview (46:31–73:44)
- Comedy & Personal Life: Donnell blends humor with raw honesty about therapy, co-parenting, and past regrets.
- On co-parenting:
"It's tough. Especially when you still may have some emotions involved...but it's a certain amount of love and respect I'll always have." (51:10)
- Donnell gifts Charlamagne and Envy custom “Gay Force Ones” sneakers—a running gag from their on-air banter.
- On co-parenting:
- Being Taken Seriously as a Comedian:
"As a comedian, I don't want people to take me that serious. I want people to, you know, think I'm funny and laugh at the joke." (60:29)
- Vulnerability & Masculinity in Comedy: Open discussion about being labeled, black men's stereotypes surrounding sexuality, and Rawlings’ comfort with his own identity.
- Charlamagne:
"Do you think black men in comedy get boxed into certain stereotypes about masculinity, identity, and sexuality more than others?"
Donnell:
"100. I believe 100. But...people's way of thinking has evolved." (71:13)
- Charlamagne:
- Laughter, teasing, and deep dives mix as the hosts toggle between jokes and real talk.
6. Trending Topics: Young Thug’s Jail Calls, Cardi B’s Court Drama (73:47–82:44)
- Young Thug Jail Call Leaks: Thug’s criticism of Kendrick Lamar for not collaborating, with context on how media obtain jail call records.
- Cardi B Legal Victory & Outburst:
- Cardi B wins $24M assault lawsuit, then lashes out (throwing a pen) at a reporter for pressing on pregnancy rumors:
“Don’t disrespect me...Act like you have some manners and your mama taught you respect women!” (77:58)
- Debate erupts about emotional responses, public scrutiny, and whether celebs should physically react, given their status.
- Cardi:
"This time around, I'm going to be nice. The next person to try to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I'm going to countersue and I'm gonna make you pay." (82:14)
- Cardi B wins $24M assault lawsuit, then lashes out (throwing a pen) at a reporter for pressing on pregnancy rumors:
7. Donkey of the Day (86:31)
- Headline: Two men (Sean O’Donnell & Aaron Prout) take turns shooting each other while wearing a Kevlar helmet. One dies.
- Charlamagne:
"Some people just die dumb... dying dumb is when you make a dumb choice that leads to your untimely death." (88:51)
- Charlamagne:
- Sparks a call-in segment on the dumbest things listeners have done with friends, with hosts and listeners sharing their own wild stories.
8. The Latest with Lauren: Dame Dash vs. Cam’ron (107:39–115:26)
- Dame Dash addresses rumors (teeth, health, finances) and Cam’ron’s comments via new YouTube docuseries.
- Key Quote (Dame):
“Talking about other people, especially when they're not in the room, to me, is coward.” (108:26)
- Cam’ron responds to Dame’s claims, recalls their dynamic, and insists he’s not responsible for Dame’s financial woes.
- Hosts debate the rules of addressing others publicly, managing money, and personal responsibility.
- Key Quote (Dame):
9. Mental Wealth Expo Plug & Final Thoughts (118:12)
- Charlamagne’s Mental Wealth Expo (Oct 11, Newark):
"Learning how to leave people alone and go on with your life is a needed skill. Master it for the sake of your own dignity and peace of mind." (118:44)
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- "There's no better thing than... enjoy my family and my kids." – DJ Envy (04:07)
- "I don't want to have the military on American streets...but if it's working, what are you supposed to do?" – Charlamagne (11:04)
- "It's a day of mental health education and healing." – Charlamagne (15:15)
- "You go to those because you get easy interviews...she didn’t know anything about it." – DJ Envy on podcast interviews (25:44)
- "Nobody does that. How come artists only say people conspire against them when it's bad?" – Charlamagne (35:06)
- "As a comedian, I don't want people to take me that serious. I want people to, you know, think I'm funny and laugh at the joke." – Donnell Rawlings (60:29)
- "100. I believe 100 (percent). But...people's way of thinking has evolved." – Donnell Rawlings, on comedy and black masculinity (71:13)
- "This time around, I'm going to be nice. The next person to try to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I'm going to countersue..." – Cardi B (82:14)
- "Some people just die dumb... dying dumb is when you make a dumb choice that leads to your untimely death." – Charlamagne (88:51)
- "Learning how to leave people alone and go on with your life is a needed skill. Master it for the sake of your own dignity and peace of mind." – Charlamagne (118:44)
Memorable, Lighthearted Moments
- Donnell Rawlings giving co-hosts personalized “Gay Force Ones” sneakers as a joke gift (55:16).
- Cardi B’s fiery response to the pregnancy question and the infamous pen-throwing incident (77:50).
- Roundtable jokes about “my wagon,” BBLs, and Drake channeling his “white side” in interviews.
- Humorous listener call-ins about childhood misadventures and wild college stories (97:02–105:43).
Segment Timestamps
- Birthday & Intro: 02:49–06:54
- Front Page News: 07:01–11:50
- Listener Calls: 12:18–16:15
- Drake & Media Interview Debate: 23:26–38:20
- Donnell Rawlings Interview: 46:31–73:44
- Young Thug & Cardi B: 73:47–82:44
- Donkey of the Day: 86:31–95:21
- Dumbest Friend Moments: 97:02–106:09
- Dame Dash/Cam’ron Discussion: 107:39–115:26
- Closing/Positive Note: 118:12
Takeaway
This episode delivers the classic Breakfast Club energy: playful, provocative, and insightful. While dealing with big stories from hip hop and culture, the hosts and guests blend laughter with real-world context, emotional honesty, and keen social observation. Whether dissecting Drake’s media moves, debating public conduct like Cardi’s, or sitting in on a wide-ranging interview with Donnell Rawlings, you'll get humor, unfiltered opinion, and genuine moments in every segment.