The Joe Budden Podcast - Episode 899 | "Gossip & Parlaying"

Date: January 31, 2026
Host: Joe Budden
Guests/Co-hosts: Mark Lamont Hill, Demona (Don’t Call Her White Girl), Ice, Ish, Parks, Corey, Ericson
Network: The Joe Budden Network

Episode Overview

Episode 899 of the Joe Budden Podcast opens with Joe and the crew in a jovial, high-energy mood as they assemble at the studio on an unseasonably cold day. With witty banter and plenty of classic East Coast energy, the cast dives into rap culture, the legacy and current state of hip hop, and the ongoing dynamics of podcasting vs. traditional music. Centered around a thoughtful discussion of J. Cole's new "Clue Tape" and what it means in 2026’s rap landscape, the episode also explores music business trends, beefs and bromances, new releases, and the changing roles of artists and media personalities. As always, listeners get a blend of insight, comedy, and nostalgia.

Main Topics & Discussion Points

1. Cold Weather Banter & Cast Catchups

[00:00–04:54]
Jokes about Mark not wearing a coat; Mona arriving on time; debates on why they endure the cold for group photos
- Quote:
  "Get a coat, man." — Joe
  "The only time I was outside was for these damn pictures." — Mark
Playful jabs at Philly's lack of "views" compared to NYC; Philly vs. New York banter

2. The 'Big Bro' Maneuver & Dating Dynamics

[04:55–08:54]
Discussion on the "big brother" move in male-female friendships, and the reverse:
- How “brother/sister” terminology serves as friend-zoning or cover for clandestine relationships
- Quote:
  “Sometimes it means I have no chance with this girl, so I’m gonna call her ‘sister.’" — Ice [03:31]
  “I've seen women bro their way into dick.” — Joe [04:31]

3. Vintage Mixtape Culture and DJ Clue’s Legacy

[13:29–20:13]
Tribute to DJ Clue’s impact and talk about the lost art of the street mixtape.
- Quote:
  “Clue just don't get the respect he deserves in hip hop.” — Joe [18:13]
- Napster, DatPiff, and how file-sharing eroded parts of the Clue era
- Comparison of Clue’s influence to DJ Khaled: “That's the evolution of Clue.” — Ice [32:28]

4. J. Cole’s “Clue Tape” & Lyric Breakdown

[17:33–53:01]
In-depth reaction to J. Cole’s surprise drop with DJ Clue—rapping over classic beats, and the throwback energy.
- Discourse about who Cole is "shooting at" (Simba, Drake, podcasters), and debates about “Big Three” fatigue
- Quote:
  “Now the bread and butter is yapping and parlaying… commentating if you master two skills: either dick riding or hating.” — J. Cole lyrics [20:48]
  “He just raps better than everybody else.” — Mark [26:01]
- Nostalgia for the pressure of performing on a Clue tape, and how few can still do it
- Lively debate over Cole’s positioning after the Kendrick/Drake battles, and whether “Big Three” talk should end
- Unpacking potential jabs at Drake (Lucian/ownership bar) and industry shots
Discussion expands to mixtape history, blog era vs. SoundCloud era, and shifts in hip hop stardom

5. Music Business Innovations & Direct-to-Consumer Strategies

[50:06–53:44]
Joe and Parks praise Cole's pay-what-you-want website, D2C marketing, and launch of Ville Central message boards
- Quote:
  “He's doing some brilliant direct-to-consumer fan marketing.” — Parks [53:38]
- Reflection on how old-school tactics meet new tech

6. Mainstream vs. Mixtape: Fab vs. Banks Debate

[68:23–86:24]
The panel weighs Fabolous’ mainstream hits against Lloyd Banks’ street classics and mixtape material
- Quote:
  “Fab’s got better features and bangers, but Banks has better albums.” — Parks [72:25]
  “Appeal matters. If the girls are there, everything else will follow.” — Joe [74:09]
- Side discussion about why Fab never toured, despite a long career
- Plays classic Fab/Banks records to “test” their longevity

