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

Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, Lauren LaRosa
Guests: Papoose, Claressa Shields

Episode Overview

This vibrant Breakfast Club interview brings together renowned rapper Papoose and boxing champion Claressa Shields for a candid, wide-ranging conversation. The pair discuss Papoose’s new project Bars on Wheels, his journey to "save hip hop", navigating public relationships, black love in the spotlight, and Claressa’s status as a dominant force in women’s boxing. The conversation naturally blends music, culture, relationships, and sports, with frequent insights into personal growth, societal double standards, and the pressures of public scrutiny.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Papoose – 'Bars on Wheels,' Lyricism, and Hip-Hop's Evolution

[04:28] Charlamagne Tha God: "I feel like you. You should have been did Bars on Wheels."

• Papoose details the Bars on Wheels concept as a hybrid short film and album, leveraging his viral car rapping series into an artistic journey "to save hip hop".

• The project intentionally addresses substance abuse in hip hop and its cultural consequences:

  "I think that played a major part to the demise about a culture of our hip hop... I just wanted to shine a light on that and create awareness to talk about it." (Papoose, [07:29])

• On keeping lyricism relevant:

  "I think just be themselves, man. Nobody could do you better than you... you got to utilize that." (Papoose, [05:16])
  "Is there a lane for that now?" – "Yes, always. It's timeless." (DJ Envy & Papoose, [05:53])

• Papoose praises new-gen lyricists and underscores that depth and "bars" in rap are "timeless" and not going away. He laments how hip-hop is unfairly blamed for broader societal issues.

Hip-Hop, Negativity, and Community Perception

[08:36] Papoose discusses hip-hop’s stigma:

"Negative and positive exists in life, period. People blame hip hop for things that actually go on in America. America has a problem with violence..."

• He feels hip hop saves lives and creates opportunities, reflecting on media narratives and the rise of black wealth through hip hop.

Growth, Black Love, and Navigating Public Relationships

• Papoose reflects on personal growth and changing relationships, emphasizing positivity and not glorifying the "street" life:

  "I don't wear that street shit on my sleeve... I always showcase my talent... uplifting our people." ([10:16])

• Advice to youth about the streets:

  "Don't do it. It's not worth it... You look around at your crew... y'all not gonna make it out." ([10:50])

• On being an emblem of “black love”:

  "It was corny. It's always corny to do social media shit... Who wants to be a part of the circus?" ([12:13])
  "When Remy was incarcerated, they was killing me...he's an idiot...I didn't care though because that's my real life..." ([12:45])

• Experiences of support and criticism—men and women reacted differently to his public displays of affection.

  "The dudes was always hating, but the women, older women, all different age groups, they always embraced it." ([13:52])

• On owning his public narrative:

  "I'm glad that I gave y'all an open book so when someone wants to lie on me...you guys have been there all along." ([15:53])
  "We signed up for this, bro... you can't want people to say, you can't open the door to your life and then want to close it." ([16:05])

• Confirms he's moved on from Remy Ma and is happy in a new relationship with Claressa Shields:

  "I got a new queen in my life, man. And she's one of the best things that ever happened to me." ([16:25])

Black Love and Representation in Hip-Hop

• Charlamagne asks if hip-hop does enough to model healthy relationships:

  "No, I think...after we did it, it became cool. I felt like people were ashamed to show love to their significant other." (Papoose, [16:39])

  • Discussion about the industry encouraging rappers to appear single for their image.

• On rumors of ghostwriting:

  "You said you wrote 90% of Remy's raps, including 'Conceited.' Was that true?" (Charlamagne [17:49])
  "No comment, man. You know what I'm saying? I wish her the best..." (Papoose, [17:57])

Shields & Papoose on Moving Forward and Public Scrutiny

• Both address navigating their relationship publicly, clarifying timelines and dismissing cheating allegations.

  "When me and him got together, he was already separated. So y’all know what happened before that." (Clarissa Shields, [25:18])
  "None of that shit was true, man. None of it. All of that was fugazi." (Papoose, [23:17])

• Claressa on relationship norms:

  "People act like we don't understand breakups and relationships... marriages end all the time. Divorces happen." ([22:22])

  • Stresses it’s harder for fans to let go than for the people involved.

