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Lauren LaRosa
This is an iHeart podcast.
J. Cole
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Dan Morgan
Let's get to it.
Lauren LaRosa
Time to do it. I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything.
J. Cole
And everybody knows you don't lie about that, right?
Dan Morgan
Lauren came in hot.
Lauren LaRosa
Hey, y'. All, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is another episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. So let's check in behind the scenes of the grind. So we do the check in behind the scenes of the grind here at the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. Because I literally have always said one of the things that I am horrible at is sitting down, being still checking in on myself and sometimes checking in on people because everything's always moving so fast. You're always trying to keep up with things. Not even just the news, but the news, just life in general. And sometimes what I've noticed, you know, I. I had a season of my life where, like, I really had to sit down, sit still. Wasn't much shaking. You know, my mom was healing from some things, Grandma, too. And that was probably like the most calm my life has ever been. But in all of that stillness, I feel like it was like a message. Like, I feel like God. I always remember this time period, I feel like God was. Was trying to show me all the things, like all those small pockets that I'm, like, blind to and that I miss because my life moves so fast. Because, you know, I'm living in la, New York, all these, like, big, fast moving places. I work a job that requires me to be away from family and friends a lot. And even when they are close, they're kind of in the mix of all of my craziness and all my fastness. And being at home in Delaware for about a year and a half, maybe two, I got to see, you know, so much that I was missing with family, with friends, with myself. Honestly, that was the biggest thing, like, when I really sat down with myself. And I had never done that, you know, it before it was the, you know, the big jobs. It was college before it was college. It was trying to get through high school and working jobs to help you Know mom and just figure out what was happening after high school. And, you know, like, coming into yourself as an adult is a magical thing because, you know, you really get to understand, like, why the world needs you. Going to hbcu, shout out to Delaware State University did that for me. But also the household I was raised in did that for me as well too. Like, my mom always taught us about, like, how, like how much of a gift we were in any and everything that we did and, you know, how prepared we were to be that. She always spoke to us as, as if, you know, every and every and anybody was lucky to have us. And. And I know that her doing that was us. Her preparing us for the world. Because once you get out in the world, baby, especially as a black woman, they definitely try and humble you. But that period of stillness was probably the first time since, you know, being younger and not having all the things moving and, you know, this place, that place that I had that time. And I realized in that time how much I just wasn't checking in on myself, like, literally and in the people I love, but also just on my. And I keep emphasizing on myself because I think a lot of times when people talk about checking in or checking up on, it's always someone else. And that's great and you should do it. I make a habit now and I'm not the best at everyday phone calls, but we never just say, like, oh, I'm a check up on me. Like, you know, so me doing that daily on this podcast, especially because you guys listening to me. Well, I don't know what day you're listening to me. Hopefully you, you make me a seven day a week thing. You repeat some episodes. But I know that we publish our episodes on the weekdays, so during the week it's. It's really, really hard to take a minute and check up on yourself. Right. So me doing that in this podcast with the behind the scenes of the grind check in is a habit building thing for myself and hopefully for you guys, my lowriders as the listeners, so that, you know, while our weeks are busy and you're in school, you're at work, you're being mom, you're being dad, wife, husband, girlfriend, you know, employee, employer, you know, all of the things, whatever the things may be for you when you listen to this podcast. I hope when I say, all right, y', all, let's check in. Behind the scenes of the grind. And I'm checking in on me. You were checking in on yourself as well too. There was a young lady actually who wrote me on Instagram. I'm gonna try and find this message. So I want to shout out one of our low riders, one of our listeners. Her name is Ama Promise on Instagram. It. That's Amma a m a underscore Promise on Instagram. And she was outside in the streets in the tweets. And I say that because that's what we talk about whenever I hear from the listeners on social media. And she DM'd me. And she said, good morning, Lauren. I don't know if it was Tuesday or Monday's episode, but I listened to your Breakfast Club segment on my Alexa, and you're being very transparent, talking about how you've been running late the past few days and you are naturally a punctual person. She's talking about the episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRose of the podcast, but because it's the same on the Breakfast Club, I think that's why she said it like that. But. And, and please go back and check out this episode. I'll get the date of what episode this was. Because I remember this day I was talking about because I've been through a season of stillness, and I'm kind of back jolted into, like, you know, everything moving so fast, and it's like times a thousand. Because the Breakfast Club is like. It has been the biggest blessing in my life. It's such an amplifier, but it's a lot to get used to the pace of it. Right. I was talking about just remembering everything I learned in my season of stillness so that I can take control of my day and not let my day take control of me. And I had to do that the other day. Last, actually, she said how you've been running late the past few days and you are naturally a punctual person. And also some words from your pastor that you reflected on. Shout out to Pastor Jerome Lewis at Seeds of Greatness in Delaware. I just wanted to say that the genuine anointing of God on your life was so apparent to me in your testimony. You weren't saying anything grand or complex, but it was real. At the end of it, I stopped and said a prayer for you. Thank you for that, Sis. And in me, because I felt like you were talking about me. Praise and worship is so important. Being confident of this very thing and being initial. I'm sorry, this is a scripture. