The Joe Budden Podcast

Episode 880 | "Destiny's Food"

Date: November 22, 2025
Podcast: The Joe Budden Podcast
Network: The Joe Budden Network

Episode Overview

This episode is a classic, freewheeling conversation among Joe Budden and his regular cast of friends, touching on everything from dental mishaps to their experiences at the star-studded Brandy, Monica & Kelly Rowland concert in Brooklyn, rampant homeownership debates, industry drama, viral news, recognition in Rolling Stone, and plenty of flavor on hip hop culture, Black excellence, and societal issues. In true JBP fashion, the episode is filled with jokes, introspection, inside stories, and unfiltered cultural critique, all while keeping it rooted in the group’s authentic camaraderie.

Table of Contents

• On Veneers and Getting Older (00:00–04:00)
• Group Dynamics, Friendships & Homeowner Woes (05:00–08:00)
• Strip Club & Concert Recaps: Brandy, Monica, Kelly Rowland (10:00–23:00)
• Concert Review Highlights (19:00–42:00)
• Rolling Stone Recognition & Making the List (43:00–46:00)
• Complex’s Comedy List, Media Recognition, & Clout (47:00–50:00)
• Music Industry Commentary: Apple Artist of the Year, Burna Boy’s Fan Controversy (50:00–54:00)
• Burna Boy Fan Dispute & Performer Standards (54:00–59:00)
• Consumerism, Wastefulness, and $85K Timbs (110:00–117:00)
• Award Shows, Rolling Stone, and Black Recognition (125:00–129:00)
• Neighborhood Watch: Sex Offender List & "Karen" Debate (193:00–200:00)
• Family, Exes, and Multigenerational Households (133:00–147:00)
• Michael Beach Living Situation Discussion (133:21–144:02)
• Cultural/Celebrity News: Nicki Minaj at the UN, Pharrell on DEI, and More (103:59–169:49)
• Music Releases, De La Soul Album, Ransom, Tim's EP (91:32–158:28)
• Closing Notes, Fans' Questions & Next Shows (170:58–207:23)

On Veneers, Dentists & Aging (00:00–04:00)

• The pod opens with jokes about teeth, veneers, and “staying grounded” by keeping one real tooth.
• Joe shares a story about going to the dentist and learning he had one real tooth left, surprised he wasn’t fully done.
  • "Honestly, when I went to the dentist, I thought that they was all done... But it wasn't until I went to get a cleaning, she slipped and told me, 'you got one real one in the back.'" — Joe (02:05)
• The group delves into gravity, aging, and the need for dental implants, ending with self-deprecation and “entertainment show” reminders.

Group Dynamics, Friendships, and Homeowner Woes (05:00–08:00)

• Extended playful bickering about who helps out whom in the friend group, referencing home repairs, yard work, and who “always knows a guy.”
• “What a friend group.” — Reminder that friendship is about showing up for small tasks as much as big drama.

Strip Club & Concert Recaps: Brandy, Monica, Kelly Rowland (10:00–23:00)

• Joe attended a Thursday-night concert in Brooklyn as a 45-year-old, trying to relive youthful evenings.
• Big singalong and storytelling about the Monica, Brandy, and Kelly Rowland show at Barclays.
  • "My girl knew the concert to be at with me. Boy, that was the right concert to get a mistake two-step with a stranger." (14:13)
• Joe and crew discuss feeling “old” for going out, but loving it, and getting “fomo” (fear of missing out) from those who couldn’t go.

Concert Review Highlights & The Kelly Rowland Revelation (19:00–42:00)

• Key moments & standout quotes:
  • The performances were stellar: Money Long was a “vocals to death” performer. (19:38)
  • "This is now a Kelly Rowland Stan Page. Ben."
  • Joe has an epiphany about Kelly Rowland: "How am I just putting two and two together that Kelly Rowland is a goddess amongst mortals?" (21:20)
  • Kelly’s presence: The group gushes over her beauty and talent, and poke fun at themselves for their awe.
  • Food tangents: Joe eats an embarrassing amount of popcorn and glizzies (hot dogs), with Parks clowning him for it. (24:06, 30:01)
  • On Kelly’s performance: "By the time I sat down... she just put on an absolute clinic at controlling the stage, singing, dancing, everything."
  • Brandy and Monica do “The Boy Is Mine” and use a “versus” format to keep the crowd engaged. (32:00)
  • Tyrese and Ciara came out as surprise guests; Ciara is highlighted for exceptional dancing and presence.
  • Max B gets brought out by Monica—odd stylistic clash, but celebrated for his homecoming.
  • Fat Joe and Ja Rule’s drama is discussed, with skepticism about online “reports.”
• Group is critical and comedic toward show formats and crowd dynamics.

