The Joe Budden Podcast — Episode 896 | "Young Men That Carry Arms"

Release Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Joe Budden
Co-hosts: Queens Flip, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, Ice, Ish, Parks
Main Theme: Friendship, authenticity, rapper debates, viral moments, and the nuances of social/cultural issues

Episode Overview

This episode, titled "Young Men That Carry Arms," dives deep into the random yet engaging friendship dynamics among the hosts, their reflections on personal and professional relationships, heated rankings of rappers (especially Jadakiss vs. Common), viral culture moments, wedding customs, social justice topics, and various hilarious debates. Laced with warmth, introspection, and cultural critique, the pod is as much an exploration of life’s daily randomness as it is a commentary on hip-hop and contemporary society.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Post-Holiday Catch-up and Weekend Reflections

• [00:32–11:00]
  • The group discusses Martin Luther King Day activities, travel woes, bar hopping in the cold, and their desire to stay in and bunker up in bad weather.
  • Memorable moment: “When you don’t sleep, you look more miniature than you know... like you shrink in the chair.” — Joe [00:51]
  • Birthday celebration stories, missing outings in the snow, and who’s braving the elements.
  • “When it’s cold like that, you look for any reason to not go.” — Parks [03:57]

2. Hip-Hop Nostalgia & Social Media Reflections

• [08:00–11:00]
  • Recollections about posting old photos from the mid-2010s, with laughs about what not to put online.
  • “Go on your phone and just type ‘2016’ in your photos. Oh my Lord. And just spend like 15 minutes missing your past.” — Mark [10:09]

3. Who’s the Greatest? Jadakiss vs. Common MC Ranking Debate

• [24:12–44:36]
  • Longest, most passionate segment. Full of in-depth analysis, side bars, group opinions.
  • Where did the Internet feud originate: Who rightfully claims a higher place in rap history—Jadakiss or Common?
  • Mark argues Common’s legacy: “Classic albums, battle resume with Ice Cube, impact on hip-hop, Soulquarians... He’s battle tested.” — Mark [26:00]
  • Joe: “I’m not sure if I personally…But I’m from New York…Jadakiss appears on more songs that are important to my hip hop lineage than Common.” [32:24]
  • Parks: “The banger list? Common loses. Like the bangers that Jadakiss is on—it’s not even close.” [33:04]
  • The debate extends to whether career achievements, cultural impact, solo catalog, battles, or features should determine status.
  • The group veers into comparing Common, Redman, and Most Def, then doubles back to Jadakiss.
  • The “longevity vs. label relationships” angle: Joe notes that Common’s career stability partly stems from label/industry relationships and less tumultuous circumstances compared to Jadakiss.

4. TI’s Return: New Music React

• [44:39–52:14]
  • The team reacts with genuine excitement to T.I.'s new track:
    • “This is vintage T.I., a reminder record…You see the comedy, the other… This is what I do, just in case you forgot.” — Ice [49:42]
  • Proclamation that T.I. is back, production is fire, and anecdotes about checking new music in the car.

5. Sneaker Talk, Fashion Loyalty, & Networking

• [52:27–62:43]
  • Joe & Ish debate whether you should only support brands or wear gear from people “going places” or if loyalty and personal liking trumps all.
  • “I got friends that are going nowhere major money, and friends that don’t have no money. I don’t pick my friends based on their trajectory.” — Ish [57:12]
  • “At 45, every box in my life is there…A new box, a new person…Where did they come from?” — Joe [63:05]
  • Deep look at what constitutes friendship as one ages and becomes more focused.

6. Modern Friendship, Loyalty, & Adult Social Circles

• [62:44–69:26]
  • The hosts talk about their real friend circles, being there for each other, and the “get out of bed” test.
  • Reflection on whether friendships change as careers and family life progress.
  • “I got friends that are going nowhere financially, but those are my niggas and I love them.” — Ish [68:37]

7. Social Etiquette – Kids in Public & Restaurant Showdowns

• [93:06–102:43]
  • Viral video: Single black mother confronted by a white male patron for her baby crying in a restaurant.
  • “This is some white entitlement shit…you could tell somebody to take their child and leave ’cause they’re crying.” — Ish [96:00]
  • Differentiating between parent/patron/owner roles and expectations in public spaces.

8. Wedding Traditions—Cutting Costs vs. Culture

• [102:45–109:03]
  • Miracle Watts’s viral list of nontraditional wedding decisions (no invitations, no cake, no liquor, etc.) stirs debate.
  • The group weighs in on what makes a memorable, meaningful, and practical wedding, comparing tradition vs. new-wave simplicity.

9. Social Injustice & Viral Culture: Refunds, Trademarks, and More

• [111:05–147:02]
  • Florida woman denied a refund after her fiancé’s sudden death—debate on business policy vs. human decency.
  • The ethics of business, insurance, and opportunity cost.
  • Viral “Mr. Tenderism” ribs saga: the IP/branding dispute between an elder Black influencer and the white business owner whose shop went viral using “tenderism.”
    • “If I change your entire business, there’s a different talk that needs to be had.” — Joe [143:05]
  • Protecting creative ownership and pitfalls of being the face, not the owner.
  • Broader lessons for creators and IP protection.

