The Joe Budden Podcast

Episode 912 | "Heaven Sent"
Release Date: March 18, 2026
Host: Joe Budden
Guests/Co-hosts: Flip, Parks, Ish, Ishaan, Freeze, Mark Lamont Hill

Episode Overview

In this entertaining yet insightful episode, Joe Budden and the crew dive into their personal lives, discuss the Oscars, explore viral internet moments, unpack the Jack Harlow “blue-eyed soul” album controversy, debate inheritance taxes and NYC policy, trade spring break memories, and touch on current political headlines. Consistent with the JBP's signature blend of candid discussion and banter, the episode oscillates between witty humor and thoughtful analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catching Up: Weekend Stories, Food Mishaps, and Smart Toilets

• [00:49] Flip celebrates his dad's 70th birthday, reminiscing about extravagant Italian dinners and the digestive consequences ("That rigatoni had me hugging the smart toilet all night long." – Joe, [01:23]).
• The group jokes about mixing seafood and pork, being “off the set” food-wise.
• Debates evolve about the horrors and “needs” of smart toilets, with an aside about how only some of them have "smart" homes or fixtures ([02:31]).

2. Aging & Going Out

• [04:51] The hosts reflect on getting older, admitting one big night out usually takes them out for the rest of the weekend (“One night. The rest of the weekend's about to be quiet.” – Ish, [04:51]).
• Mark jokes about getting buff when his wife is out of town.

3. Personal Spaces for Men

• The necessity for men to have decompression time, be it the classic “sitting in the car” outside the house after work or building a man cave (“Sometimes you need some car alone—that's like the best you could get.” – Mark Lamont Hill, [09:45]).
• Flip, as the unmarried voice, playfully claims he can't relate to these married-man struggles ([10:01]).

4. Oscars Roundtable: Celebration, Critiques & Black Excellence

• [20:06 onward] The show energetically celebrates Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar win and his ascension from a minor role on “The Wire” to powerhouse movie star.
  • Joe lauds Jordan’s visible development: “That commitment to detail is what I'm talking about...where the public can see the improvements rather rapidly.” ([32:16])
  • Mark: “He's genuinely nice, genuinely humble...you couldn't see it happen to a better person." ([33:33])
• The crew discusses fast-forwarding through the Oscars, skipping what they consider non-essential awards and expressing pride in “Frankenstein” and “Sinners” performances ([24:31]).
• Oscars’ host Conan O’Brien gets a mixed but overall positive review for solid “dad jokey” delivery.
• The crew debates the authenticity of actors’ reactions to losing, with a consensus that the director/producer communities seem more collegial ([27:47]).
• Hot takes on national pride, the dominance of British Black actors in America, and a wish for more homegrown U.S. Black talent to receive limelight ([34:41]).
• Notable quote: “Get these British motherfuckers out of here. Oh, that was so great.” – Flip ([34:18])

5. Oscar Ceremony Behind-the-Scenes

• Detailed discussion on technical brilliance (like Frankenstein makeup taking 400 hours), creative performances (e.g., Sinners’ dance sequence), and the emotional gravity of Michael B. Jordan’s acceptance speech ([29:03]).
• The group expresses frustration with how certain Black films and artists are reviewed in the media, referencing a Slate article calling “Sinners” the “biggest loser” despite success ([38:19]).

6. Viral Moments: Jack Harlow’s “Blue-eyed Soul” Album

• The crew reviews the internet’s roast of Jack Harlow’s attempt at soul and R&B, reciting inventive social media nicknames: “Rhythmless Nation,” “IRS 1,” “Stevie Wonder Bread,” “Most Definitely Not,” “Luka Vandross,” “White Thought,” among others ([73:19] to [75:35]).
• Joe and Mark note that viral clowning isn’t necessarily bad promo but recognize that it stings when an artist earnestly tries something new yet gets panned.
• Explores the phenomenon of artists releasing “subpar” projects to get out of contracts versus going out with quality (e.g., Future and Joe’s own attempts in his Def Jam days).

7. LaRussell’s “Heaven Sent” Controversy & Artist Expression

• The crew critiques LaRussell’s much-mocked lyric equating infamous historical figures (“even the devil was heaven sent/even Malcolm was heaven sent/even Martin was heaven sent/even Kanye was heaven sent/Donald 2/Adolf 2/we all heaven sent” – [87:53]), with Joe exclaiming: “Don’t put me after Adolf!” ([102:13])
• Consensus: There's a difference between profound, challenging art and attention-seeking substance; the latter hurts credibility ([90:41]–[93:56]).
• Mark clarifies “heaven sent” traditionally means “something good happened” ([91:01]), not just “created by God.”
• Joe and Flip both suggest LaRussell might be pivoting away from music into social media notoriety, intentionally courting controversy.

8. Personal Life & Spring Break

• Old vs. new spring break: Miami closed down to spring breakers, pivoting the party to Houston. The hosts question why Houston ("lines wrapped around the block for clubs, partying at gas stations," [126:16]) and share nostalgia for their own spring break adventures like Freaknik and VA Beach ([129:24]).
• Breakdown of class, privilege, and hustle required to enjoy spring break as broke college students, plus some “elitist” ribbing over who stayed in which Miami hotels.

