Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode Featuring Fat Joe & Jada Kiss

Release Date: August 7, 2025

Overview

In this engaging episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosts Fat Joe and Jada Kiss delve deep into pivotal issues affecting the hip hop community and broader cultural landscapes. From the cancellation of iconic award shows to the enduring struggles of addiction and the recognition of unsung heroes in hip hop, Joe and Jada provide insightful commentary backed by personal anecdotes and industry perspectives. This summary captures the essence of their discussions, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and the dynamic interplay between the hosts.

1. BET and Soul Train Awards Cancellation

Fat Joe and Jada Kiss open the discussion with the recent cancellation of the BET Hip Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards, expressing concern over the implications for hip hop culture.

• Jada Kiss remarks on the cancellations, stating, “I seen BET canceling the BET Hip Hop Awards and the Soul Train Awards. That’s like a loss for the culture” (04:15).

• Fat Joe attributes the cancellations to what he perceives as gentrification and diminishing support from BET's parent companies, highlighting reduced budgets and staff firings: “This was like a form of gentrification... they kept underfunding them” (05:00).

2. Impact of Budget Cuts on Creativity

Joe emphasizes how budget reductions have stifled creativity within award shows, contrasting the lavish productions of events like the VMAs with the stripped-down format of the BET Awards.

• Fat Joe states, “Nothing without no money, no promotions, no staff, no nothing works. You might as well have called it the Independent Awards” (06:07).

3. Addiction and Societal Challenges

A significant portion of the conversation shifts to the pervasive issue of addiction, drawing parallels between the crack epidemic of the 1980s and the current opioid crisis.

• Fat Joe shares a personal reflection: “Crack was so addictive, it was almost like AI. Now that we can’t even believe AI” (16:18).

• Jada Kiss adds, “It’s opioids now,” acknowledging the shift in societal substance abuse challenges (15:58).

4. Honoring Hip Hop Legends and Unsung Heroes

The hosts pay homage to influential yet often overlooked figures in hip hop, particularly those from Jersey and other regional hotspots.

• Fat Joe highlights various artists from Jersey, including Queen Latifah and Naughty By Nature, calling out their contributions: “Red Man was the most underrated MC ever lived in the hip hop game” (43:34).

• Jada Kiss emphasizes the need to recognize these artists, stating, “They deserve definitely rest in peace and prayers and condolences to his family” (43:16).

5. Black Thought vs. Jay-Z: A Hip Hop Debate

A heated segment arises around comparisons between Black Thought and Jay-Z, reflecting broader debates within the hip hop community about artistry and influence.

• Fat Joe reiterates Black Thought’s supremacy, mentioning, “Will.i.am says that Black Thought is a trillion times better than Jay-Z” (31:38).

• Jada Kiss supports this view, criticizing divisive statements: “If that’s how he feels, that’s how he feels. But we don't need no more nuclear bombs set off in hip hop” (35:01).

6. SummerSlam Story: Supporting Jelly Roll

Fat Joe recounts his experience attending SummerSlam to support fellow artist Jelly Roll, detailing the intense and dramatic moments that unfolded.

• Fat Joe shares, “They are beating the brakes off of Jelly Roll. He turns around and says, ‘I'm sorry Joe, I can't fight no more’” (05:45).

• He further describes the physicality of the event and his genuine concern for Jelly Roll’s well-being, culminating in a moment of solidarity: “Cardi B's right next to me. Get up, get up. She's all in, right?” (58:18).

7. Listener Questions and Interactive Segment

The duo addresses several listener-submitted questions, offering candid responses and fostering a sense of community interaction.

• Listener Brad Register asks about favorite hip hop shows and suggests having Fab 5 Freddy on the show: “We need Fab 5 Freddy on this” (73:31).

• Fat Joe responds enthusiastically, advocating for Fab 5 Freddy’s inclusion to preserve hip hop culture: “We need to have Fab 5 Freddy on this show just to keep it, preserving the culture” (75:08).

8. Reflections on Aging and Legacy

Towards the end, Fat Joe and Jada Kiss reflect on aging, legacy, and the desire to leave a positive impact for future generations.

• Fat Joe muses, “Do you hate getting old? It hasn't hit you yet, right? I hate getting old” (13:08).

• Jada Kiss concurs, enhancing the conversation around personal growth and societal expectations.

9. Concluding Remarks and Tributes

The episode concludes with tributes to fallen hip hop figures and reaffirmations of their commitment to the culture.

• Fat Joe pays respects to Howie T, acknowledging his influence: “Howie T, living legend. He should get all the flowers” (40:53).

• Jada Kiss echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of honoring legacy: “He deserves definitely rest in peace and prayers and condolences to his family” (43:20).

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “I think BET this is a form of gentrification...” – Fat Joe (05:00)

• “Crack was so addictive, it was almost like AI...” – Fat Joe (16:18)

• “Red Man was the most underrated MC ever lived in the hip hop game” – Fat Joe (43:34)

• “We need Fab 5 Freddy on this show just to keep it, preserving the culture” – Fat Joe (75:08)

• “Do you hate getting old? It hasn't hit you yet, right? I hate getting old” – Fat Joe (13:08)

• “Howie T, living legend. He should get all the flowers” – Fat Joe (40:53)

Conclusion

This episode serves as a powerful exploration of the challenges and triumphs within the hip hop community. Fat Joe and Jada Kiss offer a blend of critical analysis, personal storytelling, and heartfelt tributes, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current state and enduring legacy of hip hop culture. Whether addressing systemic issues like gentrification and addiction or celebrating the contributions of legendary and unsung artists, the hosts ensure that the conversation remains both informative and deeply relatable.