The Joe Budden Podcast Episode 923 | Old School Music Is Always A Vibe
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' is widely criticized for poor casting, bad CGI (especially Bubbles the chimp), and a superficial narrative that glosses over key life events and family complexities.
- ❖Emma Grede's comments that 'work from home culture is a career killer for women' ignited controversy, with critics highlighting her privileged background and the lack of acknowledgment of systemic barriers women face.
- ❖A lawsuit against Drake, Academics, and Aiden Ross for non-disclosure of paid partnerships with gambling platform Stake underscores the legal and ethical issues of celebrity endorsements.
- ❖The hosts debate the impact of internet culture on music consumption, arguing that fan loyalty and 'picking sides' can prevent objective appreciation of artists' work.
- ❖A public service announcement highlights a full-ride, accelerated 7-year MD/DDS program at Tennessee State University and Mahari Medical College for black male high school seniors with specific academic criteria.
Insights
1Michael Jackson Biopic Fails to Deliver Depth
The hosts largely panned the Michael Jackson biopic, citing issues with the portrayal of young Michael, poor CGI (e.g., Bubbles the chimp), and a narrative that felt rushed and superficial. Critics argued it failed to delve into the artist's true genius or the complexities of his life, instead fast-forwarding through significant periods and potentially softening the portrayal of Joe Jackson due to family involvement in production. Real figures like Janet Jackson and Diana Ross reportedly opted out of being featured.
Discussions around the 'atrocious' young Michael actor, bad CGI, lack of storytelling depth, and the absence of key family members like Janet Jackson. (, , , , )
2Emma Grede's 'Work From Home' Comments Spark Privilege Debate
Emma Grede's assertion that 'work from home culture is a career killer for women' drew significant backlash. Critics argued her advice, while potentially well-intentioned about visibility, lacked context regarding her own substantial privilege (marriage to a wealthy European male, co-founding companies with the Kardashians, and a 'British accent advantage'). This led to a debate on whether successful individuals, especially those with inherent advantages, can effectively give 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' advice without acknowledging systemic barriers and personal sacrifices (like limiting time with children).
A clip from Dr. Sarah Oric's critique detailing Grede's privileges and the perception of her message as 'right-wing pick yourself up by the bootstraps.' () The hosts debate the impact of the messenger on the message. (, )
3Celebrity Gambling Endorsements Face Legal Scrutiny
A lawsuit against Drake, Academics, and Aiden Ross for their association with the gambling platform 'Stake' highlights legal issues surrounding influencer endorsements. The suit alleges that these celebrities failed to disclose their financial deals with Stake, misleading consumers into believing their displayed winnings were genuine personal risk-taking, rather than potentially being funded by promotional money. This raises questions about consumer protection and transparency in celebrity advertising.
Discussion of the lawsuit filed in Jersey, claiming non-disclosure of deals with Stake and misleading the public about personal gambling risks. ()
4Fan Loyalty vs. Objective Music Appreciation
The hosts discuss how the intense Drake-Kendrick beef impacted fan behavior, leading to a 'pick a side' mentality that hindered objective appreciation of music from both artists. They argue that internet culture amplifies this polarization, with many listeners waiting to be told how to feel about new releases rather than forming their own opinions. This phenomenon, they contend, can negatively affect an artist's reception and career, even if the music itself is high quality.
Joe Budden states, 'They don't think you can be fans of multiple people especially if they're going at each other.' He also asserts that internet opinions 'move the needles' for music. (, )
Lessons
- Aspiring black male doctors or dentists: Explore the accelerated 7-year MD/DDS program at Tennessee State University and Mahari Medical College, which offers full-ride potential for high school seniors with a 3.5+ GPA and 28+ ACT score. Contact 'the black doctor' on Instagram for more info.
- When evaluating celebrity advice or endorsements, consider the messenger's background and potential privileges, as these can significantly influence the message's applicability and reception.
- For artists, focus on creating high-quality work with 'professionals' rather than being swayed by internet opinions or fan loyalty, as genuine artistry can transcend temporary controversies.
Notable Moments
Joe Budden's 'Old School Music is Always a Vibe' comment, intended as a casual observation on social media, was interpreted by his girlfriend as a flirtatious 'play' and led to a humorous confrontation.
This anecdote highlights the subjective interpretation of digital communication and the humorous ways personal lives can intersect with public online personas, even for seemingly innocuous comments.
Drea, previously known for her notoriously bad cooking (dubbed 'Drea plates'), has now rebranded herself as a chef, a move seen by some as empowering and by others as a display of privilege.
This moment showcases a celebrity's ability to transform a public weakness into a new career path, sparking debate on personal growth versus the role of privilege in career reinvention.
Quotes
"If you go to that Neman's at that mall, it will be painfully obvious you are there to speak to a young lady."
"You're equating somebody being quiet to somebody scared of girls. They don't correlate."
"I'm not being paid by TDE. I've never been paid by any artist. I can't be bought. That's what makes me so different from y'all who shake ass for the [expletive] little we get."
"Just cuz you've got a British accent and you sound like you're evolving doesn't save you from being a [expletive] ass boy."
"Work from home culture is a career killer for women. And let me explain to you why. Remembering that I have hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of women that work for me. Now, what is happening is that we talk about all of this sort of upside of Zoom culture, but none of the rigidity of it. And no one will really tell you, but careers require proximity and visibility."
Q&A
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