The Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg Show

Episode 41: T.I. VS 50 Cent, RIP Willie Colon + Debating BAFTA Incident

Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ebro, Laura, and Rosenberg dive into a mix of current events and pop culture with their trademark candor and humor. They tackle the heated T.I. vs 50 Cent feud, reflect on the legacy and controversy of salsa legend Willie Colon, dissect a viral BAFTA Awards incident involving Tourette’s and racial slurs, and debate over politics, sports, and music industry moves. The hosts also address social media algorithms, generational culture clashes at home, and take time to field fan questions and share heartwarming moments from their personal lives.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. NYC Politics: Mom Donnie and Tax Gripes

Timestamps: [01:44–04:35]

• Ebro, Laura, and Rosenberg open with a discussion of NYC politics, focusing on Mayor “Mom Donnie’s” handling of property taxes and budget deficits.
• Quote:
  “He’s just trying to put Kathy Hochul in a pickle and force her to raise taxes on the rich.” – Ebro Darden [03:30]
• They lampoon the way out-of-state social media users and partisan headlines stoke fear about taxes and city management.

2. Team USA Hockey’s Gold & Political Optics

Timestamps: [04:35–13:37]

• Celebrating Team USA's historic 46-year wait for a hockey gold medal, the crew gives props to New Jersey Devils’ Jack Hughes for the OT winner.
• They tell the poignant Johnny Gaudreau tragedy, with Team USA honoring his late brother by displaying his jersey.
• The story turns political with Cash Patel (head of the FBI) partying with the team, and a Trump call to the locker room is dissected as a politicization of sports.
• The hosts discuss the “MAGA” undertones around the victory and touch on sports, nationalism, and media spins.
• Quote:
  “Regardless of your politics... you really wanna party with Cash Patel?” – Ebro Darden [11:19]

3. Geopolitics: US-Iran-Israel Tensions

Timestamps: [14:00–19:13]

• Ebro and Rosenberg explore the US, Israel, and Iran’s fraught relationship, oil politics, and hypocrisy over weapons and regime change.
• Quote:
  “You have three terrible regimes, except two of them are saying to the one, you don’t have the right to have missiles... as we’re holding guns to your head, we’re gonna do things to you.” – Ebro Darden [15:36]
• They highlight public distrust in leadership and connect international turmoil to oil interests and the broader cycle of global conflict.

4. Social Media Algorithms, Content, and Show Length

Timestamps: [24:51–28:39]

• The crew responds to listeners wanting a longer show, but Rosenberg and Ebro argue that brevity keeps things energetic and avoids dragging topics out.
• They describe the ongoing struggle for digital discoverability and how algorithms fail even loyal fans.
• Quote:
  “We distribute other content throughout the week. You could subscribe to the Patreon... Like and share and subscribe here so the algorithm picks it up and we can move around.” – Peter Rosenberg [25:15]

5. T.I. vs. 50 Cent: The Feud and Hip-Hop Culture

Timestamps: [28:39–39:42]

• They play a clip from T.I.’s “Million Dollaz Worth of Game” appearance, discussing the backstory of the supposed Versus battle.
• Rosenberg contends, “50 doesn’t give a damn about none of this Versus; none of it. ...He’s not that type of person.” [30:21]
• The hosts dissect 50's penchant for pettiness, referencing his recent Instagram drama and T.I.’s son’s heated response.
• They highlight how new diss tracks (and building-buying sprees by 50) serve both ego and business, with 50’s pettiness as both a power move and a spectacle.
• Quote:
  “Why have a lot of money if you can’t do petty ish like that?” – Peter Rosenberg [39:08]

6. Cardi B’s Comeback & Touring Excellence

Timestamps: [39:42–42:22]

• The hosts celebrate Cardi B's successful return with her sophomore album and spectacular tour production, contrasting expectations versus reality.
• Quote:
  “Did not have it on my bingo card that Cardi... would work her ass off, spend the money needed, and do... one of the best rap shows you will go to.” – Ebro Darden [41:25]

7. Obituary & Legacy: RIP Willie Colon

Timestamps: [44:04–49:03]

