The Joe Budden Podcast

Episode 853 | "Don’t Say George Lucas Again"

Release Date: August 20, 2025

Overview

This episode features the signature freewheeling conversation style of Joe Budden and his friends—Mark Lamont Hill, Parks, Ish, Mel, and more. The crew covers a broad spectrum of topics: family reunions, celebrity gossip, social commentary, hip hop beefs, Hollywood, financial success myths, and more. There's a mix of lighthearted humor, personal anecdotes, deep dives (sometimes surprisingly profound), and heated, hilarious debates—plus the usual jabs and group therapy masquerading as punchlines.

Key Discussion Points

1. Parenting & Family Dynamics

• The episode kicks off with stories about unruly kids, challenging the current discipline philosophies versus how the hosts were raised.
  • Joe shares a chaotic encounter with his son at the family reunion, expressing frustration about today’s "soft" disciplinary norms versus corporal punishment back in the day.
  • The evolution of discipline: Mark Lamont Hill opens up about potty-training misadventures, while Parks and Mel vent about their children ruling roost.
  • Quote:
    • "I went to therapy and it changed my view on spankings. Really? So I don't believe in putting my hands on my kids." – Joe Budden (02:49)

2. Family Reunion Stories and Black Southern Heritage

• Joe recounts his emotional and overwhelming family reunion in the South, spanning multiple generations.
  • He breaks down family history, tales of Southern living, and the value of reconnecting with roots.
  • The conversation highlights Black Southern family dynamics, migration, and the distinction between northern/southern upbringings.
  • Visiting the cemetery and recognizing ancestral legacy becomes an unexpectedly moving moment.
  • Quote:
    • "It’s just overwhelming, seeing everybody... my aunt... like, that big shed I put on Instagram, that was the shed for like 150 years." – Joe Budden (31:37)

3. Social Behavior, Humility, and Celebrity in Public

• Joe describes interactions with strangers who don’t recognize him, and how being noticed (or not) by fans in settings like Buffalo Wild Wings leads to some of his favorite humblebrag moments.
  • "One of my new favorite things is talking to somebody who has no idea who I am...and then someone who knows who I am comes. I get to act so fake humble." – Joe Budden (40:44)

4. Current Events & Legal/Financial Issues

• Debate over Jurnee Smollett’s divorce/alimony case, gendered financial support standards, and what’s "fair" in high-earning marriages.
  • Varied perspectives on whether alimony/retirement sharing is equitable—highlighting differences when gender roles are reversed.
  • Philosophical back-and-forth about value, contribution, societal perception, and the law.
  • Notable exchange:
    • "Go get lit. Use that 7,000. Go with this new budget." – Mark Lamont Hill (49:41)
    • "If the court ordered it, then pay it." – Mel (46:58)

5. Petty Hip-Hop Beef & "Omar Gooding vs. Cam’ron" Breakdown

• In-depth comedic analysis of the ongoing, deeply petty feud between Omar Gooding and Cam’ron—detailing Cam’s diabolical "movie audition" prank that led to Omar’s public humiliation.
  • The crew marvels at Cam’ron’s level of pettiness, production investment, and how battling a seasoned prankster backfires.
  • Quote:
    • "To book you for a movie, that means somebody came up with a script. They rented a place… It’s diabolical." – Parks (69:04)

6. Music Release & Cardi B Album Forecast

• Extended, heated debate about Cardi B’s upcoming album, her relevance, projected sales, and the risks of trying to replicate classic tracks.
  • The team disagrees over her "Imaginary Players" freestyle: lyrical prowess vs delivery vs song choice vs fan loyalty.
  • Numbers war: Projected sales estimates range from 120K to 250K+—with Joe doubting the upper limit.
  • Explores the wider challenge of longevity and anticipation after years of commercial silence.
  • Quote:
    • "Don’t take any East Coast Top 34 rapper beat, classic song and redo that... that wasn’t enough..." – Joe Budden (82:55)
  • Timestamps:
    • Cardi discussion begins: [82:00]

7. Concert Reviews & Nostalgia

• Recap of the Chris Brown MetLife performances—both awe and exhaustion at his marathon three-hour shows and setlist curation.
  • Shoutout to improved Summer Walker live performance and Bryson Tiller as openers.
  • Tangent about New Jersey crowd energy and how concertgoing ages you.
  • "Chris Brown has way too many songs and he did all of them..." – Joe Budden (96:44)

8. Ozempic Lawsuit & Medical Ethics

• The lawsuit against weight-loss drug Ozempic triggers a broader reflection on the American obsession with shortcuts, medical greed, and the line between vanity and genuine need.
  • Mel discusses her own experience with weight-loss interventions and perimenopause, fighting stigma.
  • The group teases each other about ED medicines and medical "cheats."
  • "Vanity was at the forefront of them giving the up..." – Parks (154:00)

