The Breakfast Club – December 8, 2025

Episode: Jeezy Performs at Art Basel, Meek Mill Salutes Thug Amid Drake Beef + Kehlani & Grits & Eggs Podcast Interview

Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club, hosted by DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, and Lauren LaRosa, spotlights the intersection of hip-hop, Black culture, and headline news. With guest appearances from R&B star Kehlani and the Grits & Eggs podcast duo (Deontay Kyle & Big Cat), listeners get candid discussions on Art Basel in Miami (including Jeezy’s performance), Meek Mill’s Philly show with Young Thug, Kehlani’s mental health journey and stances on AI in music, as well as honest talk about podcasting and community from rising content creators.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Weekend Recaps: Comedy & Culture

(Starts ~03:02)

• Jess Hilarious recounts rowdy shows in Hartford, CT, and deals with belligerent audience members, highlighting comedy club security issues.
• Jess: “No security… That’s why I couldn’t do meet and greet!” (04:56)
• Cultural note: Connecticut feels like “Baby Baltimore… so ratchet, but a sense of love.” (03:11)

2. Front Page News: Healthcare, Politics, Major Deals

(07:00–12:00, 28:55–38:59)

• Healthcare Subsidies Expiring:
  • ACA premium subsidies are set to lapse Dec. 31; Senate vote expected but likely to fail.
  • DJ Envy: “You shouldn’t have to decide if I’m gonna wait to take my kids to the hospital… and we send billions elsewhere.” (09:53)
• Supreme Court on Birthright Citizenship:
  • SCOTUS will hear challenge to birthright citizenship, reviewing Trump-era executive orders.
• Netflix Announces $82B Bid for Warner Brothers:
  • If allowed, would drastically centralize control over major film franchises.
  • Debate over competition vs. “too much power for one company” (34:50)
• Google’s Top 2025 Searches: Charlie Kirk, K-Pop, iPhone 17, etc.
• Shipping Deadlines and Holiday Shopping: Urges listeners to mail gifts early due to delays.

3. Miami Art Basel, Jeezy Performance & Celebrity Sightings

(Art Basel Recap: 18:31–27:40)

• Lauren shares her first Art Basel experience, attending an upscale McDonald’s jazz brunch (hosted by Chef Kwame), meeting Urban One founder Cathy Hughes.
• Highlight: Jeezy's high-energy show with the FAMU band.
• “A Negro spiritual right there!” – Charlamagne Tha God (20:54)
• Celebrities spotted: Cardi B & Stefon Diggs, private parties, packed venues.
• Discussion about rumors (Cardi/Offset/Stefon Diggs) and the craziness of influencer reporting.

4. Kehlani Interview: Mental Health, “Folded,” Identity & AI in Music

(Kehlani interview: 39:34–69:14)

Name Pronunciation & Personal Growth

• Kehlani corrects her name (“Keh-lah-nee”) and discusses claiming her identity at 30.
• “Let’s just get… it’s been 10 years. Say my name right for 10 years?” – Kehlani (40:15)

The Journey Behind “Folded” (Her Hit Single)

• The song came about “accidentally” and was not designed as a club banger but as a mature introduction to her current self.
• Themes: vulnerability, accountability, and nuanced relationships.
• “It’s a nuanced, mature conversation... you did hurt me, but maybe I also didn’t handle this right.” (43:04)

Mental Health & Bipolar Disorder

• Kehlani candidly details navigating bipolar disorder, the importance of therapy and medication, plus the “tools” she now uses to process emotion rather than act on impulse.
• “I have a tool belt... this is not the version of myself I want to show up in this situation.” (45:04)
• “I’ve always been messily vulnerable, but I grew up in front of the world.” (46:22)
• On growth: “You have the self-awareness to... that was supposed to go.” (47:11)

Speaking Out for Palestine & Facing Backlash

• Kehlani discusses being one of the first big artists to speak out for Palestine, being barred from gigs, and targeted harassment.
• “It went way deeper than being banned – it got into my safety, my family dynamics, my friendships... I had to move.” (49:24)
• Hopeful that her continued success shows others they can take a stand.

