Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: Joe and Jada – Fat Joe & Jadakiss talk Clipse's Grammy noms, NO HIP HOP in Top 40, Michael Jackson movie & Max B
Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
Guests: Fat Joe (“Joe Crack the Don”), Jadakiss (“Jada”), Eric & Jeff (It’s The Real)
Overview of Episode Theme
This episode centers around a no-holds-barred conversation between hip hop legends Fat Joe and Jadakiss (Joe & Jada). They discuss the state of hip hop in popular culture and the music charts, the impact and politics of the Grammy Awards, a forthcoming Michael Jackson biopic, social and economic struggles impacting urban communities, and reintegration stories like that of Max B. The episode also features a cameo by Eric & Jeff (“It’s The Real”), adding their experience as podcasters and music commentators.
Tone:
The tone is raw, competitive, reflective, and always infused with street wisdom, humor, and an unfiltered hip hop perspective.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The State of Hip Hop in the Top 40
- Observation: For the first time in 35 years, no hip hop song appears in the top 40 of the Billboard charts ([06:42]).
- Jadakiss: “It's sad... We're losing control, losing the grip of the culture. You're supposed to stay on there forever... They use hip hop for everything. Every commercial, every marketing tool to sell everything.” ([06:47])
- Fat Joe: Even when hip hop isn’t charting, its influence permeates all music genres: “The other day, I just realized the number one producer of K pop is a dude from Compton. ... It's always our source that goes to every other genre...” ([07:17])
- On the charts vs. artistry: Joe argues Billboard chart success doesn’t define the health of the genre if the quality of recent hip hop LPs is high. “Just cause they ain’t charting on the top 40 Billboard doesn’t mean the art... people ain’t creating.” ([07:58])
2. The Clipse: Five Grammy Nominations—But Will They Win?
- Recognition: Shout out to Clipse for earning five Grammy nominations ([08:06]).
- Skepticism of Awards: Joe & Jada reminisce about their own Grammy snubs—Joe losing to Evanescence, Jada losing to DMX ([17:58-18:20]).
- Commentary on Grammy Politics:
- Fat Joe: “You gotta go out there and shake hands and kiss people and fly to Memphis to the guitar school...this whole shit is bullshit.” ([25:45-26:20])
- Jadakiss (prediction): “They should walk away with at least one or two.” ([26:39])
3. On Competing Podcasts & Industry Award Bias
- Joe's Frustration: Joe highlights how numbers don’t always correlate with recognition in podcasting (or music awards), suspecting backroom politics (“They not moving nothing. No coaching, no nothing. You know the fix is in.” [22:05])
- Notable Quote: “Just because they say they number one. That just means they got friends picking who's number one. They not really number one.” ([20:47])
- Analytical comparison: Joe details how their podcast numbers far exceed competitors for the same guests ([21:47-22:17]).
4. The Michael Jackson Biopic
- Discussion: Speculation about the upcoming biopic, including casting and expected truth-telling about MJ’s media persecution ([08:46–11:50]).
- Jadakiss: “Hopefully it’ll be a great film and we get to see some stuff we never knew about in depth.” ([14:29])
- Fat Joe: “I promise you, this movie's gonna...deal with...behind the scenes of like shit they was doing to him to make people look sideways at MJ.” ([13:25])
5. Social Media & Modern Love
- Joe's take: “Right now I feel like social media fucked up love...You take one wrong pick, the pressure will force your relationship to break up...” ([11:54])
- Comment: The pervasiveness of social scrutiny makes it hard for relationships to survive slip-ups.
6. Economic Hardship, Charity & Thanksgiving
- Outlook: Joe highlights how economic pressure is hitting even the traditionally supportive donors ([40:01-42:32]).
- Jadakiss: On charitable giving: “You gotta do it big. I want to shoot episode. When we give it out at the store.... right now, it's harder times than ever.” ([41:08])
- Recession: “This is an all-time low...a recession, a depression. This is you read about in the book.” ([41:41])
7. Max B’s Return from Prison
- Story: Max B was released after 18 years, immediately appearing courtside at a Jets game in Louis Vuitton, looking and acting unchanged from his pre-prison persona ([75:34–76:34]).
