The Breakfast Club "Best Of" – Ray J, Lola Brooke, and Mario Interviews

Podcast: The Breakfast Club (iHeartPodcasts)
Air Date: January 6, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God

Episode Overview

This "Best Of" compilation features lively and candid interviews with artists Lola Brooke, Mario, and Ray J. The hosts provide the usual mix of humor and real talk, exploring each guest's latest projects, personal journeys, industry challenges, and some playful back-and-forth on topics like musical "Verzuz" battles and internet perception. The episode also includes classic "get it off your chest" call-ins from listeners, the "Donkey of the Day" segment, and signature Breakfast Club banter.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Listener Call-Ins & Community Stories

[00:59-08:30]

• Auntie Kim from the 843 calls in to express daily love for the show and invites Jess to Charleston for a show, leading to talk about the lack of comedy venues in Charleston.
• Jeff from Dayton, Ohio shares concern about violence in his city, especially relating to young people and the impact of drugs. The hosts empathize and emphasize the need for stronger community and parental involvement.
  • Quote:
    “We here in Dayton, Ohio, we just, we just tired, man. We need some help. Like, ain't no political leaders where I'm from, no activists. ... We need people to send a prayer up for my city.” – Jeff [03:02]
• Aaron calls about car trouble, sparking a relatable chat about financial stress and adulting.
• Other callers discuss America’s rising cost of living, affordable meals, and birthdays.

2. Lola Brooke Interview

[08:41–23:56]

New Project and Artist Journey

• Lola discusses her new project "Dennis’ Daughter" and acknowledges personal growth, emotional vulnerability, and lessons learned from success and struggle.
  • Quote:
    “Once you get [success], you don't know how to navigate it… It took me some time to really enjoy my moment, be grateful for my talent, and celebrate myself. So mentally, I wasn’t there.” – Lola Brooke [09:10]
• Explains her initial grappling with imposter syndrome and survivor’s remorse after her first big break.
  • Quote:
    “You don’t want people to look at you like you crazy. But you know you going through something...” – Lola Brooke [10:27]

Confidence, Femininity, and Industry Pressure

• Speaks on balancing confidence with humility, feeling pressure as a female rapper, and staying true to herself amid industry expectations.
  • Talks about being boxed into “drill” or being "too New York," and how she resists those pigeonholes:
  • Quote:
    “It’s about being confident enough to not care to show my confidence. Because you think about other people before yourself... and you shouldn’t do that.” – Lola Brooke [11:08]
• Reveals she used to want to ‘prove people wrong,’ but now focuses on proving herself right.

Growth, Relationships, and Celebrating Wins

• Lola receives a surprise gold plaque for her Bryson Tiller collaboration and opens up about what it means for her and her mother.
  • Quote:
    “It just means that all my dreams are coming true. … Yo, mom. I got you, baby. I’mma continue paying no bills, girl.” – Lola Brooke [20:29]
• Addresses survivor’s remorse—feeling guilt about her success when others still struggle:
  • Quote:
    “The littlest things were holding me back, that I felt bad. And it’s like, why would you feel bad when it’s your time…” – Lola Brooke [21:50]
• Offers advice for young girls from Brooklyn:
  • “When they tell you you’re too aggressive, be even more aggressive. Say it with your chest, girl. Say it with your tatas. Just don’t show them tatas.” [22:58]

3. Mario Interview

[24:14–47:45]

“Verzuz” Banter & Music Legacy

• Playful revisit of the Ray J vs. Mario debate—Mario refutes claims that Ray J could beat him in a "Verzuz," asserting his catalogue and live skills.
  • Quote:
    “Y’all gotta stop taking me out of these conversations, bro. …I get passionate about it… I really—God put me in this because the gift is really there.” – Mario [26:42]

Creative Growth, Hiatus, and Relevance

• Talks about how his hiatus from the music scene forced him to constantly remind people of his skills—DJ Envy recalls DJing for Mario and being impressed by the crowd reactions.
• Mario discusses letting go of attachment to his past hits, pushing for evolution, and not chasing the same sound repeatedly.

Mental Health, Shadow Work, and Vulnerability

• Shares his journey of “shadow work”—becoming comfortable with self-honesty, emotional control, and being open with friends and family.
  • Quote:
    “With greatness comes the opportunity for leadership. And with leadership, you actually see the world from a different space… when you take on vulnerability.” – Mario [37:21]
• Describes the process of learning to celebrate wins and not just be consumed by internet narratives or external judgment.

