Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

"Joe and Jada – Pete Rock on CL Smooth split, Nas & 'Illmatic,' 50 Cent & G.O.A.T. Hip Hop Producers"

Date: January 16, 2026
Guests: Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Pete Rock

Episode Overview

This lively episode of the Joe and Jada Show (guest-hosted by Fat Joe and Jadakiss) delivers a deep, unfiltered, and nostalgic reflection on hip-hop’s influential figures, classic tracks, producer-artist dynamics, and New York sports – all amplified by a candid conversation with legendary producer Pete Rock. The trio traverses the history of hip-hop, personal stories about icons like Heavy D, tales of breakups (and what caused them), behind-the-scenes anecdotes of iconic songs, and debate GOAT-level producers and generational differences in hip-hop.

Key Discussion Points

1. Paying Tribute to Heavy D and Hip-Hop Foundations

• [03:14] Fat Joe passionately credits Heavy D for inspiring his career and laments never directly expressing his gratitude:

“I never grabbed his shoulder, looked him in his eyes, and said, yo, I'm here because of you. You inspired me on that level. If it wasn't for you, I would have never believed that whatever I'm doing is capable.”
– Fat Joe (04:27)

• Pete Rock and Jadakiss echo the legacy and mentorship of Heavy D:

“He opened the door for, like, the way he ... everyone just starts picking up the inspiration. They can't even help it at times.”
– Pete Rock (04:03)

• Jadakiss reminisces about early support for The LOX from Heavy D.

2. Pete Rock & CL Smooth: The Split

• [07:15] Fat Joe asks Pete Rock about the famous fallout with CL Smooth, referencing past attempts to get them back together.

• Pete Rock reflects openly on their creative chemistry and personal disconnect:

“You match with one talent wise. ... But once you get to really know each other, the real them comes out. And it stirs up a bad character in me that I don’t want to come out.”
– Pete Rock (07:15)

• Pete Rock ultimately identifies jealousy as a key underlying issue:

“Jealousy. It’s a bad physique, bro.”
– Pete Rock (07:53)

• Despite regret over the fallout, Pete Rock admits, “I wish we never broke up. I wish we could have still been together. ... sometimes it just happens like that, man. You can’t control it.” (08:57)

3. Reminiscing Over Timeless Tracks

• The iconic track “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” is lauded as arguably the “greatest hip-hop beat of all time.”

• [12:35] Fat Joe shares personal stories about how the song’s music moved him — “it was almost ancestral.”

• Jadakiss describes the universal, positive feeling created when the track plays:

“You just feel good about yourself, exactly. No matter what's going on ... you feel beautiful.”
– Jadakiss (14:48)

• Pete Rock talks about being inspired by Jam Master Jay and working on Run DMC’s “Down With the King”:

“Jam Master Jay showed up at my mama house, knocking on the door ... Then he’s like, yo, come on, let’s go work on this ... And I started getting down because I was like, maybe they don’t want to work with me.”
– Pete Rock (19:33)

4. Stories Behind Song Creation & Sampling Culture

• Pete Rock shares memories of Nas coming to his basement and the making of “The World Is Yours.”

“He comes in and he just stands against the wall. And then I pop that one [beat] in. And ... He was like, ‘Ayo, chill, chill. That’s the one.’ ... Then he came up with the hook. ... He wanted me to sing this part...”
– Pete Rock (21:45)

• The group discusses the challenges and absurdities of sample clearance, with stories about MC Shan getting paid for a sample, but still expressing discontent:

“He got his money. ... But he still went crazy, right? Yep.” – Jadakiss & Pete Rock (27:16)

5. Giving Flowers and Hip-Hop's Community (or Lack Thereof)

• Fat Joe describes the struggle of supporting peers who later show ingratitude, touching on the authenticity of the hip-hop “community.”

“I risked my life a million times for rappers ... all I’m trying to do is preserve the culture, sit on this couch and big up everybody. That’s what I was taught in hip hop. ... we’re one community.”
– Fat Joe (31:26)

• Jadakiss challenges the idea:

“We are one community, but we the fakest community ... People get what they need outta you, hear from them eight years from there, then this and that.”
– Jadakiss (31:08)

6. Producer-MC Dynamics & Top 5 Conversations

• Fat Joe asks Pete Rock for his top 5 producer/MCs who rap:

“J, Dilla; Diamond D; Eric Sermon; Dr. Dre ...”
– Pete Rock (41:16)

• The guys reflect on the underestimated work of producers who also rap, discussing Daz Dillinger, Dr. Dre, and others.

• Pete Rock shares that one of his greatest wishes is to produce an entire LOX album.