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day Jesus returns. She says, I pray that you continue to submit yourself to the Will of God. And whatever your venture, you continue with the best of your ability. May the love of Jesus Christ always cover you. And I just wrote her and said, thank you. That's what I want these check ins to be in the beginning of the podcast, like, I talk to y' all about a lot, talk to you a lot about a lot of people, business and, you know, the conversations and we get into the things here. But I think it's so important to understand kind of like, you know, just how you are feeling that day. It's like when you call somebody before you unload on them. You know, you got the friend who's like the best listener and, and shout out to. I have two friends that come to mind when I think of that. Sharon Fontaine, Share the beat. Share the Beat Beauty. She's like one of the best makeup artists in Delaware. She shared a Beat Beauty on Instagram and everywhere else. And I have a friend that I grew up with. Her name is J. Henry. She does sisters who bake 2.0 on Instagram. She bakes and does desserts. And those two people have always been like the most non judgmental, heartfelt listeners I've ever experienced in my life. But when I went through that season that I keep talking about, like that season of stillness, I realized how much we don't even, like, like in checking up on myself and knowing when I wasn't feeling okay, but still taking everybody's stuff and answering the phone for people or what I realized people, it's not even on purpose, but I realized how much we unload on people who might have their own things going on in their own things happening. So you know how it is when you call somebody and you're like, hey, are you in a, like a, you in a mood or. Or are you in an okay space where I can kind of dump a little bit on you? Like, I do that now ever since then. Right. And, and that's kind of like what I want, the opening of this podcast. I always feel like, like, all right, let's. Let's check our energy, let's check our spirituality. Let's check our flow, our mental. Take a deep breath, talk about what we're excited for. Let's, you know, let's check our posture a little bit before we get into all the things that, you know, we get into. So, yes, that is the behind the scenes of the grind segment. Shout out to the lowriders who are listening and checking in with me when these, you know, opening segments really hit you guys, I want to hear from you. I'm Lauren LaRosa everywhere. L O R E N L O R O S A Now let's get on into the latest. Hey, y'.
Dan Morgan
All.
Lauren LaRosa
What's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And you know I give you your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment, news, and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. And for me to give you all the factual content when I get into the details. I gotta make some phone calls. I'm calling lawyers, attorneys, managers, publicists. Shoot, I'll even call your mama if she's the person that's gonna give me the exclusive I need. But did you know that 2026 will mark the 150th anniversary, the first ever phone call. It took place on March 10, 1876. And from the call that sparked it all to the first long distance phone lines, the first line across America, the first line across the Atlantic, the first round the world call, the first commercial cell service, the first 911 system. AT&T has been connecting people for 150 years in so many different ways. I'm just happy that somebody's gonna answer the phone. Cause how else would I bring y' all the news all up in the people business, but they answer. Thank you. AT&T. Connecting changes everything. AT&T.
Dan Morgan
I've got Dan Morgan here on the pod. Say hi, Dan. Hey. How's it going today? It's going good, man. Tell us who you are and what you do. I'm Dan Morgan. I'm an attorney and a managing partner at Morgan and Morgan, which is America's largest injury law firm. That's pretty awesome. I think I saw a billboard of yours recently that said 20 billion won. 20 million is an insane number. Yeah, 20 billion recovered. It's actually, I think somewhere north. Probably closer to 22, 23 after this year. And each year we get bigger and badder and our army grows. So the number will hopefully keep getting bigger and bigger as time goes on. Awesome. So how does someone get in contact with Morgan and Morgan? What would I do if I got into an accident? Probably the easiest way is dialing pound law. That's £529 from your cell phone. We are always open. Our call center is always waiting to take your call. 247 365. Wow. Dan Morgan from Morgan and Morgan, America's large injury law firm. Thanks for coming by the show. Thanks for having me. Visit forthepeople.com for an office near you.
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Dan Morgan
It's tax season and by now I know we're all a bit tired of numbers. But here's an important one you need to $16 billion. That's how much money in refunds the IRS flagged for possible identity fraud. Here's another one in four honest, hard working, taxpaying Americans has been a victim of identity theft. But it's not all grim news. Lifelock monitors millions of data points per second for your personal information and alerts you to threats you could easily miss on your own. If your identity is stolen, LifeLock's US based restoration specialist will fix it, backed by another good number, the million dollar protection package. In fact, restoration is guaranteed or your money back. Don't face identity theft and financial losses alone. There's strength in numbers with Lifelock identity theft protection. For tax season and beyond, visit lifelock.com iheart and save up to 40% your first year. That's 40% off@lifelock.com iheart Terms apply
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when your schedule sounds like this. Are you kidding me? An oil change is the last thing you have time for. So drive into Take five and let our techs change your oil, check your tires, top off your fluids and have you back on the road pit stop fast. All while you stay in your car. No putting your entire schedule on hold. No upsells, no problem. So you can get back to your to do list or not. Find your nearest shop@take5.com take five the stay in your car 10 minute oil change.