• Laura delivers a nuanced tribute to salsa legend Willie Colon, acknowledging both his immense musical contribution and his late-life political shift to the far right.
• Rosenberg and Laura recall Colon being a champion for marginalized communities, even recording one of salsa’s first trans-affirming songs, before his MAGA turn later in life.
• A segment from Jose Torres (@fromtherecord_) is played, providing a concise, comprehensive legacy analysis.
• Quote:
  “His legendary work will live on forever... but he just became like super right wing, you know, posting all this Trump propaganda.” – Laura Stylez [44:37]

8. BAFTA Incident: Tourette’s and the N-Word

Timestamps: [56:57–66:47]

• The team breaks down the viral BAFTA Awards moment where a man with Tourette's yelled the N-word as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage.
• The discussion explores the neurological aspects of Tourette’s, the ethics of public apologies, and the visible discomfort and professionalism of the presenters.
• Quote:
  “Bro, you yelled out the N-word. ...I’m sorry if you got problems or not. ...Guess what? I’m triggered, too.” – Peter Rosenberg [66:21]
• Laura adds, “If you were offended: it’s offensive! ...That was objectively offensive.” [66:21-66:38]

9. “Gurus” Advice Segment: Family Culture Clash

Timestamps: [67:02–77:25]

• The episode concludes with an advice letter from a mother dealing with MAGA-induced tension in a large, mixed-race household.
• The hosts empathize, discuss cultural and generational divides, critique the “boys will be boys” mentality, and encourage the letter-writer to stand strong on her values.
• Quote:
  “If you operated in a space of a ‘boy will be boy’ mentality as it applies to your significant other…you’ve gotta hit yourself with the button [Congratulations, you played yourself].” – Peter Rosenberg [74:28]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On 50’s Petty Power:
  “Having enough money where it’s like change in your cigarette lighter…to just go cop a building. That is impressive.”
  — Ebro Darden [39:27]

• On Algorithm Frustration:
  “If you’re such a fan, you have to see that I posted…But they’re not seeing it. They don’t see it.”
  — Ebro Darden [26:32]

• On Social Change:
  “People don’t realize that…some of the thoughts and ideas they have are pretty out there and they are looking at them as straight facts.”
  — Ebro Darden [49:37]

• Viral BAFTA Moment:
  “Delroy, stay focused…You know me, I’d have been like—What, bitch?!”
  — Peter Rosenberg [57:39, 64:00]

Other Segments

• Team Banter & Birthday Shoutouts: [21:56, 22:01]
• Vegan Donut Discussion: [23:32–24:11]
• Merch & Community Updates: [42:39–43:06]

Tone and Style

The hosts maintain a conversational, unfiltered style, moving fluidly between heavy subjects and lighter, comedic moments. They frequently drop the "Congratulations, you played yourself" tagline to punctuate hypocrisy or blunders.

Episode Flow & Listener Utility

• Mixes hard-hitting commentary with music and pop culture news.
• Unpacks social issues with real-life, tangible examples and personal anecdotes.
• Stays highly interactive with the chat and listener questions.
• Balances respect for cultural icons with critical awareness of their complex legacies.

Timestamps Index

• NYC Taxes & Mom Donnie: [01:44–04:35]
• USA Hockey Politics: [04:35–13:59]
• Geopolitics (US-Iran-Israel): [14:00–19:13]
• Show Duration & Algorithms: [24:51–28:39]
• T.I. vs. 50 Cent Feud: [28:39–39:42]
• Cardi B’s Return: [39:42–42:22]
• RIP Willie Colon: [44:04–49:03]
• BAFTA N-Word/Tourette’s Debate: [56:57–66:47]
• Gurus/Advice Segment: [67:02–77:25]

For Listeners

This episode is essential for anyone interested in how hip-hop, politics, sports, and shifting cultural identities intersect in 2026 America. Whether you follow the drama of rap feuds, social media evolutions, or want raw takes on public controversies, this episode packs in news, advice, and laughs with a pulse on both the streets and the global stage.