9. Candace Owens Sued for False Claims

• Mel breaks down Candace Owens being sued by the First Lady of France for repeated false claims—sparking a discussion about defamation, conspiracy culture, and the legal consequences of internet misinformation.
  • "You can’t walk around fucking defaming people... It’s called libel. You can't do that." – Mel (182:50)

10. Debates: Hollywood Legends & Film Critique

• Fierce, hilarious standoff over who’s "greater" as a filmmaker: George Lucas vs Christopher Nolan vs David Fincher, and the proper criteria (artistry, wealth, cultural impact).
  • "Don’t say George Lucas again when I say Christopher Nolan." – Joe Budden (117:17)
  • Culminates in group ranking, playful insults, and cinephile sidebars.

11. Roblox Predators & Child Internet Safety

• Roblox comes under fire for banning a whistleblower who was exposing predators, prompting a parental public safety PSA from Parks and Ish about settings, supervision, and tech literacy.
  • "Go through those parental settings...these kids are more technologically advanced than a lot of parents." – Parks (171:45)

12. Billionaire Mythbusting & Wealth in Entertainment

• Debate over how many Black entertainers are truly billionaires, the reliability of internet “net worths,” the true value of Wild N Out, and how asset selling (not just creative work) builds generational wealth.
  • "A billion dollars is a lot of fucking millions..." – Mark Lamont Hill (200:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Parenting & Respect:

  • "You too old to still be competing with your friends, boy." – Joe Budden (08:16)

• On Family History:

  • "If I grew up down there, I'd be a little different. I'm up here perpetrating the fraud... all this New York, New Jersey, Joe Budden, you country. All that stolen." – Joe Budden (38:06)

• On Industry Wealth:

  • "Don't say his name again when I say Christopher Nolan." – Joe Budden (117:17)
  • "Let's get George Lucas out of here. When you talking quality movies, George Lucas is in a nursing home somewhere." – Joe Budden (127:05)

• On Legal Risks of Conspiracy & Gossip:

  • "You can’t just say that is a dude, right?" – Joe Budden (186:48)

• On Societal Double Standards:

  • "When there's a divorce and the male is the rich person, our default position is you get half and this...Nobody will fucking blink an eye..." – Parks (55:03)

• On Friendship-Workplace Crossover:

  • "This only happens when I'm here." – Joe Budden (10:26)

• On Performative Artistry:

  • "Watching Chris Brown perform made me want to leave early and play Chris Brown. He put on a great show. He flying around..." – Joe Budden (98:39)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Family/Parenting Discussion: [00:00] – [08:00]
• Joe’s Southern Family Reunion: [28:39] – [39:00]
• Alimony & Gender Debate (Jurnee Smollett Case): [46:00] – [59:00]
• Omar Gooding vs. Cam’ron Beef: [65:02] – [81:34]
• Cardi B Album Numbers & Music Critique: [82:00] – [95:04]
• Chris Brown Concert Review: [95:32] – [104:53]
• Ozempic Lawsuit / Medical Digression: [151:08] – [160:00]
• Hollywood Movies Debate (Lucas, Nolan): [116:03] – [127:03]
• Roblox Predators & Tech Safety: [167:55] – [174:46]
• Candace Owens Lawsuit / Internet Misinformation: [181:44] – [188:03]
• Billionaire Entertainment Reality Check: [197:00] – [210:15]

Tone & Style

• The episode exemplifies the classic Joe Budden Podcast blend of barbershop realness, passionate debate, and absurdity, switching between deep dives, jokes, and behind-the-scenes banter.
• The language is irreverent, lively, and sometimes explicit, with lots of inside jokes and hip hop references.

Episode Summary

Episode 853 is a mosaic of stories, social critique, and hilarity as Joe and the crew navigate everything from the chaos of parenting and family legacy to hip hop beefs and the dangers of celebrity conspiracy culture. There’s a heartfelt look at family and Black history, a dissection of the modern entertainment industry’s billionaire myths, and a fierce defense (and roasting) of favorite filmmakers.

The squad doesn’t shy from tough topics—whether it’s gendered double standards in divorce, the social media rumor mill, or public health fads gone wrong. Above all, it’s about connection, cutting up, and calling out all the nonsense—inside and outside their circle.

Closing Sentiment

The pod signs off with reminders to stay safe, keep your loved ones close, and remain vigilant in an ever-crazier world. Plenty of sleeper picks and unfiltered camaraderie to see listeners through the week.

For more:
Full episode available at The Joe Budden Podcast (Joe Budden Network)
Listen for the full stories and off-the-cuff tangents that only Joe and crew can provide.