The Joe Budden Podcast – Episode 887 | "Not My Humblest Day"

Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Joe Budden
Cast: Ish, Parks, Flip, Mark, Freeze, Ian
Produced by: The Joe Budden Network

Episode Overview

The 887th episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, titled "Not My Humblest Day," brings Joe and his random crew together for their usual banter, candid group therapy, and in-depth takes on both personal and cultural moments. The episode is tinted with reflective energy, discussing how age changes their style, recent media shakeups in hip hop and NYC radio, and navigating humility, ego, and change—both on a personal level and within the industry. Listeners are also treated to a fresh round of hip hop album talk, current event breakdowns, memories, and signature off-the-cuff humor.

Highlights & Key Segments

1. Off-Mic Antics, Humility & Aging (00:33 - 13:00)

• The episode kicks off with the group joking about their pre-show antics, hairlines, and styling habits as they age.
• Joe, Flip, Ish, and Parks roast each other about balding, brushing, and hypotheticals about hair transplants and toupees.
• Much love is given to people in their 40s and 50s, reflecting on how Black culture, fashion, and outward appearances change with age.
• Quote:
  Ish: "In our 50s now, it’s just different…I’m having a blast." (09:21)

2. Holiday Vibes, Tax Jokes, and Expensive Gifts (10:03 - 21:00)

• The cast slides into running jokes on tax season, holiday shopping, and the guilt of receiving fancy gifts as grown men.
• Debates on expensive sheets, gifts between friends, grown-up Christmas lists vs. reality.
• The group reminisces about last year’s gifting episode, memorable presents received, and how Joe expects sentimental (not expensive) gifts.
• Quote:
  Joe Budden: "Buy me a gift on Christmas…But don’t get me poor people gifts." (18:28)

3. Humble Brags & Honest Ego (21:16 - 23:46)

• Joe and Ish embrace the episode title, candidly admitting that their days haven’t always been modest.
• Discussion on enjoying success and letting it show unapologetically at home, even when nobody’s watching.
• Quote:
  Ish: “I don’t think people ever say it…Not my humblest day. That’s just how niggas be carrying it.” (21:38)
• The group acknowledges the importance of each cast member in creating their successful year.
• Quote:
  Joe Budden: "I can’t deliver that or be the dynamic self I am here without you guys." (23:39)

4. Current Media Moves & Radio Shakeups (45:59 - 61:12)

• [46:20] Discussion about the shakeup at Hot 97: Ebro, Rosenberg, and Laura's show moves to YouTube after an unceremonious end.
• [48:01] Joe questions whether immediately launching a new show is the best move, suggesting sometimes it pays off to let anticipation build and recalibrate.
  • "It’s more important to get it right than to do it fast." (48:41)
• The crew debates whether layoffs and sudden endings are ever a surprise, referencing ratings, new corporate owners, and the importance of reading the writing on the wall.
• Conversation on how corporations often prioritize profitability over culture—leading to the watering down of hip hop and radio traditions.
• Quote:
  Joe Budden: "Culture is cool, but it's free to say true...It’s a blessing when you bump into somebody who’s in that position and loves hip hop.” (57:02)

5. Industry Shakeups (75:07 - 78:40)

• Farewells to NYC radio legends: Ed Lover and Ms. Jones lose their shows days before Christmas, sparking a heartfelt tribute.
• Group reflects on how media companies show little loyalty or tact, even with long-serving hosts.
• Quote:
  Flip: “To let these people go two weeks before Christmas is a testament…without even a statement. That is crazy.” (78:59)

6. Hip Hop Commentary: New Music, Rankings & Debates (111:01 - 133:52)

• The group analyzes B.Dot’s annual “Best Rappers” list, offering their takes on who was snubbed, who was overrated, and how presence, skill, and features were weighed.
• A passionate debate ensues over the likes of Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, Larry June, 2 Chainz, and others.
• Discussion around first-day-out rap records and their cultural resonance (Gucci Mane, T Grizzly, JT).
• Quote:
  Freeze: “Chance the Rapper out rapped the majority of that list.” (129:36)

7. Sports & Fights: Banner Debates & Boxing Predictions (82:06 - 103:56)

• The crew weighs in on the relevance of the NBA in-season tournament and if the Knicks should display their potential win as a major banner.
• Preview and debate of the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua boxing match, questioning legitimacy, spectacle, and what it means for both men’s legacies.
• Quote:
  Ish: “If Anthony Joshua is who y’all say he is, then why is he taking this fight?” (102:51)

8. TV/Streaming Recommendations (178:03 - 188:18)

• Impassioned breakdown of Mayor of Kingstown’s newest episode—spoiler warnings included.
• Strong recommendations for The Morning Show, Landman, and anything by Taylor Sheridan.
• Quote:
  Ish: "That’s one of them shows where it don’t take long to see why this is one of the better shows out.” (187:55)

9. Reflections on Mental Health, Tragedy & Loss (155:44 - 177:38)

• The group sends support to streamer Kai Cenat after he publicly discusses his mental health struggles.
  • “To be running a billion dollar empire at your early 20s…that’s a stress…” (159:49)
• A lengthy, heartfelt reflection on the tragic murder of Rob Reiner and his wife, its emotional impact, mental health in families, grief during the holidays, and the failure of political leaders to respond appropriately.
  • “It’s not leadership. What they think American mean and what I think it means is two different things.” (167:51)
• Several rest-in-peace tributes, including Carl Carlton and actor Peter Greene, spark conversations about giving legends their flowers while alive.

10. Signature Group Banter: Code Switching & Social Navigation (139:44–147:50)

• Jokes and self-awareness about professional “code-switching” (changing behavior or speech depending on company), with the group ranking who among them does it most.
• Quote:
  Joe Budden: “Mark will code switch socially. Has to be number one for me.” (144:32)
• Ends with a playful voicemail roast and debates about voice inflection and switching up for the business world or family.

11. Rapid-Fire: Miscellaneous Topics (193:41–204:39)

• Quick takes on Bobby Shmurda’s recent scuffle in Minnesota and the risks of traveling/performing in unfamiliar cities.
• Holiday plans, Christmas shopping, the pressure of keeping up with big gifts, and envelope gifts as the ultimate (but acceptable) adult solution.
• Light jokes about home and neighbor proximity, elevators, and group reflections on life.

Notable Quotes

• “I’ve been in my house as unhumble as could possibly be…and I don’t think people ever say it. Not my humblest day.”—Ish (21:38)
• “It’s more important to get it right than to do it fast.”—Joe Budden (48:41)
• “Culture is cool, but it’s free to say true…It’s a blessing when you bump into somebody who’s in that position and loves hip hop.”—Joe Budden (57:02)
• “To let these people go two weeks before Christmas is a testament…without even a statement. That is crazy.”—Flip (78:59)
• “Chance the rapper out rapped the majority of that list.”—Freeze (129:36)
• “If Anthony Joshua is who y’all say he is, then why is he taking this fight?”—Ish (102:51)

Closing Thoughts

The episode balances carefree moments with sobering reality, always underpinning its laughter with reflection and realness about life, business, culture, and friendship. From industry commentary to existential musings, comedic tangents to hard-hitting truths, Episode 887 exemplifies The Joe Budden Podcast’s unique, still-unscripted magic.

For more, listen to the full episode or catch time-stamped moments above on The Joe Budden Podcast feed.