Podcast Summary: Unhinged & Immoral

Episode: "Tyler, Why You Say That?"

Hosts: Jamila Bell & Mecca Evans
Date: November 1, 2025

Main Theme & Overview

This episode of Unhinged & Immoral dives into the recent internet controversy involving Tyler, the Creator and his past “troll” persona, unpacking what responsibility artists have for past behavior and how cultural contexts (especially California Blackness and internet troll culture) shaped online trends. Mecca and Jamila also reflect on their personal histories with Tyler’s music, discuss grief over D’Angelo’s death, and examine crucial cultural turning points around race and social media. The show wraps with their “Spin It” advice segment, this week guiding a young lesbian on how to confidently date and make connections in college.

Key Discussion Points

1. In-Person Podcasting Vibes (00:27-02:31)

• Jamila and Mecca celebrate being together in person, joking about the discomfort of their chairs and comparing remote vs. live recording.
  • "These chairs are not thick-bitch-friendly. I am, my butt's hanging out..." – Mecca (00:41)
• Logistics chat about editing and soon expanding their team.

2. Remembering D’Angelo & Black Musical Legacy (04:00-07:35)

• The passing of D’Angelo sparks a conversation about legacy and loss in Black music.
  • "D'Angelo is your favorite singer's favorite singer… he was a real musician." – Jamila (05:41)
• Both hosts note the beautiful posthumous recognition artists receive and encourage newer listeners to explore his music.

3. Tyler, the Creator – Past, Present, and Internet Backlash (07:35-28:32)

a. Tyler’s Statement on D'Angelo & Fan Reactions

• Tyler posts heartfelt condolences over D’Angelo’s death, prompting old and new fans to dissect his “Blackness” and history.
  • "As nutty as he is, I do believe he has always cared about the music, for sure." – Mecca (07:50)
• The hosts note that Tyler’s white fans (acquired in his early, edgy career era) often misunderstand or overstep, causing drama in comment sections.

b. California Blackness and Suburban Black Identity (10:18-17:21)

• Mecca provides context on growing up Black in California, noting cultural tensions in integrated schools and the prevalence of anti-Black jokes/trolling as a defense mechanism.
  • "There was this point where anti-Blackness as a joke was cool; that doesn't make it okay." – Mecca (11:40)
• Jamila expands on this, noting the variety of Black identity performances in suburban schools nationwide.

c. Odd Future & Origin of Internet Troll Culture (13:15–20:34)

• Troll culture, as popularized by Odd Future, was born from a sense of being misunderstood and wanting to “out-weird” the mainstream.
  • “We invented this shit … [Trolling] was being so stupid you're smart.” – Jamila (15:31)
• They stress the difference between explanation and excuse, giving context without condoning everything Tyler (and others) did.

d. Accountability, Growth, and Apology Culture (20:34-28:32)

• Can you grow past your “edgy” trolling years? How and when does a community accept growth—especially if an official apology hasn't been made?
  • “At what point do we as a community allow for growth?” – Jamila poses (20:34)
  • Both agree that time, changed behavior, and a public reckoning (possibly a nuanced documentary) are better than a forced, formulaic “notes app” apology.
  • “If he apologized right now, it would be like a iMessage iOS press release.” – Mecca (27:23)
• They note generational divides: young people who didn’t live through Odd Future’s heyday won’t “get” the era, just as they don’t get their parents’ context.

4. Reflecting on Cultural Turning Points in Race & Social Media (29:56–39:19)

a. The Trayvon Martin Era and Social Awakening

• The 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin was a cultural wakeup call for many younger Black people who may have previously “cohabitated” easily with white peers.
  • "That was the moment everyone realized, like, you're Black." – Mecca (33:10)
• Subsequent police killings and the spread of social media activism led to a new, hyperaware era of Black consciousness.

b. Cycles of Racial/Kumbaya Tension (37:11–39:19)

• Historical perspective: Everything moves in cycles—periods of relative calm, followed by an incident that brings racial division into sharp focus (e.g., Rodney King, OJ Simpson, 2020, etc.).
  • “There’d be years that go by where it seemed like, obviously, we know that racism exists... Then a thing would happen that would remind you.” – Jamila (37:30)
• Social issues now expand beyond race, with national consciousness shaped by social media, rapid information spread, and multiple intersecting “-isms.”