7. New Music & R&B Updates

[93:54–95:56]
Quick round of reactions and recommendations:
- Don Toliver’s new album praised as “heat”
- Mention of new releases from The Game, Jamie Foxx, DaBaby, and a viral Uzi record

8. Regional Fashion & Timberland Culture

[120:18–124:29]
Light-hearted segment explaining to Mona the NYC/Philly obsession with “real” Timbs (must have the double sole/gum bottom, not “butt naked” single soles)
- Quote:
  “If you walk around with no leather… yeah, they’re butt naked.” — Mark [121:07]
  “It say so much about your character.” — Mona [123:14]

9. Current Events: Grammys, Don Lemon Arrest, Ray J Health

[131:13–139:03]
- Grammy updates: Eve finally gets her Grammy for “You Got Me”; Lauryn Hill & D’Angelo planned tribute
- Don Lemon’s (fictional) arrest while covering the Grammys, as part of a protest crackdown
- Group discusses differences in protest, civil rights, legal strategies, surveillance, and journalism under Trump
- Prayers for Ray J after he reveals serious health issues

10. Hip Hop Beefs, Industry Rumors, & Trends

[175:41–184:06]
- Joe predicts the “Sexy Red run” is over; panel compares her 12-month explosion to Fetty Wap’s meteoric but brief reign
- Reflection on Young Thug’s post-incarceration return; questions if he can recapture momentum
- Industry shift: “You need silver for everything,” Joe links market trends with media instability

11. Parenting Styles & Culture Segment

[162:06–171:45]
Mona’s “monologue” on Black parenting traditions—setting up kids for disappointment with unreachable rewards vs. incentive-based discipline
- Panel shares personal stories about discipline, poverty, and motivation

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Grown men peddling gossip of all things—your name’s a big conversation. Max deals for Luka Doncic. … Nowadays you can make a grip commentating if you master two skills: either dick-riding or hating.” — J. Cole lyrics [20:48]
“Clue just don’t get the respect he deserves in hip hop… this was an era to hear.” — Joe [18:13]
“Now the bread and butter is yapping and parlaying… If you master two skills: either dick riding or hating.” — J. Cole (via Joe) [20:48]
“Sometimes I have to remind you who I am.” — Ice [27:01]
Fab vs. Banks: “Appeal matters. If the girls are there, everything else will follow.” — Joe [74:09]
On new media: “He's doing some brilliant direct-to-consumer fan marketing.” — Parks [53:38]
Fashion regionalism: “If you walk around with no leather… yeah, they’re butt naked.” — Mark [121:07]
On the current hip hop landscape: “Do y’all think Sexy Red's run is like Fetty Wap’s run?” — Joe [177:18]
On professional temptation: “Niggas be wanting chicks to have all the discipline in the world while temptation… but you want her to work at the spot where her boss is saying, ‘If you leave him, you get a house.’” — Joe [160:14]
On parenting: “I’m almost disappointed in myself I haven’t run that play on my kids. ‘If you act up at school, you won’t get dinner.’ Look how much I could’ve saved.” — Demona [165:20]

Segment Timestamps

[00:00–10:00] – Cast arrivals; Philly vs. NYC jokes; "Big bro" & dating games
[13:29–20:13] – DJ Clue & mixtape history; Clue’s respect in hip hop
[17:33–53:01] – J. Cole “Clue Tape” discussion; lyric breakdowns, potential Drake subs, “Big Three” fatigue
[68:23–86:24] – Fabolous vs. Banks: albums, hits, touring, and impact “by a hair”
[93:54–95:56] – New music: Don Toliver, The Game, Jamie Foxx, DaBaby, Uzi
[120:18–124:29] – “Real” Timberlands: regional codes, “butt naked” vs. proper Timbs
[131:13–139:03] – Grammy news; Don Lemon arrest; Ray J health
[162:06–171:45] – Parenting monologue: unreachable standards & incentives

