The Joe Budden Podcast – Episode 920 | "Around From A Distance"

April 15, 2026

Episode Overview

Episode 920 of The Joe Budden Podcast is a classic freewheeling session, touching on everything from deeply personal moments to hip hop beefs, sports, TV recaps, and the tragic passing of a friend. The conversation flows between heartfelt vulnerability, jokes, and critical pop culture analysis as Joe and co-hosts Flip, Ice, Big Parks, and special guest Dr. Mark Lamont Hill are joined by rotating friends and guests.

The episode is grounded by a raw, emotional tribute to Ashley Janae, a friend of the show, and an extended conversation about grief, authenticity, and the online handling of tragedy. Along the way, the crew cracks jokes about sneakers, fathers “being around from a distance,” recaps the Coachella and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drama, and shares music critiques, relationship takes, and TV recommendations.

Key Segments and Insights

Vulnerability, Grief, and Authentic Moments

[00:53–04:00]

• The episode opens with an honest discussion about tears, performance, and faking emotion on camera.

• Mark Lamont Hill shares a touching personal story: appearing on TV three days after his father’s death, only to break down during a reunion special.

  “My dad died the night I got there … and then I went to work that day, and I was okay right into the moment where the woman … started crying about her mom dying and I just lost it.” – Mark Lamont Hill [02:12]

• The table reflects on the importance of taking time to grieve and being honest about emotions.

  “But the lesson in that, y’all is like, grieve man. Just grieve. Take the time, man. Don’t push working.” – Mark Lamont Hill [03:17]

Sneaker Debates and Group Chats

[03:29–07:57]

• The group clown each other about sneaker collections, cleanliness, and the authenticity of wearing “old” versus “fresh out the box” kicks.

  “We not sitting here debating on who bottom of these sneakers is dirty…” – Ice [03:52]

• Jokes about the group chat get out of hand, leading to laughter about keeping up with messages and who texts whom.

  “Yo, my nigga, you sent the first message… I looked back, that shit said something like 73. I said, what the fuck just happened?” – Ice [06:24]

TV, Nostalgia, and Pop Culture

[09:23–13:29]

• The crew reminisces about TV childhood favorites, including a funny breakdown of Saved by the Bell fights and cultural reach.

  “I think Saved by the Bell was a cultural thing.” – Joe Budden [10:32]

• Speculation about Mario Lopez being “tough” and the strange universal appeal of throwback TV shows.

Madonna, Dating, and "Quality Women"

[26:23–37:41]

• An extended tangent unpacks celebrity dating rumors—with a humorous and skeptical look at Madonna’s claims of “only two women.”

  “Madonna shouldn’t be able to get that off on nobody no more.” – Joe Budden [27:59]

• Deep dive into “quality women” and street culture, including how a healthy love life (or the lack of one) impacts young men’s choices and path.

  “I believe all the stats get you a quality woman.” – Joe Budden [32:18]

Coachella & Justin Bieber’s Set

[37:41–44:10]

• Discussion shifts to music festivals, with Bieber’s “weird/creative/lazy” Coachella performance dissected in detail.
• Mark Lamont Hill on Bieber’s set:

  “Some of the shit we say is creative is just basic dumb shit…We could put a laptop, I could do that shit.” [39:38]

• They analyze Bieber’s catalog sale, performance rights, and whether selling your past hits changes your stage show.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Snubs & Process

[45:18–51:39]

• Heated debate over which icons were skipped for this year’s Hall of Fame induction: Sade, Wu-Tang, Phil Collins got in—Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, and New Edition did not.

  “New Edition should be in there.” – Ice [50:11] “If Sade and Phil Collins can wait…so can Lauryn and Mariah.” – Ice [48:29]

New Music & Rap Battle Talk

[55:57–63:59]

• Fiery focus on Remy Ma’s new freestyle—an example of healthy, competitive “shots” in female rap.

  “You getting surgery in exchange for promo. That hurts. I don’t know who she talking to, but …they know that hurts.” – Joe Budden [57:34]

• Fab’s freestyle is played and praised.
• Philosophical question: can men and women have true rap beef back-and-forths, or does it never land the same?

  “You can’t say personal shit to your ex as a man on a song.” – Ice [63:00]

Music Industry Reflections and Contractual Struggles

[67:08–71:15]

• The crew relates to how artists (like Fab) disappear from music, blaming industry politics, contracts, and personal hurdles.

  “Now imagine people realized it later than others…those are the people kind of dominating today.” – Joe Budden [68:27]

• Joe reflects on when depression and bad contracts made him seek new outlets vs. stopping his momentum.

Sports: NBA Playoffs & NFL Draft Anticipation

[87:38–93:27]

• Analysis of upcoming NBA playoffs: Knicks vs. Hawks, Sixers injury woes, and distrust of Orlando’s postseason positioning.
• Anticipation for the NFL draft, speculation about the Giants and Commanders’ pick strategy.

  “Whoever we don’t get, I’m scared the Commanders take at seven and really improve their team.” – Joe Budden [93:10]

Grief & Funeral Etiquette

[94:49–100:57]

• Ice reflects on attending funerals and the differences in black and white customs, with a humorous and respectful take.

