112.) Knicks Hotline + Dame Dash's Reaction to HOV (6/3/26)

Summary

The Ebro, Laura & Rosenberg Show

Episode 112: "Knicks Hotline + Dame Dash's Reaction to HOV"
Date: June 3, 2026
Hosts: Ebro Darden, Laura Stylez, Peter Rosenberg

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Episode Overview

This energetic episode captures New York’s buzzing anticipation for the Knicks’ NBA Finals matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. Ebro, Laura, and guests open up the phone lines for Knicks fans to share their hopes, pain, and predictions for the long-awaited moment. The crew also digs into New York hip-hop legacy talk, spotlighting rapper rankings and Jay-Z’s cultural presence, before dissecting Dame Dash’s recent commentary on Jay-Z. The show closes with news headlines, including the Trump slush fund controversy and a tragic South Carolina verdict. Throughout, the team blends humor, nostalgia, candid debate, and collective excitement.

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Knicks in the NBA Finals: A City United

Main Discussion Points:

• Anticipation for Game 1 in San Antonio; Knicks fans floods the hotline with stories, predictions, and decades of pent-up hope.
• Ebro discusses his complicated Knicks fandom, Dolan criticism, and the team's evolution under new management/coaching (transition from Tibbs to Mike Brown).
• Nostalgia for 1999 Finals vs. Spurs and shoutouts to multigenerational Knicks fans (Ebro’s daughter Issa and her grandfather).
• The city’s unifying energy — cab drivers, fans, and even non-Knicks fans sporting orange and blue.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• Caller Stephanie:
  “My daughter's wearing her Knicks gear to school... we're hardcore Knick fans.” [06:06]
• Ebro:
  "One of the most fulfilling things for me right now as a sports fan is living in a basketball town and seeing sports fans of a team get this feeling and have this moment in their life." [06:25]
• Caller Carice:
  "This is her first year being a Knicks fan... I cried... just the emotions over the years. Reggie Miller, even last year with Halliburton, with the choke." [15:45]
• Caller Amina:
  "I sat through the O.J. Simpson interrupting the Finals in '94... I'm excited, but I'm nervous." [19:32]
• Ebro and Laura on Knicks ‘PTSD’:
  “If they don’t win now, I have a feeling it’s all going to go to shits going like San Antonio now.” - Griff [30:30]
  “That’s past trauma talking right there.” - Ebro [31:43]

Key Analysis:

• The Knicks’ chemistry and depth praised; Knicks considered favorites by performance stats, but not by Vegas.
• Discussions around historic pain, hope, and the “playoff or bust” mentality.
• Insight into the consistent, long-term management and potential for a new, more successful Knicks era.

Timestamps:

• [02:00] Knicks fans call in; watch party hype
• [07:18] Ebro breaks down tactical odds, Knicks’ competitiveness
• [13:08] Popovich/Spurs praise, contrast with NY loyalty
• [23:43] Mike Greenberg’s analytical breakdown of why it’s the Knicks’ year (see next section)

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Mike Greenberg’s Knicks Finals Analysis

[21:43–23:56]

Guest Clip:

• Mike Greenberg (ESPN):
  "The New York Knicks are the junior varsity to no team ever. They are on the kind of heater that historically only the very greatest teams and very greatest players have ever matched... The Knicks are the fifth team ever to win 11 straight playoff games in a single year... These Knicks are a +271 in the playoffs... That is 75 points better than a team that was so good that people said it was ruining the sport..." [21:50]

Summary:

• Highlights Knicks’ unprecedented playoff run and statistical dominance
• Refutes narratives about an ‘easy path’ and underscores the team’s long rest advantage
• Argues this is a historically great run—Knicks are “not lucky, not a fluke, not a JV team”

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New York Hip Hop Rankings & Jay-Z Discourse

Segment Overview: [35:45–38:41]

• Hosts review Complex’s fan-voted NYC rapper list (Top 5: Nas, Biggie, Rakim, Jadakiss, Jay-Z).
• Analysis of shifting fan perspectives, fatigue with Jay’s perennial top ranking, and respect for ‘foundational’ MCs (Rakim).
• Shoutouts to the impact of podcasting and recent work on perennial NY favorites’ current profiles (esp. Jadakiss).

Notable Quote:

• Ebro:
  “Rakim... is the reason... people even rap the way they rap. You don’t even have a Big, a Nas, a Jay, a Jadakiss without Rakim.” [37:16]

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Dame Dash’s Reaction to Jay-Z at Roots Picnic

Discussion Start: [39:42]

• Dame Dash gives a now-viral interview critiquing Jay-Z’s stage presence, style (“I couldn’t hear the lyrics... the hairstyle was crazy...”) and reflecting that he feels “embarrassed for him a little bit.”
• The crew reacts with a mixture of mockery and genuine concern for Dame. They frame his comments as sad attempts to hold onto the past and possibly speak from personal pain.

Notable Quotes:

• Dame Dash:
  “I know him. When we were younger, when he was this age, he hated talking to people and doing all... He was retiring since Reasonable Doubt. For him to have to come outside 20 years later... I just felt kind of, like, embarrassed for him...” [39:49]
  “The hairstyle was crazy. Why would they let him come outside like that?” [40:56]
• Laura:
  “I think it’s sad to see. And I don’t even. Like, I saw it yesterday, I was like, I don’t even want to give this attention because it’s sad.” [43:29]
• Ebro:
  “There’s people who just don’t revere evolution and change, like, they want you to be the same version of you forever because that makes them comfortable. That’s really what he was saying.” [42:52] “When you look at Jay Z right now, he didn’t fulfill his dream. Surpassed it, bro.” [44:49]

Key Discussion Threads:

• The traps of nostalgia and the inability to celebrate others’ growth
• Healthy detachment vs. fame clinging (hoarding as metaphor)
• The business behind Dame’s interviews—payment for appearances

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Headlines & News Roundup

Knicks Watch Parties and Family Rituals

• [26:07–28:10] Listeners share at-home Knicks rituals, negotiating parenthood and fandom.

Trump “Slush Fund” & Republican Infighting

• [53:26–58:32]
• Discussion of Trump’s attempt to push a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and the related legal block.
• Deep skepticism about Supreme Court/Republican alignment and backroom deals to insulate Trump/protect allies:
  “Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court... all aligned.” – Ebro [54:20]
• Critique of Fox News failure to report on administration corruption, Megyn Kelly’s retroactive criticism, and broader GOP complicity.

Memorable Commentary:

• Laura: “You’re part of the problem. You created this. You uplifted all of this... Yo, these people are sick.” [58:00]

South Carolina Shooting Verdict

• [59:13–62:11]
• Brief, somber coverage of the acquittal of Rick Chow, who shot and killed 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton; trauma for Black families, expected verdict in the South, and calls for emotional resilience and self-care.

Music Biopic Note & “Ellie Jackson”

• Michael Jackson biopic to stream June 9; becomes highest-grossing music biopic ever [51:17]
• Light moment: NY Liberty mascot Ellie “moonwalks,” amusing both hosts and Ebro’s daughter [51:40–52:15]

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Notable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• Ebro on Knicks Past Trauma: “That’s past trauma talking right there.” [31:43]
• Mike Greenberg: “The Knicks are not lucky. They're not a fluke... They are right now playing about as well as any team ever. And in about two weeks time, they absolutely might win this whole damn thing.” [23:43]
• Laura: “If you get a chance, go watch a [Liberty] game.” [52:57]
• Ebro (On Dame Dash): “People do hold on to the past in ways... people just cannot let it go.” [48:56]
• Laura: “That triggers me. My dad was a hoarder. You have to get rid of old. You have to let go.” [49:17]
• Ebro (News): “Congress, the White House and the Supreme Court... they’re basically all aligned.” [54:20]
• Laura: “Yo, these people are sick. And look where we are now.” [58:00]
• Ebro (on Carmack-Belton verdict): “Take a breath, stay on your square, and stay focused. Because you never know how much information like this sits in your subconscious... and causes you to make more unhealthy decisions throughout the day.” [62:11]

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Listener Call Highlights & Knicks Predictions

• Multiple listeners reveal lifelong Knicks pain and joy, from the O.J. Simpson interruption in '94 to MSQ memories and personal traditions.
• Some callers predict a Knicks sweep (“Knicks in 4!”), others hedge with “Knicks in 6.”
• Shared admission of “Knicks PTSD,” yet a sense of rare optimism and unity.