- Cultural Impact: Joe emphasizes Max B’s resilience and cultural influence: “I don't think he fell off. I think Big Avell gonna come with all them flows and all that. I'm really watching that.” ([76:34])
- Reflection: Joe discusses how authorities sometimes try to break inmates’ spirit, sharing Remy Ma’s parole struggles and his own issues with authority ([76:55–79:10]).
8. Sneakers, Camouflage, and Sports
- Sneaker Talk: Joe and Jada discuss their favorite sneaker drops, with references to “brick by brick,” jellyfish kicks, and fashion tips learned from Allen Iverson ([27:12–29:06]).
- Sports Chat: Stories from Rucker Park and NBA commentary, including a humorous account of a player’s ankles getting literally “broken” ([35:33–37:42]).
9. NYC Living, Gentrification, & Politics
- Mandani Topic: The group discusses the challenges young creatives face with rising costs in NYC, expressing support for political change to keep the city affordable ([65:21–67:18]).
- Fat Joe on inequality: “It feels like there's the rich get richer. There's no middle class, and they just real poor people. It's really crazy.” ([67:18])
10. It’s The Real: Reflecting on Their Podcast Journey
- Eric & Jeff: Share their experience interviewing top hip hop figures and reminisce about their early connections with Joe and Jada ([47:33–58:52]).
- Anecdote: The origin of “Two Jews & Three Black Dudes Review the Movies,” sparked by in-studio antics and strong personalities ([59:21–59:57]).
11. Humor & Lighthearted Moments
- Joe on Hair vs. Dunking: “I'd rather have hair. ... My shit be glossy... I'll be up here like, no, I'm telling you, I'd be really obnoxious.” ([71:23–71:49])
- Thanksgiving Turkey Stories: Wild turkeys in the neighborhood, swapping stories about neighborhood characters and animal encounters ([45:39–47:33]).
- Kicking back with fashion and sports reminiscences.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Fat Joe on hip hop's chart exclusion: “It's been 35 years. This is the first time they in the top 10 record or top 40 in hip hop in Billboard.” ([06:42])
- Jadakiss on culture: “We're losing control, losing the grip of the culture. They use hip hop for everything...every marketing tool to sell everything.” ([06:47])
- Fat Joe on Grammy Awards: “Grammys...they'll do it to you. They'll be like, all right, everybody think he's supposed to win. Give it to the guy. We don't know it. That's what keeps everybody intrigued in the Grammys.” ([17:58])
- Fat Joe on podcast awards: “That just means they got friends picking who's number one. They not really number one.” ([20:47])
- Fat Joe on Michael Jackson biopic: “...this movie... gonna deal with, you know, behind the scenes of like shit they was doing to him to make people look sideways at MJ.” ([13:25])
- Jadakiss on pod success: “No, we got a partner.” ([40:22])
- Fat Joe to authority: “You ain't never going to be this rich as me, man. ...Just give me the ticket. I want the ticket. ...You know your father had a poster of me on his wall.” ([79:10–80:30])
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [06:42] — Discussion on Hip Hop’s exclusion from Billboard Top 40
- [08:06] — Clipse’s Grammy nominations, Grammy politics
- [11:54] — Impact of social media on love and relationships
- [13:25] — Michael Jackson biopic, tabloid manipulation, and parallels to social media
- [17:58] — Joe & Jada recount Grammy snubs
- [22:05] — Podcast awards as a rigged game
- [25:45] — What it really takes to win a Grammy/award
- [40:01] — Struggles of charity and giving back in current economy
- [41:41] — Commentary on deepening recession/depression
- [75:34] — Max B’s release, symbolism and reactions
- [76:55] — Parole struggles, stories of interference from authority
- [65:21] — Discussion on NYC affordability, Mandani, and gentrification
- [71:23] — Lighthearted conversation about hair vs. dunking
- [47:33] — Eric & Jeff (“It’s The Real”) join, share podcasting stories
Conclusion
This episode is a lively, unfiltered look at hip hop culture’s present status, the economic and social pulse of urban America, the realities behind music industry awards, and cultural moments that bind the community. Fat Joe and Jadakiss mix humor, authenticity, and gritty wisdom, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of music, society, and street-level perspective.
Perfect for:
- Hip hop fans
- Industry insiders
- Those interested in the culture/politics of music and urban life
- Listeners who want honesty, humor, and real stories behind the headlines
