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Lauren LaRosa
You're listening to an iHeart podcast. I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything.
Terrence J
And everybody exclusive know she don't lie about that, right? Lauren came in hot.
Lauren LaRosa
Hey, guys, it's Lauren LaRosa. And this is the latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is an exclusive audio episode. However, however, I'm in here by myself today. So on the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. If you are new here, welcome. And if you are one of my low riders and returning, welcome. Welcome on back, y' all. The Lowriders are a community of supporters, of engagement, of conversation. It's y' all, the people who listen here on the podcast. This is your daily breakdown of all things pop culture, your daily dig into that and the conversations that are shaking the room. I am your host, Lauren LaRosa. And let's get on into some things. Back on the grinding. Now, we start with the behind the scenes of the grind. Check in because I always like to say, you know, when you working, when you hustling, a lot of times you don't take a break to just sit down and be like, yo, how do I feel today? So I started doing it on a podcast because when I say that here on the podcast, it's because, honestly, I'm talking to myself because I don't do that often. I don't do it at all, honestly. So I've made it a habit here on the podcast because I shoot the podcast daily, and then, you know, that means daily I'm checking in on myself and the people who are on the show are checking in on, checking in on me as well, and I'm checking in on them. So today, getting behind the scenes of the grind, I am feeling. I'm a little anxious today, and I don't know why I. I have a little anxious feeling today. I don't know where it comes from at this point. Today. Right now, I'm looking forward to spending time with my family over the Mother's Day weekend and, you know, all of the things. But for some reason, I've, you know, all morning, this morning, I've been having an anxious feeling. Maybe I should just pray about it because I, again, I don't know where it comes from. But whenever I feel like this, I like to write, like, just write to myself. And it helps to calm my nerves. So I'll probably do a little bit of that today. But, yeah, that's how I'm feeling. I'm feeling anxious. And it's a weird feeling, too, because you know how, like, all week Long. You're waiting for Friday, and because Friday, it's something about a Friday and a Sunday that just feel relaxing. Like, it just feels like. Like that. That. That breath of fresh air that, like. You know what I mean? That. That inhale, exhale, that unwind. I've been waiting for Friday all week long so that I could use this weekend to really just go connect with my family. You know how people tell you, like, yo, take your shoes off and walk in the grass so you can get reconnected? That's what it is like when I go back home and I'm with my family. So I've been. I've been waiting to do that, and now it's here, and I don't know, I just feel so antsy and so anxious. Maybe I'm excited to get to that. I didn't think about it that way, so that's how I'm feeling today. In the latest, we have two things that I think y' all are going to really enjoy. Two things that are. I love bringing personal experiences here to the podcast and making the news. So first up, the Kendrick Lamar SZA GNX tour stopped here in New Jersey for the New York, New Jersey crowd. They did MetLife Stadium, two shows this weekend. Both shows sold out. Congratulations to them. Let's clap it up. Congratulations to them. There was so much conversation when Kendrick Lamar, first of all, even before he announced the GNX tour, when Kendrick Lamar got picked for the super bowl, people knew that this normally meant you have an album coming and that you're probably going to announce a tour. And there was so much conversation around the super bowl and how well he didn't perform and how well he didn't do. And, you know, what do you expect? It's Kendrick Lamar. And then when the tour announcement dropped, people were like, are people going to even really support this? He's not a good performer. There was conversation around him having to add Sza and, you know, on the tour just for ticket sales and things of that nature. Like, there was just a lot. And to be honest with y' all, I've never seen Kendrick Lamar in person as far as, like, on stage. I've seen Sza, but it wasn't like a full show. She was like a part of a show. I forget where I was. Like, what. What concert or, like, festival or whatever it was. I've seen her perform, but it wasn't like a full SZA show. But I've always heard, like, when she did the SOS tour, I heard from a lot of people that this tour that she did, it was fire. Production was fire. She was a great performer as well. And it was also special for me because my sister, Mariah Jasmine. Shout out to Mariah Jasmine, dancer, choreographer, is dancing for sza. And so anytime I get to see her, which I really didn't get to see much of her yesterday, like, I saw her, she was on the stage, but we were in a suite, so I couldn't really see her for real. Like, I mean, like, unless she popped up on the screens. But I was actually speaking of the word anxious. I was excited all day, maybe a little bit anxious, awaiting, you know, we all mobbed as a unit. So me, Jess, hilarious charlamagne, and a lot of the producers here all went to the show. We did a suite. Oh, my God, like I will say the suite at MetLife. Their food is way better than that at the Prudential center where they had Powerhouse in Jersey. Way better. Way better food options. Chicken wings was fire. We had a little drinky, drinks, you know what I mean? Like, it was. It was a good time. I got there super, super late. Not on purpose, though. It was so much traffic getting into the concert. Like, when I say it was traffic, it was so much traffic. My car service driver was also a little confused where the. The VIP drop off was as well too. So we had to, like, it was a whole thing. But anyway, I was excited because I wanted to see how this was going to go and I wanted to compare to what the people outside were saying about it before it started got there. I got there just in time. I missed two acts. I think there's a total of five acts that take place in