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Closing Thoughts

This episode shines in bringing together diverse threads of New York identity—basketball passion, hip-hop discourse, and biting cultural critique. The Knicks’ Finals run is a cathartic moment for a city long mired in sports heartbreak, and the crew soaks up every ounce of excitement and anxiety along with callers. Sidebars on music icons, artist evolution, and the dysfunctions of power in news and politics provide depth and humor, creating an episode that’s as spirited, therapeutic, and real as the city it serves.

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For More:

• Follow on X: @theelrshow
• TikTok: @ebrolaurarosenberg

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End of Summary

Transcript

[Ebro Darden]

Just don't call it a podcast.

[Mike Greenberg]

The Ebro Laura Rosenberg show.

[Ebro Darden]

Yeah, right. Wasn't just me, right?

[Lou]

No, I could.

[Dame Dash]

I heard it was clear from here.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Hey, hey, hey. Good morning. Everyone

[Ebro Darden]

okay? Yeah, I think that's what happened yesterday. Rahsaan. Something's going on with the audio feed. These new headphones we just got. These new earrings. Just got blown out by that intro coming through. I don't know what's going on. Crazy, right?

[Laura Rosenberg]

All good. All good.

[Caller/Listener]

Oh, good.

[Ebro Darden]

Crazy, crazy, crazy. Hang on. We gotta do some live sound check, audio stuff. Y' all gotta bear with us.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Crazy Queensy.

[Ebro Darden]

Yeah. Rahsaan. I don't know why they came in hot like that. It was low. It came in hot in the headphones. Lou heard it way over there. It sound fine on YouTube. Yeah, they're fun over here. It's a gain. The gain over here is good to go. Let me see. Somebody had to gain up on a. On one of these pots, though. I don't know why, but I just fixed it. Anyway, these new headphones we just bought. Griff. Finish.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, my God.

[Ebro Darden]

Finish.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Grand opening.

[Ebro Darden]

Yo, they don't make these short in ears like they used to. These used to be the business right here. These right here used to be. Y' all went cheap on them. Sure. What you doing? What you doing anyway? Ebro Laura Rosenberg. Good morning. Subscribe like Share844-ELR ELR3 Big night tonight, Knicks fans. We need Knicks fans on the line. Let's talk that talk. I want to hear from y'.

[Griff]

All.

[Ebro Darden]

You know y' all my favorite.

[Caller/Listener]

Yes.

[Ebro Darden]

You deserve everything you're going to get tonight. Literally.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Come on, call us up. 844-ELR. ELR3. How exciting.

[Ebro Darden]

N. It's incredible. I don't know. I may have to quit today. The way these headphones sound in my ear right now, there's just static on my right side. It's a mess, but. 8, 4, 4, ELR ELR 3, get on the line and let's celebrate because. Or at least talk a little. Ish. There's nothing to celebrate yet. The work's not done. But Nick, San Antonio, tonight is gonna be a situation. Yeah, I mean, the WATCH parties are gonna be incredible.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Let me see. Let me shout out a few people. Nancy B. 6464. Benny Vasquez, Marilyn 9137. All hitting that orange and blue.

[Ebro Darden]

Yup.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Knicks fans checking in. Rex01. Let's go, man. And don't forget, don't be shy. Call us up. 8, 4, 4, ELR. ELR 3. I love hearing from you guys.

[Ebro Darden]

Now, I also have a question. For many years, Knicks fans always have problems with my expectations of the Knicks and my ridicule of Dolan's management of the team. And, you know, I was just very honest. Look, if you're one of the most, you know, profitable franchises in the NBA, you should at least be in playoff contention every year. But for the last four years, or has it been five, Four or five years, I've saluted the Knicks. Tibbs. All those things. Even the transition last year when it was like, hey, we're getting rid of Coach Tibbs and we're gonna go Mike Brown. Everybody was like, we hope this works. Mike Brown is shown to be a playoff leader, but. And obviously been to the Finals as an assistant. Some other things. But now it's his time to lead. And so I think everybody was supportive but ready to be disappointed because the Knicks have been a disappointment for 27 years. But, you know, this is a rematch. Yes. 99. 1999. The last time the Knicks were in this circumstance was against the Spurs.

[Laura Rosenberg]

1999. Y. Wow.

[Ebro Darden]

So a lot of Knicks fans have always not wanted my love, not wanted my support, and I understand. But tonight, my daughter, Issa.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Uhhuh.

[Ebro Darden]

Her grandfather.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay, okay.

[Ebro Darden]

Who's been a Knicks fan his entire life. He's from Harlem. He was also just put into the Hofstra hall of Fame. Oh, that's amazing, because he was on the basketball team at Hofstra that went undefeated and 1912 or whatever.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yo, bro, don't disrespect.

[Ebro Darden]

No, no, no. I don't know what. No, but he was on that. He was on that squad.

[Laura Rosenberg]

That's fire, though.

[Griff]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

They just got put into, like, the Hofstra, like, Sports hall of Fame over there, but he's, like, 70.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

But also, shout out to Issa's grandfather, Sid Davis. He. He also still refs basketball games and volleyball games.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, he's acting like he's.

[Ebro Darden]

Yeah, he's fit still. He could probably outrun me right now. Fire at 70 years old. But yeah, next tonight, we got any call. Yes. Rasan. I'll say, as you mentioned, the kids for the Knicks. I'm. Donnie did something pretty cool. Oh, yeah, that's right. The other night. Yeah. When we play it.

[Caller/Listener]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

Let's have a look.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Griff]

Here is our mayor's order repealing kids bedtimes.

[Ebro Darden]

Yeah. Are we ready?

[Griff]

Who here was alive in 1999?

[Ebro Darden]

So, yeah, he put out an executive order. You Know that's just another, I guess, another reminder that executive orders don't mean. Because guess what, Mom? Donnie, I love you to death, but let me tell you what your little paperwork ain't doing. It ain't. It ain't gonna prevent me from putting Selassie in bed when it's time for her to get into bed. So that part. Griff, who you got? We got Stephanie on the line. Stephanie, good morning. Let's go, Nicks.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Hey, Stephanie.

[Caller/Listener]

Hi, how are you? Good morning.

[Ebro Darden]

Good morning, good morning. You got these Knicks tonight?

[Caller/Listener]

Yes. My daughter's wearing her Nick gear to school. We're running a little late, but we're hardcore. Knick fan.

[Ebro Darden]

What's your daughter's name?

[Caller/Listener]

My name. My daughter's name is Delilah.

[Ebro Darden]

Now, have you and your household been Knicks fans, like, your entire life?

[Caller/Listener]

My entire life since Van Gundy got dragged down the court.

[Griff]

Wow.

[Ebro Darden]

Wow. Listen, one of the. I'll tell you, one of the most fulfilling things for me right now as a sports fan is, you know, living in a city that is a. Known as like a town, a basketball town, and be. Literally. I was just saying one of the most fulfilling things for me is living in a basketball town and, and seeing, you know, sports fans of a team get this feeling and have this moment in their life.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's really beautiful to watch. It's fun. It's fun just to see the excitement and then just seeing how everybody. Like, this is the one thing that unites everybody, fam. Everyone's walking. It could be old, young, no matter where you from. Everyone's like, nick, let's go. It's super dope. When I was coming in the. My Uber driver had full jersey on, his hat on. He was hyped. He was hyped.

[Ebro Darden]

It's going to be a great time. And, and you know, it sucks though that we're not going to get an MSG game until next Monday, but nonetheless, the city's going to be lit up. And, and I'll be honest, I've been. I, I follow a few analysts and, and, and you know, people, sports individuals who really get into the tape, you know, they. Looking at the last time the spurs and the Knicks played. The adjustments that the Knicks made on the floor. The adjustments that the spurs made on the floor. I gotta be honest, man, it's looking great for the Knicks. It looks great for the Knicks and the Knicks have a deeper team.

[Lou]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

Just all the way around at every position. And I don't think.

[Lou]

And I think there was a stat but no team has played with such chemistry like this, like, an offensive chemistry, like, ever.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, and do we still have the asked for? I had sent over a Mike Greenberg clip some days ago. It may still be in the chat. Lou, if you could scroll back and get it over to Rahsaan. He had a great greenie. Had a great breakdown. I sent it over maybe over the weekend for Monday. I don't know if it made it in, but he had a great breakdown with regard to teams going into the Finals like the Knicks and how bad the Knicks have been beating other teams. The amount of points the Knicks have been beating other teams by. Griff, who's on the line? Jordan. Jordan, good morning. Let's go, Knicks. Jordan, yo, you're on, man. ELR844. ELR. ELR3, you're on with Ebro. And Laura Rosenberg's out on vacay with the family in Italy. He's also doing wwe, too.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

Jordan, what's up, man?

