The Joe Budden Podcast

Episode 913 | "Not My Brand of Vodka"
Release Date: March 21, 2026
Host: Joe Budden & The JBP Crew
Special Guests: Mark Lamont Hill, B. Dot

Overview

In Episode 913, the Joe Budden Podcast delivers a vibrant, sharp, and often hilarious breakdown of the week in hip-hop, culture, and randomness. The crew dives into everything from classic hip-hop album anniversaries and upcoming live shows, to social media antics, pop culture debates, street-level comedy, and viral news stories. This episode is rich in nostalgia, strong opinions, irreverent humor, and at times, classic JBP chaos.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "Not My Brand of Vodka": The B. Dot vs. Ray Daniels Hip-Hop Debate

[00:45–03:31]

• Background: Joe and B. Dot discuss Ray Daniels, with B. Dot jokingly saying, "He's not my brand of vodka."

  “Some of his opinions on rap are just kind of asinine to me, and I just don’t respect them.” (B. Dot, 02:01)

• B. Dot critiques Ray Daniels, citing his controversial take that Lil Wayne has no songs that motivate anybody.

  “That's crazy. The guy made Hustler Musik!” (B. Dot, 02:13)

• Joe proposes a debate between B. Dot and Ray Daniels to see whose "hip-hop card" is more current.
  • “Hip hop card should be updated, right?... Let’s see where it at today.” (Joe, 03:11)
• The crew jokes about “looking down on people that’s not really hip-hop.”
  • “The people that didn’t grow up in it, bleed it—I don’t think we really respect them.” (Joe, 03:00)

2. The Jay-Z Yankee Stadium Shows: Reasonable Doubt vs. Blueprint

[20:45–35:00+]

• Topic: Jay-Z’s consecutive shows for the anniversaries of ‘Reasonable Doubt’ and ‘Blueprint’ in the Bronx
  • Debate: Which concert to attend if forced to choose? Most pick ‘Blueprint’ for its celebratory live vibe.

  “I'm not leaving my house at 45 with that on to hear 22 2s in Yankee Stadium. Sorry, buddy. Throw on some Blueprint.” (Joe, 26:39)

• Discussion includes:
  • Ticket prices (estimating high hundreds to $2K+ for good seats)
  • The special energy of both albums, and what type of crowd and experience each will bring
  • Nostalgia for both eras—1996 vs. 2001
  • Possible special guests (e.g., Foxy Brown, Sauce Money)
  • Joe’s philosophical point: “I take it as a win for hip-hop... 30 years into a career—amazing!” (Joe, 39:07)
• Live experience vs. nostalgia: Some memories are preferred up close in small venues, others at big stadiums.

3. Versus Announcement: Tyrese vs. Tank

[42:30–52:24]

• The crew reacts to the Tyrese vs. Tank Verzuz announcement and playfully debates their respective catalogs.
• Tank’s songwriting and versatility are highlighted as his “cheat code”:

  “If he start playing records that he wrote... it’s going to be a tough time.” (Joe, 43:10)

• Tyrese’s big radio hits and entertainment value are acknowledged.
• They joke about potential for drama, considering their TGT group past.

  “You can still feel like you was moving a little way when we was beefing and vice versa.” (Joe, 44:35)

• “Joe” (R&B singer) is mentioned as someone both Tank and Tyrese wouldn’t go up against.

  “I think there’s a name both of them kind of ran from, which is Joe.” (Joe, 45:53)

• The crew, after much discussion, mostly sides with Tank for the matchup, citing vocals and songwriting.

4. New Music Roundup: Releases & Hot Takes

[52:54–64:01]

• Highlights:
  • New Rick Ross and French Montana (sampling Master Ace), Max B, BX The Plug, and a new J. Cole verse on a Mike Will compilation.
  • The room debates and reacts to J. Cole's lyrics and the "freestyle" feel of his new track.
  • Lotto’s new album and pregnancy announcement—discussion about the “postpartum positivity” shift in content.

  “Gotta see what pregnant Lotto music sounds like...” (Joe, 64:43)

  • Fetty Wap’s possible summer comeback: “It sounds like Big Heat... If he got a couple of these, you about to bring me back to 2015, 2016 again.” (Joe, 63:24)

5. Social Media & Pickup Lines: How Corny Is Too Corny?

[117:21–145:07+]

• Discussion on The Game’s DM pickup strategy: using the same “F3” line and vending machine punchline.

  “A good line is a line that works.” (Mark Lamont Hill, 118:47)

• The crew debates whether “corny” lines can work, face-to-face versus in DMs, and how celebrity status factors in.
• Joe argues that “it doesn’t take much” to get attention these days, and “corny works, especially if delivered with confidence.”
  • Mona adds that “personality wins,” but regular guys can’t always get away with what rappers do.
  • Joe shares one of his old lines:

    “My name is God. That’s Doug spelled backwards with a little bit of you.” (Joe, 127:08)
    (to room-wide comedic groans)

  • The entire discussion is a send-up of pick-up culture and has everyone in stitches.