Tone & Highlights

Classic JBP banter: Rapid-fire dialogue, jabs, and in-jokes
Authentic Hip Hop Culture: Deep dives into mixtape history, real-time industry commentary
Nostalgia & Commentary: Reminiscing seasoned with insight on current trends
Cultural Critique: Honest takes on parenting, relationships, music business, and protest politics
Recurring Humor: Philly vs. NY; Mark as the “teacher”; Mona’s monologues; fashion faux pas

For New Listeners

This episode is a robust microcosm of what makes The Joe Budden Podcast essential for hip hop heads and cultural observers alike: sharp conversation, honest assessments of music and business, and the fun of watching a group of friends break down the culture’s ongoing cycles. Whether unpacking the legacy of DJ Clue, dissecting Cole’s bars, deciding between Fab and Banks, or analyzing the state of the music industry, the episode offers a blend of humor, history, and critical analysis—always keeping it real, always keeping it lively.

Quick Reference

Joe’s takeaway on Cole’s new tape: “It’s a win-win for hip hop, for Clue, for direct fan engagement. … It just reminds you who can still rap at a high level.” [53:03]
Banks vs. Fab: “It’s close, but I’m going Fab... by a Mike Shorey feature.” [72:53]
Music business innovation: “Direct-to-consumer is everything now. You can do more than streaming service math.” [51:03]
Fashion hot take: “If you in New York, you can’t wear no butt-naked Timbs.” — group consensus [121:07]
Cultural moment: “To be aware is to be alive.” [116:15]

[End of summary]

The Joe Budden Podcast - Episode 899 | "Gossip & Parlaying"

Date: January 31, 2026
Host: Joe Budden
Guests/Co-hosts: Mark Lamont Hill, Demona (Don’t Call Her White Girl), Ice, Ish, Parks, Corey, Ericson
Network: The Joe Budden Network

Episode Overview

Main Topics & Discussion Points

1. Cold Weather Banter & Cast Catchups

[00:00–04:54]
Jokes about Mark not wearing a coat; Mona arriving on time; debates on why they endure the cold for group photos
- Quote:
  "Get a coat, man." — Joe
  "The only time I was outside was for these damn pictures." — Mark
Playful jabs at Philly's lack of "views" compared to NYC; Philly vs. New York banter

2. The 'Big Bro' Maneuver & Dating Dynamics

[04:55–08:54]
Discussion on the "big brother" move in male-female friendships, and the reverse:
- How “brother/sister” terminology serves as friend-zoning or cover for clandestine relationships
- Quote:
  “Sometimes it means I have no chance with this girl, so I’m gonna call her ‘sister.’" — Ice [03:31]
  “I've seen women bro their way into dick.” — Joe [04:31]

3. Vintage Mixtape Culture and DJ Clue’s Legacy

[13:29–20:13]
Tribute to DJ Clue’s impact and talk about the lost art of the street mixtape.
- Quote:
  “Clue just don't get the respect he deserves in hip hop.” — Joe [18:13]
- Napster, DatPiff, and how file-sharing eroded parts of the Clue era
- Comparison of Clue’s influence to DJ Khaled: “That's the evolution of Clue.” — Ice [32:28]

4. J. Cole’s “Clue Tape” & Lyric Breakdown

[17:33–53:01]
In-depth reaction to J. Cole’s surprise drop with DJ Clue—rapping over classic beats, and the throwback energy.
- Discourse about who Cole is "shooting at" (Simba, Drake, podcasters), and debates about “Big Three” fatigue
- Quote:
  “Now the bread and butter is yapping and parlaying… commentating if you master two skills: either dick riding or hating.” — J. Cole lyrics [20:48]
  “He just raps better than everybody else.” — Mark [26:01]
- Nostalgia for the pressure of performing on a Clue tape, and how few can still do it
- Lively debate over Cole’s positioning after the Kendrick/Drake battles, and whether “Big Three” talk should end
- Unpacking potential jabs at Drake (Lucian/ownership bar) and industry shots
Discussion expands to mixtape history, blog era vs. SoundCloud era, and shifts in hip hop stardom