Lauren LaRosa
So speaking of conversations that shake the room, J. Cole is finally doing an interview. Like J. Cole ain't done an interview, and I don't know how long. The fall off dropped about a month or so ago, which is supposed to be his last album. But I don't know, I feel like every time I hear him talk about how motivated and inspired he is since dropping it, I just don't believe that it's going to be his last album. I feel like he has so much more to say. I just think he had to realize it himself and realize how, you know, like, just reconnect as an artist. And this interview serves to prove that. So he sat down with Nadeska, you know, female journalist in the hip hop and music space for Apple Music. Interview was about an hour and a half long, but he detailed so much the setting of the interview. They are back in Fayetteville in the Carolinas. He's literally in his childhood home, which he now owns, and has it set up still, you know, very similar to how it was when he grew up. It's almost staged. It's like a museum, honestly. And when the interview opens, like, when you see them, they're walking into his home and there's a gate outside of the house. And he talks about the fact that fans come and literally sign, you know, the gate. So this is a very safe space for him. And he. And he sets the tone like we do in the beginning of our episode. He sets the tone for home and space and the importance of that in the very opening of the interview. Let's take a listen to that.
J. Cole
Yeah. I can't believe this album actually came out. What are we now, like a month and some change removed? Some people told me, like, yo, they driving, like, from New York to Miami and they'll see the Fayetteville exit. And they, like, just get off, you know what I mean? They come, like, take a picture, they'll sign, you know what I mean? Some of these are faded because they've been here for mad long.
Nadeska
So this is actually the beat machine that you got on layaway.
J. Cole
This is the one. I don't know if it's the exact one because somewhere along the line we had to buy another one. But it's not because we lost the original. It's just because, like, something else we were doing, we needed it. So somewhere along the way, they might have got shuffled. So I don't know if this one we bought, if it was the original, but that is the same style. At the very least, it might be the exact same one that I had. Yeah, that my mom got.
Nadeska
Like, we waited, what, 10 years for this Album and to be able to celebrate it here with you at 2014 Forest Hills Drive. I feel like I'm in a J. Cole museum. And you said that you were gonna step out of your comfort zone, which is home, to have some conversations, but you found the loophole and still invited us into your home.
J. Cole
That's a good point. That's a good point. And I am out of my comfort zone. I ain't gonna lie. Cause I could feel it right now. I'm like, oh, man, I'm nervous. You know what I mean? Like, strangely enough, but I'm nervous. Cause I'm, you know, like, yo, when the last time I did an interview, you know what I mean?
Lauren LaRosa
And then he starts to talk about how, you know, at one point, his love for home in Fayetteville and coming back home, you know, once he was away for college and got a deal and, you know, all of that, it just started to die and it started to change, and that was a scary thing.
Nadeska
Let's take a listen on Run a Train. There is a line where you say something like, you know, phenom, you're in my heart, but I can start to feel the flame dying. And for Cole fans, like, we have been hearing you talk about foil, like Vilmatic, like everything for so long, that actually hearing that, that line really hit me.
J. Cole
Nah, that's real. That's real. You want me to talk about that line?
Nadeska
Yeah.
J. Cole
First of all, when I went away to school, when I left Fayetteville and went to New York, I love coming home. Like, it was one of the. Of course I love New York. It was amazing to be up there. But, like, I really looked forward to getting back home. And I was missing home. So any type of three day weekend we had, like, in school was like, I'm driving home. I couldn't wait to come home and just to party at the same parties I was going to. But I didn't want to miss nothing. I wanted to at least be home. And that lasted throughout my 20s, really, like, especially when we first, like, you know, then I'm in college, we coming back, then I got a deal, we coming back and it's more lit in a different level, you know what I mean? Because it's like, I'm back in Fayetteville and it's like, yo, we got action and activity, and it's like the love is different. But there was a point where I started coming back home and it felt different to me. You know what I mean? It was heavy. When I was coming back home, it Was like a burden, whether imaginary or real, was like a burden that I felt and a heaviness and a. And almost a darkness and like, whether it's in the form of like bad news, violence. It also was a time when this was getting really, really bad. You know, I mean, like, everything you hear is like, yo, this shit is worse now. It's dangerous now. And it was like, you know, very sad stories coming out of the city. On top of that, there would be like such and such said such and such about you. Yo, you ain't here. Why, dude? Why. Why is, you know, I mean, like these situations of people around the city that has something to say about now.