9. Debate: Inheritance Tax & NYC Mansion Tax

• Mark presents new proposals: Raising city tax for million+ earners from 3.88% to 5.88% and lowering the inheritance (estate) tax threshold from $7M to $750K; rates could hit up to 50% for the ultrawealthy ([177:15]–[194:00]).
• Ishaan and Flip passionately argue these taxes hurt Black and working-class New Yorkers striving to bridge the wealth gap through home ownership, not the billionaire class, due to loopholes via trusts ([179:22]).
• Mark emphasizes the devil’s in the details and that true tax reform should clarify wealth stratification rather than punish ordinary homeowners. He favors robust redistribution if done right.
• All agree the $500K+ “mansion tax” is absurd in NYC, where that's “a studio apartment,” and that million-dollar homeownership is now middle-class.

10. Relationships & Public Debuts

• The group discusses the etiquette of introducing significant others in high-profile settings, spurred by Ava DuVernay bringing her partner to the Oscars ([51:13] onward).
• Flip and Ish debate whether they’d let an A-list actress take them to the Oscars if attached; most would try to negotiate with their partner but expect a “no” ([56:55]).

11. Politics: Trump, Cuba, & Wealth Policy

• Updates on Trump’s international saber-rattling, comments on Cuba (“If I feel like it, the US will take Cuba” – Trump, [175:53]), and new tax proposals.
• Mark expresses concern about escalating US policy and political climate.

12. Miscellaneous Topics & Notable Moments

• Quick eulogy for Kiki Shepard ("She was our Vanna White, except she was bigger and more important to us..." – Mark, [137:10]).
• Chat about the new Roots Picnic, 30th anniversary of Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt, speculation on possible new Hov music ([103:34]–[112:55]).
• Bizarre sendup of Will Smith’s "Summertime" freestyle ([106:13]), revisiting ‘90s nostalgia and wardrobe/club memories.
• Joe reveals family updates, including his younger siblings' college exploits and opportunities to study abroad ([170:08]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That rigatoni had me hugging the smart toilet all night long.” – Joe Budden ([01:23])
• “Sometimes you need some car alone—that's like the best you could get.” – Mark Lamont Hill ([09:45])
• “Get these British motherfuckers the fuck out of here. Oh, that was so great.” – Flip ([34:18])
• “Rhythmless Nation, Music Stolechild, Stevie Wonder Bread, Most Definitely Not…” – Flip, on viral Jack Harlow nicknames ([73:14]–[75:24])
• “Don’t put me after Adolf. Don’t put me right after just seeing how you wrote the bar.” – Joe Budden, on LaRussell ([102:13])
• “We are the last to inherit wealth and the first to get taxed on it.” – Ishaan ([187:04] paraphrased context)
• “[Michael B. Jordan] was the little dirty nigga sitting on the bench on The Wire, bro.” – Freeze ([31:01])
• “Heads up: If you’re going to Houston on Spring Break, have fun at the gas station.” – Joe Budden ([127:27] paraphrased)
• “Do I believe if you make all the money, you can do what you want? Well, you got more options.” – Flip ([165:46])
• “Nobody wants to leave $50M to the state. I want my family to get it.” – Ishaan ([196:14])

Important Timestamps

• [00:49–05:52] Weekend recaps, aging, and smart toilet mishaps
• [20:06–44:57] Oscars deep-dive, black excellence, Michael B. Jordan’s moment
• [73:14–76:55] Jack Harlow “blue-eyed soul” album internet roast
• [87:53–93:56] LaRussell’s “Heaven Sent” lyric controversy
• [170:08–173:11] Joe’s family stories, brother studying abroad, talking about the value of experience
• [177:15–194:00] NYC inheritance tax and mansion tax debate
• [103:34–112:55] Jay-Z and Roots Picnic anticipation, new Hov?
• [106:13–107:05] Will Smith “Summertime” freestyle fun
• [51:13–61:12] Oscars red carpet relationship “unveiling” etiquette, would you go as someone’s plus one?
• [175:53–177:08] Trump’s recent wild international comments
• [137:10–139:26] Kiki Shepard memorial tribute

Tone & Style

True to JBP form, the episode mixes casual, barbershop-style debate, ironic jabs, running jokes, and serious social commentary. Joe, Flip, and crew move seamlessly between moments of comedy and thoughtful takes on Black upward mobility, politics, relationships, and hip-hop culture. The episode is lively, self-aware, and intentionally provocative, with everyone getting time to voice unique perspectives or play “devil’s advocate.”

In Summary

Episode 912 is a rich, eclectic ride through pop culture, the Black experience, and real-life trials—centered on celebration of community wins (Oscars), the viral power of Black Twitter (Jack Harlow), and skepticism about how new policy proposals truly affect everyday people. The show is at its best when balancing humor and insight, never losing its sense of camaraderie even as debates get heated.

For more, listen to the full episode or catch curated segments on The Joe Budden Network’s platforms.