The Joe Budden Podcast

Episode 852 | "Who’s Gonna Save Superman?"

Date: August 16, 2025
Host(s): Queens Flip (guest host), Ish, Melissa Ford (Mel), Mark (Parks), with regular co-hosts and friends
Joe Budden: Absent for this episode

Episode Overview

This episode features the regular Joe Budden Podcast cast, spearheaded by Queens Flip in Joe’s absence. The group dives into music reviews (with in-depth talk about Chris Brown’s tour, new Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, Juicy J’s jazz album, and more), dissects the ongoing Drake/Kendrick/UMG legal saga, gets into recent news such as male cheerleaders in the NFL, and has a wide-ranging conversation about culture, gender, and accountability—with humor and their signature candid, lively chemistry. The episode closes with a “sleeper” music selection and light-hearted reflections about the week ahead.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Chris Brown’s MetLife Concert: Unmatched Showmanship

(17:03 – 25:06)

• Nearly everyone in the crew attended—or wished they had attended—the Chris Brown concert at MetLife.
• Ish raves about Breezy’s performance, calling him “currently in a class by himself.”
• “I don't want to hear nobody's name with his anymore. Like, I'm done. No one currently. Stop. Just leave it alone.” – Ish (17:23)
• Chris performed 50+ songs, flew over the crowd, stayed onstage for over three hours, and delivered an audiovisual experience tracing his 20-year career.
• Consensus: Chris Brown has evolved into an unstoppable, must-see artist. Repeated comparison to Michael Jackson, with discussion of the uniqueness and “torch passing” in R&B.
• Notable Quote:
  “He's giving us something that nobody else is gonna give us.” – Ish (23:07)
• The crew debates if Chris will ever get “the next level” recognition, i.e., mainstream awards and full industry acceptance.
• Memorable Moment: Joking about missed shows: “This is the first time I regretted not going to a show. Any other time, I’m like, whatever...” – Flip (21:56)

2. Cardi B’s New Single & Delivery

(27:00 – 35:43)

• The crew plays and critiques Cardi B’s new single, focusing on her cadence, delivery, and how her voice sometimes sounds “like she’s reading off of something.”
• Split opinions: Praise for the bars and beat, debate over the song’s hit potential.
• Flip is especially unconvinced by the delivery:
  “It almost felt like she just learned it last week and went in and recorded it.” (30:14)
• Discussion of “connecting with the audience,” style evolution, and audience expectations.
• Cardi’s accent and delivery debated as the main barrier for some listeners; Mel defends her, citing cadence differences.

3. Chance The Rapper’s Comeback Album ("Starline")

(35:53 – 40:39; 179:41 – end)

• Mark is hyped: “This is the best comeback album I’ve heard in a long time. This is fire.”
• Praise for Chance’s lyricism, concept (referencing Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line), and features (Wayne, Thug, Jay Electronica).
• Mark: “If you like Chance, you’ll love this album.”
• The group touches on Chance’s distancing from Kanye and evaluates how “one really bad album” nearly derailed his rep.
• Multiple songs played and praised during the sleeper section.

4. Juicy J Drops a Jazz Album

(40:59 – 43:19)

• The crew reacts with playful surprise, but Mark notes,
  “It’s a jazz instrumental album... It’s actually really good.”
• Comparison to André 3000’s flute album, noting Juicy’s is more “musicianship, not just vibes.”

5. Drake/Kendrick UMG Lawsuit Drama

(48:04 – 67:13)

• In-depth breakdown of Drake’s legal requests:
  • Seeking documents about Kendrick’s alleged violence, relationship with Dave Free, and their kids (48:30–49:28).
• General reaction: Drake’s requests are “nasty,” with Mark and Ish probing his motivations.
• Analysis:
  • The fight is “twofold”—Drake wants both to expose Kendrick and to battle UMG for his masters.
  • Ish: “He’s fighting two fights. One, you embarrassed me... I’m gonna spend any expense to get you back. And he’s fighting a totally separate fight with UMG.” (55:46)
• Comparisons to hip-hop beef tradition; Drake’s litigious route is debated for being outside “hip-hop rules.”
• Mark draws parallel to Taylor Swift’s non-confrontational way to get her masters—Drake’s “scorched earth” by contrast.
• Notable Quote:
  “We keep saying hip hop, hip hop. This is much bigger than hip hop. Drake is much bigger than hip hop...” – Ish (59:08)
• Joe (absent) is referenced: “we’re in legacy-defining territory.”

6. Cultural & Gender Debates: Music, Stripping, and Inclusion

(70:39 – 90:53)

• Addressing backlash on the show’s approach to “serious” global topics (like Gaza), explaining their choice to remain in their lane.
• Fun banter on the announcement of male cheerleaders for the Minnesota Vikings.
  • “The names sound like male strippers...” – Flip (83:26)
• Mel reflects, “Can’t we just have our own spaces where men don’t want?”
• Broader conversation on male/female spaces, inclusion, and tradition, often with jokes about strip clubs, dancing, and gender flows.