[Griff]

Hey, how you doing? Hey, how you doing?

[Ebro Darden]

I just want to hear that Nicks. I want to hear that. Nick's energy, bro.

[Griff]

Yo, listen, listen. Nixon, Ford. Nixon, Ford, Nixon.

[Lou]

4.

[Ebro Darden]

That means they're gonna win both nights in San Antonio, come home Monday, and then close out next Wednesday.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I like this energy.

[Griff]

Yo, listen. We call it a broom. We sweep and sweep and sweepin'.

[Ebro Darden]

I mean, I like that energy. I'm down for it. I'm down for it. It's a tough putt, but I like it. And I like what the. I like what the Knicks are feeling like, too. Jordan, have you been a Knicks fan your entire life?

[Griff]

No. I need to. I need to not act like I was riding with them all. I'm gonna keep it a hundred with you. I actually root for the Thunder until the Knicks get into it. Then, you know, I gotta take pride in my city.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, God. Okay, okay.

[Ebro Darden]

Wait. Who lives it. Wait. Are you from Oklahoma City?

[Griff]

No, sir. It's a long story. We can't get into why I root for them. I have a very specific reason why

[Ebro Darden]

I kind of want to know now. I think we all want to know.

[Griff]

Say it again.

[Ebro Darden]

I think we can make time for this crazy answer that you're going to give us on why you root for Oklahoma City.

[Griff]

Somebody from Oklahoma City actually was a person that got me into basketball. They taught me how to play, and I. You know, I learned a lot of things from watching them live. And I said, you know what? I'm gonna support them. But at the same time, I'm a New Yorker, and I take pride in my city. So I was nervous about this whole thing because I was like, am I going to be put in a position where I gotta. I gotta root against New York in New York.

[Ebro Darden]

Wait, wait. So there was actually in your brain

[Griff]

when the Thunder didn't make it, you know, it was. It was heartbreaking what happened to them, but at the same time, I was, you know, a weight off of my chest so that I could. I could root for my city.

[Ebro Darden]

This is crazy.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, my God.

[Ebro Darden]

Jordan, we got.

[Griff]

I know, I know, I know, I know.

[Ebro Darden]

We gotta talk.

[Laura Rosenberg]

At least he knows it is what it is.

[Ebro Darden]

I wanna. I want to commend you on your honesty. I want to commend you on your ability to really be loyal to the person who, like, you know, your mentor or whoever this was that brought you into the love of basketball. But to live in a city like. But to live in a city like New York and actually your brain.

[Griff]

Public. I've never publicly worn OKC gear. I keep it in my closet.

[Ebro Darden]

All right, all right, all right. It's like. That's like a KKK hood.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, my God.

[Griff]

Listen, listen, listen. I got real KKK trauma. Chill.

[Laura Rosenberg]

You're like, chill out.

[Ebro Darden]

Chill, chill, chill. Now, Jordan, it's love, bro.

[Griff]

I've seen real cross burners, my boy.

[Ebro Darden]

Nah, it's love. It's love, bro. I'm giving you a hard time, but I love y'.

[Griff]

All. Thank you.

[Ebro Darden]

Love you too, man.

[Griff]

Long time fan support. You watch every morning. I was just overseas. I'm getting. I'm changing my time schedule just so I could catch the show, man.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, you're awesome.

[Ebro Darden]

Thank you. And where were you at overseas, Jordan, man, Where were you at overseas?

[Griff]

I was in Greece.

[Ebro Darden]

Greece, okay. That's what's up, man. Well, a world traveler and a great human being. Jordan, we appreciate your support.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Thank you, Jordan.

[Griff]

Thank you. Thank you. Love y'. All.

[Ebro Darden]

All right, man, let's go. Nicks, Griff, what else we got? That's all the calls right now. Everybody else was sounding crazy. 8, 4, 4, ELR. ELR 3. The lines will stay open the entire show if you want to get into the Knicks. Did we find that Greeny clip by any chance? I never sent it. Now fail on my behalf, fail on me. Let me see if I can find that joint because I feel like. I feel like it's a great breakdown. In the meantime, Laura, you want to get to that super chat?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, I mean, let's see. I think we only have one.

[Lou]

I only have one that just came

[Laura Rosenberg]

in just for 199. Oh, God.

[Lou]

Yeah, exactly.

[Laura Rosenberg]

He's asking Chef narrative. Are you guys hiring? No, we are not, sir. We are not hiring, man.

[Ebro Darden]

We trying to pay the people we got, bro.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Exactly. Exactly. But I see a lot of people even in the chat that are. They're like, I'm not even a Knicks fan, and I'm rooting for the Knicks. So I see that a lot.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, I. I will say. I will say, look, you know, if you are a Greg Popovich fan, who. Greg Popovich is an amazing head coach and an amazing human being.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

Okay. And if you've been following the story of having a stroke, and then, you know, they're showing him and Tim Duncan together watching games and being. And Tim Duncan, obviously a legend in the NBA, and they won chips, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, I could see how a. A casual fan of just sports and whatever might be, you know, having some love.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Right?

[Ebro Darden]

Let's call it that. Having love and glad that they're in this moment. But to live in a city like New York and not be. Or anywhere in this area.

[Griff]

Right.

[Ebro Darden]

And not be rooting for the Knicks, tough. I can see a Sixers fan not rooting for the Knicks. I can see a Celtics fan, obviously, not rooting for the Knicks. Lou, you're a Nets fan. What would you like to say?

[Lou]

Well, I'm depressed. I'm a depressed nuts fan, but from Jersey, huh? Shout out to Jalen Brunson, who was born in New Brunswick.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, God.

[Caller/Listener]

Same hospital.

[Lou]

St. Peter's Hospital.

[Ebro Darden]

I was going, you know, so.

[Lou]

And. And Cat from Piscataway. So, you know, I got Jersey all here.

[Ebro Darden]

Jersey's all in it.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I love it.

[Ebro Darden]

That's good enough for you.

[Lou]

That's good enough for me. Because the Nets ain't going to win anytime soon.

[Ebro Darden]

Anytime soon.

[Lou]

Yes, Griff, I got Carice on the phone.

[Ebro Darden]

He is flying in from Miami for the game.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, wow.

[Ebro Darden]

All right. You said. It's Carissa. Carice, how you doing? Good morning.

[Griff]

Hey, good morning, Ebro. How you doing?

[Ebro Darden]

Good. Welcome. Welcome to the city. Or back to the city, if you're coming back from Miami.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Good morning.

[Griff]

Back. Back from Miami. So about a year and a half ago, I sent you all a guru about my sister who I had to call out who worked for Tesla.

[Ebro Darden]

Oh, I think I remember this.

[Caller/Listener]

Yeah.

[Griff]

Crazy thing about it, she actually got fired from Tesla, from Tesla, because she decided to talk about Charlie Kirk.

[Ebro Darden]

Wow.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, look.

[Griff]

But crazy. So now, the thing is, this is her first year being a Knick fan and she said it's because of me. So she surprised me and she signed me in on Sunday.

[Laura Rosenberg]

That's fire. Wow, that's so nice.

[Griff]

I'm excited. This I cannot wait.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, man, that's so beautiful. When was the last time you were here?

[Griff]

I came a year and a half ago.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Griff]

And a half ago.

[Laura Rosenberg]

All right, well, you get to celebrate

[Griff]

with the city this 27 years of misery.

[Ebro Darden]

No, it's been rough. I, I, how can you describe how happy you are right now?

[Griff]

Listen, I cried, okay? I cried because. List just the emotions over the years. Reggie Miller, even last year with Halliburton, with the choke.

[Caller/Listener]

That pissed me the hell off.

[Ebro Darden]

Right?

[Griff]

I mean, like, like, like I think someone said earlier, just the chemistry that we have right now, it's just amazing.

[Ebro Darden]

No, it, Yeah, I was King Lou talking about the chemistry. I found the Mike Greenberg clip on his, on my Greenberg's page. I want to show that shout out to Mike Greenberg from espn. Um, but, you know, not only just the chemistry, but the odds of the Knicks getting this done are very, very high. And I, I don't look at betting lines. Thanks, Sheree, for your call. I don't, I don't look at betting lines or, you know, what Vegas is saying. I don't really, I'm not into that gambling world like that, so I just really look at what individuals who cover sports have to say. But it looks really good for the Knicks. Lou, you look like you want to say something.

