The Joe Budden Podcast
Episode 900 | "A Whole Tray of Ice"
Date: February 4, 2026
Episode Overview
Episode 900 marks a major milestone for The Joe Budden Podcast, with Joe and his crew celebrating their long run with a characteristically lively and wide-ranging conversation. This celebratory episode is primarily anchored by reflection, hilarious banter about friendship dynamics, and an in-depth, irreverent breakdown of the 2026 Grammy Awards — from awards and performances to culture, controversy, and memorable moments. The crew also covers black culture milestones, sports (including boxing and some wild hypotheticals), questions of tradition and patriarchy, as well as media news and relationships, all maintaining the show’s honest, unfiltered tone.
Key Topics and Discussions
1. Milestone Reflections & Friendship Dynamics
00:00 – 16:33
- The episode opens with customary disclaimers and shoutouts to the listeners, both fans and "hate listeners." Joe thanks his cast and listeners for the journey to 900 episodes.
- Joe and the crew reflect on their growth and what it’s taken to keep the show going. Jokes are traded about shared Ubers, celebrating milestones (e.g., comparing their 900th episode to the Knicks raising a mid-season banner), and how fast time moves as they age.
- Joe deflects on revealing the biggest lesson from episodes 800–900, joking, "I'm still killing these [n-words]" (16:44).
Quote:
"Somewhere in the middle. I'll come back to that question. Listen, man. Episode 900 brought to you by...Salute to everybody that’s just helped along the way. This is awesome. Now I’m in humble mode." — Joe (17:30)
2. Potter of the Month Tradition
18:35 – 21:00
- The crew awards the ‘Potter of the Month’ trophy, courtesy of Vic Solomon.
- Jokes fly about the voting process and the meaning of the distinction. Ice refuses to say anything to the voters, maintaining "consistent energy" whether he wins or loses.
Quote:
"All the voters out there, suck my dick. I still don’t fuck with y’all." — Ice (21:15)
3. 2026 Grammy Awards: Discussion & Analysis
24:55 – 79:54
Grammy Watching Habits & Pre-show Observations
- Joe and the crew banter about the randomness of Grammy pre-shows, commercials for "avocados from Mexico," and their personal experiences—"I’m the only one in the world that’s enjoying the pre show commercials like this." (05:25)
New Artists & Pre-show Performances
26:06 – 27:59
- The panel discusses rookie performances, unfamiliar nominees, and standout acts like Lola Young and Olivia Dean.
- Recognition of winners in the R&B and rap categories.
Winners, Snubs, and Recaps
27:59 – 31:38
- The cast dissects the results, generally agreeing most winners were deserving.
- Mixed feelings about Kendrick Lamar beating Clipse for rap album of the year:
- "I just thought [Clipse] really deserved it far more. But I don’t think it was a bad choice. I just really was rooting for Clipse, that’s all." – Mark (30:16)
- No outrage or sense of “snub,” unlike previous years.
Hosting & Performances
32:11 – 48:59
- Trevor Noah’s hosting is debated—some feel it was "not his best," but overall competent with some edgy jokes befitting his final turn.
- Fashion shoutouts for Kendrick and Bad Bunny ("That blazer that Bad Bunny had on was me on the back. Absolutely sickening." – Joe, 34:04)
- Critique of Pharrell's acceptance speech: "Go to work. Like, shut the fuck up, Pharrell. I was disappointed by a lot of sickening." — Joe (37:22)
Use of the Grammy Platform
40:00 – 44:21
- The crew praises artists who seized their platform to make meaningful statements.
- Jelly Roll’s red carpet comments are parsed, with skepticism about his stance on politics: “If you’re not gonna do it in the moment where it matters, which is the Grammys, then it’s just…just Jelly Roll talking.” — Mark (43:11)
Performance Highlights: Lauryn Hill, Bilal, Justin Bieber
44:24 – 59:00
- Lauryn Hill is universally praised for her performance.
- "She sounded great. She looked great. She like, again, Lauryn Hill. She sang the fuck out of the songs..." – Ice (45:06)
- Some note she's capable of "ten times busier," but even on a light night, she's outstanding.
- Bilal’s surprise performance receives high acclaim from the panel.
- Justin Bieber’s set in boxers is judged to be "doing too much" and a "cry for help."
- Bruno Mars’ performances are critiqued as "lackluster" and a tired rehash of '70s themes — "I'm tired of this look now. You don't gotta do this" (58:10)
Chart Beef & First Week Numbers: Bruno vs. Cole
59:10 – 62:27
- Spirited debate on who would sell more first week — Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, or J. Cole — ends with a playful argument and quick lookup of prior numbers.
Concluding Thoughts on the Grammys
63:44 – 76:16
- General approval for this year’s show and winners, particularly for Bad Bunny's cultural impact.
- The cast discusses moment-making speeches (Billy Eilish, Kalani), the importance of using the stage, and controversy over Best Country Album winner Shaboozi’s "immigrants built this country" speech. The pitfalls of grouping Black Americans with immigrants in political statements are explained with historical context by Mark.
4. Culture, Relationships, and Social Commentary
On Patriarchy and Last Names
155:15 – 174:59
- The group engages in a serious—but still comical—debate over marriage traditions, last names, and the meaning (and critique) of patriarchy.