5. Music Business Innovations & Direct-to-Consumer Strategies

[50:06–53:44]
Joe and Parks praise Cole's pay-what-you-want website, D2C marketing, and launch of Ville Central message boards
- Quote:
  “He's doing some brilliant direct-to-consumer fan marketing.” — Parks [53:38]
- Reflection on how old-school tactics meet new tech

6. Mainstream vs. Mixtape: Fab vs. Banks Debate

[68:23–86:24]
The panel weighs Fabolous’ mainstream hits against Lloyd Banks’ street classics and mixtape material
- Quote:
  “Fab’s got better features and bangers, but Banks has better albums.” — Parks [72:25]
  “Appeal matters. If the girls are there, everything else will follow.” — Joe [74:09]
- Side discussion about why Fab never toured, despite a long career
- Plays classic Fab/Banks records to “test” their longevity

7. New Music & R&B Updates

[93:54–95:56]
Quick round of reactions and recommendations:
- Don Toliver’s new album praised as “heat”
- Mention of new releases from The Game, Jamie Foxx, DaBaby, and a viral Uzi record

8. Regional Fashion & Timberland Culture

[120:18–124:29]
Light-hearted segment explaining to Mona the NYC/Philly obsession with “real” Timbs (must have the double sole/gum bottom, not “butt naked” single soles)
- Quote:
  “If you walk around with no leather… yeah, they’re butt naked.” — Mark [121:07]
  “It say so much about your character.” — Mona [123:14]

9. Current Events: Grammys, Don Lemon Arrest, Ray J Health

[131:13–139:03]
- Grammy updates: Eve finally gets her Grammy for “You Got Me”; Lauryn Hill & D’Angelo planned tribute
- Don Lemon’s (fictional) arrest while covering the Grammys, as part of a protest crackdown
- Group discusses differences in protest, civil rights, legal strategies, surveillance, and journalism under Trump
- Prayers for Ray J after he reveals serious health issues

10. Hip Hop Beefs, Industry Rumors, & Trends

[175:41–184:06]
- Joe predicts the “Sexy Red run” is over; panel compares her 12-month explosion to Fetty Wap’s meteoric but brief reign
- Reflection on Young Thug’s post-incarceration return; questions if he can recapture momentum
- Industry shift: “You need silver for everything,” Joe links market trends with media instability

11. Parenting Styles & Culture Segment

[162:06–171:45]
Mona’s “monologue” on Black parenting traditions—setting up kids for disappointment with unreachable rewards vs. incentive-based discipline
- Panel shares personal stories about discipline, poverty, and motivation

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Grown men peddling gossip of all things—your name’s a big conversation. Max deals for Luka Doncic. … Nowadays you can make a grip commentating if you master two skills: either dick-riding or hating.” — J. Cole lyrics [20:48]
“Clue just don’t get the respect he deserves in hip hop… this was an era to hear.” — Joe [18:13]
“Now the bread and butter is yapping and parlaying… If you master two skills: either dick riding or hating.” — J. Cole (via Joe) [20:48]
“Sometimes I have to remind you who I am.” — Ice [27:01]
Fab vs. Banks: “Appeal matters. If the girls are there, everything else will follow.” — Joe [74:09]
On new media: “He's doing some brilliant direct-to-consumer fan marketing.” — Parks [53:38]
Fashion regionalism: “If you walk around with no leather… yeah, they’re butt naked.” — Mark [121:07]
On the current hip hop landscape: “Do y’all think Sexy Red's run is like Fetty Wap’s run?” — Joe [177:18]
On professional temptation: “Niggas be wanting chicks to have all the discipline in the world while temptation… but you want her to work at the spot where her boss is saying, ‘If you leave him, you get a house.’” — Joe [160:14]
On parenting: “I’m almost disappointed in myself I haven’t run that play on my kids. ‘If you act up at school, you won’t get dinner.’ Look how much I could’ve saved.” — Demona [165:20]