[Lou]

Well, no, I was gonna say if you're looking. The spurs are the betting favorites right now for the Finals.

[Ebro Darden]

Interesting.

[Griff]

Yeah,

[Ebro Darden]

the spurs are young. Okay, the spurs are young. But that doesn't necessarily bode well for you in the Finals. No, for sure. But next few years they're gonna be scared. I know the spurs ain't going anywhere for a few years.

[Lou]

Wimbies.

[Ebro Darden]

Wimby's a month. Like I listen, I love the spurs and I love the organization. I love the quality of the organization. Like, I think when you look at franchises in professional sports, you will put the spurs in the conversation for some of the best well run, okay? Kind of like family oriented, you know, quality leadership. Players not. You don't really hear players complaining or having, Even when they come and go quickly like, you know, Kawhi Leonard or whatever, you don't hear people disparaging the spurs or the organization at all. And I think that that's phenomenal. Look, I hope when, what is it? Next Monday, the Knicks play at the Garden Friday, I believe.

[Dame Dash]

Monday.

[Ebro Darden]

Yeah, Monday. Are we fixing up this Oakley thing?

[Lou]

I hope so.

[Ebro Darden]

Are the Knicks. Is that fixable? Because to have all of the legends.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

Remember, he's been banned from the game. And him and him and Dolan. Dolan were going at it and having issues and he got kicked out.

[Laura Rosenberg]

And I don't know if Dolan. I don't know if Dolan is. Will let him back in.

[Ebro Darden]

He's not gonna want to.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I don't think so. I don't think so.

[Lou]

I think it's too far in.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Right.

[Lou]

I think he's just in multiple interviews, as Griff just mentioned. He mentioned it on our show back in the. Back in the day. He's mentioned in multiple shows, even recently. I just think he's. He dug too far deep. I don't think it's fixable.

[Ebro Darden]

Griff, what you got? Amina, Good morning. You're on ELR844ELR, ELR3. The phone is always on if y' all want to talk Nick's today. Matter of fact, the phone's always on if you just want to talk in general. Unless you're talking crazy. Amina, what's happening?

[Caller/Listener]

Hey, good morning, guys. How y' all doing?

[Ebro Darden]

We're feeling great. Let's go, Nick's.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Let's go.

[Caller/Listener]

Let's donate. Let's go, Knicks. I got Knicks and six.

[Ebro Darden]

Nicks and six.

[Caller/Listener]

She says Nick and six. And I think Nick's gonna take game one tonight.

[Ebro Darden]

Man. If they take game. Listen, that's what needs to happen. Get the momentum early, steal a win. Game 1 in San Antonio and just get that right. Cause game two, you know, it gets shaky, but then you come home for two. You come home for two, and you could be up 3:1 by next Wednesday.

[Caller/Listener]

Oh, my God. Yeah.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Please, please, please.

[Ebro Darden]

Now. It would be beautiful. So, Amino, you've always been a Knicks fan your whole life?

[Caller/Listener]

Been a Knicks fan my whole life. I. I sat through the O.J. simpson interrupting the finals in the 94.

[Griff]

Wow.

[Ebro Darden]

You got a story.

[Laura Rosenberg]

You go way back. Wow.

[Ebro Darden]

So how does this feel, this moment for you?

[Caller/Listener]

I'm so. I'm excited, but I'm nervous. Nervous. I'm not even gonna lie. I'm nervous, but I have a good feeling. I think this is the year for Dalen Brunson. I like Wendy, but I think this

[Griff]

is Jalen Brunson's year.

[Ebro Darden]

Now, is there any piece of you as a Knicks fan or any Knicks fan hearing us had his combo right now that you know, I Know, this is, you know, it's kind of been finals or bust the last several years now. The finals are here and there, and. And Lou, correct me if I'm wrong, there's no. Nothing hovering over the Knicks right now, contractually where this team would have to be blown up, even win or lose here at the final. Like, this is the team.

[Lou]

This is the team. The only way you would blow it up at this point is I think if they didn't make the finals and they made all the changes with Thibodeau and all that stuff, that that's when

[Ebro Darden]

you would blow it up with Cat.

[Lou]

Maybe not working in Brunson, but the way they're gelling right now, this is the team, right?

[Ebro Darden]

So win or lose here, they're going to be coming back around next year to take a swing at this thing. When you're talking about back to backs, you having a different combo. So, I mean, I, I put that on the table just because when you say, like, it sounds like you're apprehensive, You're. You're nervous. There's nothing. This is like we're playing with the house's money right now. It feels like, like you don't.

[Caller/Listener]

Don't win this year. I'm not feeling good for next year if they win this year. I'm okay for the next few years if they don't win a championship. But it's got to be this year. It has to be.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I feel like I hear that a lot. It has to be this year.

[Ebro Darden]

Look, I. I want to say. I want that. I want that, too. I want the Knicks to win. I want that for the city. I want that for the fans. I want that for basketball. I think it's great on so many levels. Yes. Rah. My dad reminded me last night that we beat the spurs in the. In. In tournament. That's right. In season tournaments. That's right. We. We know how to beat them already. That's right. That's the thing. And the Knicks weren't even playing their best ball at that time.

[Dame Dash]

At all.

[Ebro Darden]

At all. Here's the Mike Greenberg breakdown on why he feels this is the year the Knicks are going to take it.

[Mike Greenberg]

Spreading the news. The New York Knicks are the junior varsity to no team ever. They are, in fact, on the kind of heater that historically only the very greatest teams and very greatest players have ever matched. And they absolutely could win the title in the next couple of weeks. Let me lay this out for you. The Knicks are the fifth team ever to win 11 straight playoff games in a single year. The others featured, in chronological order, Magic and Kareem, Duncan and Robinson, Shaq and Kobe, and Steph and kd. Just digest that for a moment. That's the entire list. And among those, the 2017 warriors had the best point differential. Okay. They entered the Finals outscoring their opponents by 196 points. These Knicks are a plus 271 in the playoffs. That is 75 points better than a team that was so good that people said it was ruining the sport. But here's the thing. You know all of that already. What you want to talk about is an easy path to the Finals. So let's talk about easy paths. Did you know that none of the last three NBA champions ever faced a team seeded higher than fourth? I don't think you did. Last year, OKC, they played the eight, the four, the six, and the four seeds. The year before that, Boston, they played the eight, the 4, the 6, and the 5. Before that, Denver, they played the 8, the 4, the 7, and the 8. The point is, this is nothing new, so let's stop talking about it. And then finally, there's this. The enormous advantage of rest. By the time the Finals start, the Knicks will have played four games in 23 days.

[Ebro Darden]

Wow.

[Mike Greenberg]

There are only three prior teams to have that profile since the playoffs expanded. They were the 2017 warriors, the 2001 Lakers, and the 99 Spurs. All three of them won the Finals in five games. So whether you love or loathe New York and its teams, just be aware of this. The Knicks are not lucky. They're not a fluke. They are not the jv. They are right now playing about as well as any team ever. And in about two weeks time, they absolutely might win this whole damn thing. That's what needed to be said.

[Ebro Darden]

Mike Greenberg, espn.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Let's go.

[Ebro Darden]

Listen, when I saw that, I was like. I mean, if you're into the numbers, Mike gave it to you, gave me laid them out. Laura Styles. Yes, Griff, what you got?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, man.

[Ebro Darden]

Dre, we talking Nick's this morning. Nick's taking a championship. Dre, what you got?

[Dre]

This is a beat of 250. During black music Month, we celebrate the legendary Prince, one of the most influential artists in music history. Born Prince Rogers Nelson On June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Prince changed music forever with classics like Purple Rain, when doves cry in 1999, his sound blended funk, rock, soul and pop into something completely original. But Prince was more than just an incredible performer. He became a powerful advocate for artists Owning their music and creative freedom. During his battle with Warner Bros. He famously wrote the word slave on his face to protest industry control over musicians and their work. Prince believed ownership meant freedom and independence. Though he passed away in 2016 at the age of 57, his music message, creativity and fearless spirit continue inspiring generations worldwide. Today we proudly honor his purple badness and his unforgettable legacy forever.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Black Music Month Amplified Voices is sponsored by aarp.

