The Joe Budden Podcast – Episode 872 | "Purple Eye"

Release Date: October 25, 2025
Main Cast: Joe Budden, Mona, Mark Lamont Hill, Parks, Flip
Episode Theme:
A lively, candid exploration of everything from NBA gambling scandals and authenticity in friendships to music releases, local politics, and more. The podcasters blend their trademark banter, storytelling, and insight, making for a dynamic roundtable mixing humor, sharp takes, and shared history.

Episode Overview

The pod kicks off with playful banter: Mona, the newest full-week guest, is roasted and celebrated as she integrates with the group. The episode quickly pivots into dissecting group dynamics, recent NBA scandals, the art of calling out phoniness, relationship stories, hip hop history, and what it means to navigate fame and interpersonal trust in today’s world.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Mona Joins Full-Time & Group Chemistry

00:53–12:00

• Mona receives both welcome and lighthearted hazing; the crew discusses the different facets of each other's personalities at work and at home.
• They reminisce about podcasting mishaps and “Master Joe” (Joe’s managerial persona) coming out.
• Memorable Exchange: Mona claims, “I smell like Rose,” while Joe claims she “thugged us all out before the show even started.”
• Timestamps:
  • [01:46] “Mona has thugged us all out before the show has even started.” – Joe
  • [06:09] “Master Joe” anecdotes

2. NBA Gambling & Betting Scandal Deep Dive

30:45–61:43

• Mark explains the scope: FBI probe, Mafia-connected illegal poker games, and NBA player prop bet manipulation.
• Names like Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones are discussed, as is the racialized way the story is covered.
• They debate player culpability, how addiction and mob pressure could pull millionaires in, and what this means for the league’s future.
• Key Quotes:
  • [32:13] Mark: “Maybe the worst day in league history as far as public relations goes...”
  • [39:51] Mona: “I may not know the ins and out of basketball, but I know how the feds work. They don’t indict until they ready and they don’t lose.”
  • [52:08] Joe: “This is Adam Silver’s first real crisis to me. Yes, it is. Yeah, it is. This is the first. It’s a huge one.”
• Discussion includes:
  • Mob involvement, implications for fandom and league trust, comparison between betting addiction and player motives.
  • The need for harsh penalties versus possibility of redemption.
  • Cultural impact: “If you normalize a culture where teams are intentionally not doing all they can to win, it becomes a slippery slope…” – Mark [51:47]

3. Music Segment: New Drops & Classic R&B Love

81:14–116:58

• The panel expresses excitement over the upcoming New Edition / Boyz II Men / Toni Braxton tour, with some surprise at lack of enthusiasm for Boyz II Men from Mona (“I’m not a Boyz II Men fan. I never been. From Philly, from Philadelphia... I just never.”)
• Music Reviews:
  • Leon Thomas EP – praised for its 1970s funk/soul vibe.
  • Miguel’s new album sparks a debate about artists evolving (“I miss the old Miguel”).
  • Kehlani’s “Folded Pack” remix is universally celebrated; in-depth play of favorite tracks, with debate over Brandy’s missing verse.
  • Mention of new Dave East, Hit-Boy/Alchemist collab, Daniel Caesar, Queen Naija, and emerging artist Isaiah Falls.
• Notable Music Quotes:
  • “Leon Thomas is an automatic purchase for me. I learned this morning.” – Joe [85:47]
  • “Kehlani... someone else who I think has R&B in an absolute chokehold right now.” – Joe [92:48]

4. Authenticity, Friendship, and Navigating Fakes

162:02–169:59

• Roundtable on “how close can you be to a fake?” and the boundaries of trust—both professionally and personally.
• Strong views emerge: Mona is ready to walk away when someone’s proven fake; Flip and Parks explore navigating fake colleagues for utility but keeping distance.
• Parenting and character as friendship litmus tests are discussed:
  • “If somebody will fuck their kid over, what they gonna do to you?” – Mona [166:22]
  • “If I see anybody doing anything shady to somebody else, I assume they’ll do it to me when I’m no longer useful to them.” – Mark [166:24]

5. Local/National Politics, Black Informants & Legacies

123:09–132:10

• Analysis of the “Thanks for Asking” Queens legend interview, confidential informant distinctions, and Al Sharpton’s past.
• Mark: “...a whole lot of people who we revere have had some kind of relationship to the Feds. It’s just a fact.” [130:37]
• The group debates the complexity of “snitching” versus informant work, with some tongue-in-cheek referencing of loyalty and historical context.

6. Hip Hop Spelling Bee & Old-School Icons

132:35–136:50

• Spelling of names in rap: Snoop, Biggie, and old-school acts debated for their hallmark name-spelling deliveries.
• Reminiscing on iconic crews performing at Knicks halftime; reverence for hip hop elders as cultural touchstones.

7. Relationship Stories, Parenting, Co-parenting, and Baby Dads/Moms Dynamics

173:29–175:13

• Mona and others riff on real-life relationship boundaries, the “baby daddy” calls at 4am meme, and the maturity required to raise children together after separation.
• "My baby dad's cool too... Turning to family. Is she your family too? That’s your family.” – Mona [175:17–175:33]

8. Weekend Plans & Personal Updates

187:59–192:54

• The cast share real-life weekend plans (concerts, haunted houses, travel), with lively ribbing about private jets, class travel, and what it means to “make it.”
• Joe previews a major move for the show and tells haters, “Don't bet against me in these next few years... this next move. Oh, this next one is a doozy.” [183:03–184:14]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The largest room I ever been in is the room for growth.” – Flip [07:35]
• “If the mafia get to have their own gambling houses and let us have ours. Even if it’s tied to...” – Joe [57:36]
• “If you normalize a culture where teams are intentionally not doing all they can to win, it becomes a slippery slope...” – Mark [51:47]
• “I may not know the ins and out of basketball, but I know how the feds work. They don’t indict until they ready and they don’t lose.” – Mona [39:51]
• “I feel like a lot of people stop watching [sports] just because of that. You don’t want to watch something where you can't bank on if they’re going to win or not.” – Mona [60:46]
• “Don’t bet against me in these next few years... this next move. Oh, this next one is a doozy.” – Joe [183:03]

Timestamps by Topic

• 00:53–12:00: Mona’s warm up & group chemistry
• 30:45–61:43: NBA scandal, gambling, and ethics in sports
• 81:14–116:58: Music reviews, nostalgia, and new releases
• 123:09–132:10: Old-school legends, informant culture, Al Sharpton discussion
• 132:35–136:50: Name spelling in hip hop, Knicks halftime show
• 162:02–169:59: Authenticity, friendship boundaries, and fakes
• 173:29–175:13: Relationships, co-parenting, the baby mama/daddy discourse
• 187:59–192:54: Weekend plans and show’s future tease

The Pod’s Style & Tone

• Language/Tone: Candid, irreverent, quick-witted, sometimes explicit, with tight-knit group banter.
• Energy: Unscripted, charismatic, driven by chemistry and authenticity.
• Balance: Jokes and roasting offset more serious takes on corruption, addiction, friendship, and music critique.

Conclusion

Episode 872, “Purple Eye,” is classic Joe Budden Podcast: a layered group conversation, grounded in honest takes on current events, music, and friendship, punctuated by both hilarity and insight. With a blend of relatable vulnerability and sharp-tongued commentary, the cast gives listeners a seat at the table—whether they’re dissecting NBA drama, redefining what it means to keep it real, or collectively losing their minds over new R&B.