the show. It's either five or six from, you know, what I've been told. And yeah, like, was amazing. I will say that. Like, it's the production of the show, like, the stage setups, and it's very simple stuff. Like, there's the X, he brings out the car. So scissor brings out, you know, the bug. And she does, you know, that whole thing that she does. It's not a lot to it as far as, like, you know, they're not hitting eight counts and all that stuff. But it's captivating. SZA is very captivating. There is one point where she dropped into a split. Baby, I never listen. Let me tell you, scissor look good going down into that split. And then she does like a back bend of some sort. That's kind of like the only dance move for her, for real. Other than that, they really just like singing to you and Kendrick Lamar and it wasn't just the Drake diss songs that he included. Like he took it back like we were doing old songs and like it was just a great time. To be honest with you. When the super bowl set happened, a lot of people were saying like, yo, his lineup was a bad decision. And I was like, what y' all mean? Why wouldn't he do the songs he did? Like, you know, that's the talking point right now. Since going to the GNX tour and seeing another lineup with Kendrick, I, I, I'll agree. I think that Kendrick Lamar is a great performer. I think that Kendrick Lamar is so passionate in his music and what he does and how he puts it together and you feel that like there was so much energy in that stadium every single song. Right? But I do think that the arrangement of songs allows for that differently and I feel like the super bowl arrangement that we saw and I know he doesn't have nearly as much time as he has, you know, on his own co headlining tour, but when I tell you it was just like a different energy. The energy at the super bowl wasn't horrible, but I think if he had done like a mini version of what I saw last night, it wouldn't have been no arguments about whether his around his performance. And I love that he ignored it. I love that he ain't say nothing about it as you shouldn't. You know what I mean? Like I'm a fan of like, you know, show up, do the work then, you know what I mean? Like show them, show them something. And that's exactly what happened. So yeah, we had a really, really good time. We talked about it a lot on the Breakfast Club as well too. That's my review. 10 out of 10. Highly recommend. If Kendrick Lamar and SZA are coming to where you live or somewhere nearby, go see. Go see it. They start on time, they end on time. So get there on time. I was not on time, so I missed a lot of it. But go see it. The arrangement, even SZA's oh my God, when she went into the songs off of SOS and even like control like I was, I forgot there were so many songs. It was like ballad after ballot after ballot after ballot was. And you forget because you know it took, I feel like it took the world us Sizzle fans have known she's been fired from from a for a long time now. It took the world a long time to give sizzle her just doing her deserve. So I think a lot of times people might forget that my girl been dropping she like a summer walk Summer Walker don't miss either in that R B space. My girl been giving you them hits for a long time. And last night I was like, yo, I forgot this song. Great time. Please go see the concert. Now, another thing that went down this week for me, we interviewed some of the 106 and Park's former cast on the Breakfast Club. We sat down with AJ and he was from the AJ and free generation of 106 and park. We sat down with Terrence and Roxy, and we talked about the fact that 106 and park is going to be reuniting, celebrating 25 years of the show during this year's BET Awards in June in LA. And y' all, let me just from the minute, like, I've met Terrence before. Me and Terence are really cool. Me. Envy connected me and Terence a while ago because of, you know, just the work that he does in HBU HBCU space. And Terrence and his homeboy Fred, they, like brothers, have been looking out for me in that space. Od, like, sending bookings my way, like, really taking care of me. And, yo, anything you need, call us. Like, like, career advice type vibes, like, all of that. So I. I've known Terrence. Like, I actually, when we went to North Carolina, Auntie for jiho, Terrence is a cue there. So, like, they made sure that we were taken care of. We had a great time with them that weekend. Um, I also know Roxy as well. Envy introduced me to Roxy a while back as well, but it was my first time actually really meeting AJ in. In. In length. I had met him, and I kind of like, you know, just, oh, hi, I'm Lauren. You know, like that, but actually in conversation. This was my first time, and just as a unit, putting them all together, I was actually really, really excited that morning because I thought Free was going to be there, but then Free had to cancel. Y' all been on our backs, too. She stated why she couldn't be there. She was actually getting. She had something to do with, like, dental surgery or something, a dentist appointment. But just seeing them all together, it made me, like. I almost got emotional because I'm like, yo, this right here. This is it. Like, this is. This is a part of my childhood and my upbringing. But for real, for real, watching 106 and park made you feel like you could do it, too. Like, you could be on tv. You could be the cool fly hoes who get dressed, who get busy, who know how to do their job. But you know what I mean? Like, they were one of. There has not been a show as culturally big by the moments that it creates since 106 and park. Like, the Breakfast Club. Like, I mean, and then came the Breakfast Club. There has not been a show. Like, think about it. You had 106 in park and all of those moments that people still talk about today that still go viral. There has been no other show that has done that after but the Breakfast Club. And in my mind, as I'm sitting in this interview, I'm looking around and I'm like, I'm really here. Like, I'm like, what? There was one moment, though, from the interview that a lot of people got upset at me about. I had asked Roxy this question. How did y' all handle those moments? Like, I know there was, like, the Webby thing that happened. Roxy, Terrence, you walking on stage. Roxy are here together. Now. We would love to hear about that as well.
