Podcast Summary: The Read — "Harlem Hometrotter" (Sept 25, 2025)
Hosts: Kid Fury & Crissle
Podcast: The Read (Loud Speakers Network)
Episode: Harlem Hometrotter
Date: September 25, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode is signature The Read: a candid, hilarious, and unfiltered take on Black pop culture, music, and current events, alongside listener questions and some pointedly personal commentary. Kid Fury and Crissle deliver their weekly blend of humor, shade, and real talk about everything from sports feats to celebrity scandals, public controversies, and listener dilemmas.
Main Topics & Key Insights
I. Black Excellence Spotlight: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
(03:00)
- Achievement: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone becomes the first American woman to run 400 meters in under 48 seconds—a feat described as “insane,” “fierce,” and “record-breaking.”
- Discussion: The podium for the race was all Black women, prompting celebration of "Black girl magic."
- Notable Quotes:
- Kid Fury: “This human being person, what, ran 400 meters flat... in 48 seconds. I want you to understand how long like girl, babies. This is nuts... but it's excellent. It's fierce. First American woman to do so.” (03:29)
- Crissle: “400 meters is like three and a half football fields. That is insane.” (04:17)
II. Pop Culture Current Events
1. "The Bear" Writer Detained on NYC Train
(05:04)
- Story: Alex O’Keefe, writer for “The Bear,” detained by MTA for occupying two train seats with his feet up.
- Hosts' Take: Both describe it as “not really a big deal,” but dissect NYC social rules and speculate about the involvement of alcohol or tiredness.
- Crissle:
"Unfortunately, I might have to side with the whites. There has to be more information to this story because I'm really not getting it." (08:16)
2. D4VD (David Burke) and Disturbing Allegations
(09:55)
- Story: Emerging artist D4VD implicated after a missing teen, Celeste Rivas, is found deceased in his car, with his abrupt actions arousing suspicion.
- Hosts' Tone: Shock, somberness, and strong condemnation.
- Kid Fury: “It's so Criminal Minds. It's so scary. It's so sad. It's just—what is t?” (11:45)
3. Young Thug’s Forfeiture Legal Battle
(16:37)
- Topics: Young Thug fights state seizure of assets amid RICO case; new album release coincides with a rival’s release.
- Crissle wonders: “I would think the guns would be the last thing you need to have around you... that $145,000 in cash would be the number one thing I'm looking at you for.” (18:39)
4. Marlon Wayans' "Him": Movie Review & Cultural Commentary
(21:05)
- Issue: Marlon Wayans’ new film slammed by critics; he responds by urging people to judge for themselves.
- Kid Fury reviews the film: Less scathing than critics, finds it middling and likely to become a cult classic; sees anti-black bias in criticism when compared to Jordan Peele projects.
- Crissle on reviews: “But I think maybe even movies in general... I don't think most people choose whether to go see a movie based off critic reviews.” (29:09)
III. Music News & Female Rap Updates
1. Nicki Minaj & Cardi B Album Drama
(40:10)
- Nicki announces sixth album: Six months in advance, suspect timing — possibly in response to Cardi’s drop.
- Crissle speculates: “Do you think it has something to do with that other girl putting out her album this past week?” (41:14)
- Discussing Cardi's "Am I the Drama:” Dissection of diss tracks, rapping about rivals, and personal controversies involving JT, BIA, and more.
- Memorable Quote:
- Kid Fury: “There’s been a lot circulating around this album... it’s a rap album featuring a girl who has a lot of bitches on her hit list.” (47:28)
2. Social Media Backlash: Crissle Defends Her Comments
(49:22)
- Crissle addresses being “the drama” online following harsh comments about Cardi B’s family choices, discussing why she stands by her critical opinions, and reflects on stan culture and overreactions.
- Crissle: “This is the dumbest thing y’ all have ever gotten riled up about... This isn’t Sesame Street. It was harsh, correct. No, no. But yeah, Cardi’s also mean.” (50:03)
IV. Listener Letters & Advice
(56:47)
1. Supporting Conservative Homophobic Family in Medical Crisis
- Victor (Boston/NC): Struggles with parents’ financial hardship, former homophobia, and whether to make sacrifices to support them.
- Advice: Prioritize own well-being and boundaries; send financial help only when directly requested, but avoid uprooting life or moving back to a toxic environment.
- Kid Fury: “I would prioritize myself, my health, my wealth, my well-being, and I would wish everybody the living better…” (60:10)
- Crissle: “I'll send you some money. I'm not going to disrupt my peace of mind and my happiness for you, though. That's what I'm not gonna do.” (66:36)
2. Stepchild’s Behavioral Issues & Custody Struggles
- Rayya’s letter: Navigating child’s behavioral issues, mother’s denial, and blocked attempts at medical/therapeutic intervention.