Segment Timestamps

[00:00–10:00] – Cast arrivals; Philly vs. NYC jokes; "Big bro" & dating games
[13:29–20:13] – DJ Clue & mixtape history; Clue’s respect in hip hop
[17:33–53:01] – J. Cole “Clue Tape” discussion; lyric breakdowns, potential Drake subs, “Big Three” fatigue
[68:23–86:24] – Fabolous vs. Banks: albums, hits, touring, and impact “by a hair”
[93:54–95:56] – New music: Don Toliver, The Game, Jamie Foxx, DaBaby, Uzi
[120:18–124:29] – “Real” Timberlands: regional codes, “butt naked” vs. proper Timbs
[131:13–139:03] – Grammy news; Don Lemon arrest; Ray J health
[162:06–171:45] – Parenting monologue: unreachable standards & incentives

Tone & Highlights

Classic JBP banter: Rapid-fire dialogue, jabs, and in-jokes
Authentic Hip Hop Culture: Deep dives into mixtape history, real-time industry commentary
Nostalgia & Commentary: Reminiscing seasoned with insight on current trends
Cultural Critique: Honest takes on parenting, relationships, music business, and protest politics
Recurring Humor: Philly vs. NY; Mark as the “teacher”; Mona’s monologues; fashion faux pas

For New Listeners

Quick Reference

Joe’s takeaway on Cole’s new tape: “It’s a win-win for hip hop, for Clue, for direct fan engagement. … It just reminds you who can still rap at a high level.” [53:03]
Banks vs. Fab: “It’s close, but I’m going Fab... by a Mike Shorey feature.” [72:53]
Music business innovation: “Direct-to-consumer is everything now. You can do more than streaming service math.” [51:03]
Fashion hot take: “If you in New York, you can’t wear no butt-naked Timbs.” — group consensus [121:07]
Cultural moment: “To be aware is to be alive.” [116:15]

[End of summary]

Episode 899 | "Gossip & Parlaying"

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Summary

The Joe Budden Podcast - Episode 899 | "Gossip & Parlaying"

Episode Overview

Main Topics & Discussion Points

1. Cold Weather Banter & Cast Catchups

2. The 'Big Bro' Maneuver & Dating Dynamics

3. Vintage Mixtape Culture and DJ Clue’s Legacy

4. J. Cole’s “Clue Tape” & Lyric Breakdown

5. Music Business Innovations & Direct-to-Consumer Strategies

6. Mainstream vs. Mixtape: Fab vs. Banks Debate

7. New Music & R&B Updates

8. Regional Fashion & Timberland Culture

9. Current Events: Grammys, Don Lemon Arrest, Ray J Health

10. Hip Hop Beefs, Industry Rumors, & Trends

11. Parenting Styles & Culture Segment

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Segment Timestamps

Tone & Highlights

For New Listeners

Quick Reference

Summary

The Joe Budden Podcast - Episode 899 | "Gossip & Parlaying"

Episode Overview

Main Topics & Discussion Points

1. Cold Weather Banter & Cast Catchups

2. The 'Big Bro' Maneuver & Dating Dynamics

3. Vintage Mixtape Culture and DJ Clue’s Legacy

4. J. Cole’s “Clue Tape” & Lyric Breakdown

5. Music Business Innovations & Direct-to-Consumer Strategies

6. Mainstream vs. Mixtape: Fab vs. Banks Debate

7. New Music & R&B Updates

8. Regional Fashion & Timberland Culture

9. Current Events: Grammys, Don Lemon Arrest, Ray J Health

10. Hip Hop Beefs, Industry Rumors, & Trends

11. Parenting Styles & Culture Segment

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Segment Timestamps

Tone & Highlights

For New Listeners

Quick Reference