Roxy Diaz
But handling those protects me at all costs, and that's what I'm going to say. And I'll protect them as at all costs. And I don't like. I don't like bringing up anything that was like, that's not what I want to remember from the show, because that's not even worth our time right now. The show was more about celebration than it was about drama. So those 360 days or whatever, because we were a 365 show, you know, it was always. There's always things that would happen. But if there's one thing that I could say about this man right here is that he protected me, you know, at all costs.
Lauren LaRosa
Now, let me tell y' all, me and Roxy, that's my girl. Like, we know each other in real life. And they. Prior to this interview, I went in to go say hi to Terrence and Roxy, and. And they already. They're like, yo, come with it. We already know. We. I mean, and I never go into an interview like I'm trying to be malicious or anything like that. I'm really asking questions as a person who was a fan of the moments they created, what I would want to know if I ever had the chance to sit down and talk to them. And that was one of the things, because that Webby moment, there was a lot of other moments, too. That one just came to mind first for me, and I don't know why, because it was. Oh, we also talked about them. The walk off stage thing as well. But that Webby moment, to me, I've always been trying to figure out what happened? Because it was very obvious after it happened, when Terrence came back on stage after Webby did not come back on the show, here's what he said. Mentally, how are you dealing with that at the time? Cause y' all are kids, too.
Terrence J
Yeah, look, we'll pivot out. But listen, for me, Rox, like, it was. Yeah, anything that had to do with Roxy was always a protection thing. But shout outs to Webby, it's love, man. This has been, you know, decades. We're adults. We were growing up live on television daily. Our level of emotional intelligence, our growth as human beings, what we were dealing with, it was we were literally growing up in front of everybody's eyes. So obviously, we made mistakes. Obviously, there's growing pains. There's things that we learned. But when we look back, it was this beautiful journey in time, this beautiful thing that we got to celebrate together. And when Scott Mills and the team said, hey, we want to celebrate 25 years of 100, and you could tell.
Lauren LaRosa
In that moment, something happened. But they've never addressed it. They've never talked about it ever. And I really just genuinely wanted to know. But when she got emotional, I was like, oh, wow. Like, you know what I mean? Like, I'm watching as a fan and I'm viewing as a fan of the show and of what they've done, but in real life, something happened that, you know, really, you know, it. She got emotional talking about it, and it just made me also think about, you know, all the. You know, the different advice that, you know, because even after that, me and Roxy spoke, and she just, like, poured into me. That's. That's all she does. Like, they're so fire. But she just poured into me about, like, career and navigating career and things of that nature. And it made me think how when. When. Even when moments happen up here at the Breakfast Club when you. When you out in person and in real life, people think that those moments are, like, fake. Like you're not a person or something like that. Like. Like things don't actually affect you or, you know, like, I don't know, like, it's all just, like, one big play. And then once the show's done, it's like, okay, now we're going to hang these characters up and go about a whole nother life. And it's like, no, this is really, in real life, like, a thing for me. It's really. It can really affect me. I have feelings and emotions and all these things. And in that moment, I was like, oh, wow. I know how she feels. I mean, I've never experienced whatever that experience was that made her emotional. And I don't even know because they still didn't talk about it. But she mentioned Terrence protecting her. And I was just like, man, now that I'm in, you know, because being at tmz, like, I've been doing this whole, like, industry thing. I don't even really like all of that stuff, though, to be honest with y' all. Like, and that was one thing that I learned at TMZ was like, oh, this. All of this whole. The industry and being a part of the industry. No, you. You. You get up and you do your job. You don't worry about being a part of anything, because all that comes and goes. People are going to call you as long as you can do something for them, and then when you can't, they ain't gonna call you no more. So do your job. Stay relevant. Build something that you need to build to keep on moving and get in and get out, stick and move. But I was really sitting there looking like, the fact that I can identify with her and how she feels, because it's like this was a huge moment in television, and people used it for content and conversation as we were doing in the room. You know what I mean? Right then in that moment. But what did she have to deal with behind the scenes? Because obviously it still affects her because she was starting to get emotional. That whole interview, it was fire. I'm so excited to hang out with them in LA for the BET Awards weekend. I'll be in LA from June 6th through the 10th. Supposed to be attending the show as well, but we are going to be doing the latest with Lauren, the Rosa, you know, live from la. Not live, but, you know, we'll be doing it from LA as well. I got some surprises coming around that, so I'm excited. But when I tell y' all, sitting across from people who inspired you to do what you do will never, ever, ever get old to me. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. Because it's like you work so hard to think, to see things progress and to see it in real time and to feel it. It's just like, man, look at that. It's all happening. Like, it is all happening. And I understand why people were upset about that. The Roxy question as well, too, because I think people felt like, oh, here we go again. Or however people. I don't know. But I can't lean into that. Like, even. Even she said to me, like, you know, she's been in the same position. You have a job to do, and as long as you do it. I think for me, what I've learned in being in this new space where everything is not straight to it, like at TMZ is, you know, timing is everything, and, you know, learning how to bring things in and out of the conversation is everything as well, too. So, you know, I do things, with all due respect, all the time, because they are they. I mean, they walked so we could run. You feel me? Gonna take it to the tweets in the comments. You.
Terrence J
For the tweets.
Lauren LaRosa
We outside. We outside. We outside. Outside in the tweets. Every other page are gold. Y' all got on us bad, bad when y' all didn't see Free in that photo. And I love it because it's like, don't play with us about our girl. I love that. I love to see that, especially about black women. But y' all was tweeting us like it was our fault that she wasn't there. We had nothing to do with the fact that she was not there. I don't even got to read the tweets because they all said the same thing. Where is free? Where is free? Where is free? Where is free? Where is free? Where is free? Y' all know why we all here. Free actually addressed that. Let me read her actual caption that she posted. So Free said because she started to see her see it, too. People were literally tagging her in things because she. Like, they were. Y' all were going off so bad in the comments. In the comments on Instagram when I posted it to Twitter. So she posted and said, I hate that I couldn't make it, but tooth work was scheduled. I will see Y' all on June 9th for the BET Awards. All I know is we celebrating that 25 years ago, 106 and park was created. I'm forever grateful to have been a part. And then she tagged Stephen Grant Hill, who was one of the big execs over at BET at the time when they were there, and she said, love to infinity. See y' all soon. So, y' all, we did not. How. How dare y' all even think that we would just not include Free? Like, what? When I tell y' all, I was excited about this interview for weeks, and I was sad because originally I wasn't even supposed to be here in New York. I was supposed to be in Texas shooting a campaign, and then my flight got canceled. So I was able to be here. I was running off of two hours of sleep, but I was like, I'm gonna get up and I'm gonna get dressed today. I'll be cute because I need my photo with free. So I was disappointed she didn't come as well, but, you know, happy to know that she will be there for the reunion during the BET Awards. Yeah. So y' all can please. The tweet is still going. Y' all don't read. I posted what she said and y' all still don't read. But I appreciate the engagement, though. Low riders be locked in. This has been another episode of the Latest with Lauren Larose, and I tell y' all this all the time. Y' all could be anywhere with anybody because at the end of the day, there's always a lot to talk about. But y' all choose to be right here with me, and I appreciate y' all for that. I'll catch y' all in my next episode. You're listening to an iHeart podcast.
Podcast Summary: "Its All Love Kendrick and Sza Concert Recap and 106 N Park Reunion"
Title: Its All Love Kendrick and Sza Concert Recap and 106 N Park Reunion
Host: Lauren LaRosa
Release Date: May 9, 2025
Podcast: The Latest with Loren LaRosa
Hosted by: The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts
Lauren LaRosa opens the episode with a heartfelt personal reflection, sharing her current emotional state. She discusses feeling anxious despite her excitement for spending Mother's Day weekend with her family. Lauren emphasizes the importance of self-check-ins, noting how the daily podcast routine serves as a therapeutic outlet for her and her listeners.