Lauren LaRosa
The reason why I think that that was such an important conversation for him to have in the opening of this interview is because I think it really explains the backdrop of why the Fall off took so long. You know, he says eight plus years he had been working and teasing this album. But I also think think it, it shows you guys just a little bit about, you know, as a person. Regardless, if you're a music artist or whatever, you can have, you can be a doctor, lawyer, I don't care where you work at, whatever you do, at some point in your life, everybody experiences a growth, a growth and a change in your life where it's like you really can't control it and you can't anticipate it. It's just things are changing. You're outgrowing things that you used to love, places you used to love, like conversations you used to love and used to entertain. And it's happening in a way where you can't stop it if you tried. And the best of us don't run from that, right? Not the best of us. But I think people who really want to grow and who really want to, you know, it's uncomfortable as hell, but people who really want to grow, who really want to be uncomfortable, we lean in and we. We let the growth happen. But there's something that happens just mentally that kind of disconnects you from everything that you were comfortable with and you have to get comfortable again in a different way. And hearing him talk about this, for me, I'm like, okay, so as an artist that it puts your mind just in such a different space, right? Because it's like everything you thought was so great at one point, you now looking at it like what? Like that. That's corny. And he was going through that battle while trying to record the Fall off and everything that came before, it might delete later. And just, you Know all these different things. So I'm like, okay, now I have a better understanding because at one point I felt like. And listen, I like, I love J. Cole. I have nothing against him. I'm not like the die hard J. Cole fans. Like, I know there are people out there that we. Because when you say it's like certain celebrities, when you say you're a fan of them, you got to be, like, dialed in. Like, J. Cole, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce. Their fans are like, literally, they grew up, live and breathe everything. Every project, every word, every. You know what I mean? Like, so when I say I'm a J. Cole fan, I'm not that level of J. Cole fan, but I do like his music and I do follow his career a bit because I love how vulnerable he is and just how, like, relatable he is. And, you know, it was just my time period, like, being in college and listening Nicole and like, you know, watching his rise from, like, he has a story I can relate to. Like, he moved to. To the big city, you know, from a smaller city. He was in college doing this thing. Then he chased his dream and it was, you know, tough, but he did it. And he's back home and trying to figure it out. Like, man, feel. You heard you right? But I started to feel like, yo, he's so dramatic. Like, why is it, like, just put it out, just do it. And now that I'm hearing him in this interview talk about, you know, the changes and the disruption and the disconnection that he was going in and out of it, I just know now, especially when you're doing it in front of the world, how difficult that can be. And it's like, you don't know until you experience it. So I felt him. It made me have a lot more empathy for him and a lot of the things that we saw prior to the fall off and things that we're seeing now after the fall off, right? So he talks about two being, like, first generation artists that was, like, critiqued heavily by, like, social media, right? Because he's there as, like, MySpace and then boom, Instagram is getting big and Facebook and Twitter comes along and everybody's critiquing you and everybody has something to say. And he was very honest about the fact that, like, that wasn't easy. And I feel him, like, especially when you're new in a space, when you're disrupting. Let's take a listen.
Nadeska
You know what I mean? Like, you talk about coming up and being this first generation of artists, like, growing up Inside social media and always having to deal with people picking you apart, right? That can really, really get in your head. Like, at what point do you feel like you got a handle on blocking that out as well?
J. Cole
4 Seal Drive was my first great, great time of like escaping. That first step is like, yo, just, you know, I had a rule when I was working on an album which is like, yo, don't. You can't go on social media. That was the first. That was a life saving rule, you know, I mean, and this next was like, yo, everything you make, make it for you. Like, like don't. Because there was a dark period where it was like, yo, that for that first album period, you know, I'm picking my snare drums. Is this a hit snare drum? I'm writing my lines like, is this line gonna work in the. In a club or at a show? It's like, it was the worst. So I had a rule, no social media. And no, no. And when you make it, it's got to be from a pure place. So that was the first time I got it right. So I've. I've delicately balanced that and maintain that. There's been times in the past few years where it's like I might lean, like, lean back and like poke my head more. And every time it feels disgusting. Like, it feels nasty. It's like, oh God, like, I hate how I feel right now just even reading.
Lauren LaRosa
So then fast forward, right? They then start having a conversation about everything that we saw at Dreamville, which was his festival that he was doing in the Carolinas, where we bring together a bunch of artists. The last time he had that festival was supposed to be the last year of the festival, but then he, you know, he recently said to a fan on this press run for the fall off that it might come back in a different way. So that's what I'm saying. I don't know if anything that's supposed to end with him is actually going to end because I feel like there's this new inspiration in him now. But he talks about the moment he knew he was going to apologize and just how bad he felt involving himself in all this mess that he didn't want to be a part of. A lot of people say he felt like this just because his. His verse at Kendrick was. Was not good. It was whack. But. Or not his best, but to me it seems like, you know, for him it was. It was more spiritual. Let's take a look.
J. Cole
The more I started to work, this is after Kendrick Drake Dreamville festival. I. I basically had to, like, just gather myself, first of all. Had to, like, recover. That shit was like, you know, that shit was a. A big whirlwind of emotions at that time because I felt like I misrepresented myself, you know, I mean, it's like all of a sudden I'm giving life to division into a negative, to negative storylines or negative perceptions on somebody that I fuck with and got love for. You know what I mean? Somebody that I, like, care about. And it's like, oh, shit. I felt miserable about it, and so I'm like, oh, my God. I got to go on this stage and like, come out here and pretend almost like people think that I'm represented. Mike Delete later had just dropped. It's the biggest news. Not saying Mike Delete later is, but just the drama of all of this is the biggest news happening. And I'm coming out as a representative of what the fuck they just heard. It's like, ah, nah. So an hour before, it was like, oh, aha. Like, yo, in a. In a. In a very loud manner, you know, on a very public forum on your album, you said some shit you didn't believe in. Now you got an opportunity to go into a bigger form, you know, I mean, a bigger stage is being live stream, live streamed and say something that you believe in. And in that moment, I'm like, thank you, God. Like, told my wife, she the only one I told. I ain't tell nobody else. I was like, yo, this is what I'm about to go do. She start crying because she know. She know how I feel about him. You know what I mean? Like, she knows, and she saw how it was weighing on me the two, three days before that. She could see in my whole energy. And she would even ask me, and I'm just like, yo, I got a lot going on right now. Like, so. So when I go and do it, I felt even better than I felt knowing I was gonna do. I felt like.
