The Joe Budden Podcast

Episode 889 | "Zeus of Nazareth"
Date: December 24, 2025

Overview

In this pre-Christmas episode, Joe Budden and his eclectic crew—Ice, Ish, Parks, Queen's Flip, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, and others—gather for an episode that is a mix of hilarious banter, thoughtful reflection, and cultural analysis. The discussion centers on the holidays, gratitude, and significant recent events in hip-hop, sports, and pop culture—most notably Jake Paul's boxing match with Anthony Joshua (the "Zeus of Nazareth" reference), Dave Chappelle's new stand-up special, Nicki Minaj's controversial political turn, and broader conversations about "the streets," loyalty, and maturity.

The episode is infused with their trademark irreverence and humor, but also with genuine moments of vulnerability and brotherhood, as the cast reflects on personal growth, family, and the meaning of community at year's end.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holidays, Gratitude, and Personal Growth

• Holiday Thanks: The episode opens with jokes about Christmas gifts, shipping issues, bonus checks, and the joys (and pains) of family and pets during the holidays.
• Joe Gets Reflective: Joe shares his gratitude for making it through a tough previous year, health improvements, and being thankful for family, friends, and fans.
  • Quote: "I've expressed on this pod that last year around this time was a very difficult time for me... Being able to pray in your own house and have your health intact heading into 2026." (04:36-04:44)
• Celebrating Small Victories: Joe notes his weight loss: "I've been working out for a year. I lost ten pounds." (04:44-05:09)
• Advice: The crew encourages listeners to cherish time with loved ones and reach out to those who may be struggling during the holidays.

2. Christmas Bonus Fiasco

• Bonus Antics: The group has a running joke and debate about when bonuses are supposed to be given ("after Christmas, it's not a Christmas bonus!"), leading to playful accusations and competition for the envelope of cash Joe passes out.
  • Memorable Banter: "I'm letting y' all niggas know now. Stop playing with the bonus." (13:28)
  • Running Joke: Repeated accusations that Ish and Ice stole from the bonus envelope (128:08-128:53).

3. Boxing Recap: Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua ("Zeus of Nazareth")

• Fight Breakdown:
  • The crew provides a detailed breakdown of the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua bout (which took place on Netflix), with Anthony Joshua described as "shaped like Zeus of Nazareth," dominating the fight through physical prowess and restraint.
• The Spectacle:
  • There’s lively discussion of the contrasting fight entrances: Anthony Joshua’s legendary, powerful presence vs. Jake Paul’s "Hulkamaniac" circus, complete with Tekashi 6ix9ine's performance.
  • Quote: "He walks out like some type of Greek god. Every head turns...every girl's mouth drops to the floor." (47:54-48:12)
• Paul's Performance & Fallout:
  • Jake Paul's "bravery" is discussed—he gets credit for lasting rounds, but they joke about his lack of conditioning and boxing skill.
  • There are rumors about a "no knockout" rule in the contract, which the guys are skeptical about (57:28-58:19).
• Bigger Take:
  • The business of celebrity fighting: the financial incentives, the performance aspect, and how real pros still separate themselves from YouTube stars.
• Discussed at: 46:02–60:43

4. Spotlight: Dave Chappelle’s Netflix Special, ‘The Dreamer’

• Critical Praise:
  • The podcasters are blown away by Chappelle’s “storytelling genius” and the “edutainment” blend of humor, history, and incisive social critique.
  • Quote: "It's clear separation. After this, I don't want to hear the rest of the names that people be trying to throw with his... Like ever. Or you mean currently? Ever, ever." (73:25-73:36, Ish)
• Critical Nuance:
  • Dr. Marc Lamont Hill offers measured critique regarding Chappelle's continued trans jokes ("it's like the 10th straight special with a trans joke...didn't even feel like he thought it was that funny, felt like he's just doubling down"). (74:00-74:41)
  • The group debates the politics of artistic freedom, “punching down,” and Chappelle’s statements about Saudi Arabia/Israel.
• How Art, Activism & Identity Overlap:
  • Extended meta-discussion about the cultural and political context of comedy and public criticism.
• Discussed at: 72:09–85:45

5. Nicki Minaj, Turning Point USA & Cultural Accountability

• Nicki’s Political Turn:
  • Joe and especially Marc Lamont Hill are disappointed by Nicki Minaj’s appearance at Turning Point USA (a right-wing event), seeing it as anti-trans and “anti-black.”
  • Quote (Marc): "I'm not disappointed because I've come to expect it...over the last year, it's exactly on brand what we would expect." (109:19–109:41)
• Fanbase Contradictions:
  • Discussion of how Nicki’s strong LGBTQ fan base might react to her aligning with anti-LGBTQ politics.
  • Concern for Future Generations:
    • Joe emphasizes the need for high-profile Black celebrities to consider the ramifications of their endorsements and alliances.
  • Quote: “When you stand next to certain people that have made their agendas very clear as it pertains to black people, then that means you're complicit.” (115:02-115:04)
• Discussed at: 108:05–121:53