[24:00] “How many people would love to hear, like, a Pete Rock produced Locks album?” – Pete Rock

7. Classic Moments and Life in New York

• The hosts tell stories about getting their sneakers stolen at the pool, losing their school clothes to hustlers on the streets, or having their apartments cleaned out during the holidays — highlighting the gritty realities and comradery of growing up in New York.

• Discussion on Knicks fandom, NBA trades (Giannis talk), and what it means to be a New Yorker.

“They don’t want to see us. We win, man.” – Fat Joe (02:22); “They scared the devil what we got. And it's the same team. Run it back.” – Pete Rock (45:12)

8. Opinions on Modern Hip-Hop, Technology & AI

• Pete Rock critiques the use of AI in music, emphasizing the loss of soul and creativity:

“This is why AI is bad for music, okay? They don’t have souls. They don’t have the ideas that come from here to here and land here. ... The music, it has to come from within for it to be dope. AI could never reach.”
– Pete Rock (78:43)

• Fat Joe reminisces about hip-hop’s sample-based roots and how the genre originated by blending global music styles.

9. Wishing to Have Produced Certain Tracks

• Pete Rock admits to wishing he produced a couple of Dr. Dre and DJ Premier (“Primo”) tracks, and “The Chronic”:

“I wish I made the Chronic.” – Pete Rock (66:37)

10. Old School Jam Memories and Hip-Hop’s Future

• The podcast closes with talk about old party breakbeats:

“Good Times. That one you ran.” – Jadakiss (84:00)

• Pete Rock expresses hope for the future of hip-hop, believing the pioneers are responsible for guiding younger generations:

“Only the pioneers could save us. Only people like us could save this. ... It’s gonna be up to us to really have them connect with what we do.”
– Pete Rock (74:08)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Jealousy Ruining Partnerships:
  “Jealousy. It’s a bad physique, bro.” – Pete Rock (07:53)

• On the Essence of a Classic Beat:
  “In Fat Joe's list, that might be the greatest hip hop beat of all time.” – Fat Joe, about "T.R.O.Y." (12:35)

• Old School Producer Love:
  “J, Dilla... Eric Sermon, Dr. Dre.” – Pete Rock, naming his top producer-rappers (41:16)

• On Giving and Preserving Hip-Hop:
  “All I'm trying to do is preserve the culture, sit on this couch and big up everybody. That's what I was taught in hip hop.” – Fat Joe (31:26)

• On AI and Modern Production:
  “AI is bad for music, okay? They don't have souls ... The music has to come from within for it to be dope.” – Pete Rock (78:43)

• Hip-Hop’s Sampling Roots:
  “Hip hop comes from sampling all other art forms of music, whether it's Jamaican, whether it's jazz ... We sample everybody else's music.” – Fat Joe (79:52)

• On Pioneers Supporting the Youth:
  “Only the pioneers could save us. ... It's gonna be up to us to really have them connect with what we do.” – Pete Rock (74:08)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Highlights | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:15 | Tribute to Heavy D | Real talk on influence, mentorship, and regret | | 07:15 | Pete Rock on CL Smooth split | “Jealousy” as root of the breakup | | 12:35 | “T.R.O.Y.” & Beat Greatness | The story, impact, and meaning of a classic | | 19:33 | Working with Run DMC | Jam Master Jay brings Pete in as a young producer | | 21:45 | Making “The World Is Yours” with Nas | Early days, creative spark | | 31:08 | Hip-Hop Community, Loyalty, and Fakeness | Authenticity among peers, giving flowers, and betrayal | | 41:16 | Producer/MC Top 5s | Discussion on best producer-rappers | | 74:08 | Hip-Hop’s Future & Responsibility | Pioneers as the genre’s guides | | 78:43 | AI’s Effect on Music | Pete’s critique of AI in hip-hop | | 84:00 | Old School Party Breaks | Nostalgic talk closing the show with memories of breaks like "Good Times" and "To Be Real" |

Tone & Style

The episode is raw, nostalgic, funny, and occasionally mischievous—bantering in true New York fashion. There’s deep respect for hip-hop culture, a welcoming of honesty (and a little drama), plenty of laughter, friendly roasting, and a determination to set records straight about legends, beats, and the state of the culture.

Takeaway

This is an essential listen for hip-hop heads: a real barbershop/corner session with some of the game’s most respected voices, loaded with stories you don’t usually hear, insider battles, and deep love for the craft—from the basement to the stage to the block. Pete Rock’s insight cements his legacy, and Fat Joe and Jadakiss ensure the conversation always feels both personal and universal.