We Talk Back Episode Summary: Mic Check feat. Brian "B-Dot" Miller
Release Date: April 10, 2025

Hosts: TamBam & AJ Holiday
Guest: Brian "B-Dot" Miller
Produced by: The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this vibrant episode of We Talk Back, hosts TamBam and AJ Holiday welcome their guest, Brian "B-Dot" Miller, a seasoned music journalist with a profound focus on hip hop. The trio dives deep into a multitude of topics ranging from festival experiences to the intricate dynamics of hip hop culture, aging artists, and sensitive racial discourse within the music industry. Their candid and unfiltered conversations aim to guide listeners through the complex "Sea of Men," offering both humor and insightful commentary.

Weekend Recap: Dreamville Fest Experience

The episode kicks off with a lively discussion about Dreamville Fest, where both TamBam and AJ share their personal experiences attending the event.

TamBam recounts her unexpected adventure at the festival, highlighting the massive turnout and the challenges it presented:

"It was like the Million Man March. It was 750,000 plus another 750."
[07:31]

She details the vibrant atmosphere, the diverse crowd, and the memorable moments, including sneaking a joint under her wig:

"My homegirl snuck a joint under her wig into the festival... it was fine."

AJ Holiday echoes the sentiment, adding his own struggles with connectivity amidst the chaos:

"Every time I tried to call Brian, listen, it'd be like that. But that's all I could hear, like you could not."
[10:32]

Brian "B-Dot" Miller shares his exhaustive experience, equating his steps to that of a "civil rights activist":

"I walked at least 60,000 steps over the course of two days... It was like a big family reunion."
[09:36]

Despite the overwhelming crowd and physical toll, all three agree that the festival was an exhilarating and unforgettable experience.

Bravo's House of Atlanta Conflict

The conversation shifts to the recent drama on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Atlanta", focusing on an incident involving cast member Kenya. TamBam and AJ dissect Kenya's controversial actions and their repercussions.

TamBam criticizes Kenya's handling of the situation:

"She made it a classless by doing that. And that's just like, damn, that's so mean."
[15:01]

AJ Holiday voices disappointment over Kenya's behavior, emphasizing the negative impact it has on perceptions of black women:

"It's disappointing because it kind of reinforces stereotypes about black women, black people that, you know, we can't disagree without being violent."
[21:00]

The hosts collectively express sadness over Bravo's decision to remove Kenya from the show, acknowledging her entertainment value despite her missteps.

Violence and Disagreements in Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice Debates

A significant portion of the episode delves into the heated debate surrounding a viral incident where a pro-life activist assaulted an interviewer over differing viewpoints on abortion.

TamBam expresses her disbelief and frustration:

"That's insane to me."
[20:07]

AJ Holiday highlights the troubling normalization of violence in political discourse:

"Come on. What is happening? And I think that the Internet is like, yeah, stick it to that bitch."
[20:23]

Brian "B-Dot" Miller adds a critical perspective on the broader implications:

"It sends a bad message. Just because I disagree with your perspective or your viewpoint, I don't think you should take it to, you know, assaulting somebody."
[21:33]

The guests underscore the importance of respectful dialogue and condemn the use of physical violence as a means of expressing disagreement.

Hip Hop Culture: Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake Beef

The hosts and B-Dot engage in an in-depth analysis of the longstanding beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, exploring its origins and cultural significance within hip hop.

AJ Holiday criticizes Drake's position in the hip hop industry:

"Drake is the white man that infiltrated hip hop... he studied hip hop like a college course, and he succeeded."
[38:37]

TamBam reflects on how Kendrick's diss tracks have become iconic:

"It's more than just a diss record at this point. It's like part of pop culture."
[40:27]

Brian "B-Dot" Miller provides historical context, suggesting that the conflict is emblematic of deeper struggles within the genre:

"Love is a battlefield, and so is hip hop. It's just about the war of the words."
[41:12]

The discussion highlights how both artists have shaped and reflected the evolving landscape of hip hop, with diss tracks serving as cultural milestones.