6. "The Streets Is Done" – Loyalty, Growth, and the Evolution of Street Codes

• 21 Savage/Gunna Discourse:
  • The crew breaks down the social media discourse around the phrase "the streets is done," relating it to shifting codes of loyalty, maturity, and hip hop's perpetual dance with "snitching."
• Maturity vs. Entertainment:
  • The guys contrast their younger selves' embrace of street cred and anti-snitching culture with a more measured adult perspective, emphasizing personal growth, building families, and giving back.
  • Quote (Joe): “Let me lead and be the example that I want to see…” (139:00–139:19)
• Reality Check:
  • Recognize that street life will persist, but urge younger people not to glorify it, highlighting the difference between “the streets” and “the hood.”
  • Discussed at: 133:26–147:19

7. Pop Culture, Rap Beefs & New Music

• Young Buck vs. Fat Joe:
  • Reaction to Young Buck's track responding to Fat Joe's podcast story ("I had to give him the two piece..."), jokes about rap storytelling and possible embellishments.
  • Quote (Joe): “If you start talking about my Olympic intake, you're dissing me.” (158:14-158:18)
• New Music:
  • Quick reviews of the new Max B, Big KRIT, Game, Nas, and mention anticipation for A$AP Rocky's new album.
• Discussed at: 156:00–173:05

8. Other Notable Segments and Running Jokes

• Podcast Group Chat Etiquette: Efforts to revive group chat participation, lighthearted beef about who does or doesn’t communicate.
• Joe’s Envelope of Bonus Cash:
  • Distribution of cash bonuses live on air devolves into playful accusations of theft when $100 goes missing.
    • Quote: "Y' all can't steal bonus money." (128:08-128:12)
• Barbershop Talk:
  • Jokes about random pop-ups at partners' jobs, aging, and dealing with seasonal depression.
• Morality in Relationships:
  • Debate: If you’ve had a vasectomy or tubes tied but don’t tell your partner, is that unethical deception? General consensus: yes, if done to deliberately mislead (190:09-191:27).
• Sports:
  • DK Metcalf’s altercation with a fan and athletic responsibility. The crew says it’s never worth risking contracts/$45M for retaliation (185:17–187:33).
• Mourning, Loss, and Seasonal Sadness:
  • Marc shares the anniversary of his father's and sister’s death, prompting a nuanced discussion about grief during the holidays (89:02–90:10).

9. End-of-Year Reflections & Advice for 2026

• Joe’s Parting Words:
  • Reflections on being grateful for simply being alive, beating the odds, and the cosmic lottery of existence.
  • Quote: "Just imagine how many people did not make it to earth. And when you do that, how can you not be grateful and appreciative?" (195:55–196:23)
• Advice:
  • “Enjoy your families for a change. Put the phone down.”
  • “Find one of them [other podcasts] down the dial to listen to...”
  • “Keep us in your prayers. Lord knows we need to be there.”
  • “I hope everybody gets exactly what they’re looking for this holiday.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Locks in the Club: "He walks out like some type of Greek god. Every head turns...every girl's mouth drops to the floor." (47:54-48:12, on Anthony Joshua)
• On Chappelle’s Genius: "After this, I don't want to hear the rest of the names that people be trying to throw with his." (73:25, Ish)
• On Nicki Minaj / Identity: “A drop of black is black enough for me...when you stand next to certain people that have made their agendas very clear as it pertains to black people, then that means you're complicit.” (115:02, Joe)
• On Growing Older: “Yo, dawg, we've been led astray, and we are basically at a disadvantage because we live in by these principles while white people...take over our neighborhoods...and they playing puppet master.” (134:40-135:17, Ish)
• On the Holidays: "Shout out to anybody, anybody that might be going through something during this time. My heart goes out to you too, always." (04:06–04:21)
• On Grudges and Maturity: “Let me lead and be the example that I want to see…” (139:00–139:19)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:00] Gratitude & holidays reflections
• [13:28] Christmas bonus debates & running jokes
• [46:02] Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua breakdown (“Zeus of Nazareth”)
• [72:09] Dave Chappelle’s Netflix special: review & deep dive
• [108:05] Nicki Minaj at Turning Point: politics & consequences
• [133:26] “The Streets Is Done” – Hip hop’s evolving moral codes
• [156:00] Young Buck vs. Fat Joe, rap storytelling
• [166:15] New music: Crit, Game, Nas, Max B, ASAP Rocky
• [177:25] TV Recap: Mayor of Kingstown, best season yet
• [185:17] Sports: DK Metcalf incident
• [195:55] End-of-year parting words & gratitude

Tone & Style

The podcast maintains the signature Joe Budden Podcast style: conversational, irreverent, brutally honest, and occasionally combative – but also earnest, insightful, and rich with spontaneous humor. Interpersonal roasts, running inside jokes, and a refusal to spare each other’s egos make for an engaging listen, even when the subject matter turns serious.

Bottom Line

Episode 889 serves as both a year-end wrap-up and a microcosm of what makes the Joe Budden Podcast unique: an unpredictable mix of jokes, hard-hitting commentary, and deeply real talk about music, comedy, identity, and the reality of getting older, all filtered through the chaotic camaraderie of the crew. Whether recapping the wildest fight of the year, analyzing the culture-wars fallout of a superstar, or playfully roasting each other over bonus checks, the gang delivers another highly entertaining, thought-provoking episode for devoted fans and newcomers alike.