The Breakfast Club: Interview with Lemuel Plummer
Podcast: The Breakfast Club (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: August 28, 2025
Episode: Interview: Lemuel Plummer Talks 'Love Cabin,' New Song, Ray J, Ye, Natalie Nunn, Chrisean & Tesehki + More
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Guest: Lemuel Plummer (CEO of Zeus Network)
Episode Overview
Lemuel Plummer, CEO of the Zeus Network, joins The Breakfast Club to discuss his journey from reality TV disruption to billion-dollar network, his first-ever rap single, upcoming projects like "Love Cabin," relationships with controversial personalities (Ray J, Natalie Nunn, Chrisean), drama and responsibility on his platforms, and his own personal life and philosophy. The tone is lively, candid, and at times humorously confrontational, true to The Breakfast Club’s signature energy.
Key Topics & Discussion Points
1. Launching "Baddie Bad": Lemuel's First Song
Timestamps: 02:44–05:14
- Debut Single: Lemuel promotes his new single “Baddie Bad” (feat. Natalie Nunn) as a marketing initiative for the Baddies franchise.
- “I got a new song out, man.” — Lemuel ([02:47])
- “That was my first time rapping, man… I had a good time. That was, that was fun.” — Lemuel ([04:41], [04:45])
- Hosts roast Lemuel for venturing into music, joking about CEO rap ambitions.
- “All that money you getting and you decide to rap?” — Charlamagne ([02:53])
- “You can’t do everything.” — Charlamagne ([04:03])
- Use of music as marketing, not industry ambition.
2. Natalie Nunn, Ray J & Zeus Network Drama
Timestamps: 06:16–11:04
- Discussion about ongoing tension and a past altercation with Ray J, now cooling down.
- “Ray and I are… figuring it out. We got something that we’re going to be talking about… publicly.” — Lemuel ([07:00])
- “I felt like he was disparaging me quite a bit… It was a lot.” — Lemuel ([08:36])
- On public spats being mistaken for marketing.
- “I honestly thought y’all were promoting something… Ray J rollouts be different, you know?” — Jess ([10:50])
- Willingness to box Ray J for the viewers, but stresses non-confrontational nature.
3. Investing in "Magazine Dreams" & The “Second Chance Network” Ethos
Timestamps: 11:12–14:19
- Lemuel invested in and co-distributed "Magazine Dreams," giving Jonathan Majors a platform post-Hollywood controversy.
- “I thought that was a phenomenal, phenomenal film…” — Charlamagne ([11:19])
- “We’ve kind of branded ourselves… as the Second Chance Network.” — Lemuel ([12:46])
- Spotlight on providing opportunities for those written off by Hollywood.
4. Expanding the Brand: Beyond Loud Reality to Awards & Serious Content
Timestamps: 14:21–16:07
- Impact Awards partnership with Jason Lee; moving Zeus towards more positive, culturally impactful projects.
- “We’re expanding and trying to bring balance… new content to the platform.” — Lemuel ([14:36])
- Showcased billion-dollar network valuation and goals to diversify content.
5. “Love Cabin”: Taking on the Dating Competition Genre
Timestamps: 16:07–17:30
- New dating show "Love Cabin," Zeus’ spin vs. Temptation Island and Love Island.
- “We think we’ll have similar success with Love Cabin that you’ve seen…” — Lemuel ([16:21])
- Hosts joke about chaotic reality show DNA permeating the series.
- “Damn. It’s gonna be the same bitches that be fighting on there trying to find love…” — Jess ([17:05])
6. Baddies, Fights & Legalities (Clarissa Shields, Tesehki, Chrisean & Drama)
Timestamps: 17:31–26:41
- Talk of potential Baddies boxing matches and the insurance/legalities of cast fighting.
- “In the exhibition world… there is some flexibility there…” — Lemuel ([19:01])
- On Chrisean and Tesehki’s sister fallout and the network’s influence.
- “It was… disheartening… learning things in real time.” — Lemuel ([25:37])
- Maintaining relationships and confidentiality with controversial stars.
7. Zeus Network’s Reputation: Casting, Criticism, and Social Responsibility
Timestamps: 23:27–25:11; 27:26–29:26
- Addresses criticism over lack of African representation in Baddies Africa.
- “We definitely casted some folks from Africa on the show… that’s false.” — Lemuel ([23:48])
- Talks about balancing provocative content with efforts to expand into positive territory and impact the culture.