Personal Life

• Opens up about his relationship (with a Mexican-American partner), impending fatherhood, and the challenges of being in a public, interracial relationship.
  • Quote:
    “I think love is love… but the hardest part is always the traveling. …I don’t think you owe anybody an explanation.” – Mario [46:32]
• Addresses internet speculation and support for Black women:
  • “I love Black women, and Black women are the most beautiful creatures on this planet.” [49:05]

4. Donkey of the Day Segment

[50:18–56:24]

• Charlamagne delivers "Donkey of the Day" to a Michigan father arrested for threatening to "air out" his child’s school over snack time, using the moment to talk about "jail math" (weighing the cost and consequences of emotional decisions).
  • Quote:
    “Calculate your jail math, people. …And always ask yourself, will it be worth it?” – Charlamagne Tha God [56:15]

5. Ray J Interview

[56:50–74:49]

Streaming, Public Persona, and Mental Health

• Ray J dives into the ambiguity between entertainment and genuine distress with his viral antics, especially via streaming platforms. He describes streaming as “therapy” but admits it sometimes leads to public confusion about his mental state.
  • Quote:
    “When you’re on your streams and you’re streaming 24 hours, it’s like therapy. …And then I watch it the next day and I’m like, oh man, I gotta stand on that.” – Ray J [59:40]
• Speaks openly about mental wellness, seeking help, and wanting to show a better side of himself for his family in 2026.
  • Emphasizes the concern from public and family about his online behavior.
    • Quote:
      “I really want my family to be proud of me, and they want me to show a different side of myself.” – Ray J [63:27]
• Addresses substance use (no longer using lean) and how the “crashing out” persona is partly performance but carries real-world impacts.

Music, “Verzuz,” and Family

• Revisits the Mario "Verzuz" situation, clearly enjoying the continued playful rivalry.
  • Quote:
    “I said, Let Me Love You is not bigger than One Wish. …I got a new gospel version.” – Ray J [71:11]
• Expresses excitement over being on stage with his sister Brandy and the importance of family support.
  • Quote:
    “Every time I get around B and my mom…I just get real emotional, man.” – Ray J [73:17]

Love Cabin and Personal Relationships

• Talks about his Zeus network relationship show "Love Cabin", the blending of “hosting” with personal exploration, and his dynamic with co-host Sheila.
  • Discussion includes light teasing about polyamory, familial boundaries, and Ray J’s search for love and stability.
• Addresses co-parenting and his relationship with Princess, saying he wants both parties to be happy and that he always supports his family.

Notable Quotes & Time Stamps

• “My confidence is there. It’s about being confident enough to not care to show my confidence... You gotta prove yourself right.” – Lola Brooke [11:08]
• “For us as artists, a six months—that’s a small campaign… but the internet. …If you don’t put music out for six months, you—where you been at?” – Mario [28:06]
• “I just want to salute to everybody that’s on their healing journey. …Some people were not put here to evolve—they’re here to remind you what it looks like if you don’t.” – Charlamagne Tha God [82:41]
• “You just turn into the bad guy.” – Ray J, on dealing with his reputation [62:17]

Memorable Moments & Banter

• Ray J vs. Mario "Verzuz" Banter: Ongoing jokes about whose musical catalog would win, with playful jabs, disputes over the number and impact of each other's hits, and the logistics of an imaginary battle.
  • “[Ray J:] The song that I lead with is One Wish... I got a new gospel version.” [71:11]
• Lola’s Gold Plaque Reveal: The hosts surprise Lola with news of her gold plaque, leading to heartfelt gratitude about dreams coming true for herself and her mother.
  • “[Lola:] I’mma continue paying no bills, girl.” [20:50]
• Donkey of the Day: Unpacks how parental emotional reactions can escalate into legal trouble, with practical advice about keeping calm and handling conflict.
  • “You don’t always have to take it there, okay?” – Charlamagne [53:53]

Episode Tone & Style

Conversational, authentic, and brimming with inside jokes and cultural commentary. The hosts keep it lively and real, drawing out vulnerable and celebratory sides of the guests. The tone oscillates between playful rivalries, deep introspections, and feel-good energy.

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Start Time | End Time | |----------------------------------|------------|------------| | Listener Call-ins | 00:59 | 08:30 | | Lola Brooke Interview | 08:41 | 23:56 | | Mario Interview | 24:14 | 47:45 | | Donkey of the Day | 50:18 | 56:24 | | Ray J Interview | 56:50 | 74:49 | | Closing Remarks | 82:41 | 83:01 |

TL;DR: Why Listen?

• Candid insight from three influential figures in music, discussing personal growth and the music industry.
• Fun, unfiltered laughs and honest talk about relationships, success, and mental health.
• Signature Breakfast Club energy—a blend of jokes, community connection, and real advice for handling life’s pressures.