The Joe Budden Podcast with Rory & Mal

Episode 382 | "Thank You"
Date: September 19, 2020

Episode Overview

Theme:
Episode 382 marks the final episode of The Joe Budden Podcast on Spotify, closing out their exclusive two-year deal. Joe Budden, Rory, Mal, Parks, and crew reflect on their journey, discuss the importance of ownership and creator rights, and talk candidly about industry contracts, especially in light of Kanye West’s public battle for his masters. The episode serves as both a farewell to the Spotify era and a heartfelt thank you to both their audience and collaborators. Expect a mix of introspection, gratitude, industry critique, humor, music discussion, and surprise call-ins from notable guests.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Spotify Contract Ends: Reflections & Farewell

• The episode opens with faux-ad banter poking fun at lack of sponsorships and independence.
• Joe, Rory, and Mal clarify multiple times: This is not the last episode of the pod overall, just their last under the Spotify contract ([06:31], [06:55]).
• They address fan expectations of a super-episode (“calling everyone that ever called in, hitting every topic”)—instead, they opt for a normal, authentic episode:

  “We’re not doing any of that. I don’t give 2F.” – Joe ([05:38])

• Gratitude is expressed for fans, team members, and supporters throughout.

Quotes:

• “We dictate our value.” – Joe ([02:59])
• “Part of being good is being lucky.” – Joe ([33:34])

2. Spotify, Podcasting, and The Fight for Ownership

• Transparency about their Spotify experience and why they're leaving ([34:49], [35:23]):
  • Joe is candid about frustrations with Spotify, the streaming wars, and how podcasters are undervalued.
  • “Phone has been ringing for weeks … Everyone knows our position.” ([32:57])
  • Ownership for podcasters: Joe highlights the difficulties of old record contracts and how short-term deals benefit creators.

Quotes:

• “If y’all not gonna do what’s right by all of us, injustice to one, means there’s no justice for any. Facts.” – Joe ([155:10])
• “This fight is not yours. It’s ours.” – Joe ([217:26])

3. Kanye West and the Masters Debate

• Heavy discussion on Kanye West’s public fight for his masters and broader artist rights ([129:15] onward).
  • The crew debates whether Kanye is fighting for himself, for all artists, or both, and if his record label contracts with artists (Good Music) had similar issues.
  • Mal and Rory question if it’s realistic to expect major labels to simply “give back masters.”
  • Parks notes not all label ownership is evil, but there needs to be fairer splits and a path to artist ownership.

Quotes:

• “Don’t do what so many of our black executives have done … have inherited the system to keep our other black people down.” – Joe ([151:01])
• “He’s fighting a fight that we all should fight. And I don’t question that part. But I would be remiss to say that I don’t question the why and the win of it.” – Joe ([139:00])
• “He’s too much of a genius for me not to second guess, I’ll be honest.” – Joe ([166:25])

4. Music & Releases

• New music reviews: Alicia Keys, Armani Caesar, Rapsody, Sweetie, Tyga, Usher, Brent Faiyaz, Problem, Kamaiyah among others ([55:21] onward).
• Discussion of listening habits: Streaming makes it hard to keep up with new drops, algorithms don’t highlight favored artists.
• Women in rap: The team addresses competitiveness in hip-hop and asserts women don’t need to be pinned against each other ([59:13]).

5. NBA Playoffs Talk / Guest Calls

• Mal’s NBA predictions roasted by the crew ([48:25] onwards).
• Candid phone call with NBA star Kevin Durant ([104:31]):
  • On rehab, bubble life, his media perspective, and league opinions.
  • Discusses MVP voting, playoff intensity during the pandemic, and the uniqueness of the 2020 season.
• Phone call with R&B legend Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men) ([89:00]):
  • Heartfelt advice to keep plans private, stay united, and always operate with integrity in the industry.
  • Touches on the value of not airing everything publicly: “You never let them see you sweat, no matter how bad the circumstances…”
• Call with Vince Staples: Cracking jokes, but also offering support for the team’s next chapter. “Make sure y’all get them same sponsors they got on ESPN…”

Quote:

• “You gotta be pass the ball. You seen what happened to the Clippers, man.” – Vince Staples ([125:27])

6. Gratitude, Support System, and “Release Day” Analogy

• Joe likens this transition to the emotional process of album release day ([27:00]–[28:08]).
• The podcasting community is described as a multi-faceted support system, often more intimate than traditional music fandom.
  • “It’s therapy twice a week.” – Parks ([30:21])
  • Fans feel like family, and growing alongside each other is a recurring theme throughout.
• Cash App shout-out: Joe shouts out the brand for understanding and empowering creators ([39:56]).