Lauren LaRosa
It's like I understand where he's coming from with it, but, like, I also. I can't blame anybody for all of the responses that he got. Like, I can't like the way that rap and hip hop is set up. I don't care how healed and how much therapy people are doing. It's not built for this type of conversation in this stuff. And he said something in this interview that I wish Nadeska followed up on. He said to him it didn't matter what people had to say because he knew that Kendrick Heard him. I would love to know if him and Kendrick have had a conversation about that apology. And if so, what. What was the conversation? Would love to know. They also, like, had a. It was weird because she, Nadeska, had asked him about, like, what his relationship now was with Drake or whatever. Right.
Nadeska
And.
Lauren LaRosa
And just, you know, the whole. Everything that happened after that, like, not like us and all of that. Right. And he starts to answer and he's answering the question, but then the way that the interview cuts, it's like they cut out his answer. Let's take a listen.
Nadeska
You've had your relationships with Kendrick and Drake stretch back years. You know what I mean? I don't know what it is. It's like with you guys now.
J. Cole
I mean, first of all, those are dudes that I admire. These dudes. I got genuine love for these dudes. Like, I hate to see the world shit on either one of them in defense of the other. You know what I mean? It's like, bro, what that shit is. Even saying it out loud is a little silly.
Nadeska
Well, at the end of the day, I'm glad you made the decision that was right for you.
J. Cole
Appreciate it.
Nadeska
You know what I mean? That, like, you feel good and you could sleep well at night and then you make an album that you love
Lauren LaRosa
and you're proud of and y' all hear it too. I don't know. Cause I was watching it with my boyfriend and he caught it first. And then I had to. Cause I was like taking notes during interviews. So I rewinded it back and I heard it. I'm like, yeah, they definitely cut out the rest of his response because it literally just. He's talking, talking, talking, and it's like he's about to go into this heartfelt, you know, he doesn't like the comparisons because he talks about how he doesn't like the whole comparison of like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Right? Because if you going to compare and big up one person, you low key, have to tear down another. And you can't enjoy the. The heights and the accomplishments of another person because you didn't. You have to talk about the bad parts to get to all the good parts over here about somebody else. And he compares hip hop to, like sports in that way about like, you know, how people critique everything in hip hop. But that's the sport of it. Like, that is just what it's built on, right? Especially for a lyricist like J. Cole occupying what was the big three at one point. I don't know what it is, right now, maybe Kendrick said it's just big him. So look up to up until up up. That's up for interpretation of what if we. If y' all even think we still have a big three or not after all of this.
Dan Morgan
But.
Lauren LaRosa
But I thought that was weird. It's, like, very obvious that they cut something out of that interview. Like, now I want to know, like, well, what. What is the relationship with Drake? Drake got Iceman coming, and I don't know when that is supposed to come, but I'm hoping that he'll actually, like, address things in a real way, because a few episodes ago, not even a few. Probably, like a couple months ago, when Drake dropped. What did I miss? Go back and take a listen to that episode. I was pissed. I'm like, yo, at this point, Drake, if you're not gonna have a real conversation about this and stop acting like you don't know what happened, let's. Like, I don't even want to hear it. Like, I would rather just hear good songs. Nokia was a. Drake makes great songs. And I know Iceman is going to be great. I'm actually excited to hear it. But I kind of feel like now, because it's like everybody's skating around it. J. Cole ain't saying nothing. Drake is acting like he don't even know what happened. I want somebody to have a real conversation about, you know, what it feels like being on the inside of that. J. Cole attempted to. He did. He talked about the aftermath of. Of, you know, the apology and, you know, they had memes of him, like, walking on the beach and, you know, all this stuff. He talked about kind of what it felt like being on the inside of that and people hitting him up, like, because people thought it was over for J. Cole during that time. Let's take a listen.
Nadeska
And you're like, I don't care how
Lauren LaRosa
upset y' all are.
J. Cole
I was so light and like. And. And because I knew at the end of the day, he heard me and the world heard me. You know what I mean? It's like, yo, if I never say another word on this again, like, y' all see where I stand, and it's like, yo, I made a. In my mind, I made a wrong or right in the best way that I could. Yo, you did wrong. You were in the wrong. I put myself in the wrong. Now, mind you, in my mind, I had, like, justifications and how I thought it would go and boom, boom, boom. But. But in reality, when it actually played out, I was like, oh, God, that was fucking stupid. And, and. And now how do you make a wrong or right? And that was. It just came to me like an hour before.