Shields' Boxing Career and Self-Confidence

• Clarissa details her $8 million, eight-fight deal; addresses trolls and those who challenge her boxing legitimacy.

• She talks about issuing open challenges, fighting stereotypes, and being trolled for sparring with men:

  "I sparred 95% men in my sparring... I've accomplished more than that cheat will ever accomplish in his life." ([49:02])
  "I'm a real fighter. So I felt like I needed to make an example out of her... had her out of there in 30 seconds." ([42:04])

• Her approach to relationships:

  "He's like the cheat code to life almost... he knows how to keep me calm."
  "When it’s your time, it’s your time, when it’s the other person’s time, there’s nothing wrong with taking a back seat to your person." ([37:28])

• Commentary on boxing's current state:

  "Boxing is in a weird space right now... if Lauren woke up tomorrow, was like, I want to fight Clarissa, they'd be like, let's do a pay per view.” ([40:07])

  • On freak matchups and YouTuber boxing.

Sparring, Support, and Gender in Boxing

• Clarissa shares stories of sparring with and being dropped by male boxers, defending herself against social media narratives:

  "I got dropped... but as I got back up, I sparred another guy. Four rounds... Fighters get dropped in sparring..." ([47:51])

  • Reframing the sparring incident as neither a big deal nor a reflection on her qualifications.

Open Mic Moment – ER from London

[55:06]

• Up-and-coming rapper ER delivers an emotional, introspective freestyle, earning admiration from Papoose and the hosts for his authenticity and storytelling.

  “Nah, he did his thing, man. That was tough.” (Papoose, [57:15])

Bars on Wheels – Music and Production

[58:14] DJ Envy: "What song you want to play off the project, Pat? Not the Green. I play that all the time."

• Picks “Chill Button” as Claressa’s favorite.
• Papoose shouts out his producer and the collaborative process for Bars on Wheels.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Papoose (On hip-hop’s blame for societal issues):

  “People blame hip hop for things that actually go on in America. America has a problem with violence…” ([08:36])

• Papoose (On advice to young people in the streets):

  "Dont do it. It's not worth it. Y'all not gonna make it out. Some one of y'all or two or maybe three y'all not gonna make it.” ([10:50])

• Papoose (On public scrutiny):

  "I'm glad that I gave y'all an open book so when someone wants to lie on me...y’all have been there all along.” ([15:53])

• Clarissa Shields (On fan reactions to relationships):

  “Maybe it’s just…it’s harder for the fans that followed them to let go than it is for them.” ([22:55])

• Papoose (on their relationship):

  “I got a new queen in my life… one of the best things that ever happened to me.” ([16:25])

• Claressa Shields (On her mindset and relationship):

  “He’s like the cheat code to life…he knows how to keep me calm.” ([35:26])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:28] – Charlamagne on 'Bars on Wheels,' Papoose’s journey
• [07:29] – Drug culture in hip-hop and social responsibility
• [12:13] – Black love, relationship with Remy Ma, navigating public opinion
• [15:53] – Sharing your life with the public – is it worth it?
• [16:39] – Did Papoose & Remy’s public love normalize affection in hip-hop?
• [17:49] – Ghostwriting rumors and Papoose’s response
• [22:22] – Clarissa Shields on divorce and public reaction
• [37:28] – Supporting each other’s success; partnership dynamics
• [42:04] – Clarissa on sparring, public challenges, and Internet beefs
• [47:51] – Being dropped while sparring men and handling trolls
• [55:06] – ER’s open mic/freestyle segment
• [58:14] – Favorite tracks from Bars on Wheels; production insight

Conclusion

This episode provides infectious energy, introspection, and honest talk. Papoose illustrates the struggles and purpose of authenticity in hip-hop and life, while Claressa Shields radiates confidence and addresses the double standards she faces as a female world champion. Their chemistry as a couple is palpable, offering real-life lessons in growth, resilience, and love—while still circling back to their respective crafts. Whether discussing music, love, or boxing, both remain unapologetically themselves, paving the way for healthier representation and dialogue in Black culture and entertainment.