[Griff]

Yo, Dre Rocker Salt Lake City. First time, long time. Look, these analysts, these reporters, they've been doubting the Knicks since day one. Hell, if you go onto Google right now, they got the spurs colorway before the Knicks. The Knicks are number one. Why are we going to San Antonio tonight? Like, it don't make no sense. The. The Knicks have been the underdog the whole time, man. The Knicks are going to win. Nicks at 4.

[Ebro Darden]

He's got Knicks at 4. Thanks for your call, brother. Thanks for listening. Salt Lake City.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, man.

[Ebro Darden]

What do you got, Griff? Nessie, Nessie, listen. That's what we doing today. The Knicks, the NBA finals crack off tonight, man. And. And we live in New York. So wherever you're watching around the world, anytime something's going on in New York is going to be the priority. What's her name? Nessie. Good morning. Hello. You're on ELR.

[Caller/Listener]

Hey, it's Nancy. How are you?

[Ebro Darden]

Good. We are great. We are ready for the game tonight to watch the Knicks take game one in San Antonio.

[Caller/Listener]

I just want to say first Ebro. Laura. I love you guys. I've been listening to you since Hot 97. I had my daughter in 2020, so I followed you, Laura, all the time.

[Laura Rosenberg]

You're the best.

[Caller/Listener]

Thank you so much for all you guys have done. I just wanted to share my. My husband and. And even myself. We're heavy Knicks fans. However, my husband's going to the game tonight and he's leaving me and my daughter behind. He's watching with his boys.

[Griff]

What do I do?

[Ebro Darden]

You be a. You be a supportive family member.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, let him ride.

[Ebro Darden]

You understand that there's no way he probably could have financially afforded to take the whole family.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I know.

[Ebro Darden]

And he. And now did he buy this ticket or was he g. Did this ticket.

[Caller/Listener]

I can't hear you too well, but I'm gonna take your advice. You guys are muffling a little bit.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay, all right, all right. Because we asked you, did he buy the ticket?

[Caller/Listener]

No, no, no, no. We. We looked for tickets. It was like $2,000 for him to. To get the Tickets and then also get the flight over.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Caller/Listener]

But we were like, nah, we're not doing that. So he's. He's gonna end up going and watching the game with his boys that his boys place. And then I'm like, what about us?

[Ebro Darden]

All right, well, no, I think y', all, if that's okay. I thought you said he was going to the game.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's what I thought too.

[Caller/Listener]

No, no, we're not spending. It was about 2,000 for a hotel flight and the ticket.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay, okay, well, look, make yourself your own watch party. Make some wings, you know, get some food together, maybe invite some friends over and you have your own watch party.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, and. And here's the. Here's the. Here's the. The trade off. And thanks for your. We have a toddler in the house. Okay. And so we deal with this often where it's kind of like a. Are we gonna take the baby to an adult event?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

Right. Where now, because there's a baby around, especially a toddler and she said she had a baby in 2020 that's a six year old. So it's not really a baby. Six year old, which might even be more annoying. Right. Because a. You gotta watch how you talking.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Ebro Darden]

Right. So you can't just be cursing and hollering. You can't be smoking and chilling and talking crazy. So that's how. Then the kid is going to be distracting. Their. Their attention span probably ain't gonna be able to sit through a full basketball game. Maybe, maybe not. So then you have to. You have to make sacrifices. So hopefully for her husband goes to watch the game with the fellas tonight. He could drink, smoke, hang out. And then on. On Friday, they watch it together as a family.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

Because that game one has a little. Has a little something to it.

[Lou]

It's the first.

[Ebro Darden]

Nah, that game one has a little something to it. Shout out to my dude, Set Free Richardson, who's on the program. We're gonna put that conversation out. Is that coming out later on today? Yeah, Compound Art and Sound. He's having a private event if. If you have an RSVP to you in the game. And you know people who know Set Free, they having a private event over there in Brooklyn at Compound Art and Sound. I may pull up to that. Griff, what you got? Hot rod Rick steps in the room.

[Laura Rosenberg]

How you feeling?

[Griff]

I'm feeling good, baby. Yo, I'm saying Nick for you heard me. Y' all can hear me good.

[Ebro Darden]

No, we hear you. I heard Nixon 4. I was gonna let you finish. I didn't want to cut you off before I have to cut you off because I know how you get. So I was letting you get that

[Griff]

Nixon for yo he, bro. Knock it off. Because I know you a Los Angeles Brooklyn Knick.

[Ebro Darden]

I'm Los Angeles, New York, Brooklyn.

[Griff]

Yeah, yeah. But yo Goon, there's one I'm keeping a hunted. I'm a Nets fan, you heard, But I always root for the Knicks, you know, Jalen Brotherson cat, Mikhail Bridges was with Brooklyn, you know, I hope they win it, but this is what makes me nervous going. You know the Knicks, how they are. If they don't win it this year, I have a feeling it's all going to go to shit's going like San Antonio now.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Don't say that. Don't say that.

[Griff]

They're going to be good for a long time.

[Ebro Darden]

I want to believe.

[Griff]

Always going to be there.

[Ebro Darden]

I want to believe that we have entered a new era of New York Knicks basketball and front office management. They have been consistent in building this team for like the last six, seven years, right? Brunson. Brunson's what, six, six, five years?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Four.

[Ebro Darden]

Four years in on Brunson. And then remember, they added. I forget the guys's name. I know Worldwide west personally. What's the other guy? Rose in the front office. Leon Rose in the front office. And they've been running, they've been keeping this ship on the rails, man. And then obviously Tibbs, everybody recognized that Tibbs could only take a team so far. And now they went out and got Mike Brown and we're in the finals. Or let me say. Let me not say we. So I don't piss off any Knicks fans because they may not want me on a bad way. Yeah, we, we. Let me not say we. Let me not say we.

[Griff]

But the Knick going the just make me nervous though. Boom. Because they don't win it now, who knows? And then I don't know the whole

[Ebro Darden]

team, but that's, that's, that's past trauma.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, Rick, we need positive energy.

[Ebro Darden]

That's past trauma talking right there. Come on.

[Griff]

But it's all positive. Let's go, New York.

[Ebro Darden]

There you go.

[Griff]

You see, I don't rock with them, but I'm rocking with New York Knicks.

[Ebro Darden]

Now, Knicks fans, here's the question. Because my daughter and I want to see my daughter have this moment. Is she's Nick's.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Ebro Darden]

And she'll even tell you when I'm like, yo, the Knicks. She's like, you don't like the Knicks. You're not a Knicks fan. Like, she's on that type of time.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, she's spicy. Now, let's go.

[Ebro Darden]

But because I'm rooting for the Knicks to win, and Issa's my daughter, can't I say we? No, I wouldn't do that. But that's my. Like, that's. That's my blood, man. That's my. You know what,

[Laura Rosenberg]

Issa?

[Ebro Darden]

We as in me and Issa and the Knicks reaching. We as in me, Issa, the Knicks, and my friends who are Knicks fans. No, bro.

[Griff]

Let's go, Nick. I love y'. All. I'm out of here.

[Ebro Darden]

Yo, Hot Rod Rick.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Love you.

[Ebro Darden]

What you got there, Griff? This phone's going crazy for the Knicks. He has a theory. Oh, what's his name?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Brad.

[Ebro Darden]

Brad has a New York Knicks theory. We taking a lot of calls on the ELR show today. Like, and subscribe and share and all the things. 844 ELR. ELR 3. Brad, what's happening?

[Laura Rosenberg]

What's the theory?

[Ebro Darden]

Talk to us.

[Griff]

I'm not hearing the excitement. I'm really not hearing excitement from the big fan. And they don't. People aren't understanding what this is. You got an organization that's been in peril for years, and you got these players that are on this team right now that are from here.

[Ebro Darden]

Right.

[Griff]

And they have a pride, and they've loved this team, and this is the way they are playing.

[Ebro Darden]

Yeah, that's real talk. That's real talk.

[Laura Rosenberg]

But what do you mean? You don't see the excitement?

[Ebro Darden]

I think he. I think he's saying what kind of what, Hot Rod Rick? Some of that energy, the apprehension, and being excited because of the fear of disappointment.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Ebro Darden]

Is that what you're saying, Brad?

[Griff]

It's just. It's so much fear of what is going through the years. It's like ptsd. Yeah, I get it. Y' all need to be happy. Like, this is. This is the time. I'm. I'm from. I'm from Staten Island. Born, raised in Plainfield. Raised my kids here at the Scatterway with Carl Town. They worked out with him. New Brunswick is right next door.