5. When (and How) Do We Let Public Figures Move On? (41:23-52:58)

• Jamila and Mecca break down the “rules” (or lack thereof) for letting celebrities grow past old offenses.
  • “A lot of us, when you don’t like someone, you’re never going to get off their neck.” – Mecca (41:51)
• They contrast offenses (e.g. Tyler’s edgy tweets vs. R. Kelly’s crimes) and stress honesty about talent and transgressions (“You don't have to lie and pretend R. Kelly wasn't talented.” – Jamila, 48:56).
• Best apologies are contextual, integrated authentically into interviews, art, or docs—not robotic notes app or selfie videos.

6. Advice Segment: "Spin It" – College Dating as a Baby Gay (58:19-69:42)

[Spin It: Letter begins at 59:06]

Letter Writer: 19, Black, lesbian, wants advice on intentional dating/creating a “roster” as an under-experienced college student.

Hosts’ Advice:

• Start Slow: Don’t rush into relationships, especially as a “baby gay.” Date casually first. “That first lesbian heartbreak, you will never forget it.” – Jamila (64:11)
• Leverage Campus Life: Join organizations or mixers (especially Black and/or LGBTQ clubs), attend events, and connect through the dorm/college scene.
• App Safety: Be cautious with dating apps—don't date significantly older women (“old ass studs with young femmes is still predatory, I don’t like seeing that.” – Mecca 63:18/67:38)
• Lesbian Bars: Try out safe, inclusive lesbian spaces, but beware of age gaps; find community with peers.
• Be Proactive: Femmes may need to make the first move; stims and studs often attract more attention.
  • “If you’re a femme, you’re going to have to be a little bit more aggressive.” – Jamila, 66:56

7. Black Expressions, Slang, and Generational Humor (69:42-74:49)

• Hosts share favorite “old school” Black slang (e.g., “cracker,” “broads,” “cat,” “on ice for a month”) and reminisce about family language and culture.
  • "One thing about Southern Blacks, they're gonna throw that [cracker] word around." – Mecca (71:53)
• Laughter-filled reflection on Black cultural pride and reclaiming language for humor.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "D'Angelo is your favorite singer's favorite singer… he was a real musician." – Jamila (05:41)
• "There was this point where anti-Blackness as a joke was cool; that doesn't make it okay." – Mecca (11:40)
• "We invented this shit … [Trolling] was being so stupid you're smart." – Jamila (15:31)
• "At what point do we as a community allow for growth?" – Jamila (20:34)
• "That was the moment everyone realized, like, you're Black." – Mecca (33:10)
• "A lot of us, when you don’t like someone, you’re never going to get off their neck." – Mecca (41:51)
• "If he apologized right now, it would be like a iMessage iOS press release." – Mecca (27:23)
• "You don’t have to lie and pretend R. Kelly wasn’t talented." – Jamila (48:56)
• "That first lesbian heartbreak, you will never forget it." – Jamila (64:11)
• "If you’re a femme, you’re going to have to be a little bit more aggressive." – Jamila, (66:56)
• "One thing about Southern Blacks, they're gonna throw that [cracker] word around." – Mecca (71:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:41] – Opening banter on recording in person
• [04:00] – D’Angelo’s death and musical legacy
• [07:35] – Tyler, the Creator drama and California Blackness context
• [13:15] – Internet troll culture, Odd Future, and generational divides
• [20:34] – Growth, accountability, and the culture of apologies
• [29:56] – Reflection on Trayvon Martin, racial awareness, and historical cycles
• [41:23] – When do we forgive public figures? Rules for moving on
• [58:19] – “Spin It” advice segment: Dating as a baby gay in college
• [69:42] – Black language, slang, and generational humor

Style and Tone

• Conversational, witty, and unfiltered.
• Hosts bring deep personal and cultural perspective, infusing critical analysis with humor and candor.
• Language is openly frank, at times explicit, and deeply rooted in shared Black millennial/Zillennial experience.

For Listeners

This episode offers a rich, nuanced exploration of accountability, growth, and Black internet culture, grounded in both laughter and lived experience. It’s an ideal listen for fans of pop culture dissection, Black cultural commentary, and anyone navigating questions about apology, legacy, and how we move forward as a community.

Skip to [64:11] for essential baby gay lesbian dating advice, and don’t miss [48:56] for their honest take on R. Kelly, talent, and reckoning.