The Joe Budden Podcast – Episode 870 "Hour 2"
Release Date: October 18, 2025
Host: Joe Budden
Guests/Co-hosts: Mark Lamont Hill, Flip, Ish, Corey, (Parks, Erickson, Tanner remoting in)
Special Guest Appearance (end): Victor Solomon (designer for the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy)
Episode Overview
Episode 870 "Hour 2" of The Joe Budden Podcast covers a whirlwind of topics, mixing trademark humor, hip-hop culture, introspective dialogue, and spirited debate. The crew discusses everything from sneaker and scam culture, viral podcast "beefs," the friction between "intellectuals" and entertainers, relationships, respectability politics, cancel culture, contemporary music releases, and even showering habits. Special time is devoted to recent internet discourse and a pointed response to commentary from the Native Land podcast. The episode ends with Victor Solomon presenting the real Larry O’Brien NBA championship trophy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Sneaker Prices, Shopping Temptations, and Instagram Ads
- (00:28–01:47)
- The crew jokes about sneaker culture, hyped-up pricing, and how social media ads are engineered to make you spend impulsively.
- Flip: "Instagram be getting me."
- Dr. Mark Lamont Hill: "I buy something on Instagram every day."
- Joe: Compares IG impulse purchases to how older people used to shop on QVC.
2. Viral Food Trends & Lasagna Soup
- (02:09–03:22)
- Joe gets a lasagna soup recommendation; the crew riff on how algorithms pick up brief mentions and then bombard your feeds.
- Joe describes lasagna soup as sometimes even better than regular lasagna—sparks debate about "dolloping" ricotta and hyper-masculinity in food conversations.
3. Hyper-masculinity & Media Narratives
- (03:34–04:21)
- Mark references podcast criticism from another show (Native Land) accusing Joe and crew of being “hyper-masculine.”
- The group reacts with a mixture of amusement and skepticism.
- Joe: "How is Joe Budden hyper-masculine? They’re getting carried away now."
4. Podcast "Beefs," Digital Culture & Suggesting a "Raw" Channel
- (05:19–08:14)
- Discussion of subtweets and indirect accusations in the podcast world.
- Joe floats the idea of a “raw channel,” an unfiltered stream for his true opinions—describes the pod as his "polished version."
- Joe: "For all that they think about me, this is a polished version of myself."
5. Age, Maturity & Playful Roasting
- (07:00–08:54)
- The group jokes about aging, maturity goals, and their dynamic as "random" friends.
- Ends with a shout-out to Mona, absent this week.
6. Shopping, Bargains, and Hustle Culture
- (24:22–29:54)
- Spirited debate about underground hustle—buying things "off the truck," scam culture, and whether it’s morally wrong if companies (not individuals) are the victims.
- Flip: "I don’t knock how anybody eats steak unless there’s kids involved."
- Joe and Ish difference between taking from a company vs. an individual.
- Ish: “If somebody drops a bankroll, I could be flat broke, I’d still tell ‘em they dropped their money. I’m not stealing from nobody, period.”
7. Viral News: TJ Holmes, Amy Robach & Office Romance
- (32:40–41:23)
- Mark recaps the GMA hosts’ firing for their affair.
- Group discusses whether you can fall in love at work, love vs. infatuation, and cultural views on relationship “respectability."
- Joe: "My relationship is not going to keep me from the person I love. Sorry." (37:12)
- Flip: “If you lose your f**king job and wife, you might as well go all in.” (45:42)
8. Brian McKnight’s $8.8 Million Lawsuit Win & Fatherhood in the Public Eye
- (46:10–55:52)
- Mark details Brian McKnight’s defamation victory and the public perception around his family life.
- A broader conversation follows about “telling your side” as a man in the public, estranged children, and the complexity of parent-child estrangement.
- Ish: “Intellect doesn’t make you superior. ... It’s supposed to be a bridge—not a weapon.” (83:04)
9. The “Native Land” Podcast Response & Anti-Intellectualism Critique
- (68:12–90:21)
- Central segment: The crew addresses criticism from the Native Land podcast (hosted by Andrew Gillum, Angela Rye, Tiffany Cross, and Bakari Sellers) accusing the JBP of fueling the “dumbing down” of America and anti-intellectualism (based on a viral Flip vs. Mark debate).
- Quotes & Themes:
- Joe: “Don’t claim to be super pro-Black and then take the number one Black urban podcast and put that type of stink on it because you think you got a friend over here.” (77:05)
- Flip: “Intellect is supposed to be used as a bridge, to encourage and motivate—not as a weapon.” (83:04)
- Corey: “You can’t just spitball some sh*t and then claim you’re an intellectual... If you don’t watch the podcast and admit that you don’t watch the podcast...that’s a huge red flag.” (73:14)
- Dr. Mark Lamont Hill (on his friends’ concerns): “Angela’s a dear friend...I think we’ll always be passionate in defense of our friends.” (88:46)
- The group ultimately calls for less “division,” greater openness, and context when discussing different Black communities and platforms.
- Joe: “If y’all are unequipped, the rest of you intellectuals, to go to both parties, then don’t shame one of y’all for having those tools in the toolbox.” (96:24)
10. AI, Deepfakes, & Likeness Rights
- (99:35–106:13)
- News about MLK AI memes and the ethics of using famous dead people for internet entertainment.