On AI and Music Authenticity

• Sharply critical about AI in music, especially its effect on human artistry, jobs, and culture.
• “Music is such a God-given thing... for it to be generated in that way... just feels wrong.” (54:34)
• On AI gospel: “It’s analyzing the community... saying, black women, what do black women want to hear?” (63:06)
• Argues for regulated, clearly separated AI music “charts.”
• “Authentic music has what AI music never will: God.” (62:33)

Parenting & Community

• Kehlani emphasizes teaching her daughter information and human connection rather than just digital tools.
• “At home, we’re very human-focused, very communal.” (66:08)

Rapid-Fire on Influences

• Singer’s Vocal Mount Rushmore: Brandy, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey
  • “... Talking about, like, freaky level, channel-talent of like – will anyone ever do that again?” (68:43)

5. Meek Mill’s Philly Show & Reflections on the Drake Beef

(Meek segment: 69:47–75:08)

• Emotional moments as Meek brings out Young Thug, credits Thug for support during the Drake beef.
  • “When I was beefing with Drake… acting like they were scared to do a verse with me, this [guy] pulled up... two days straight.” – Meek Mill (70:25)
• Old beefs patched up: State Property, G-Herbo, Philly’s unity on stage.
• Hidden music history: Beanie Sigel almost signing with 50 Cent for ~$10 million; deal never happened.

6. Racial Incidents & “Donkey of the Day”

(Donkey of the Day: 77:18–83:54)

• Charlamagne highlights the case of Crystal Wilsey, the Cinnabon employee in Wisconsin, fired after a viral racist rant at Somali customers.
• Directly links the rise in open racism to Trump’s political rhetoric.
• Notable quote: “Words have consequences. Actions have consequences... you are not the victim here.” – Charlamagne (82:04)

7. Grits & Eggs Podcast: Origin, Community, and Black Identity

(Grits & Eggs: 84:14–103:43)

• Deontay Kyle & Big Cat rewind their transition from TikTok/Truck driving to podcasting, focusing on honest, long-form Black conversation.
• “Don’t just make a video as soon as something comes out – you’ll miss the mark.” (89:07)
• Deontay’s personal story: adopted at 2 days old, raised by Black parents, addresses identity and critics.
  • “You ain’t gonna discredit me because of something you say. You gotta hear it from the horse’s mouth.” (96:21)
• Their ethos: bridging generational gaps, community, avoiding “rage bait” or click-driven content.
• “All you rappers out there… America needs plumbers, electricians… get that trade, man!” (103:06)

8. Streamer Awards & Kai Cenat’s Mental Health Shout-Out

(Streamer Awards: 105:14–110:59)

• Kai Cenat’s big wins; awkward jokes at the show about Diddy and DDG spark debate on racial undertones and sensitivity.
• Kai openly discusses mental health struggles in his acceptance speech: “I just noticed that recently I just been going through things in my head… anime has helped me find happiness.” (108:11)
• Discussion about authentic vs. bad comedy at awards; India Love’s on-stage moment defending friends.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “No security… That’s why I couldn’t do meet and greet!” – Jess Hilarious (04:56)
• “You shouldn’t have to decide if I’m gonna wait to take my kids to the hospital… and we send billions elsewhere.” – DJ Envy (09:53)
• “Let’s just get… it’s been 10 years. Say my name right for 10 years?” – Kehlani (40:15)
• “It’s a nuanced, mature conversation... you did hurt me, but maybe I also didn’t handle this right.” – Kehlani (43:04)
• “Authentic music has what AI music never will: God.” – Charlamagne Tha God (62:33)
• “When I was beefing with Drake… acting like they were scared to do a verse with me, this [guy] pulled up... two days straight.” – Meek Mill (70:25)
• “Words have consequences. Actions have consequences... you are not the victim here.” – Charlamagne (82:04)
• “All you rappers out there… America needs plumbers, electricians… get that trade, man!” – Deontay Kyle (103:06)

Recommended Listening Order / Timestamps

• Jess’s Comedy Show Recap: 03:02–05:32
• Healthcare & Political News: 07:00–12:00, 28:55–38:59
• Art Basel/Miami Scene: 18:31–27:40
• Kehlani Interview: 39:34–69:14
• Meek Mill & Philly Show: 69:47–75:08
• Donkey of the Day (Racism/Cinnabon): 77:18–83:54
• Grits & Eggs Interview: 84:14–103:43
• Streamer Awards & Kai Cenat: 105:14–110:59

Tone & Style

The Breakfast Club’s signature is a mix of irreverence, sharp humor, and sincere advocacy for mental health and Black culture. Even challenging topics are kept engaging and relatable, with guests encouraged to go deep but keep it real.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode balances hip-hop news (Meek, Jeezy at Art Basel), insight from rising Black content creators, and a vulnerable, wide-ranging interview with Kehlani. Tangible takeaways include discussions about healthcare, the entertainment industry’s consolidation, the real-life impact of AI, racial justice, and reminders of the importance of community, mental health, and growth.

Charlamagne, Envy, Jess, Lauren, and their guests keep it funny, unfiltered, and thoughtful—giving both music lovers and culture heads a lot to chew on.