Rolling Stone Recognition & Making the List (43:00–46:00)

• The Big News: Joe and the podcast are recognized as “Voices of the Year” by Rolling Stone.
  • “As the Joe Budden Podcast enters its 10th year, the rapper turned media mogul opens up...” (44:22; Mark reading piece’s description.)
  • They're on the list with Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Mark Maron, Rihanna, Clipse, Seth Rogen, and others — a notable milestone.
  • The group is proud, hype, and grateful for the acknowledgment.

Complex’s Comedy List, Media Recognition, & Clout (47:00–50:00)

• Mona is also honored on Complex’s “Top 25 Funniest People on the Internet” (she's modest but proud).
  • Lou Young and Lou Ratchet also make her highlight reel.
• Rolling recognition on “The Route 100,” Apple’s Artist of the Year (Tyler, The Creator — “he deserves it”), and how media acknowledgment continues to shape their careers.

Music Industry Commentary: Burna Boy Fan Controversy (50:00–59:00)

• Burna Boy removes a sleeping fan from a show and then responds harshly online, saying he doesn’t want “broke fans.”
  • Group critiques his repeated difficult behavior toward fans and his “no broke fans” comments — consensus: bad for business and artist-fan relationships.
  • “Your stadium is filled with people who saved up to buy tickets to see you. And if you say f them, you ain’t gonna have no fans in the audience.” (59:05)

Rolling Stone & Complex Recap (46:00–50:00)

• Celebration for being showcased as media voices and comedy stars;
• Reflection on what these lists say about the state of Black culture, new media, and influence;
• Discussion on DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) impact.

$85,000 Timbs: Consumerism, Waste, and Status (110:00–117:00)

• Conversation turns to the $85,000 Louis Vuitton/Pharrell x Timberland boots:
  • Joe: “I’m not getting them.”
  • Ice: “You said you spent $3,000 on Tims, but you won’t get these?” — introduces a debate on financial responsibility, wastefulness, status, and relative privilege.
  • “At some level, then everything is wasteful.” — Mark (115:19)
  • The group grapples with differences in access and attitudes toward luxury goods and definitions of “wastefulness.”

Award Shows, Grammys, DEI, Pharrell, and Cultural Recognition (125:00–129:00; 162:01–169:49)

• Recognition for Black artists in media cycles is debated—importance, shortcomings of industry recognition.
• Pharrell’s DEI comments catch criticism:
  • Pharrell suggests job opportunities should be based on merit, not DEI initiatives.
  • Mark Lamont Hill: “That’s a scary message... that’s not the real world. In an ideal situation, all that would sound cool, but we don’t live in a world where the qualified get the jobs.” (167:39)
• They skewer celebrities for “being out of touch” and forgetting where and why DEI and affirmative action exist.

Family, Exes, and Multigenerational Households (133:00–147:00)

• The Michael Beach “I live with my ex-wife and current wife” revelation—debated for maturity, practicality, and “the village” concept.
  • Ice: “It’s a matter of maturity. Most of us never get there, but I don’t think it’s bad if you got children by both women.”
• The idea of living with exes is explored from gender, emotional, practical standpoints—would any of them do it? (Answers: mostly no.)

Cultural/Celebrity News: Nicki Minaj, Kanye, and Meg Thee Stallion (103:59–169:49)

• Nicki Minaj’s speech at the UN, parroting unnuanced right-wing talking points about persecution of Christians in Nigeria is criticized.
  • “She’s being used... but to damage, it misrepresents what’s happening in Nigeria.” (107:06-108:54, Mark)
• Brian McKnight beef: Mark responds to McKnight’s comments on the show with receipts and anecdotes about poor behavior.
  • “Brian McKnight, you are an asshole. And that’s okay. It’s not a beef… you just an asshole.” (66:23)
• Megan Thee Stallion trial: Joe’s name surfaces in the online defamation case; group reflects on the legal drama and online responsibility.
• Smokey Robinson and the wave of new allegations (including from men) — the hosts react with gallows humor but seriousness.

Neighborhood Watch, Karen Debate & Safety (193:00–200:00)

• Extended debate: Is running the sex offender registry on your neighbors “Karen” behavior or responsible parenting?
  • Ice: “I run the list. I want to know who’s around my kids.”
  • Ish: “That’s Karen energy.”
  • Mark: “Being aware is not Karen. The action is.”
• Good-natured but real back-and-forth about community safety, privacy, Black culture in neighborhoods, and what being “Karen” really means.

