The Joe Budden Podcast – Episode 883 | "Not Violins"

Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Joe Budden
Co-hosts: Queens Flip, Ish, Dr. Mark Lamont Hill, Freeze, Parks, others

Episode Overview

Episode 883 dives into a broad range of topics, blending the show's signature humor, irreverent banter, and insightful discussion. The crew reflects on family stories, hot current events, the new Netflix “Puff Daddy” documentary, music industry news, morality, and personal anecdotes. The tone oscillates between comedic, heartfelt, occasionally contentious, and always engaging, reflecting the unique group dynamic.

Notable Segments & Discussion Highlights

1. Queens Flip and the Parent-Teacher Night Incident

[01:21 – 04:00]

• Flip recounts attending his daughter's parent-teacher night, where she confronted her teacher for saying “Negro” excessively during a Negro League lesson. Flip felt torn between championing her advocacy or telling her to chill.
• The table jokes about generational differences and whether Black students should push back in these classroom contexts.
• Notable Quote:
  “Some battles you could battle and some not. But she said that. She said it like seven times. She counted it. And you pressing teachers.”
  — Queens Flip [02:28]

2. “Snow Police” & Life as a Landlord

[06:47 – 13:17]

• The crew debates loving or hating snow, shoveling, and how people in the group treat winter. It devolves into jokes about who really shovels snow, who pays someone, and landlord responsibilities.
• Ish claims he shovels for his tenants, while others tease him.
• Memorable Moment:
  The group insists Ish can’t possibly be out here shoveling, vivid imagery and laughter abound.
• Quote:
  “You're not out there shoveling, boy... Y’all niggas be lying.” — Queens Flip [08:35]

3. Dreams and Subconscious Stress

[13:34 – 16:36]

• Joe describes a vivid dream featuring podcast guests, Dr. Umar, and a raucous party, eventually derailed by a fight outside.
• The gang reflects on not remembering dreams as they age, attributing it to stress and adulthood.
• Notable Quote:
  “Do y’all dream a lot? Yeah...If they go out, as soon as I wake up, it's over.” — Ish [13:46]

4. In-Depth Review: Puff Daddy ‘Reckoning’ Docuseries

[27:50 – 56:59]

• Timecode Span: A significant, thorough segment on the Netflix documentary, The Reckoning: Puff Daddy, produced by 50 Cent.

• Joe summarizes the four-episode arc:

  • Ep. 1: Puffy’s formative years, early hustle, record industry beginnings.
  • Ep. 2: Relationship with Biggie, blame dynamics between East/West coast, the deaths of Biggie/Pac, and shifting narrative responsibility onto Puff.
  • Ep. 3 & 4: Women in Puff’s life, relationships with Cassie, Kim Porter, Danity Kane, and the dark underbelly – including damning allegations, behind-the-scenes footage, and lingering misogyny/power dynamics.

• Critical Discussions:

  • The use and legality of archival/personal footage — was it stolen or legit? The director claims legal rights; Puff’s camp objects.
  • The morality of airing dirty laundry, painting Puff as “the guy who got away with everything.”
  • Nuance about Puff’s genius, drive, possible fear dynamics among those near him, and the mystique he cultivated.
  • Whether the doc is a malicious “hit piece” or a necessary exposé.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “This one did more. It basically blames Puff for Biggie and Pac.” — Joe Budden [29:56]
  • “My point is it's a very well done piece. Dope. It's a very well…” — Joe Budden [28:27]
  • “It left me saying, I just wish he had, like, real friends at some point. But when you making that much and you worth that much, you don't get that.” — Joe Budden [43:12]

• Memorable Wrap-Up:
  The crew debates if 50 Cent, as a music/TV mogul, is justified in producing the doc given his history of beef with Puff, and if hip-hop’s “code” is still relevant.

5. Nuanced Morality, Family, and Loyalty

[59:00 – 66:00]

• Prompted by the doc’s themes and personal stories, the crew debates:
  • Would you turn in your own child for a heinous crime?
  • Is morality absolute, or does “nuance” (and personal closeness) soften our standards?
• Joe stands firm on accountability; others show the expected “parental blind spot.”
• Quote:
  “Our capacity for nuance expands the more we love somebody, I think.” — Dr. Mark Lamont Hill [60:18]

6. Prize Picks Segment / Fantasy Football Woes

[75:25 – 78:57]

• Humorous rundown of weekly fantasy picks, tales of fantasy heartbreak, and playful trash talk.
• A break from the heavy material and a dose of the lighthearted group energy.