Nadeska
I gotta give you, I gotta give you props for that. You're. You're a brave, A brave person. It's like you said, yo, hip hop is. I love this culture, but it is scary, you know what I mean? The way people will come for you, like personally attack you for things. And the things people said after that, were you really just hanging out on a beach minding your business after this?
J. Cole
But it was funny because I was actually at a beach just for like a couple days. I went to this little beach spot and so, but mind you, I didn't know that the, the, I guess a meme or whatever was going around saying that. So people showing me, like, bro, this is crazy, like, you're actually at a beach. But. But it wasn't. But mind you, to let you know though, because it kind of goes what we were saying earlier, but I didn't finish my thought where it's like, I did what I did and I felt light free. Like I had did the. The right thing for me, you know, I mean, I had made a wrong right. However, like, you know, the world, they don't give a about that and they me up, like, in terms of like, you know, they me up basically like my name, reputation, boom, boom. And so that was. Although, like, you know, the, the. The likeness that I felt made it easier to deal with over time. I don't know how long that shit lasted. It felt like a very long time, but it was like, over time I had to process that shit and I had to, I had to get right because, you know, of course at the time it felt like the right move and it always felt like the right move. But there were times where the thoughts of like, damn, n, you're fucking done right now. You know what I mean? Like, that's what the world is saying. It's over.
Lauren LaRosa
I don't know, I feel like it's a bit extreme of like, it was over. It was done for J. Cole at that time, but it was definitely like, I think people had never seen anything like that before. It was definitely. Oh, my God, like, the conversation was so loud. I can't imagine, like, he's talking about. He's learning to like, get off of social media in his phone when things happen, bro. I feel like I would have had to leave the US and like, completely like, I cannot imagine being J. Cole during that time. Drake J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, honestly, they gave us one of the best years in hip hop conversation and sportsmanship, even though he bowed out. And people you know will say that wasn't sportsmanship, that wasn't him competing for nothing. And I get it. I agree. Right? But it was entertaining. But were you not entertained? It was definitely entertaining. Can't imagine being him.
Dan Morgan
I've got Dan Morgan here on the pod. Say hi Dan. Hey, how's it going today? It's going good, man. Tell us who you are and what you do. I'm Dan Morgan. I'm an attorney and a managing partner at Morgan and Morgan, which is America's largest injury law firm. That's pretty awesome. I think I saw a billboard of yours recently that said 20 billion won. 20 billion is an insane number. Yeah, 20 billion recovered. It's actually, I think somewhere north. Probably closer to 22, 23 after this year. And each year we get bigger and badder and our army grows. So the number will hopefully keep getting bigger and bigger as time goes on.
J. Cole
Awesome.
Dan Morgan
So how does someone get in contact with Morgan and Morgan? What would I do if I got into an accident? Probably the easiest way is dialing pound law. That's £529 from your cell phone. We are always open. Our call center is always waiting to take your call. 247365 wow. Dan Morgan from Morgan and Morgan, America's large injury law firm. Thanks for coming by the show. Thanks for having me. Visit forthepeople.com for an office near you.
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Dan Morgan
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Lauren LaRosa
Now. Speaking of entertaining, shifting gears a bit, Justin Timberlake. So we talked about on this previous episode, Justin Timberlake. And you know, he was in this battle with the police in Sag harbor, which is, it's like a, it's a town in New York. So he was in this battle with police here because he didn't want them to release the body cam footage of his dwi. He had gotten word that, you know, different media outlets were submitting requests to get the videos and he didn't want people to be able to receive the videos, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, right? But this past week, police and Sag harbor announced that they came to an agreement with Justin Bieber and that they were going to release video footage from the body cam, but it was going to be partially redacted. So basically like a lot of personal information would be redacted from the video. Now Justin was, you know, trying everything in his power to make sure that like, nothing would come out because I feel like, I mean, of course you don't want video out there Floating where he's mentioning personal information and address and things of that nature. And sometimes when full body cam video is released, it is very unedited and it's up to the media outlets to edit things and redact things. But then things get to social media and that doesn't always happen. So I can understand that. But in the video, he's obviously drunk. They try to do a Phil sobriety test and it gets to a point where he. He's telling them, I can't do this test. It's just too much. And his friend steps in for the win. Let's take a listen.
Dan Morgan
So the reason for the stops, because you're veering off to the left and then you're not stopping at the stop signs.
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah, sorry about that.
Dan Morgan
Is this your vehicle? Whose vehicle is it?
Lauren LaRosa
It's just a rental.
Dan Morgan
It's a rental. Okay. Do you have any registration with it? Do you know if they could put in the glove box? What, are you visiting?
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah, I'm on tour.
Dan Morgan
What are you doing?
Lauren LaRosa
I'm on a world tour.
J. Cole
A what?
Lauren LaRosa
A world tour.
Dan Morgan
Doing what? Hard to explain. World tour.