"Today, getting behind the scenes of the grind, I am feeling. I'm a little anxious today, and I don't know why I." [00:15]
Lauren delves into her experience attending Kendrick Lamar and SZA's GNX tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. She provides an enthusiastic review of both artists' performances, highlighting the sold-out shows and the overall production quality.
Lauren shares her admiration for Kendrick Lamar's passion and energy on stage, countering previous criticisms of his Super Bowl performance.
"I think that Kendrick Lamar is a great performer. I think that Kendrick Lamar is so passionate in his music and what he does." [06:30]
She reflects on the initial skepticism surrounding the tour announcement, particularly doubts about ticket sales and Kendrick's performance capabilities. However, her firsthand experience at the concert solidified her belief in his performance prowess.
"I will say that, like, it's the production of the show, like, the stage setups, and it's very simple stuff. But it's captivating." [08:10]
Lauren praises SZA's captivating presence and minimalistic yet effective stage movements. She notes the synchronization between SZA and Kendrick Lamar, enhancing the concert experience.
"SZA is very captivating. There is one point where she dropped into a split... and she does like a back bend of some sort." [09:50]
Lauren recounts logistical challenges, such as heavy traffic and late arrival, which caused her to miss parts of the performance. Despite these setbacks, she highly recommends attending their concerts.
"I'm so excited. We talked about it a lot on the Breakfast Club as well too. That's my review. 10 out of 10. Highly recommend." [10:30]
The episode transitions to Lauren's exclusive interview with former 106 & Park cast members, including AJ, Terrence J, and Roxy Diaz. They discuss the upcoming 106 & Park reunion at the BET Awards, celebrating the show's 25th anniversary.
Lauren expresses her excitement and emotional connection to the reunion, highlighting the cultural impact of 106 & Park.
"This is a part of my childhood and my upbringing. But for real, for real, watching 106 and park made you feel like you could do it, too." [11:50]
The conversation touches on a controversial moment involving Webby and Terrence's protective stance towards Roxy. Roxy emphasizes the importance of protecting each other and avoiding unnecessary drama.
"I don't like bringing up anything that was like, that's not what I want to remember from the show, because that's not even worth our time right now." – Roxy Diaz [11:42]
Terrence J elaborates on their growth since the show, acknowledging past mistakes and focusing on celebrating their journey.
"We were adults. We were growing up live on television daily. Obviously, we made mistakes. Obviously, there's growing pains." – Terrence J [13:55]
Lauren addresses the backlash received on social media regarding Free's absence from the reunion event. She defends the decision and shares Free’s official statement clarifying her absence due to dental surgery, assuring fans of her attendance at the BET Awards.
"Free said because she started to see her see it, too. People were literally tagging her in things because she... she said, I hate that I couldn't make it, but tooth work was scheduled." [17:00]
Lauren expresses frustration over the negative comments, emphasizing the group's commitment to inclusivity and transparency.
"We did not. How. How dare y' all even think that we would just not include Free?" [17:30]
Lauren wraps up the episode by expressing her gratitude to her listeners, the "Lowriders," for their continued support. She teases upcoming content and anticipates live coverage from the BET Awards in Los Angeles.
"I'll be in LA from June 6th through the 10th... I got some surprises coming around that, so I'm excited." [16:15]
Lauren reiterates her appreciation for her community and promises more engaging content in future episodes.
"Low riders be locked in. This has been another episode of the Latest with Lauren Larose." [17:40]
Notable Quotes:
Lauren LaRosa on Personal Feelings:
"I'm a little anxious today, and I don't know why I." [00:15]
Lauren LaRosa on Kendrick Lamar's Performance:
"I think that Kendrick Lamar is so passionate in his music and what he does." [06:30]
Roxy Diaz on Protecting Each Other:
"I don't like bringing up anything that was like, that's not what I want to remember from the show." [11:42]
Terrence J on Growth and Mistakes:
"We were adults. We were growing up live on television daily. Obviously, we made mistakes." [13:55]
Lauren LaRosa Defending Free's Absence:
"How dare y' all even think that we would just not include Free?" [17:30]
Final Thoughts:
In this episode, Lauren LaRosa masterfully balances personal introspection with in-depth coverage of significant pop culture events. From her candid discussion about anxiety to her vibrant recounting of Kendrick Lamar and SZA's concert, and an exclusive look into the 106 & Park reunion, the episode offers a comprehensive and engaging narrative. Notably, the inclusion of personal anecdotes and direct quotes enhances the authenticity and relatability of the content, making it an invaluable listen for fans seeking both entertainment and genuine conversation.