[Ebro Darden]

That's right.

[Griff]

These guys love this, man. They grew up thinking about this, dreaming about this. You don't get any other NBA team that have all of these players that grew up on this team thinking about this, dreaming about this forever. Yeah, this don't happen.

[Ebro Darden]

No, you're right. It's very rare. This is rare air where you have individuals at the highest level of athleticism and sport. Professional sports from an area representing a legendary franchise for the top prize. Like, it's a. It's very rare.

[Griff]

Yeah. You don't get this.

[Ebro Darden]

And then there's.

[Griff]

They say rare air. This is rare air.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, and then they're college buddies. That's a whole other.

[Griff]

That's a whole. And that's a whole nother thing. You got these guys that. I mean, it's like playing with your high school friends all the way through.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, that is fire. That is fire when you really think about it. But I see the excitement, man. Listen. In the streets, on the train, people. It's like employees and customers, like, you see it everywhere. To me, that's what makes me excited. I just, I. All the love that's being celebrated in the street, so. But I get what you're saying, though. I get what you're saying. But we're going to keep that positive energy.

[Griff]

Come on, let's go. Go New York. Go New York.

[Ebro Darden]

Go. Yo, look, even the old anthem that I've hated for a thousand years. Go New York, go New York. It rings now. It rings now. It's fine. It's ringing. It makes sense now. Yo, thanks, Brad, for your phone call. Shout out to everybody tuning in. The lines remain open for you if you want an 8. 4, 4 ELR ELR. 3.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Ebro Darden]

Speaking of New York, and just a great time for New York. The whole week has been chock full of Jay Z at the Roots picnic talk.

[Laura Rosenberg]

That's right.

[Ebro Darden]

You know, and there's obviously this New York City rapper ranked list that's been circulating the. The algorithm for the last. I would say about the last week. Right? Last week, yeah, Because Complex put out like a list and then they allowed people to vote on the list and kind of re rank it. Is that what took place, Louis, Am I understanding right?

[Lou]

Yes.

[Ebro Darden]

Let's take a look at how the voting played out. That's clip eight. Here we go.

[Laura Rosenberg]

All right.

[Ebro Darden]

Nas at the top. Big Rakim, Jada, hov. That's the top five. I'm not mad.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Ebro Darden]

I'm not mad at all.

[Laura Rosenberg]

And then DMX, 50, LL, KRS, and Prodigy.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, the. That's from. So it's. This is the re Rank. So Complex had hov up higher than the voters.

[Laura Rosenberg]

And I'm assuming the Complex was just like staff picks, all the writers, they just. They put their two cents in it.

[Ebro Darden]

I'm not quite sure how that played out, but I'm not mad at that. What the voters put up Right there. Put that up one more time or something. For me. At 10 rappers, I just. Prodigy. Look, I love KRS being in there.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

I love DMX and 50 being in there. Like, this is a great list.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I just.

[Caller/Listener]

I.

[Laura Rosenberg]

For me, I think black thought needs to be up there.

[Ebro Darden]

No, it's New York, though.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, New York. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Okay, okay.

[Ebro Darden]

New York. That's Philly. You know, we could. We could. We could talk about. You know, I think Jay obviously gets lowered by voters because they've been inundated with Jay for so long on the algorithm. Right. Like, I think there's. There's fatigue on the J Brand with regard to people so tired of him being at the top of every list.

[Griff]

Right.

[Ebro Darden]

That. I think that that shows in that right there. Not that there's not love for him, but also, you know, big. Phenomenal, Right? But gone too soon, so we don't know how his career would have played out. Right, right, right. Rakim, you know, is. Is the reason. One of the reasons people even rap the way they rap. Like, you don't even have a big A Nas, a Jay, a Jadakiss without Rakim. And so it's phenomenal to see him up there. Jada, obviously, you know, he's. I love how his brand. Jada's brand today sits. He's always been beloved in New York as an emcee. Right. And one of the greats. I think he even had an album. Top five, dead or alive. He's. And he's always branded that, too. He's made sure. Yo. So some of the voting represents that marketing, but also some of the voting represents where he's at in the conversation today because of that Joe and Jada podcast, which is on fire.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

You know what I mean? So I love this, though. I love this list. This is phenomenal.

[Dre]

This is the beat of 250. We're celebrating black Music Month and honoring one of the most powerful and elegant voices in soul music history, the incomparable Phyllis Hyde. Before Anita Baker and Toni Braxton, there was Phyllis Hyman. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Pittsburgh, she became one of the defining voices of soul and sophistication. Her music gave us timeless classics like you Know how to Love Me, Meet Me on the Moon, and Living All Alone. This year marks 40 years since her groundbreaking Living All Alone album, a project filled with honesty, passion, heartbreak, and elegance. Phyllis didn't just sing songs. She lived every lyric. Her influence still echoes through artists today, including Jasmine Sullivan. Though she passed in 1995, her voice and legacy remain unforgettable. During Black Music Month, we proudly celebrate the timeless artistry of Phyllis Hyman.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Black Music Month. Amplified Voices is sponsored by aarp.

[Ebro Darden]

Now, in other Jay Z news, we have Dame Dash responding to Jay Z.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Why.

[Ebro Darden]

Why are we.

[Dame Dash]

I would prefer the version of Jay that would have said something more clever, and that's not the version of Jay that I would have ever signed. And I felt bad because I was like, it must be embarrassing for him to now have to be on that stage, not the same version of himself, and still have to work at that age, because he has to. So that was the brother in me. Like, damn. I know that because I know him. That when we were younger, when he was this age, he hated talking to people and doing all. He was retiring since Reasonable Doubt. For him to have to come outside 20 years later, I just know. I just felt kind of, like, embarrassed for him a little bit because we all know him. And then the funny in me. I couldn't even hear the lyrics because I. I. The hairstyle was crazy. And I was like, why would they let him come outside like that?

[Ebro Darden]

Like, why do they let you come outside? Because to me, it's like, the people who are commenting on this, that is funny.

[Dame Dash]

And. And there should be jokes for that hairstyle.

[Ebro Darden]

There are jokes.

[Dame Dash]

And if. If, like, everyone around him that loves him didn't laugh and be like, yo, what are you doing? And I'm like, why would he do that? Like, we want to see. And I'm gonna tell. Because I still care about jj. When you do Yankee Stadium, I need you to get a fade, and I fade a Caesar. I need you to put the Yankee hat on and do the thing to the side. That's what we want to see. We want to see chuckers. We want to see some jewelry. We don't want to see this version of you.

[Laura Rosenberg]

All right?

[Dame Dash]

I know. I don't. That version of the Rock was painful and hard to look at. Pause.

[Ebro Darden]

It's.

[Laura Rosenberg]

It's. So as he's talking about himself.

[Ebro Darden]

Oh, yo, well said, Laura Styles, Right? No, because I'm like.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I look at this, and I'm like, damn, that's embarrassing. I. That's embarrassing. That's painful to look at. That's sad.

[Ebro Darden]

Yo, no, listen, bro, something is serious. The sickness is serious. The audacity of some individuals. The delusion is crazy. The delusion is crazy. Now, look, you could. You could say you don't like Jay's hairstyle. You could. You can have, you know, look, and there's People who just don't revere evolution and change, like, they want you to be the same version of you forever, because that makes them comfortable. That's really what he was saying. I want the same Jay Z that I knew because that makes me feel okay about me, because I'm in shambles. My teeth flew out of my mouth on Instagram, and he's talking about someone else being embarrassed to show up and get on stage on a mic is. Is wild.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I don't even. I.

[Ebro Darden]

No, that. That's a level of brain damage and mental health. That's a. It's a different level.

[Laura Rosenberg]

It's sad to see.

[Ebro Darden]

And. And by. And. And, yo, that level of confidence is also something you could. You can look at it from the other way, where you're like, yo, you ain't afraid of nothing, bro. You'll say anything. Your teeth just flew out your mouth on Instagram, and people's worried about your health. Like. Like, are you okay?

[Lou]

He's had a week, man. It's sad to see.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's. I feel the same. I think it's sad to see. And I don't even. Like, I saw it yesterday. I was like, I don't even want to give this attention because I just. It's. It's sad. Like.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, no, but is there any part of a person that. When you're having a tough time and you can acknowledge. I'm having a tough time. Okay. And someone that you used to know is having a great time, a successful marriage, family, business, career, you're not. Y' all used to be in cahoots. There's no version of that person that would get in public and be like, nah, bro, you got it. Like, you. You was able to do the thing that we was all trying to do, and you was able to do it and humble yourself in that moment.