Lauren LaRosa
I'm Justin Timberlake.
Dan Morgan
What's. What's your name?
Lauren LaRosa
Justin Timberlake.
Dan Morgan
You are Justin Timberlake?
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah.
Dan Morgan
You have a license with you?
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah, I do.
Dan Morgan
And then you're going to put your right foot in front of your left. Stay just like that. Okay. You give me heel to toe.
J. Cole
Like this.
Dan Morgan
Heel to toe.
J. Cole
1, 1,000, 2, 1,000, 3, 1,000, 4, 1,000.
Dan Morgan
All right, that's all good. All right. By the way, these are like.
J. Cole
These are like really hard tests.
Dan Morgan
So the way this device works, you just put your lips over it and you blow up. Blow into it like you're blowing a balloon. No.
J. Cole
Yeah.
Dan Morgan
Okay. All right. All right. At this point, based upon the observations you're under the rest of the. For suspicion of driving while talks, there
Lauren LaRosa
has to be a moment of talking. No, not anymore.
Commercial Announcer
Please help me.
Lauren LaRosa
Not anymore. Hold on. Okay, hold on.
Commercial Announcer
Can I.
Dan Morgan
This is the registration with the vehicle. Just make sure it stays with the vehicle.
J. Cole
Okay.
Lauren LaRosa
I have his phone.
Dan Morgan
Yeah. Yep.
Lauren LaRosa
Can you guys please just do me a favor? Cuz you loved. Bye. Bye.
J. Cole
Bye.
Lauren LaRosa
You're like sexy.
Commercial Announcer
B, like, do me one favor. Let me ask him if he wants
Lauren LaRosa
me to give him his phone.
Dan Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren LaRosa
This is insane.
Dan Morgan
So it's not going to be a long thing. I'll let you walk up real quick, please.
Lauren LaRosa
Now, Justin was taken in. He failed to fill sobriety test. He was then booked. He ended up pleading guilty to a Lesser charge that did not involve drunk driving or even a criminal offense. He ended up copying to a traffic violation and got off with a slap on the wrist, basically. But when he was originally arrested, he was originally arrested under suspicion of driving while under the influence. And it was like, it's such a big deal. And I remember he released a statement and tried to make it seem like, you know, he had just had a few cocktails. But he's. He's drunk in this video. Like, it is. It is very obvious. And cops have said when they arrested him that they had started following him because he couldn't even keep a straight line on the road. They were following him for about a mile and a half, or. Yeah, they were following him for about half a mile before they turned their lights on and pulled him over. He pulled over at an intersection, and then they, you know, did everything that they did with the field sobriety test. But his eyes were bloodshot red. They were glossy, and they actually smelt the odor of the alcohol on him. His speech was bad. Like, they had described everything we're seeing in his video. So he. Listen, he was lucky to get off the way that he got off, because, you know, they hold it on you. They didn't. It should. Like, you know, people die because of drunk driving. Like, they definitely should. Yeah. So now the body cam's out. There's also booking footage of Justin Bieber as well, too. And some of the booking footage, I know some of the parts have gone viral. People are laughing at the fact that when they identified him as white, he kind of joked about not being identified as white. Let's take a look. White.
J. Cole
I'm just kidding.
Commercial Announcer
Just kidding, man
Lauren LaRosa
child. Y' all had Justin B. I keep saying Justin Bieber. I keep confusing the white boys that be at the cookout. Justin Timberlake, y'.
Nadeska
All.
Lauren LaRosa
Not Justin Timberlake over on our side. A little bit too long, baby. He took looking at the police like, right. Excuse me. Look, drunk driving is not laughing matter whatsoever. I know he was able to crack a little joke or two up in here, but not a laughing matter at all. And to be honest with you, I'm kind of glad that the body cam footage had to come out. Like, he had to come to an agreement where the body cam footage had to come out. I think that, you know, a lot of times, not even just for celebrities, but for people in general. Like, I feel like we don't learn sometimes unless, you know, there's like a. Like, we don't learn in quiet. Like, the slap on the wrist is cool. But I think sometimes there has to be, like, a public element to things, especially things like this, where it's like someone's life could have been taken because Justin Timberlake decided that he wanted to drive his own car. And I never understand that either. With celebrities, it's like, yo, you can afford a driver. You can afford. Even if it's just like a Uber X, like, you can afford it, why not do it? Like, I never understood that with celebrities, like, who just have the money to be able to do it. Like, why, if I had the. The money to afford a driver, every time I went somewhere, I would never drive ever. Like, ever. I don't. I. I don't get it. So I think you need an element of this kind of, like, public shame and embarrassment to keep him on track because that's what he was trying to avoid. I think it was more for him. It was about like, okay, we got past this. The slap on the wrist happened. Didn't have to do any jail time. But now people need to see this. And I know he has. You know, he's Justin Timberlake. He'll be fine. He's white, even though he forgot he was. He'll be good. But you need an element of, here's what we're going to hold you accountable to so that it won't happen again. So I'm sure he's learned his lesson. If not, this body cam footage that is viral as hell is going to be a great reminder every single time he forgets. This has been another episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. I am Lauren LaRosa, and I tell you guys every single episode. Y' all could be anywhere, any old where, listening and talking about all of these things, but you guys choose to be right here with me, my low riders. I appreciate you guys so much for that, and I'll catch you in my next episode.