Aging in Hip Hop: Should Artists Age Out?

A poignant segment addresses whether aging artists should continue to produce music within hip hop or gracefully exit the scene.

Charlamagne Tha God advocates for the continued presence of older artists who still have valuable perspectives:

"If you still have something great to say, I don't think hip hop has a specific age limit."
[58:52]

AJ Holiday emphasizes the need for age-appropriate content while maintaining artistic integrity:

"When you continue to be an artist, rapping like for the music to be age appropriate... you have to have some type of social responsibility."
[62:35]

TamBam concurs, questioning the necessity for artists to retire based solely on age:

"So my question to you is, should they age out of hip hop?"
[57:31]

The trio agrees that hip hop, as an inclusive culture, should embrace artists of all ages, provided they bring meaningful contributions to the genre.

Racial Language in Hip Hop: Use of the N-Word by Puerto Rican/Hispanic Artists

The conversation takes a critical turn as the hosts examine the use of racially charged language, specifically the N-word, by Puerto Rican and Hispanic artists within hip hop.

TamBam raises a pertinent question:

"Is it okay like, for the Fat Joes, the Cardi Bs, the people who are, you know, of Hispanic culture to use the N-word like they do?"
[47:54]

Charlamagne Tha God provides a nuanced perspective, emphasizing the importance of context and origin:

"Context is important. If you're from New York City, you're surrounded by all kinds of ethnicities... nobody should be saying the word, period."
[49:32]

AJ Holiday elaborates on the potential harm and cultural implications:

"We do collectively need to come up with, you know, it needs to be like, if someone called me colored, I'd be offended."
[52:08]

The hosts concur that while hip hop is an inclusive culture, the use of the N-word by non-Black artists is inappropriate and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

Personal Stories: Simp Series

In a lighter and more personal segment, TamBam, AJ Holiday, and Brian "B-Dot" Miller share humorous and relatable stories about times they felt "played" by the opposite sex.

Charlamagne Tha God recounts an awkward attempt to impress a girl with flowers:

"I thought I was being spontaneous... It turned out I was being a creep."
[74:25]

TamBam shares a similar tale, underscoring the importance of thoughtful gestures:

"I just had to..."

AJ Holiday adds his own misadventures, highlighting how well-intentioned actions can backfire:

"Make sure you get home safe... your dumb."
[76:52]

These anecdotes provide a blend of humor and vulnerability, resonating with listeners who have experienced similar dating mishaps.

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, TamBam and AJ Holiday encourage listeners to engage with their content across various platforms, promoting their social media and ongoing projects.

TamBam emphasizes the podcast's mission:

"We're just two unapologetically black women with an opinion who talk back."
[03:10]

AJ Holiday signs off with inspiring words:

"Remember, speak now and never hold back."
[81:56]

With B-Dot Miller offering his own insights and promoting his ventures, the episode concludes on a note of empowerment and community connection, staying true to the podcast's ethos of guiding femininity to its ultimate greatness.

Notable Quotes:

• TamBam on Dreamville Fest size:

  "It was like the Million Man March. It was 750,000 plus another 750."
  [07:31]

• Brian "B-Dot" Miller on handling interviews at large events:

  "You cannot just keep taking. I'm pretty sure this girl has taken plenty plan B's in her life."
  [29:32]

• Charlamagne Tha God on hip hop inclusivity:

  "There's no culture that's more inclusive than hip hop."
  [43:27]

• AJ Holiday on the need for birth control for men:

  "We need to come up with some type of birth control for men."
  [27:45]

• TamBam on language evolution:

  "We just need a paradigm shift at this point on our consciousness."
  [54:20]

This episode of We Talk Back offers a comprehensive exploration of contemporary issues within hip hop and broader societal conversations, all delivered with the hosts' trademark wit and unfiltered honesty.