[Laura Rosenberg]

It takes a certain type of person to be able to do that, bro.

[Ebro Darden]

But I think that's a healthy person.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah,

[Ebro Darden]

right. Because to get on camera and act like what Jay is doing right now in his life and in his career has any sort of negative slant to it aspirationally from the person that we've always known who Jay wanted to be and how he wanted to. What he talked about in his music, when you look at Jay Z right now, he didn't fulfill his dream.

[Lou]

Surpassed it, bro.

[Ebro Darden]

You know what I'm saying? Like, he didn't take it as far as it could be taken, like, as

[Laura Rosenberg]

an artist, as a businessman, like, come on, man. Like. But, you know, some People just cannot let it go. Some people are holding on to certain things and that's all they have left.

[Ebro Darden]

And by the way, I say that as somebody who has critique. Right. The same way we critique other artists, Drake, other things. Drake's taking it as far as you can take it. Like, we could get into, like, what we like and dislike hairstyle songs, release, lost to battle, whatever. Drake is also going to end up taking it as far as you could take it as far as business and brand and, like, the stage is set for him to be tremendously successful now. He's just measuring the wrong chart today. He's on the wrong chart champ today. But in the future, you know what I'm saying? It's gonna work out for him. But that's, you know, but that's all just talking shit. Like, that's not real. Like, when you kick back and you look at, yo, this hip hop thing that we love, these artists and this music that we love, and you look at individuals, whether we like their music or we even would wish that their content might be more insightful. There was times I wish Jay Z's content was more insightful and uplifting. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, that was a thing where it was like, all right, materialism. And I, you know, I went through that phase, but as I saw him evolve and grow, it got more insightful. It got more thoughtful. He got more thoughtful. Right. Like, he began to evolve as a human being. That's what you want to see a human being do. Like, that's one of the critiques of Drake today, right. Is people are. People wanted him to be more thoughtful and insightful and whatever in this most recent release, wanted him to be more mature. But he'll get there.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

In his time.

[Laura Rosenberg]

And you could critique all you want. It doesn't take away his accomplishments.

[Ebro Darden]

That's right.

[Laura Rosenberg]

You know what I mean? Like, he's. They're very accomplished and you can't deny that you have to be super haters.

[Ebro Darden]

No, it's different to that.

[Laura Rosenberg]

As we saw.

[Ebro Darden]

Yes, King Lou.

[Lou]

But I would say, to play devil's advocate, but on Dame's point of view, he feels probably that Jay had to step over him or step on him to surpass those dreams that he's experiencing right now.

[Ebro Darden]

Maybe. Maybe that's how he feels.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Or maybe just people just outgrow people and the reason that they are successful is because they had to let go of things that wasn't, you know, conducive to their growth.

[Ebro Darden]

You, you know, I Was told by an elder once, life is a game of attrition, meaning to succeed. And, and at this life thing, it will always be about what you're willing to get rid of. Both in the metaphoric sense, right. Stop doing things, you know, whatever, but also in the physical sense, people, items.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I believe everyone in this room has let go of relationships that no longer serve you.

[Ebro Darden]

Get. Get. You gotta get rid of that storage unit. B.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Ebro Darden]

Why are you still hold. Holding on to this storage unit?

[Laura Rosenberg]

You could have bought eight furniture sets by. By the money you spent on that. That storage unit. But it's true.

[Ebro Darden]

Yo the ill one. I. I remember I had someone in my family was holding on to their first computer. They were like, this is my first computer was like a IBM something.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Ebro Darden]

And you're not an electronics collector. It's not like some. In some sort of, you know, electronic section of your home where you're like displaying all of the. You're just holding on to an old computer because it's an old computer. It doesn't work. Can't use the parts. Can't use the parts. So. And I bring that up because people do hold on to the past in ways. It's like, odd. Like, this is my grandmother's chair as a baby.

[Laura Rosenberg]

It's a real thing.

[Ebro Darden]

And you're like, okay, what are you going to do with that? It's my grandmother's chair from when she was a baby. Does it have any special meaning? No, it was just. Are you using it for your baby? No, it's in storage. Are you going to donate it to another baby in the family?

[Laura Rosenberg]

No.

[Ebro Darden]

Is it have any use other than for you to say it's taking up space in the storage?

[Laura Rosenberg]

This triggers me.

[Ebro Darden]

Why?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Because my dad was like a hoarder. And this, this is like conversations that I have. I think that's why, okay, two things. I. I think I became a collector because of it. And then later on in life, I want to get rid of everything. And my whole thing is, you got to get rid of old. You're always going to bring new. You have to let go of things.

[Ebro Darden]

Got to make space.

[Laura Rosenberg]

You have to make room. You have to. So I've had these conversations over and over and over with people. And I recently had this conversation with my friend about her storage. And I was like, why? You have an old bed frame that you're never going to put into your apartment. You have what, like, boxes of stuff that you, you don't get rid of it. And she finally got rid of it. She Was like, I should have done that a long time ago. I'm like.

[Ebro Darden]

And not only that, but it's costing you money.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Ebro Darden]

You're literally spending money to keep this.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

So listen, Dame, I think it's time to go sit down, my guy. I, I, Unless he gets paid. You think he gets paid for these interviews?

[Lou]

Yeah, sure.

[Ebro Darden]

Yes. So there's money.

[Lou]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

Oh, so that's why we keep seeing him. Cuz he pops up to get paid.

[Lou]

I'm not sure Jason Lee paid him, but I know art of dialogue, he probably got paid for it.

[Ebro Darden]

Got it. So that, okay, so now this makes sense.

[Griff]

Yeah.

[Laura Rosenberg]

All right.

[Ebro Darden]

But it's also even more sad.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, I mean, look, his, his financial issues have been, you know, public.

[Ebro Darden]

Well documented.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

So well documented. Anyway, all right, we got the rundown. Laura Styles, let's get into it. When she pull up headlines heavy, but we still caught up. Light still flashing. We don't see.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay, good news, good news. The Michael Jackson biopic, Michael will be available to watch at home June 9th after a very successful run in theaters. So, you know, it earned nearly 850 million worldwide. It's the highest grossing music biopic ever.

[Ebro Darden]

Okay, but did we expect anything different? Michael Jackson?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

I heard, I heard of that guy. Yo, he's pretty popular, that Michael Jackson guy.

[Laura Rosenberg]

So, yeah, it'll be available on Apple tv, Prime and other platforms. So if you haven't seen it, that's your chance. But speaking of Michael Jackson, you know, someone we love here in the city, New York, Liberty's own, Ellie the Elephant.

[Ebro Darden]

Oh, here we go. A championship franchise here in the city was trending because.

[Caller/Listener]

Watch this.

[Ebro Darden]

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, oh, look at that footwork.

[Dre]

Come on, Ellie.

[Ebro Darden]

Come on, Ellie.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Look at that footwork.

[Ebro Darden]

Hey, hey, hey.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Best nap.

[Ebro Darden]

Here we go.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Wait, wait, wait.

[Caller/Listener]

Oh, my God.

[Ebro Darden]

Yo, I gotta send this video to Issa.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yo, everybody is losing their mind.

[Ebro Darden]

Ellie Jackson.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Ellie Jackson.

[Ebro Darden]

Ellie the Elephant Jackson. Go ahead. Now, the walk off was clean. So we in that we in the living room the other day. Issa got on. Now where was we at? Was in the living room. Where was we at? No, we was, I don't know where we was at, but we somewhere still had her shoes on. So it wasn't in the living room and it was on a carpet. And we don't have a carpet in the living room. She was trying to moonwalk in some air Maxes across the car. I was like, you know, that's not how that I need to send Her Ellie doing that.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, that was fun. That was fun to watch.

[Ebro Darden]

Yo, shout out to New York Liberty and the Barclays, everybody over there.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah. If you get a chance, go watch a game.

[Ebro Darden]

No, I was just texting with some of the guys, some of the dads in Issa's friend group about going to catch a game in August. You still got the plug. Not anymore.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Not anymore.

[Ebro Darden]

But you was the, you was the Latino voice of the New York Liberty.

[Laura Rosenberg]

No, not Liberty. The Nets.

[Ebro Darden]

Oh, the Nets. The Nets. The Nets.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I'll see it. I'm gonna do some digging.