J. Cole
It's football season, and now you can
Dan Morgan
get anything you need for game day
J. Cole
delivered with Uber Eats. Well, almost. Almost anything. You can't get a running back, but baby back ribs. Yes. Uber Eats, official on demand food delivery
Dan Morgan
partner of the NFL.
Lauren LaRosa
When Kohler, global design leader in luxurious kitchen and bath products, asked me to be their ambassador for timeless, elegant, durable cast iron, I said, I'm in. Soon after, I was in their Kohler, Wisconsin foundry watching molten iron poured enamel applied by hand, and the beautiful finished pieces ready to ship. Since 1883, Kohler cast iron has been crafted by incredible artisans.
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Lauren LaRosa
whole new appreciation for their craftsmanship. Now I'm proud to lend my stamp of approval to my favorite Kohler Cast Iron products for their durability, beauty and enduring style. Shop my curated pics@kohler.com as the Kohler cast Iron Ambassador, I say Long live Cast Iron.
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Lauren LaRosa
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Lauren LaRosa
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Lauren LaRosa
Dietz and Watson.
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Lauren LaRosa
This is an iHeart podcast.
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Guaranteed Human.
Date: March 23, 2026
Host: Loren LaRosa
Produced by: The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts
In this episode of The Latest with Loren LaRosa, Loren dives into two of the week’s most talked-about pop culture stories: the rare and revealing J. Cole interview following his new album "The Fall Off" and the legal drama around Justin Timberlake’s recent DUI incident. Loren gives her signature blend of personal insight, cultural analysis, and relatable conversation, emphasizing themes of self-reflection, public scrutiny, and accountability for celebrities.
[02:46 – 11:25]
"We never just say, like, ‘Oh, I’ma check up on me.’ ...I hope when I say, ‘Alright, y’all, let’s check in behind the scenes of the grind,’ and I’m checking in on me, you are checking in on yourself as well too."
— Loren LaRosa ([06:50])
[15:57 – 36:06]
"I can't believe this album actually came out... Some people told me, like, yo, they driving from New York to Miami and they'll see the Fayetteville exit... they come, take a picture, they'll sign... Some of these are faded because they've been here for mad long."
— J. Cole ([17:21])
"There was a point where I started coming back home and it felt different to me… It was heavy. When I was coming back home, it was like a burden, whether imaginary or real."
— J. Cole ([19:15])
"That was a life-saving rule... when you make it, it's got to be from a pure place... There's been times in the past few years where it's like I might lean back and poke my head more. And every time it feels disgusting."
— J. Cole ([24:59])
"I felt miserable about it... All of a sudden I'm giving life to division... on somebody that I fuck with and got love for. ...In that moment, I'm like, thank you, God. ...She [my wife] start crying because she know how I feel about him."
— J. Cole ([26:47])
J. Cole reflects on the meme culture after his apology and the internal conflict he experienced enduring public criticism and doubts about his career.
Notable Quote:
"I was so light... because I knew at the end of the day, he heard me and the world heard me. ...Now, mind you, in my mind, I had justifications... But in reality, when it actually played out, I was like, oh God, that was fucking stupid."
— J. Cole ([32:50])
Loren emphasizes how unique and intense the fan reactions were, and she empathizes with the pressure of being “inside” such a major hip hop moment.
[39:36 – 46:30]
Loren highlights viral moments from Timberlake's booking footage, including his light-hearted response to being identified as white.
Notable Quote:
"White."
(Officer inputting race)
"I'm just kidding."
— Justin Timberlake ([45:01])
She points out the incongruity between the gravity of DUI risks and Timberlake’s light behavior, as well as how celebrities often use their resources to minimize consequences.
Loren argues a public reckoning (video exposure) is necessary for accountability and as a deterrent:
"I think you need an element of this public shame and embarrassment to keep him on track... Someone's life could have been taken because Justin Timberlake decided that he wanted to drive his own car."
— Loren LaRosa ([45:14])
| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|---------------| | Checking In: “Behind the Scenes of the Grind” | 02:46 – 11:25 | | J. Cole Interview: Home, Growth | 15:57 – 24:45 | | J. Cole on Social Media & Creativity | 24:45 – 25:58 | | Dreamville Drama, Apology | 26:47 – 33:30 | | Aftermath and Memes | 32:47 – 36:06 | | Justin Timberlake DUI Recap | 39:36 – 46:30 |
Loren’s style is warm, personal, and candid, seamlessly blending pop culture commentary with real-life insight. She uses a down-to-earth, sometimes humorous, sometimes empathetic tone, especially when discussing topics like J. Cole’s vulnerability or the messiness of celebrity legal run-ins.
For listeners who missed the episode, Loren provides a thoughtful, nuanced, and entertaining digest of both headlines and the deeper conversations behind them.