6. Viral Story of the Week: Afroman vs. The Ohio Police

[77:24–96:07+]

• They recount Afroman's legal battle after Ohio police wrongfully raided his home, destroyed property, confiscated cash, and ultimately sued him for defamation after he dropped a series of diss tracks about them.

  “Afroman spends the next three years making songs that make fun of all the officers involved by name, even using footage of the raid.” (Joe, 84:03)

• The story is played for both outrage and comedic effect, with new Afroman tracks ("Lick Em Low Lisa," "Lemon Pound Cake") played and celebrated for their audacity and creativity.

  “This is brilliant. Only in America.” (Mark Lamont Hill, 84:34)

• Deep dive into the rights of creators, the absurdity of the lawsuit, and the satisfaction of seeing the underdog win—“taking lemons and making lemonade.”

7. Ray J, Brandy, and Rapper Pillow-Talk

[99:03–108:29]

• Discussion on Ray J’s fiery Instagram response to Mase and Shyne publicly talking about Brandy.
• The crew is highly critical of “grown-ass men talking about who they dated years ago,” especially in public.
• Ray J’s outburst is analyzed and joked about, with the group noting it went “way too far.”

  “He just knows people by those names... y’all come in here too.” (Joe, 104:25)

  • And Mona: “Ray J always feel like a stepchild.”
• Brandy’s dignified public response—denying anything beyond friendship, and stating she doesn’t endorse Ray J’s behavior—is lauded:

  “Class act.” (Joe, 108:11)

8. RIP Chuck Norris

[148:02–153:00]

• Mark Lamont Hill delivers a thorough eulogy for Chuck Norris (who passed at age 86):

  “He never stopped learning... he’s a martial arts icon, TV icon, movie icon... a good dude who was very faithful, very honest, very family oriented.” (Mark, 150:24)

• The group shares nostalgia for martial arts icons and the influence of Norris’s “indestructible” persona.
• Quick jokes about Bloodsport being rebooted—but with some skepticism about modern reboots.

9. Local Flavor: Staten Island’s Shaunae’s House

[153:45–162:02]

• Joe raves about a hidden gem soul food restaurant in Staten Island, ‘Shaunae’s House’, after a family outing.

  “Everything on that menu was fire... she brought it out in courses... it’s a new date spot for y’all.” (Joe, 158:00)

10. Internet Culture, AI Fakes & Random Stories

[175:45–178:16+]

• The group pokes fun at viral AI videos fooling people, the proliferation of fake content, and how people buy into absurd storylines (e.g., Tyler Perry’s rumored ‘AI girlfriend’).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On podcast brand:

  “It is not serious. It is not real. No one is exposing, revealing, indicting, or telling you anything about themselves. Also, we do not encourage you to try this at home. We are trained professionals who do not have your best interests at heart—or our own.” (Joe, 00:00)

• On old vs. new hip-hop debates:

  “Hip hop card should be updated, right? You may have been cool 10 years ago with your hip hop knowledge—but let’s see where it at today.” (Joe, 03:11)

• On classic album anniversaries:

  “I take it as a win for hip hop... 30 years into a career—amazing!” (Joe, 39:07)

• On Tank vs. Tyrese:

  “If he start playing records that he wrote... it’s going to be a tough time.” (Joe, 43:10)

• On Afroman and the Ohio police raid:

  "He spends the next three years making songs making fun of all the officers involved by name... This is brilliant. Only in America." (Mark, 84:03 / 84:34)

• On social media pickup games:

  “A good line is a line that works.” (Mark Lamont Hill, 118:47)
  “Corny works. If you say some corny shit with confidence... it works.” (Ish, 120:26)
  "My name is God. That's Doug spelled backwards with a little bit of you.” (Joe, 127:08)

• On Russell Westbrook's NBA legacy:

  “To be in the top 10 point guards that ever play this game is a huge accomplishment. I would have him at the bottom of the top 10.” (Ish, 180:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------|----------------------| | B. Dot vs. Ray Daniels | 00:45 – 03:31 | | Jay-Z Bronx Shows Debate | 20:45 – 35:00+ | | Tyrese vs. Tank Verzuz | 42:30 – 52:24 | | New Music Roundup | 52:54 – 64:01 | | Afroman vs. Ohio Police | 77:24 – 96:07+ | | Pickup Lines & Social Media Dating | 117:21 – 145:07 | | Chuck Norris Tribute | 148:02 – 153:00 | | Foodie Finds: Staten Island | 153:45 – 162:02 | | Misc. News, AI Fakes, Culture | 175:45 – end |

Tone & Vibe

The podcast mixes knowledgeable hip-hop debate, real-life nostalgia, rapid-fire comedy, unfiltered takes, and classic "barbershop" banter. There’s an effortless flow from serious analysis to wild, irreverent tangents. All panelists—including guests—authentically contribute, ensuring a multi-perspective, engaging, and fast-paced episode.

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Joe Budden Podcast is a must-listen for anyone who loves:

• Deep dives into hip-hop history and current events
• Nostalgic and honest music debates
• Unfiltered comedy about dating culture and social media
• Real talk about viral news and cultural trends

With standout moments—like the Afroman story, the Verzuz showdown preview, and the pickup line debate—JBP 913 keeps the energy high and the conversation both insightful and hilarious.