- Mark makes the case for more egalitarian/partnered approaches, hyphenated names, and the history of the tradition, while Ice and others defend legacy and custom.
Quote:
"Just because you’ve been doing something for a long time doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it. Because some traditions aren’t healthy." — Mark (159:11)
Adulting, Tech & Privacy
184:19 – 185:04
- Discussion about sharing phone passwords and digital locations in relationships, with the general consensus that trust is more important than surveillance.
5. Sports & Hypotheticals
81:48 – 94:06
- Shakur Stevenson’s boxing win is celebrated. The crew discusses boxing strategy, negotiating fights, and respect for defensive styles like Floyd Mayweather’s.
- Ridiculous, recurring hypothetical: "How many of [each cast member] would it take to beat Deontay Wilder/Mike Tyson in his prime?" Results range from 4 to 25, with Joe ad-libbing:
- "The number I'm putting out there is to guarantee a win. Not a debate, a win." (93:09)
- Mark: "If we fighting, I'm saying three. If we're boxing, I'm saying a lot." (91:26)
6. Versus Battles: Trick Daddy vs. Plies, Hit-Boy vs. Mike Will
96:43 – 116:02
- Intense, impromptu "versus" debates pitting Trick Daddy against Plies, breaking down iconic and street records, and the ways performance and catalog depth affect the outcome.
- Crew reviews the Mike Will vs. Hit-Boy battle and critiques song selections, the evolution of the producer’s public persona/"swag", and how live events have shifted.
- Producer "swag" and visibility are discussed in the context of hip-hop history, noting that beat tags and personalities like Pharrell, Kanye, and Swizz Beatz changed the game.
7. Media Business Moves & News
174:32 – 176:31
-
ESPN and Disney’s strategic media deal with the NFL is flagged as an industry game-changer:
- "I can't remember a time where I've seen two behemoths...not just one gobble up the other" (175:15)
-
Announcement that the Grammys will move from CBS to a Disney-owned property (Hulu/Disney+) starting 2027.
8. Obituaries & Legacy
178:03 – 179:58
- Rest in peace tributes to Demond Wilson (Lamont from Sanford and Son) and Michael "5,000" Watts (Houston DJ & Swishahouse founder).
9. Other Memorable Moments
Banter & Jokes
- The cast repeatedly jokes about “sparkles on your hoodie,” sharing Ubers, and a running bit that Mark is "abused at home" because of how he has to defer in household debates.
- Extended joking about whom each host would date from the Grammys (e.g., Cher, Sabrina Carpenter).
Open-Ended Lists
- Discussion on how many Grammy winners (especially hip-hop artists) feel underappreciated, and a rundown on how little formal recognition top rappers like Drake and Nicki Minaj have earned — despite their cultural dominance.
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
On aging and time:
"As you get older, time moves faster as hell. Yeah, that's whack." (16:13)
On Kendrick vs. Clipse:
"I did not want Kendrick to get rap album of the year. ... I wanted Clipse to get rap album of the year. I just thought they really deserved it far more." — Mark (30:16)
On Pharrell’s acceptance speech:
"Go to work. Like, shut the fuck up, Pharrell. I was disappointed by a lot of sickening." — Joe (37:22)
On Lauryn Hill's performance:
"She sang the fuck out of the songs where she was singing it made me feel like, damn, yo, I don't even. I shouldn't be slandering you like this." — Ice (45:06)
On patriarchy and tradition:
"Just because you’ve been doing something for a long time doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it. Because some traditions aren’t healthy." — Mark (159:11)
On male ego and fighting Deontay Wilder:
"How many Ices do you think it would take to win against Deontay Wilder?... About 25." (90:41–90:55)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Shoutouts & Episode 900 Reflection: 00:34 – 16:33
- Potter of the Month Segment: 18:35 – 21:00
- Grammys Discussion Begins: 24:55
- Grammy Pre-show Banter: 25:00 – 26:06
- New Artists & Pre-show Performances: 26:06 – 27:59
- Winners, Snubs & Recaps: 27:59 – 31:38
- Trevor Noah’s Hosting & Fashion: 32:11 – 34:46
- Pharrell Speech Critique: 36:48 – 40:34
- Jelly Roll Comments: 41:57 – 44:21
- Lauryn Hill Performance: 44:24 – 47:44
- Bilal & Justin Bieber: 47:52 – 54:27
- Bruno Mars & Album Sales Debate: 57:14 – 62:27
- Patriarchy/Last Name Debate: 155:15 – 174:59
- Rest in Peace Tributes: 178:03 – 179:58
Closing Thoughts
Episode 900 of The Joe Budden Podcast blends celebration and introspection with classic irreverence, deepening audience connection by not only revisiting hip-hop’s biggest night but also turning a critical eye toward Black culture, tradition, and the business of music and media. Full of humor, tangents, and sharp takes from everyone on the cast, it’s a reminder of why the show has made it to such a significant milestone.
Listen If You Want:
- Authentic, unfiltered hip-hop culture commentary
- Inside banter and personality-driven debates
- Memorable moments and quotables about music, culture, sports, and relationships
- Hilarious hypotheticals and arguments that skirt the line between genius and absurdity