7. Hip Hop’s Influence – Criticisms, Defenses, and Accountability

(97:10–111:53)

• Lil Yachty’s offensive George Floyd lyric triggers discussion about the insensitivity of current hip hop.
• Mark: “We marched, we bled, we cried... to mock it is distasteful.” (97:20)
• Melissa and Mark reflect on past generations’ criticisms (C. Delores Tucker, Dionne Warwick) and admit “they were right about a lot.”
• Ish and Flip defend hip hop as a mirror—not a generator—of social ills: “The conditions had to exist for NWA to write about them.”
• Mark points to country music glorifying violence too; the group agrees, but Mark adds: “I want us to want something different.”
• Debate about holding hip hop accountable for entrenched misogyny and violence, but all agree hip hop is a larger net positive for the Black community.

8. Recent News & Gender Dynamics

Shacarri Richardson Arrest Video (147:27–159:18)

• Discussion on the ethics of her airport dispute and arrest after pushing her boyfriend.
• Ish: “If he had thrown her into a pole like that, everyone would say he should go to jail.” (152:30)
• Mark emphasizes the double standard and the need for accountability, regardless of gender.
• All agree: “No one should put their hands on anybody.”

9. Sleeper Picks (Music Recommendations)

(161:17–end)

• Each host plays and praises notable recent songs:
  • Ryan Blades – “Right Palm Itching”
  • DJ Premier & Roc Marciano – “Remarkable”
  • Sasha Keeble – “Heartbeat”
  • JID ft. Ty Dolla $ign & 6lack – “Wholeheartedly”
  • Life ft. Friday x Meek Mill – “Crash Out (Remix)”
  • Chance the Rapper ft. Jamila Woods – “No More Old Men”
• Brief discussion of music’s current landscape and high praise for JID and Chance's projects.

10. Miscellaneous & Memorable Moments

• Congratulations to Ian and Jules on the birth of their daughter. “Another girl dad out there. Salute. It’s over.” – Ish (12:32–13:01)
• Recap of trips, mishaps, and goofing on each other's fashion choices, hair, and origin stories (Flip’s army base roots, “West Point Flip”).
• Flippant responses to Willow Smith’s “who ate all the pussy” crying selfie (128:17), leading to much laughter and irreverence.
• Mark reads the Hollywood Reporter’s most powerful podcasters list—Joe Budden Podcast at #4, outpacing Joe Rogan in current influence.
  • “A decade after Joe Budden launched his namesake podcast, it remains the most influential in all of hip hop.”
  • Notable pride at “indie” status; “That’s Indy!” – Flip (94:22)
• Quick news: Donald Trump is sending National Guard to DC, town debates about crime, and the CBC approaching.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Chris Brown's legacy:
  “My scariest thought is who is he passing that torch to now when it comes to this level of creativity.” – Flip (23:45)
• On Drake’s legal tactics:
  “Drake is single-handedly trying to change the algorithm.” – Flip (57:38)
• On hip hop and violence:
  “I only care about the fact that Black people are killing each other a whole lot... If we keep rapping about killing each other... I want us to stop.” – Mark (108:45)
• On inclusion/gender roles:
  “I don't think male strippers do the same thing for women that women strippers do for men.” – Flip (87:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:41 | Episode begins, Flip hosting | | 02:18 | Crew recaps their week (Chris Brown, travel, funny banter) | | 12:25 | Congratulations to Ian & Jules on their new baby | | 17:03 | Chris Brown MetLife concert review – extended segment | | 27:00 | Cardi B’s new single critique | | 35:53 | Chance the Rapper comeback album review / Kanye relationship | | 40:59 | Juicy J’s jazz album | | 48:04 | Drake/Kendrick/UMG lawsuit deep dive | | 70:39 | The show’s stance on covering serious political topics | | 79:05 | Vikings add male cheerleaders, gender-role humor | | 97:10 | Lil Yachty’s insensitive lyric & hip hop’s legacy | | 120:19 | Gunna/Young Thug drama, labels, and “rat representation” | | 133:14 | Jussie Smollett Netflix doc reaction | | 147:27 | Shacarri Richardson arrest video & gendered accountability | | 161:17 | “Sleeper” music picks |

Tone & Style

• The episode features the usual mix of in-depth cultural analysis, hip-hop knowledge, playful humor, direct confrontation, and supportive friendship.
• Flip keeps the energy lively and conversational, with plenty of wisecracks and group laughter, even as heavy topics are addressed.
• The tone bounces between earnest critique (“We just want better for the culture”) and rowdy ribbing (“You call Rob... Green Arrow, chill the fuck out.”)
• Mark and Mel bring measured, academic perspectives; Ish and Flip keep it grounded and raucous.

Summary for the Uninitiated

This wide-ranging episode will satisfy longtime fans and newcomers. You'll get smart, passionate debate about music’s biggest names and issues (Chris Brown, Cardi B, Drake/Kendrick), sharp-witted group commentary on everything from hip hop’s responsibility to political activism and gender double standards, and the chemistry that has made the Joe Budden Podcast a leader in the culture. While Joe Budden is out, the crew keeps it moving with plenty of quotables, musical gems, and honest dialogue about the week’s events—and why, as Flip repeatedly jokes, “Who’s gonna save Superman?” Ultimately, as always, the podcast closes not with answers, but with friendship, music, and the sense that hip hop—like the show itself—lives on in everyone involved.