- Joe: “You can’t build your business off someone else’s likeness without permission. This is still America.” (102:20)
11. Hip-Hop, Fat Joe, and the Performer vs. Podcaster Persona
- (119:46–125:32)
- Joe questions if Fat Joe is playing a “caricature” of himself, particularly referencing Joe’s flub of Bone Thugs lyrics (“I miss my Uncle Georgia”).
- Flip: “He’s not an MC no more. He’s approaching this as a podcaster, to be entertaining.”
- This segues into the cost of “entertainment over artistry” for hip-hop figures moving to podcasting.
12. Hygiene Habits, Shower Schedules, & Earthy “Vibes”
- (128:34–134:43)
- On showering: Some are daily; some skip when not leaving home. Jokes about “earthy” partners and chlorophyll, the science (and myth) of “eliminating odor.”
- Spirals into raunchy discussion about body odor, sex, and how to tactfully address such issues with partners.
13. Special Segment: How Would You Fix GoPro?
- (148:55–156:19)
- Joe presents the business case: GoPro’s massive collapse after their initial brand success.
- Proposals: Wearables (glasses, jewelry-mounted cameras), becoming more app- & community-based, partnerships with influencers and athletes, focus on stock footage, and leveraging their brand authenticity.
14. Weekly Music Round-Up
- (157:07–167:05)
- Highlights: Dave East – Karma 4; Gucci Mane’s new album; Usher x Chris Brown x Bryson Tiller remix; Ty Dolla $ign/Kodak Black/YG – “Smile, Body, Pretty Face”; Tory Lanez’s "The New Toronto" series now streaming; Nas and Big L single; Ransom & Preem collab.
- Joe’s take on music now: "If you’re dope enough, you’ll go back to the lab."
15. NBA Championship Trophy Presentation
- (189:01–193:28)
- Victor Solomon, artist/designer, brings in the official Larry O’Brien NBA championship trophy.
- The base now includes engraved past champions, adding legacy and symbolism.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Social Media Shopping:
Joe: “Instagram ads almost got me. Almost bought 20 Casio G shocks.” (00:59) -
On Lasagna Soup:
Joe: "Lasagna soup might be better than lasagna." (02:15) -
On Polished/Raw Versions:
Joe: "For all that they think about me, this is a polished version of myself." (06:22) -
On Hustle Morality:
Flip: "I don’t knock how anybody eats steak unless there’s kids involved." (25:01) -
On Work Affairs and Love:
Joe: "My relationship is not going to keep me from the person I love. Sorry." (37:12) Flip: "If you lose your job and wife, you might as well go all in." (45:42) -
On Being Judged by Clip Culture:
Dr. Mark Lamont Hill: "If you only watch 30 seconds of a clip, people think Flip was mad at me for using big words...that wasn’t the conversation." (57:12) -
On Anti-Intellectual Accusations:
Joe: "Don’t claim to be super pro-Black and then take the number one Black urban podcast and put that type of stink on it..." (77:05) -
On Intellectuals and Bridging Gaps:
Flip: "Intellect should be used as a bridge, to encourage and motivate—not a weapon." (83:04) -
On GoPro's Downfall:
Joe (recounting): "They forgot its purpose. It wasn’t about gadgets. It was about freedom. And once the story died, so did the brand." (151:10) -
On Fat Joe’s “Uncle Georgia” Flub:
Joe: “You don’t got no lyrics you’ve been with 30 years?”
Flip: “Fat Joe the podcaster is not an MC, he’s approaching this as a podcaster.”
Important Timestamps
- (03:34) – Discussion about alleged hypermasculinity in JBP
- (05:19–08:14) – Subtweeting in the industry & Joe wants a "raw" channel
- (24:22–29:54) – Scam culture & "off the truck" hustle morality
- (32:40–41:23) – TJ Holmes, Amy Robach, workplace romance
- (46:10–55:52) – Brian McKnight lawsuit & father/child estrangement
- (68:12–90:21) – Native Land pod/anti-intellectualism response
- (99:35–106:13) – AI, deepfakes, and MLK memes debate
- (128:34–134:43) – Hygiene, shower habits, and "earthy" partners
- (148:55–156:19) – GoPro “How to Fix It” segment
- (189:01–193:28) – NBA trophy designer Victor Solomon brings the real Larry O’Brien trophy
Tone & Style
JBP’s usual emotionally charged, banter-heavy, culture-commentary style. Spirited arguments and teasing abound, especially when blending the serious (Black culture, business failures, intellectual divides) with the personal and absurd (hygiene, “off the truck” TVs, Fat Joe’s rap memory).
Conclusion
Episode 870's "Hour 2" illustrates JBP’s unique mix of cultural critique, comedy, self-awareness, and vulnerability. The show is both a mirror for internet and hip-hop culture and a sounding board for personal and collective Black experience. The episode’s heart? A call for less division ("intellectual" vs "street"/"entertainers"), more mutual respect, and a broader understanding of each other's context as Black creators and thinkers.
For more:
- Listen for the Native Land podcast response and discussion (~68:00+).
- Check the music round-up segment (157:07+) for current releases.
- Don’t miss Victor Solomon’s championship trophy at the end (189:01+).
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