7. Industry, Platform Power, & Looking Ahead

• Real talk about the changing landscape for creators: Short-term deals, leveraging opportunity, being nimble, and the importance of standing up for yourself ([31:08] onward).
• Analogies to clubbing, corporate execs, and “friendship levels” provide comic relief but underscore real relationships and loyalty in entertainment ([20:19]).

8. Legal Victories & Losses

• Nicki Minaj court win over sampling discussed—framing it as hugely important for creative freedom and mixtape culture ([174:13]).
• Tributes & remembrance: The episode notes the recent passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, honors Breonna Taylor and others lost during the year ([177:32], [178:13]).
• “This has been a year of great loss for all of us…and great gain for some, for the wealthy mostly.” – Parks ([178:42])

9. Meta Reflection on Podcasting

• Reiterates that “celebrity podcasting” is not the same as being skilled at it; market saturation is irrelevant if you’re good ([193:42]).

Quotes:

• “You people who think these celebrities are podcasters are in for a rude awakening. They’re not.” – Joe ([194:36])
• “All of you will not survive.” – Rory ([193:54])

Notable/Memorable Moments

• Joe gets sentimental about the journey, compares it to his music career’s struggles and victories.
• Sean Stockman offers old school survivors’ advice about discretion and moving in silence in the industry ([92:08]).
• Kevin Durant banters about burner accounts, media narratives, and opens up about player/media divides.
• The entire NFT/ownership debate re-energized in a hip-hop context by Kanye and the hosts’ experiences.
• Mal and Parks’ fake “basketball beef” offers comic relief.
• All acknowledge that support, relationship-building, and adaptation are as important as analytics and deals.

Music/Pop Culture References

• Drake’s “Nothing Was the Same" and "Take Care"
• Boyz II Men, Usher, Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Rapsody, Armani Caesar, Tyga, Sweetie, Justin Bieber, Brandy, Teyana Taylor, Kanye West, Griselda Records
• NBA Bubble, Lakers, Denver, Miami, Clippers, LeBron, Paul George, Kawhi
• Nicki Minaj vs. Tracy Chapman legal case
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Breonna Taylor
• TikTok/Instagram culture references, clubhouse analogies, Linkin profiles

Timestamps for Key Segments

• First Spotify Farewell Discussion: [06:31]–[10:20]
• Ownership & Contract Reflection: [31:08]–[35:23]
• Kanye Masters/Contract Analysis Begins: [129:15]; Deep Dive [138:45]
• Music Reviews (Alicia Keys, Armani Caesar, etc.): [55:21]–[67:00]
• NBA / KD Call: [104:31]–[121:11]
• Shawn Stockman Call: [89:00]–[102:45]
• Vince Staples Call: [121:46]–[126:09]
• Nicki Minaj Case Victory: [174:13]–[175:28]
• End-of-Show Gratitude, Plans, & Final Reflections: [211:12]–[219:09]

Representative Quotes by Timestamp

• Joe on Value & Endings:
  “We dictate our value.” ([02:59])

• On Growth & Transparency:
  “It’s therapy twice a week right?” – Parks ([30:21])
  “This fight is not yours. It’s ours.” – Joe ([217:26])

• On Platform Politics:
  “Just because they don’t know … I’m not going back [to Spotify] … I see what they’re doing … it’s like, obviously apparent what they’re doing.” ([140:27])

• On Contracts & Change:
  “No one signed a bad deal. The market changed.” – Joe ([192:00])

• On Community:
  “Salute. Salute to y’all. I appreciate y’all … We rocking with y’all.” ([218:54])

Tone

The tone is a blend of reflective, celebratory, hilarious, occasionally petty, and deeply grateful. It’s honest–both poignant and raucous, with plenty of in-jokes and references for long-term fans. The camaraderie and brotherhood shine through, as does the sense of mission and legacy in their stance on creator independence.

Final Thoughts / Key Takeaways

• Ownership, transparency, and fighting for creators’ rights are the central themes, both in music and podcasting.
• The crew is proud of their independence and excited for the next steps beyond Spotify; they encourage others to learn from their fight and remain vigilant about their own value.
• Farewell to Spotify, but not to the podcast or the mission.
• Podcasting is more than “celebrity” appeal; it’s about skill, connection, and authenticity.
• The episode closes by reiterating love and gratitude to the fans, the team, industry peers, and even to platforms (Spotify included)–but with eyes and energy trained on what’s next.

Next episode resumes October 7th, 2020.