Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Joe and Jada - Omar Epps on NEW FILM ‘Moses the Black,’ Tupac in ‘Juice’ & ALL-TIME Black Performances

Date: February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This vibrant episode of The Herd features Omar Epps as a guest with hosts Fat Joe and Joe Budden. The conversation moves seamlessly from nostalgic stories about the culture-defining 1990s, reflections on hip-hop and Black cinema, and deep dives into personal evolution. The centerpiece is Epps' new film, "Moses the Black," with added reflections on their respective legacies, the evolution of the industry, and cultural milestones. With raw humor, authentic storytelling, and a celebration of artistry, the trio offers listeners an engaging ride through memory lane and new beginnings.

Key Discussion Points

1. Omar Epps’ Enduring Impact and Range

• Opening Salvos: Hosts praise Omar Epps’ legacy and versatility, likening him to a "living legend" whose roles span detectives, doctors, ballplayers, and icons ([01:23-02:13]).
• Quote:

  "You think of today's guest, you think of a cult classic in every era... He can play anything. If you around our age, you seen, you grew with him." – Joe Budden [01:10]

2. Filming ‘Juice’ and Tupac’s Emergence

• Epps’ Memories: Epps recalls being 17 on the set, sensing something special. He describes Tupac as “just Pac,” not yet the icon, but clearly unique ([05:01-05:53]).
• Quote:

  "He wasn't the Tupac everybody know. He was just Pac. I was like, you know, that dude got something different." – Omar Epps [05:53]

• Cultural Shifts: Pac becomes “Tupac” after "Juice." Hosts reflect on witnessing his transformation ([05:53-06:07]).

3. On Working with LL Cool J and Range in Hip-Hop

• Iconic Beginnings: Epps and hosts discuss LL Cool J’s trailblazing start at Def Jam and the rarity of seeing stars in person back then ([06:07-07:11]).
• Quote:

  "He was like Justin Bieber. He popped off so young." – Fat Joe [07:11]

4. ‘Love & Basketball,’ ‘The Wood,’ and Embodying Brotherhood

• Behind the Scenes: Epps reminisces about the training and teamwork involved in "Love & Basketball" ([07:44-08:14]).
• Brotherhood: "The Wood" depicted a “mature version of brotherhood” and was “fun” to shoot ([08:43-09:01]).

5. Career Shifts – Breaking Typecasting in 'House'

• Calculated Choices: Epps chose "House" to shatter typecasts and to serve as a role model for Black kids ([09:05-09:39]).
• Symbolism:

  “It was for little kids that look like us...Like, yo, you could have a white jacket, too. Because the power of imagery is different from the power of, like, voice.” – Omar Epps [09:39]

6. The Power and Influence of Art and Music

• Personal Impact: Both Fat Joe and Epps share moving stories about how music, art, and memory intertwine, especially after loss ([10:33-11:12]).
• Quote:

  “Listening to a song, a fighter before the fight...Or the ball player before the game...the power of it...We know the power of it.” – Omar Epps [10:33]

7. Self-Care and Positive Living

• Lifestyle: Fat Joe jokes about their "skin regimen," prompting Epps to highlight gratitude and family ([11:41-12:04]).

Main Feature: ‘Moses the Black’

Film Overview ([12:21-13:23])

• Plot: Epps plays Malik, a man coming out of prison who seeks transformation, paralleled with the real story of St. Moses the Black, a 4th-century Ethiopian saint and former outlaw.
• Quote:

  “He was the real Robin Hood...Super gangster...And then he had a moment where he shifted, and he went on to evolve.” – Omar Epps [12:25]

Collaborating with Quavo, Wiz Khalifa, and More ([13:23-13:59])

• Dynamic Cast: Epps applauds the storytelling abilities of musicians transitioning to film.

8. Phone Culture, FaceTime, and Public Persona

• Humor & Truth: The group vents and jokes about intrusive FaceTime calls and the public’s assumptions, offering personal anecdotes ([16:12-17:46]).
• Quote:

  “I love him to death. But, yo...y'all gotta stop calling me with yo, I don't want that.” – Fat Joe [18:20]

9. Black Hollywood: Then and Now

• ’90s Unity: Epps remembers genuine unity and love in 1990s Black Hollywood ([20:00-20:25]).
• Change After the Money: When larger bags started rolling in, egos and rivalries changed the landscape ([20:34-21:16]).
• Quote:

  “It all started when people actually started making money. That's when that ego turned into, like, yo, I'm better than you, I'm bigger than you.” – Fat Joe [20:37]

10. Personal Growth, Survival, and Redemption Stories

• Epps on Choosing Movies for Representation
• Fat Joe on Survival: Reflects on coming up from the Bronx, past bad behavior, and the tension between survival and morality ([29:12-32:16]).
• Quote:

  “You dealt with what was thrown at you, with the cards that was thrown at you, you had to deal with that, right? And pretty much that's the story of my life.” – Fat Joe [32:18]

11. Managing Stardom, Family, and Relationships

• Balancing Superstardom: Epps shares how he and his superstar singer wife manage careers and family with mutual respect and love ([34:03-34:29]).