8. Personal Life: Dating Shows, Relationships, and Boundaries
Timestamps: 36:34–48:59
- Lemuel opens up about dating cast members, especially Scottie and former partner Janisha.
- “She and I are definitely… dating. And… developing our relationship.” — Lemuel ([36:57])
- “Seven years [with Janisha]. And so… we were just at an impasse.” ([39:42])
- Addresses rumors and boundaries with cast (denies sleeping with Natalie Nunn, Jocelyn, etc.).
- “There’s no universe where I would ever cross those lines with Natalie, Jocelyn, or any of those females.” — Lemuel ([49:01])
- Candid about relationship uncertainties and challenges with monogamy.
- “I’m just trying to figure it out… life at life.” — Lemuel ([44:26])
- “I’m finding me.” — Lemuel ([39:06], [44:10])
- Charlamagne shares his own marital growth as context.
- “It’s not hard when you find your person.” — Charlamagne ([46:14])
9. Culture, Philanthropy & Platform Responsibility
Timestamps: 34:28–36:34
- Lemuel discusses contributions to the Black community and philanthropy outside of the spotlight.
- “We definitely want to continue to give and donate… we’re sponsoring a lot of things… millions.” — Lemuel ([36:06])
10. Dealing with Fame, Rumors, and Social Media
Timestamps: 49:41–52:22
- Addresses rumors started by spurned former cast, acknowledges cost of doing business in reality TV.
- “A lot of times they do lie or spread rumors about me when they don’t have the opportunity to be on the network… just part of the cost of doing business.” — Lemuel ([50:03], [50:49])
11. Accountability for Cast Remarks (e.g., Emmett Till comment)
Timestamps: 54:14–57:47
- On handling backlash from insensitive cast comments, encouraging learning and accountability.
- “We definitely put out a statement… we made sure to educate our cast members on ways to… learn more about African American history…” — Lemuel ([54:17])
12. Future Plans & Network Expansion
Timestamps: 57:47–59:21
- Announcement of new projects, movies (e.g., “Sneaks”), and the search for a scripted series (“Our power, our empire, our insecure”).
- Commitment to moving Zeus beyond drama into broader storytelling.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I’m finding me.” — Lemuel Plummer, on relationships and life ([39:06], [44:10])
- “You can’t do everything.” — Charlamagne Tha God, on Lemuel’s rapping ([04:03])
- “We’ve kind of branded ourselves to some degree as, like, the Second Chance Network.” — Lemuel ([12:46])
- “Don’t start jumping all in front of the camera doing goofy ass shit now… after you get the billion-dollar valuation.” — Charlamagne Tha God ([18:37])
- “It’s not hard when you find your person.” — Charlamagne Tha God, about marriage ([46:14])
- “There’s no universe where I would ever cross those lines with Natalie, Jocelyn, or any of those, you know, females.” — Lemuel, denying rumors ([49:01])
- “A lot of times they do lie or spread rumors about me when they don’t have the opportunity to be on the network… just part of the cost of doing business.” — Lemuel ([50:03])
Highlighted Segments & Timestamps
- Lemuel’s first rap single, “Baddie Bad”: [02:44–05:14]
- Ray J beef and Zeus drama explained: [06:16–11:04]
- “Magazine Dreams” & Network philosophy: [11:12–14:19]
- “Love Cabin” dating show details: [16:07–17:30]
- Chrisean & Tesehki, cast fights, Baddies drama: [17:31–26:41]
- African casting and cultural criticism: [23:27–25:11]
- Personal romance, workplace boundaries, monogamy talk: [36:34–48:59]
- Public figure challenges, rumors, fame: [49:41–52:22]
- Controversial remarks by cast, network accountability: [54:14–57:47]
- Upcoming projects and future ambitions: [57:47–59:21]
Tone & Atmosphere
- Candid and comedic: The hosts keep the questions direct and sometimes playfully irreverent, roasting Lemuel about his new song and romantic entanglements.
- Transparent and reflective: Lemuel’s openness about personal life, leadership, and the challenges of running a reality TV empire.
- Ambitious and growth-focused: Vision for Zeus to expand beyond drama, with a willingness to course-correct when controversy arises.
Final Thoughts
For fans of modern Black media, reality television, and culture, this interview delivers a behind-the-scenes look at the business strategies, controversies, and human side of running Zeus Network. Lemuel Plummer emerges as a pragmatic, ambitious, and sometimes self-deprecating leader, candid about both the highs and messiness of his platforms and personal life.