  “No selfies with the casket.” – Mark Lamont Hill [95:42]

• Jokes about the loud cousin, “open mic” remarks, and knowing when to keep it respectful vs. sharing wild stories at memorials.

In Memoriam: Ashley Janae

[104:55–117:16]

• Joe delivers a heartfelt tribute to his friend Ashley Janae, who passed while traveling. He reflects on her spirit, the suspicious details of her death, the role she played among friends, and frustration over how the internet speculated on the circumstances.

  “For many of us, this is not just an internet story. This was somebody that was near and dear to our hearts.” – Joe Budden [106:42] “She had a heart of gold. She was, she, she was sweet…She was a great wing woman. I ain’t gonna hold you.” – Joe Budden [107:29]

• Mark Lamont Hill and Flip call for decency and humanity in the face of tragedy, condemning those using her death for clicks or narratives.

  “Let her family mourn. Let her grieve, show some humanity, some decency.” – Mark Lamont Hill [117:03]

• The group shares the verified GoFundMe to support Ashley’s family.

  “They raised 16,000 out of 50k already.” – Ice [178:49]

TV Reviews, Streaming & Current Rec’s

[126:58–147:00]

• Debrief on current TV:
  • “Rooster” with Steve Carell (praised by Mark Lamont Hill)
  • “Down the Foundation” (DTF), where the group debates the show’s weirdness and depth
  • “Imperfect Woman” (Apple TV+)—called “good trash” by multiple hosts
  • Joe’s disappointment with the fake Avengers “Doomsday” trailer, fooled by AI edits [147:10]
  • Serious and joking recommendations about new black shows, including Omarion’s “Wild Rose”

Community, Philanthropy, and Real vs. Scam Allegations

[132:31–136:48]

• Flip discusses his work restoring a community center in Trinidad, facing doubts about his intentions:

  “Because it’s about the children. It’s about giving them the opportunity…” – Flip [134:36]

• Jokes fly about “scamming,” but are ultimately supportive.

More Jokes, Life, and Closing Vibes

[160:00–end]

• Final stretch is peppered with wild stories, group ribbing, and speculation on everyone’s “real work” outside the pod.
• Chuckles about Joe’s “faithful in summer” struggles, being painted as wild by family, and how to hold back the “dog” when single energy arises.

  “It’s tough suppressing your inner dog when the weather is nice and wine is flowing…” – Joe Budden [167:57]

• Mark Lamont Hill on being called for TMZ, the pros and cons of YouTube Premium, and who actually owns houses.
• The show wraps with R&B nostalgia: Usher vs. Chris Brown catalog, why some hits can’t go up vs. others, and maturity in handling the “battle.”

  “He said, ‘I don’t want no smoke with Usher. I’m just happy to be a part of.’ And he’s a part of. Salute to the gentlemen.” – Joe Budden [170:56]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “My dad was around from a distance.” – Joe Budden [81:04]
• “You getting surgery in exchange for promo. That hurts.” – Joe Budden, quoting Remy Ma [57:34]
• “Let her family mourn. Let her grieve, show some humanity...” – Mark Lamont Hill [117:03]
• “Audience, I said, it’s our guest for the day. And he hit me back and said, dog, why you ain't tell me? Like, I would have went to the mall or what?” – Joe Budden, on group chat chaos [06:42]
• “The baddies are insecure, the stagnant women want to travel and the closed minded women want you to teach them things. Grab you a Tylenol.” – Joe Budden [175:12]
• “Ashley, we miss you. We love you. See you on the other side, man.” – Joe Budden [126:56]

Key Timestamps

• [02:10] – Mark breaks down over his father’s death
• [06:09] – Hilarity of the group chat
• [26:23]–[32:20] – Madonna, “quality women,” and crime life
• [39:38] – Bieber’s “creative” (lazy?) Coachella set
• [47:01]–[51:59] – Hall of Fame outrage by Mark Lamont Hill
• [55:57] – Remy Ma and Fab freestyle battles
• [70:09] – Joe on Prince and industry independence
• [87:38] – NBA playoff and Knicks/Hawks talk
• [104:55]–[117:16] – Ashley Janae’s tribute and online speculation
• [126:56] – Farewell to Ashley
• [132:41]–[135:36] – Flip defends his Trinidad philanthropy
• [147:10] – AI-fake Doomsday trailer confusion
• [167:05] – Suppressing the “inner dog” when old flames return

Episode Tone & Language

The tone is as expected: a mix of irreverent, hilarious, compassionate, and deeply self-aware. The crew uses their signature slang ("legend," "snuff," "dog," "sheep," etc.) and approach even painful topics through a lens of resilience and black cultural humor.

Joe, as always, transitions between instigator, confessor, and sage, while the rest of the table brings energy, expert-level clowning, and sharp pop culture insight.

Takeaway

“Episode 920 | ‘Around From A Distance’” is an emotional ride: jokes and banter are balanced with honest talk about grief, loss, health, nostalgia, and the realities of industry and daily life. The celebration of loved ones lost, especially Ashley Janae, provides the episode’s emotional anchor, offering listeners both real laughter and a reminder of community, remembrance, and respect in the face of tragedy.

Rest in Peace, Ashley Janae.

[Support Ashley’s family: (GoFundMe link shared in episode)]