The Joe Budden Podcast — Episode 862 | "The Donut Shop"

Date: September 20, 2025
Host: Joe Budden
Co-Hosts: Parks, Ish, Ice, Flip, new addition Mona (Big Mona), Mark Lamont Hill, others
Episode Focus: Cardi B's new album Am I The Drama?, Mona's first official episode, major music/culture/society news, and the show's trademark irreverent banter.

Episode Overview

This episode is themed around Cardi B’s new album, Am I The Drama?, with deep-dive analysis, debate, and enthusiastic review from the whole cast. The episode also spotlights the arrival of Mona (aka Big Mona), who debuts as a new recurring co-host, bringing a fresh blend of humor, boldness, and a Philly perspective.

Other topics include the controversial David/Virtus Ford criminal case, journalism failures, late-night TV censorship and the state of free speech, Jay Electronica’s new release, the Hov casino proposal for Times Square, Ticketmaster/Live Nation lawsuits, family and parenting, and a host of tangential cultural discussions—staying true to the unpredictable, lively fabric of the Joe Budden Podcast.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Opening Monologue & Table Setting

• [00:00–13:30] Standard "thoughts and views" disclaimer. The crew jokes around, discusses the organic podcast launch (no "1,2,3 go" cues), and riffs about outfit choices and personal style. The mood is energetic, with everyone reflecting on feeling good and the squad's strong chemistry.

Mona Joins the Crew

• [13:24] “We have a new addition like Bobby and them to the squad…Big Mona.” – Joe ([13:30])
• Mona talks about her excitement and having to keep the new role secret; shared anticipation from everyone in the room.

2. Cardi B’s ‘Am I The Drama?’ – Deep Dive Review

• [17:19–65:00]
• Primary Focus: The team gives Cardi B's new album an extensive (and at times, track-by-track) review full of praise and nuanced critique.

Immediate Reactions & Grades

• “It’s a very solid follow up.” – Parks ([18:33])
• “She snapped. She did good.” – Mona ([18:37])
• Grades range 4/5 or 8/10, high production value and standout sequencing noted.

Themes, Disses, & Lyrics

• Much discussion about Cardi's unapologetic “women empowerment but also lethal disses.”
• Memorable diss lines:
  • “Your mother don’t want you. You Brenda had a baby ass, bitch.” – Cardi B, recited by Joe ([24:29])
  • “My man cheat but I don’t put no dildo in his ass.” ([24:33])
• The team dissects lines about Cardi and Offset’s breakup, supposed new partner (Stefon Diggs), and Cardi’s ability to “make fans forget the drama, just with her music.”
• Parks and Joe analyze structure, sampling, and sequencing: "The only nitpick—the story doesn’t quite wrap up at the end" ([33:25])
• Mona: “We always win at the end, because y’all are hurt.” ([204:37])

Core Audience & Crossover Appeal

• Cardi’s fanbase discussed as “huge, women-driven, but she covers all the nightlife/strip club/day-one bases without alienating new, mainstream, or pop audiences” ([26:40])
• “She’s got music for other demos who are going to tap in” — “She’s personable, reminds you of your cousin or the wild one in the family” ([63:21])

Album Strategy & Rollout

• Cardi’s independent hustle and the lack of label support considered: “Everything has been Cardi and her star power.” ([32:41])
• Noted samples, big-name features, and post-release rollout plans (notably surrounding her pregnancy announcement).

Commercial Projections

• Sales guesses range wildly, with Mark suggesting 250–300K:
  • “You might hit 3 (hundred thousand)” – Mark & crew ([63:10])
• Am I The Drama? already RIAA platinum, spurred in part by the inclusion of “WAP” and digital strategy ([175:09]).

Notable Quotes

• “The album being as good as it is — word of mouth is still the best form…” – Joe ([63:04])
• “Cardi is different. If she [gets back] to putting music out and her writers, and what they come up with, [other] up-and-coming acts can’t compete with that.” – Joe ([46:08])

3. Cultural Commentary & Social Issues

The David/Ford/Celeste Case

• [86:09–95:04]
• Extensive, serious coverage of the disturbing murder case involving up-and-coming artist David (Virtus Ford) and the death of the underage Celeste.
• The crew explores evidence details, issues of internet predation, social media’s dangers, Discord as a platform for manipulation, and parental oversight.
• Mona: “There’s a lot of discourse where adult entertainers are manipulating and messing with kids…”

Parenting, Daughters, and Online Dangers

• [95:04–106:22]
• Personal, sometimes emotional dialogue about monitoring daughters’ relationships, the limits of parental control in the social media age, and cultural shifts.