10. Social Justice & Corporate Tone-Deafness: Nike’s MLK Sneaker

• [127:10–134:54]
  • Outrage over Nike’s turquoise MLK commemorative shoe—based on the color of the Lorraine Motel sign where MLK was assassinated.
  • “Of all the things you could celebrate Martin Luther King for, pick one where he led a bus boycott, not the place where his assassins ‘won’.” — Mark [132:00]
  • Broader talk about Nike’s falling cultural relevance and brand handling.

11. Cultural History—The Secret of YMCA and The Village People

• [147:02–156:28]
  • The group hilariously unpacks whether the song “YMCA” is really a “coming out” anthem for gay men, diving into the lyrics line-by-line.
  • “This song is about coming out. I don’t know what y’ all are talking about.” — Joe [153:10]
  • Extended, wild banter on song titles, Village People albums, and their double meanings.

12. Nikki Minaj vs. Don Lemon: Homophobic Slurs in Public Discourse

• [168:41–174:31]
  • Mark raises concern over Nicki’s use of a homophobic slur against Don Lemon, the implications for her LGBTQ fanbase, and her “unraveling.”
  • “For someone so powerful…to punch down like that, it’s… I feel like I need to do something,” — Mark [173:32]
  • The crew weighs whether to discuss or ignore such incidents, referencing similar decisions in relation to Kanye.

13. Random Rapid-fire: Marital Traditions, Stupid Questions, and Plans

• [174:42–end]
  • Should you ask your partner’s father for permission to marry?
  • Laughs about who’s really married or keeping secrets, wedding outfits.
  • The meaning of “hostel” (vs. “hostile”), and Mark’s travel anecdotes.
  • Dumbest question of the week: “What does the song YMCA have to do with the YMCA?”
  • Ending: Hosts share upcoming plans, poke fun at one another about weddings, cash app etiquette, and future events.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jadakiss vs. Common: “Classic albums…battle resume…Soulquarians…”
  — Mark [26:00]

• On Friendships & New Connections:
  “At 45, every box in my life is there…A new box, a new person…Where did they come from?” — Joe [63:05]

• On Wedding Traditions:
  “I’m not mad at a non-traditional wedding...This is not a wedding, it’s a hangout.” — Parks, on Miracle Watts’s choices [105:44]

• Mr. Tenderism Saga:
  “If I change your entire business, there’s a different talk that needs to be had.” — Joe [143:19]

• Nike MLK Sneaker:
  “Pick the moment where he gave ‘I Have a Dream,’ not the place where his assassins won.” — Mark [132:00]

• “YMCA” Song Meaning:
  “This song is about coming out. I don’t know what y’ all are talking about.” — Joe [153:10]

• Nicki Minaj/Don Lemon:
  “Someone so talented, so popular, punching down like that…it feels very, very weird.” — Mark [173:32]

Noteworthy Timestamps

| MM:SS | Topic/Quote | |---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:32 | Joe jokes about Mark’s MLK Day pastor duties | | 10:09 | Mark: “Go type ‘2016’ in your phone…spend 15 minutes missing your past.” | | 24:12 | Start of Jadakiss vs. Common debate | | 49:42 | Ice on T.I.’s new song: “That’s vintage T.I.…That’s a reminder record.” | | 57:12 | Ish: “I don’t pick my friends based on their trajectory.” | | 63:05 | Joe on the limitations of new friendships at midlife | | 96:00 | Ish on the restaurant baby crying viral video: “That’s some white entitlement…” | | 127:10 | Nike’s MLK “Lorraine Motel” sneaker outrage discussed | | 132:00 | Mark: “Of all the things to commemorate MLK…not the place where his assassins won.”| | 143:19 | Joe: “If I change your entire business, that’s a different talk…” | | 153:10 | Joe (again): “This song is about coming out…” on “YMCA” | | 173:32 | Mark: “Someone so talented, so powerful, so popular, punching down like that…” |

Flow & Original Tone

This episode blends the signature mix of unfiltered honesty, relentless teasing, hip-hop scholarship, and acute social observation that defines The Joe Budden Podcast. Tones range from reflective and nostalgic (on friendships and the passage of years), to combative (MC debates), to incredulous (Nike’s MLK sneaker), to playful and silly (YMCA lyrics).

The hosts’ chemistry shines, marked by affectionate ribbing—especially about each other’s age, fashion, and personal lives—and mutual appreciation for hip hop culture. The discussions on viral stories, social justice, and friendships have a streetwise, blunt candor.

Conclusion

“Episode 896 | Young Men That Carry Arms” is a vibrant tour through barbershop debates, emotional vulnerability, hip-hop legacy, and the unpredictable weirdness of contemporary culture. Listeners are left with plenty to laugh about, much to argue among themselves, and a lot to consider about friendships, authenticity, and honoring the legacies of those who came before.