More Highlights, Inside Jokes & Memorable Quotes

• On music in 2025: Praise for De La Soul’s new album, Ransom, Tim’s new project, and a robust year for “the rappers.”
  • “If you’re a fan of rap, this was a year for the rappers... the rappers delivered.” (94:09)
• On Joe’s spending and privilege:
  • “You got $3,000 Tims and you said you don’t wear boots—that’s wasteful.” (114:35)
  • “It’s all relative. So somebody will look at somebody, somebody that says, 'yo, you got on a $7,000 watch, you’re an idiot.' When there are watches that cost $250.” (116:02)
• On industry change: Labels now “wait and see” what songs take off before they invest in videos or marketing.
• On Max B’s return to the stage: Joy, confusion, and local pride, but crowd reactions are mixed.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Kelly Rowland is a goddess among mortals.” — Joe (21:20)
• “Burna Boy has had quite a few incidents on a stage where he bugs out on a fan or storms off the show completely. Ever since somebody threw something at him while he was on stage.” — Joe (51:53)
• “Your stadium is filled... with people who made a sacrifice to see you. If you say fuck them, you ain’t gonna have no fans.” — Mark (59:05)
• “Brian McKnight, you are an asshole. And that's okay. It's not a beef… you just an asshole. I'm basing that on having interviewed Brian Benight lots of times.” — Mark (66:23)
• “It’s levels to wastefulness. I think buying an $80,000 pair of boots is a lot more wasteful than having four watches.” — Mark (117:40)
• “In an ideal situation, all of that (Pharrell's merit talk) would sound cool, but we don't live in a world where the qualified get the jobs.” — Ice (167:39)
• “I'm glad I don't talk to Pharrell. ... You can have the jellyfishes.” — Joe (170:28)
• “Once a tree jumper always a tree jumper.” — Ice (195:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Show disclaimer, opening jokes about Joe’s teeth
• 10:20 – Joe’s Thursday night out, the concert kickoff
• 19:00 – Money Long, Kelly Rowland, Brandy & Monica concert breakdown
• 23:00 – The glizzy (hot dog) saga at the concert
• 43:13 – Rolling Stone “Voices of the Year” recognition
• 47:42 – Mona makes the Complex comedy list
• 50:32 – Apple Artist of the Year, Tyler, The Creator
• 51:22 – Burna Boy ejection controversy
• 66:23 – Brian McKnight calls out Mark; Mark’s direct response
• 86:05 – Mark's "Friendsgiving" invitation & shoeless house debate
• 110:00 – $85,000 Tims, wastefulness argument
• 125:00 – Grammys, DEI, and cultural recognition
• 133:21 – Michael Beach lives with his ex-wife and wife
• 166:19 – Pharrell on DEI; group criticism
• 193:00 – Karen behavior and running the sex offender registry
• 203:26 – Mona announces her upcoming stand-up shows

Closing & Next Shows (203:26–end)

• Mona announces two stand-up shows in Atlanta, November 29th; asks listeners to support.
• The crew shouts out chefs and the kitchen staff, wraps up with laughter, and preps for Mark’s Friendsgiving.

Overall Tone & Style

Lighthearted, irreverent, sometimes insightful, sometimes intentionally petty; the chemistry is vibrant, with roles well established—Joe as ringleader/storyteller, Parks as dry observer, Mark Lamont Hill as the academic/voice of reason, Mona providing comic relief, and Ice bringing street smarts and blunt hot takes. There’s a mutual respect—plus lots of call-backs to earlier shows, inside jokes (“you be glizzied up!”), and affectionate roasting.

For New Listeners

This episode is a quintessential slice of the Joe Budden Podcast: equal parts cultural analysis, music industry commentary, personal storytelling, and boisterous Black barbershop-style debate, all woven through the lens of the week’s news and their intertwined lives. If you care about hip hop, Black media, New York culture, and hearing smart people crack each other up, you'll find yourself at home.

Additional Highlights

• "Destiny’s Child" themes (food and otherwise) serve as a motif for community, nostalgia, and fun.
• The hosts’ vulnerability—about aging, money, and friendship—is often masked in humor, but adds emotional depth.
• Grown-up debates about money, priorities, and cultural relevance showcase the show’s evolving maturity, without sacrificing the banter.
• Industry recognition, both mainstream (Rolling Stone, Complex) and in hip hop (Nas x Premiere, De La Soul), center the pod’s place in cultural history.

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