- Hosts’ suggestions: Explore alternative therapists who work with younger children; consider legal documentation and family court for custody/medical decision rights; validate the child’s internal distress.
- Crissle: “Your concern that his mother will corrupt this therapy experience... is valid and shared.” (71:45)
3. Best Friend Betrayal: Secret Friendship with Friend’s Ex
- Harlem’s Dilemma: Has become clandestinely close to best friend’s ex (now jailed), forming an unlikely jailhouse book club.
- Advice: Strong condemnation for secrecy; urged to "come clean" and consider the fundamental value of a 20-year friendship over a sketchy new relationship.
- Kid Fury: “This is a fool. I don't even believe that you're just trying to lift this motherfucker's spirits because he's in jail... I don't buy none of that shit.” (87:59)
- Crissle: “The fact that you are keeping it from your friend makes it seem so much more sinister and nefarious than what you described in this letter.” (86:11)
V. The Reads (Rants & Final Thoughts)
1. Free Speech & Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension
(98:51)
- Trump administration called out for suspending Jimmy Kimmel’s show under the guise of “offending” Charlie Kirk; labeled as clownish fascism and hypocrisy re: free speech.
- Notable quote: Kid Fury: “It is so mind blowing to me how much space and opportunity you guys have to do whatever the fuck you want and you're still so bad at being evil.” (97:14)
2. Oklahoma Politics & Turning Point USA in Schools
- Crissle tears into Oklahoma’s new mandate to put far-right clubs (Charlie Kirk’s org) in all high schools while students lag academically:
- “We have real problems. Put a math club in every school... Turning Point USA?” (117:43)
3. New York Liberty Fire Sandy Brondello
- Expresses confusion and disappointment at the Liberty firing their coach post-championship:
- “She was the first coach to get us a championship... I just do not understand.” (121:38)
4. Beyoncé/Jay-Z & Event With Ivanka Trump
(123:43)
- Recaps online outrage at Beyoncé being pictured at the same table as Ivanka at a Jay-Z event, clarifies context, and criticizes misplaced internet fury.
- “You act like she posed for a picture with this girl and invited her to her baby shower... you bitches meant that they were seated at the same fucking table at a charity event.” (123:59)
Memorable Moments & Standout Quotes
- Kid Fury on Marlon Wayans' “Him”: “For horror, [it’s] somewhere between the teacup rides and, maybe, Splash Mountain — it was fine.” (25:21)
- Crissle roasting stepkid’s mother: “Lying to medical professionals about what your child is doing... only makes things worse for your kid in the long run... This could easily turn into him getting locked up and being in and out of jail for the rest of his life, bro.” (75:45)
- Crissle, on her own online controversy: “This isn't Sesame Street. It was harsh, correct. No, no. But yeah, Cardi's also mean.” (50:03)
- Kid Fury, on The Read's tone: “This podcast is not for the mild. This is not Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. This is the read.”
Notable Timestamps
- 03:00 — Black Excellence: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
- 05:04 — "The Bear" writer Alex O’Keefe train incident
- 09:55 — D4VD (David Burke) missing teen controversy
- 16:37 — Young Thug legal drama and album
- 21:05 — Marlon Wayans' "Him" reviews, Jordan Peele parallels
- 40:10 — Nicki Minaj/Carbi "Am I the Drama" discussion
- 49:22 — Online backlash to Crissle’s comments
- 56:47 — Listener letters and advice segment
- 98:51 — The Read: Trump admin, Jimmy Kimmel, and media censorship
- 115:26 — Oklahoma politics and right-wing curriculum
- 121:38 — Liberty, Sandy Brondello firing
- 123:43 — Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Ivanka Trump event photo furor
Episode Tone & Style
- Voice: Direct, irreverent, honest, and deeply rooted in Black pop culture.
- Tone: Shade-heavy but affectionate; unapologetic and often laugh-out-loud funny even when confronting serious issues.
- Approach: Willing to “read” (call out) anyone and everyone, with exceptions only for Beyoncé and Blue Ivy.
Final Thoughts
“Harlem Hometrotter” delivers quintessential The Read: a blend of sharp humor, pointed cultural critique, honest personal advice, and fearless social commentary. If you missed the episode, this summary gives you the jokes, drama, and the unapologetic opinions that make Kid Fury and Crissle beloved by listeners—plus, all the insight to join in the week’s pop culture debates.