[Ebro Darden]

But you up here caping for the Knicks. They definitely not bring you back.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I'm caping for Knicks fan.

[Ebro Darden]

All right, Nice spin. Nice fan.

[Laura Rosenberg]

All right. In other news, I don't know if you guys saw this, but Trump basically got the wham, wham, wham. He's backing off these plans for that 1.8 billion. The slush fund, he's calling it the anti weaponization fund. After getting a lot of pushback from Republicans and the Justice Department, which was set to manage the fund, they stated on Monday that it would abide by the court's ruling. So the judge said no. So even though he's trying to say, like, yeah, I'm going to step away, but, bro, the judge said no.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, judge is saying no on a lot of things, and I'm not quite sure. I haven't been tracking it close enough to know that when a judge says no, how much they actually abide by the law. Because there's definitely been instances where judges said no with certain laws. Then they go to the Supreme Court, which is basically. Right now, the Supreme Court is

[Laura Rosenberg]

compromised.

[Ebro Darden]

That's a good word. I was just gonna say just a MAGA court. Like, it's, it's just a. Another tool that's aligned. So you have Congress, the White House and the Supreme Court that are basically all aligned. And they were. Remember how the, the voting, the voting map in Alabama? A judge came out, said it was unconstitutional.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

They took it to the Supreme Court. Supreme Court said it was constitutional after the same map, the same map In Alabama in 2023 the Supreme Court had said was unconstitutional because it was racialized against black folks. And the Supreme Court in 2023 said the exact same map was no bueno. Now, after allowing the map in Louisiana and when they allowed the map in Louisiana during that session, said that they would not be changing over the Alabama map and that rule will still apply. Has now gone and changed that.

[Laura Rosenberg]

You're right.

[Ebro Darden]

Benefit where we're going in the midterms.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I will. I want to make this clear. The judge put a stop to it, temporarily blocked the payouts that were supposed to go out on Friday. So this fund was established as part of that settlement, that 10 billion lawsuit against the IRS that he did.

[Ebro Darden]

But in that IRS lawsuit, are they still holding the line on that stipulation that Trump and his family members can never be investigated by the irs?

[Caller/Listener]

Yeah.

[Lou]

Oh, yeah.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Everything sounds so, so legal, right? Well, clean.

[Ebro Darden]

Well. And what it says too, also, at least to me what it says is if Republicans are against the slush fund, but those same Republicans know that they need to allow the IRS to never investigate Trump or his family members. So other those Republicans that push back against slush fund, they're not pushing back against this other piece means that that was a part of the deal to allow to get Trump in office to get these things done. That was a part of the deal for these antics and everything that we're seeing at the government level. That means those Republicans are like, this is too far. But we want to make sure this happens. Because you towed the line the way we wanted you to tow the line.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah. That's why when I see all these Republicans being like, yeah, you know the corruption like the clip that you sent me, I don't think we have that right. I sent it this morning with Megyn Kelly. It's okay.

[Caller/Listener]

I, I don't.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Do you have it?

[Ebro Darden]

Yeah, I sent it this morning. You may not have had time to put it in. Huh? Yeah.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, let's watch it.

[Ebro Darden]

Yeah, let's see. He's got two control.

[I]

I just don't see any. Positivity coming out of this administration. It seems very self serving. I have a list of printed I could go through, but I mean, what was the last one? He made it so he had Top Blanche do the dirty work so that him or anybody in his family could ever be audited by the IRS. What the is that the drone company? The $400 million, the, what is it? The executives club? You know about that?

[Ebro Darden]

Yeah, yeah. That they started in D.C. you don't

[I]

hear about any of this?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[I]

Does this look like he's serving the people?

[Griff]

No.

[I]

So you're gonna serve that? Are you gonna speak out against it and let everybody know what the is happening?

[Ebro Darden]

You think you'd be better off Fox

[I]

News sure as isn't reporting any of this.

[Ebro Darden]

None of it. Shits, bro.

[Laura Rosenberg]

None of it.

[Ebro Darden]

No, I, I, there's no question that

[Mike Greenberg]

the corruption in the administration has been far beyond what?

[I]

He sued the government. He sued his own government.

[Ebro Darden]

Yo, how come I knew all of this? I always say this to people. How come I knew this was what this government was going to be like? And y' all didn't. You know why you didn't? Because you didn't care. That's part one. Two. You were more focused on hurting people of color, specifically black people and Latinos, clowns, specifically hurting them people. And specifically grifting and getting paid.

[Laura Rosenberg]

That's right.

[Ebro Darden]

You guys all took the money. Yeah, you all took the money. And now we're. We're sitting up here watching you guys try to wrap your brains around popping your Achilles, pulling your hammies, trying to stretch and wrap your brains around what's taking place right now, as if you weren't told ahead of time.

[Laura Rosenberg]

It's. It's mind blowing. It's mind blowing. The same people who work so hard to get him here, especially to see Megyn Kelly's nasty ass up there being like. And Fox News is not showing any of it. You're part of the problem. You created this. You uplifted all of this. All of the corruption. You knew it, but you got paid. Yo, these people are sick. And look where we are now. This, this wasn't going to be part of the rundown. So we'll wrap up the rundown. But Eber, I did want to touch on. On a case that has been moving around, and it's a really, really, really sad case. The case of Cyrus Carmack Belton. So a South Carolina jury on Monday found a store owner not guilty in the murder of a 2023 shooting of a 14 year old child named Cyrus Carmick Belton. So this happened on May 28, 2023. Rick Chow, he's 61 years old. He falsely accused him of shoplifting four bottles of water from Columbia, South Carolina, from a shell gas station. Surveillance video later confirmed the teenager did not steal anything. Chao and his son pursued him while he was running away for more than 130 yards. Okay, off the property. And during the pursuit, Chao shot him in the back, killing him. Now, Chao's defense argued that he acted in self defense, that he was trying to protect his son. His son testified that Cyrus was armed with a gun and pointed it at him during the chase. Mind you, the only people that said this are all named Chow.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, not only that, the camera footage doesn't support it. They didn't even find the gun until after they shot him in the back and chased him down and looked in the backpack it wasn't on the camera footage at all. But I want everybody to remember this is South Carolina. I'm not sure what you expected.

[Laura Rosenberg]

It's so sad, man. It's just such a. Because yesterday when I was watching, I just kept watching. You know, the algorithm keeps feeding you and feeding you, and it. It was. It's just crazy also to see how people try to justify these things still outside of South Carolina. You know what I mean? People from all walks of life justifying.

[Ebro Darden]

Well.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Well, he had a gun. He was shot in the back. Running away, 130 yards away.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, also having a gun in the US is. How is that. I mean, I know he's a 14 year old kid. He wasn't illegally supposed to have it, but you know how many kids run around here with guns in environments where there's a lot of guns, both legal and illegal? And this is the South. This is South Carolina. So I think the bottom line is here you chased a 14 year old over bottles of water and shot him in the back. It was eight hours of deliberation on the jury, and they came back with a. Not guilt. So, you know, to the family of Cyrus and everybody who's triggered by these stories that continually happen to black children and black people in this country, I send you love and light and. And. And take a breath, stay on your square, and stay focused. Because you never know how much information like this sits in your subconscious.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

And causes you to make also more unhealthy decisions throughout the day.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

So, you know, it's tough, but, you know, we have. We have been able to survive and thrive despite these conditions for generations. So we stay locked in. Griff, you got your hand up? I got Mike on the phone.

[Laura Rosenberg]

And.

[Ebro Darden]

Guys, rip people. Bryson. Rip people Bryson. Bryson passed away. Yes. Wow. Yes. But Mike. Mike. Good morning. You're on the ELR show. Ebro. Laura Rosenberg. 844 ELR. ELR3. Mike was popping.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Mike.

[Ebro Darden]

Oh, Mike.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, no. We lost Mike.

[Ebro Darden]

No Mike. Well, that was the rundown. Laura Styles, thank you very much.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah,

[Ebro Darden]

Listen, it's time to get up out of here. The ELR show is wrapped. You know what I'm saying? Shout out to my man. Set free Richardson, who stopped by the program yesterday from the compound. Art and sound. Make sure you like and subscribe. Hit the hype button. We'll see you tomorrow morning.

[Laura Rosenberg]

See you manana.

[Ebro Darden]

That's right. ELR Show. We love y'. All. Let's go, Nicks. Just don't call it a podcast.