7. Mark Lamont Hill vs. Brian McKnight Sr.: Journalism or Petty?

[81:00 – 90:55]

• Mark discusses his Patreon interview with Brian McKnight Jr. and Julie McKnight, following public drama with Brian McKnight Sr.
• Group jests about “doubling down” for views, the line between journalism and messiness, and whether “safe spaces” for interviews are ever truly neutral.
• Quote:
  “If somebody reaches out and says, hey, the family wants to be able to tell their side. I want to be able to give...” — Dr. Mark Lamont Hill [82:52]

8. Russell Wilson and the "Lame" Narrative

[138:07 – 146:11]

• Discussion of an ex-teammate’s story about Russell Wilson’s “weird” (catered, family-lite) Thanksgiving; examination of why Russ draws so much hate for being “square,” clean-cut, and God-fearing.
• Deliberation about authenticity, Black masculinity, and cultural expectations.
• Quote:
  "A lot of the hate I see ain't about that. It's not that." — Freeze [144:08]

9. Current Music, Battle Rap, and New Releases

[193:13 – 204:28]

• Recap of Max B’s controversial club performance, his apology, and the responsibility of DJs not to stir old beefs.
• Praise for Stove God Cooks’ new material; response to critiques that he's “out of his lane.”
• Brief anticipation of Game's upcoming project and an in-joke about battle rap personalities.

10. Morality Games: A Trillion Dollars or 10 Minutes with God?

[209:35 – 217:08]

• The group tackles a viral hypothetical: Would you take a trillion dollars or 10 minutes in conversation with God/Jesus/Allah?
• Most choose the money, reasoning that faith entails they’ll see God anyway, or they already “talk” to Him. Joe plays devil’s advocate, questioning their priorities.
• Quote:
  “Your biggest enemy isn't the industry. It's the version of you that believes you're running out of time.” — Cited by Joe [207:59]

Lighter Moments, Running Jokes & Chemistry

• Insult Olympics: Constant ribbing—be it on wardrobe, weather preferences, or childhood “train” (group sex) stories.
• "Salute" Bit: Flip describes congratulating friends on sexual prowess in the group setting – which is met with ridicule.
• Frank Sinatra's Alleged Anatomy: A detour into legendary Hollywood penis rumors and sauna etiquette.
• Mark's "Part-time" Status: Ongoing gags about rotation of co-hosts, guest bookings, and whose perspective is “needed.”
• Musical Outro: Soulful signoff and a reminder to "keep us in your prayers," to which Joe jokes "—some of us! Just me and Ish!"

Memorable Quotes

• “No one is exposing, revealing, indicting, or telling you anything about themselves. Also, we do not encourage you to try this at home. We are trained professionals who do not have your best interests at heart or our own. Enjoy the show.”
  — Joe Budden [00:00]
• “Our capacity for nuance expands the more we love somebody, I think.”
  — Dr. Mark Lamont Hill [60:18]
• "Your biggest enemy isn't the industry. It's the version of you that believes you're running out of time."
  — Joe Budden, quoting an LA producer [207:59]
• “It's not the wild, wild West. You can't just start doing and saying anything out here. If we are media, we got to be held to a certain standard.”
  — Joe Budden [135:03]
• “Just show up crazy. It left Me saying, I just wish he had, like, real friends at some point.”
  — Joe Budden (on Puff) [43:12]

High-Energy Debates (Timestamps)

• The Puff Doc Discussion: [27:50 – 56:59]
• Morality & Turning in Family: [59:00 – 66:00]
• Hypothetical: God vs. Money: [209:35 – 217:08]
• Max B Performance Fallout: [191:00 – 198:28]

Conclusion

Episode 883 is a textbook Joe Budden Podcast—personal stories, sharp debates, hip-hop culture deep-dives, and plenty of friendly antagonism. The highlight is an in-depth, reflective analysis of the Puff Daddy documentary and the larger cultural questions it poses about Black excellence, power, and accountability. Lightened with jokes about snow, dreams, landlord skills, and group sex etiquette (“salute!”), it’s an unfiltered window into the enduring chemistry of Joe and friends.

For Listeners:
If you’re looking for a mix of real-life dilemmas, music industry insight, and the kind of wild, hilarious pod banter that only the JBP crew can deliver, episode 883 is a must-listen. Be prepared for belly laughs, strong opinions, and moments that make you question your own beliefs.