The Joe Budden Podcast Episode 897 | "Company Tardy Policy"

Release Date: January 24, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode blends the usual irreverence, camaraderie, and sharp cultural commentary listeners expect from Joe Budden and his rotating cast of friends. The crew dives into topics ranging from company tardy policies, snowstorm survival, the upcoming Producer Verzuz, the Oscars and Grammys, the Fivio Foreign vs. 21 Savage beef, and the challenges of financial literacy for athletes. Moments of vulnerability, humor, and culture critique are embedded throughout, making for a quintessential JBP rollercoaster.

Cast Members This Episode

• Joe Budden (host, "A")
• Ice ("B")
• Parks ("C")
• Mona (Ms. Mona) ("D")
• Dr. Mark Lamont Hill ("E")

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Tardy Policies and Professionalism in Podcasting

[02:47 – 06:43]

• Opening Banter: The episode opens with playful banter about underwear, hats, and team aesthetics before segueing into a serious touchpoint — lateness among the panel, with Ish and Mona noted as repeat offenders.
• Joe on Tardiness: Joe announces a new “company tardy policy,” joking about “graces” given to certain cast members—especially Mona, attributing it to her being a “girly lady” and commuting from far away. The consensus is that when Parks (the engineer) is present, recording will commence, latecomers or not.
• Quote (Joe, on tardiness, 05:26): "So my new rule...when Parks is here, I'm starting. There's no point in six and seven people's days being altered because one or two people are late. I don't think that's fair."

2. Big Storm Prep & Survivalist Talk

[17:48 – 22:24]

• The group discusses an impending major snowstorm, with jokes about grocery hoarding and the quirks of men on Instacart.
• Mark reveals he grew up in a cult and always keeps 20–30 gallons of water and generators:
  (E, 22:05): "I'll just say this. I grew up in a cult, so there's a way that you prepare for not being able to go out in the world for a while. And that's how I prepare at all times."
• Supermarket habits, the importance of preparedness, and the unreliable nature of Instacart shoppers are discussed with comedic effect.

3. Office Hygiene and Pandemic Habits

[25:07 – 26:46]

• Hygiene Memories: The team reminisces about how the pandemic brought handwashing front and center, including the Apple Watch’s handwash timer and public shaming of non-washers.
• Mona (D, 25:50): "Y'all would be surprised how many people do not wash their hands, like at all. I thought it was a men thing, but it’s women, too. Some women were like, why do I have to wash my hands if I’m holding tissue?"

4. Producer Verzuz: Mike WiLL Made-It vs. Hit-Boy

[27:12 – 33:37]

• Anticipation is high for the upcoming Producer Verzuz between Mike WiLL Made-It and Hit-Boy, with the crew debating catalogs, performance expectations, and likely guest appearances.
• Panel predictions:
  • Most favor Mike WiLL based on "bangers" and pop crossovers (e.g., Miley Cyrus).
  • Hit-Boy praised for depth and past Verzuz experience.
• Key Quote (Joe, 29:23): "Mike Will did it. Mike Will's gonna do it. You think sometimes Will's about to do it bad."

5. New Music Roundup & Reviews

[36:31 – 43:02]

• Ari Lennox “Vacancy” is heralded as a fun, well-rounded project, praised for balancing sexuality, vocals, jazz layers, and lightness.
  • Mark (E, 36:45): "It took like the best parts of her first two…the sexuality, the vocals, little Jazz layers—and then added, like, humor and fun. And it’s light. You don’t feel like somebody's going through trauma."
• 42 Dugg is described as "100% back" with his new mixtape "Part Three".
• Rock Marciano and IDK's new albums are recommended, the latter noted for creative raps and production.
• Discussion: They riff on the decline of New York DJs actually spinning in the club—now just pre-recorded mixes.

6. Fivio Foreign vs. 21 Savage: Who’s “Street”?

[44:47 – 58:22]

• They dissect a social-media beef that spun out from Fivio Foreign questioning 21 Savage’s street credibility.
• 21 Savage’s Instagram rant played in full; summarized as asserting his street history and belittling others’ claims.
• Mark (E, 51:41): "I’m so tired of this fuck the streets conversation. The who’s street and who’s not conversation. Cause we all wallowing in some bullshit. I don’t know who’s street and who not."
• Mona (D, 52:39): "None of you entertainer niggas is real street niggas. Like, real street niggas wouldn't be famous rappers. So what the fuck are we talking about?"
• The group agrees these debates are mostly posturing and ultimately distracting.

7. Contemporary Culture: Nightlife, Valetine’s Day, Young People

[74:49 – 78:22, 109:50 – 116:21]

• Decline in nightlife: The cast blames social media, bottle service pricing, less real-world socializing, and weed legalization for the death of “fun club nights.”
• Young people: The crew observes that Gen Z is less interested in drinking, marriage, or clubbing—often preferring online socializing and vaping.
• Valentine’s Day: The men debate whether they’re “doing anything for their girls”, with most joking they’ll do nothing, give “holiday dick”, or pay bills instead of giving gifts.
  • Ice (B, 115:45): "People in relationships don’t get they dick sucked. Not by the person they in a relationship with."
• Vanna White’s 14-year engagement is celebrated and joked about as an example of “not rushing into anything.”