On Journalism & Media

• [115:11–119:07]
• Mark Lamont Hill leads a critique about clickbait, the erosion of journalistic standards, and the spread of misinformation regarding the Dame Dash–Revolt–Cameron saga.
• “That’s not journalism, that’s a press release.” – Mark ([116:17])
• “This is why we need journalists.” – Mark ([115:37])

Late-Night TV, Censorship, and Free Speech

• [121:31–135:41]
• Reactions to Jimmy Kimmel’s indefinite removal from ABC, linked to controversial comments and the broader consolidation/censorship within network TV.
• The crew discusses the FCC, cancel culture, and the increasing overlap between government regulation, big media, and political interests.
• “It’s not about morality, it’s about money.” – Ice ([128:04])
• “Super dangerous, bro… squashing people who don’t agree with you, especially when it’s a comedic platform.” – Parks ([123:16])

Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Resignation

• [144:03–147:27]
• Joe reads the resignation letter of Jerry Greenfield, citing Unilever’s interference and abandonment of Ben & Jerry’s progressive mission:
  • “If the company couldn’t stand up for the things we believed, then it wasn’t worth being a company at all.” – Jerry ([146:05])

4. Notable Music News & Industry Chatter

• Jay Electronica drops new album ([78:29])

  • “Dope production, seven new songs, and must-listen for true fans.”

• Jermaine Dupri x Magic City Atlanta strip club compilation ([85:05])

  • “Some real heat on there, all Atlanta.”

• HOV Casino Proposal Rejected – Times Square

  • Detailed politics and perspectives on casino plans, “Is it really for the people?” [174:04–181:48], including Jay-Z’s campaign pitch.
  • “Trying to sell people on a casino being for the culture is a little bit of a reach.” – Parks ([183:41])

• Ticketmaster/Live Nation antitrust lawsuit ([186:50–188:13])

  • The team celebrates the legal action targeting unfair ticket monopolies: “Robbing in the daytime without a flashlight.” – Joe ([189:00])

5. Classic JBP Banter, Relationships, and Mona’s Introduction

• [193:01] onwards, especially the closing hour.
• The team jokes about first impressions, the secrecy of podcast cues, who brings breakfast, and what it’s like to join such an established show.
• Mona: “Nobody tells you nothing… it feels like being the only kitty cat in here!” ([191:05])
• “How you get along with the new co-host is very important. We’re watching that as a company.” – Joe ([107:18])
• Crew commentary on dicks, pleasure, “big dick” myths, and a long section about personal sexual preference, met with irreverent humor.

Memorable Quotes

• “This album was about four songs too long.” – Parks ([58:15])
• “She [Cardi] didn’t alienate her day-ones, there’s a lot of strip club joints still here.” – Joe ([27:20])
• “Y’all dropped [the beat] in all the right spots. The production… high, high value.” – Parks ([44:45])
• “Cardi rides beats paws better than most male rappers.” – Ice ([51:30])
• “You can’t stop your daughter from talking to anybody, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to protect mine from these predatory ass…” – Flip ([108:10])
• “Y’all voted in a president who I have my thoughts on… I don’t know what more y’all needed to see.” – Joe ([135:35])

Notable Segment Timestamps

• Mona’s official intro: [13:24]
• Cardi B Album Review begins: [17:19]
• Cardi dissection, shots, d*ss records: [22:18–45:53]
• Discussion of song sampling, production: [20:02, 44:30]
• Commercial projections: [61:54–63:53]
• David/Celeste case: [86:09–95:04]
• Parenting & daughters: [95:04–106:22]
• On journalism: [115:11–119:07]
• Kimmel/Free speech discussion: [121:31–135:41]
• Jay Electronica, other music: [78:29], [85:05]
• HOV/casino debate: [174:04–181:48]
• Live Nation/Ticketmaster lawsuit: [186:50–188:02]
• Mona’s closing comments on joining: [191:32–197:52]

Closing Thoughts

The episode is an elegant chaos: it bounces from detailed and passionate music analysis (especially re: Cardi B), to sociology and politics, to inside jokes and classic JBP tomfoolery. Mona’s addition is a major highlight—her sharp wit and Philly candor fit in naturally, prompting both laughter and lively debate.

Key Takeaway:
Cardi B's Am I The Drama? triumphs as both a club-ready and intensely personal offering; the show itself is clearly in a new, vibrant phase with Mona aboard, while never shying from tough real-world subjects.

End-of-Episode Vibes:

• Strong sense of camaraderie in the squad
• Unapologetic take on sensitive topics
• Sneak peek into “how the sausage is made" on talk radio/podcasting
• “All love here — chaos, jokes, and sharp takes included.”

[Last Notable Quote:] "If the company couldn’t stand up for the things we believed, then it wasn’t worth being a company at all." — Jerry, Ben & Jerry’s ([146:05])

For full cultural effect, don’t miss Mona’s debut — and if you want to know what’s really slapping in Cardi’s world, this is the podcast review you need.