12. Evolution in Craft and Legacy

• Epps’ Next Chapter: Still passionate about acting, Epps discusses his move toward producing, writing, and eventually directing ([38:32-39:11]).

13. Most Iconic Black Performances in Film

• Sidney Poitier: Reflects on the gravity of the first moment a Black man slapped a white man on film ("In the Heat of the Night") ([39:18-39:41]).
• Quote:

  “It was just so jarring. You never saw that before. But that's also my acting hero.” – Omar Epps [39:41]

• Menace II Society: Recalling "Do you care whether you live or die?" ([40:16-40:28]).
• On 'Juice's' Timelessness: “That movie, to me, is like such an Illmatic; a classic you can watch.” – Fat Joe [41:18]

14. Music’s Transformative Power

• Revealing personal favorite albums and moments (Purple Tape, Ain't No Half-Steppin', Midnight Marauders) ([44:41-47:39]).

15. Comedy and Nostalgia: Life Stories & Anecdotes

• Hilarious stories about living in Miami, raccoon gangs, neighborhood dreams, and the perils of fame ([35:22-37:58]).
• Fat Joe's youthful days as a "mercenary" and the music that soundtracked his coming-of-age ([44:56-47:27]).

16. Supporting Black Film and Theater Experience

• Encouragement to watch "Moses the Black" in theaters and embrace communal movie-going ([51:31-52:56]).
• Quote:

  “But go to the theater...It's about the experience, you know what I mean? It's going to see not only with your peoples, but people you don't know. Y'all reacting to the same parts.” – Omar Epps [52:05]

17. Pride in Black Excellence (Teyana Taylor)

• Omar Epps and Fat Joe share heartfelt pride for Teyana Taylor’s continued rise ([53:01-53:46]).

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Joe Budden on Epps’ Range:
  "He can play a police officer, he can go undercover...If you're around our age, you seen, you grew with him." [01:10]

• Omar Epps on Young Tupac:
  "He wasn't the Tupac everybody know. He was just Pac." [05:53]

• Fat Joe on Fame and Persona:
  "My heart was always in the right place...it was always trying to help people and look out for people." [31:04]

• On 'Juice' as Classic:
  "That movie, to me, is like such an Illmatic—a classic you can watch." – Fat Joe [41:18]

• On Unitiy and Industry Change:
  "When people actually started making money...that's when that ego turned into, like, yo, I’m better than you." – Fat Joe [20:37]

• Omar Epps on Imagery:
  "It was for little kids that look like us...you could have a white jacket too." [09:39]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Intro and Omar Epps’ introduction: [01:10-02:19]
• ‘Juice,’ Tupac Stories: [05:01-06:07]
• Talking LL Cool J’s Era: [06:07-07:11]
• Love & Basketball and 'The Wood': [07:44-09:01]
• Breaking Typecast with ‘House’: [09:05-09:39]
• The Power of Art: [10:33-11:12]
• ‘Moses the Black’ film discussion: [12:21-13:23]
• On FaceTime culture and public life: [16:12-18:20]
• Industry Unity, then Money Changes: [20:00-21:16]
• Personal growth/redemption: [29:12-32:16]
• Family life with stardom: [34:03-34:29]
• Passion for the craft: [38:32-39:11]
• Most iconic Black scenes: [39:18-40:28]
• Classics & favorites in hip-hop: [44:41-47:39]
• Moses the Black in theaters/support: [51:31-52:56]
• Teyana Taylor’s rise: [53:01-53:46]

Conclusion

This episode is a vivid testament to the enduring power of culture, legacy, and personal evolution. Fat Joe, Joe Budden, and Omar Epps swap honest, humorous, and often deeply thoughtful stories about film, music, and living as icons from New York. Listeners walk away with not just hype for "Moses the Black," but also a renewed appreciation for the enduring bonds and lessons of Black artistry.

Listen to this episode for more:

• Rare stories from '90s Black Hollywood
• Behind-the-scenes memories with Tupac, LL Cool J
• Reflections on fame, family, and gratitude
• The importance of supporting Black cinema—go see "Moses the Black" in theaters!

Hosts: Joe Budden, Fat Joe
Guest: Omar Epps
Notable Mentions: Teyana Taylor, Quavo, Wiz Khalifa, LL Cool J, Tupac Shakur, Big Pun, DJ Khaled, Big Daddy Kane

For timestamped moments, see the breakdown above – the episode is loaded with quotable gems, candid laughs, and authentic uplift for the culture.