8. Grammys & Oscars Talk

[79:11 – 88:28]

• Sinners shatters Oscar records for nominations, celebrated for its Black excellence across categories.
• Cynicism: The panel jokes about how often Black projects get lots of nominations but not the big wins, wary of being let down.
  • Mark (E, 86:21): "I just hope it's the right 4 or 5 [wins]. Because if it is score, by the way, all these categories matter… I just hope it’s not a pat on the head."
• Grammys: Olivia Dean hailed as a breakout star; her debut likened to Norah Jones’ instant Grammy impact. Clips, Pharrell, and Leon Thomas are set to perform.
  • Parks (C, 106:10): "That Olivia Dean album is incredible."

9. Drake’s Defamation Appeal and Lyrics as Legal Precedent

[92:38 – 104:22]

• The group discusses Drake’s defamation lawsuit and his appeal challenging the dismissal of lyrics as evidence.
• Mark and Joe weigh both sides:
  • Artistic freedom vs. slippery slope of using lyrics as actionable legal evidence.
  • Drake’s legal ambition vs. “rap battle, enter at your own risk” mentality.
• Quote (Mark E, 95:11): "There could be circumstances where it does go too far. Very narrow, limited circumstances, and I just want to create room for that."
• The group largely sees the issue as nuanced—uncomfortable with blanket immunity and with lyric-based prosecution.

10. Family Wealth, Nepotism, Retiring with Billions

[155:17 – 162:50]

• Lakers franchise: They analyze a long ESPN report about infighting among the Buss siblings, with Jeanie Buss steering organizational decisions contrary to her father’s wishes. Debate centers on legacy, control, and the burdens of inherited wealth.
  • Joe (A, 157:55): "If I know my dad’s story…how he kind of built the modern day NBA game, I’m never [selling the Lakers]."
• Virtual retirement after a “billion dollar” payout is mused as possibly “as dangerous as a fireman’s withdrawal”—sitting at home with nothing to do can be more challenging than it seems.

11. Athletes & Financial Literacy

[176:46 – 191:43]

• NBA player Sebastian Telfair’s recent comments about how “$20 million isn’t a lot of money” spark debate about financial responsibility, family obligations, and the cycle of athletes blowing fortunes.
• Mark (E, 178:19): "A million dollars a year after taxes is a lot of fucking money… you could make a conservative investment that would ensure that you have an annual income forever."
• Joe (A, 187:13): "Go get an accountant… Most people, because you asking people…when you say we not financially literate, it might not be enough time in the rest of some of these people's lives to get the information they're lacking. But you can go with that coin and hire somebody that is going to protect you and your money."

12. Sibling & Family Obligations

[192:20 – 200:14]

• The cast explores "how many siblings do you have to support if you make it big?" Answers range from taking care of everyone in an emergency, to looking out only for those closest, to buying for kids but not grown adults.
• Mark (E, 198:33): "I do feel a certain kind of duty to that. But in general… it's more like break the glass in case of emergency."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joe (on professionalism, 05:15): "There’s no point in six and seven people’s day being being altered because one or two people are late."
• Mark (on prepping for storms, 22:05): "I grew up in a cult, so there's a way that you prepare for not being able to go out in the world for a while."
• Ice (on Producer Verzuz, 29:04): "Mike Will. Mike Will. Mike Will. Mike Will’s gonna do it."
• Mona (on “who’s street”, 52:39): "None of you entertainer niggas is real street niggas. Real street niggas wouldn't be famous rappers."
• Mark (on athletes blowing millions, 178:58): "I don't want us to believe or communicate…that this was unavoidable. A million dollars a year after taxes is a lot of fucking money."
• Joe (on life after a billion-dollar payout, 161:13): "Now, now, now what?…Probably has a lot more parallels [to retirement] than one would think."
• Parks (on Olivia Dean, 106:10): "That Olivia Dean album is incredible."
• Joe’s final sign-off (202:20): "Real good day. Real good day. Good energy, good vibes, good people, good folks."

Time-stamped Segment Highlights

• Tardy Policy Bants: [03:01 – 06:43]
• Snow Prep & Survival: [17:48 – 22:24]
• Producer Verzuz Deep Dive: [27:12 – 33:37]
• 21 Savage vs. Fivio Dissection: [44:47 – 58:22]
• Oscars and Grammys Talk: [79:11 – 88:28]
• Drake's Lawsuit & Lyrics: [92:38 – 104:22]
• Family Wealth & Legacy: [155:17 – 162:50]
• Athletes & Finances: [176:46 – 191:43]
• Sibling Responsibility: [192:20 – 200:14]

Tone & Style

• Language: Conversational, irreverent, humorous, but often pivots into deeply insightful cultural critique.
• Panel Chemistry: Warm, teasing, authentic — they cut each other off, joke, and dig, but the mutual respect and affection shines through, especially during vulnerable or serious topics.
• Vibes: Part hangout, part group therapy, part pop culture seminar.

Summary for Non-Listeners

Episode 897 delivers a classic blend of laughs, real-talk, industry insight, and cultural analysis. The cast covers everything from lateness at work and snowstorm survival to the nature of street credibility, the economic realities facing athletes, and why family businesses are rarely as simple as they seem. If you want sharp takes, memorable stories, and an authentic “barbershop” vibe, this episode delivers in spades.