The Joe Budden Podcast
The Joe Budden Podcast
May 14, 2026

The Joe Budden Podcast Episode 928 | Money, Muscles & Movement

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Quick Read

The hosts dissect the Kevin Hart Roast's controversial jokes, debate the impact of the AP x Swatch collaboration on luxury branding, and question the credibility of Dr. Cheyenne Bryant's academic claims, all while offering unfiltered takes on sports and pop culture.
The Kevin Hart Roast sparked outrage over offensive jokes, particularly a George Floyd reference, raising questions about comedic boundaries.
The AP x Swatch collaboration ignited debate on whether luxury brands can maintain exclusivity while targeting mass markets and secondary resellers.
Public figures like Caitlyn Clark and Dr. Cheyenne Bryant face intense scrutiny over their associations and academic credentials, impacting their public image.

Summary

The Joe Budden Podcast crew dives into a range of hot topics, starting with a heated debate on 'support hate' and the nature of relationships. They then transition to a detailed breakdown of the Kevin Hart Roast, criticizing controversial jokes, particularly those by Kill Tony, and discussing the public reconciliation between Kevin Hart and Cat Williams. The conversation shifts to sports, with strong opinions on the Philadelphia 76ers' playoff exit and the Knicks' performance. A significant segment explores the Audemars Piguet (AP) and Swatch collaboration, with hosts debating whether it cheapens the luxury brand or is a smart business move to counter the secondary market and attract a younger audience. The podcast also touches on Caitlyn Clark's public image amidst accusations of a racist fanbase and her association with controversial figures. Finally, they scrutinize Dr. Cheyenne Bryant's explanation regarding her doctoral degree, finding her justification for missing records unconvincing, and discuss the upcoming Drake album release.
This episode offers a raw, unfiltered look into contemporary pop culture, sports, and business controversies, highlighting how public perception, brand strategy, and personal credibility are constantly under scrutiny. It provides insights into the dynamics of celebrity roasts, the evolving strategies of luxury brands in a mass-market world, and the challenges public figures face in managing their image and associations. The discussions on 'support hate' and the consequences of crime also touch on broader societal issues of loyalty, accountability, and justice.

Takeaways

  • The concept of 'support hate' describes individuals who feign support while secretly rooting against someone, often calling only when something negative occurs.
  • The Kevin Hart Roast featured highly controversial jokes, including a George Floyd reference by Kill Tony, which some hosts found unacceptable for a black excellence event.
  • Cat Williams' appearance at the Kevin Hart Roast was seen as a public reconciliation, following a private resolution of their beef a year prior.
  • The Audemars Piguet (AP) x Swatch collaboration is viewed by some as a smart business move to combat the secondary market and introduce the brand to a younger audience, while others fear it cheapens the luxury brand.
  • Caitlyn Clark's association with controversial figures and her perceived inaction against a racist fanbase is seen as a 'bad look' despite her efforts to champion black people.
  • Dr. Cheyenne Bryant's explanation for missing doctoral records due to her university's closure and a two-year record retention policy was met with skepticism by the hosts.
  • Drake's upcoming album release is unusually quiet, leading to speculation about a changed marketing approach or potential impact from the recent Kendrick Lamar beef.

Insights

1The Dual Nature of 'Support Hate' in Relationships

The hosts introduce 'support hate' as a phenomenon where individuals maintain superficial connections, only contacting someone when they are in trouble or facing public scrutiny. This behavior is framed as a form of veiled antagonism, where the 'supporter' is actually rooting against the person and uses negative events as an opportunity to engage, rather than offering genuine friendship.

Joe Budden describes people who only call him when his 'bank account leaked or some shit,' calling it 'support hate' because they are 'rooting against me but you calling me like we friends.'

2Comedic Boundaries and the Kevin Hart Roast Controversy

The Kevin Hart Roast sparked significant debate over the appropriateness of certain jokes, particularly a George Floyd joke delivered by Kill Tony. The hosts argue that while comedy can be edgy, some topics cross a line, especially in a celebratory event for a black celebrity. The perceived lack of strong negative reaction from Kevin Hart during such jokes was also criticized.

Joe Budden states that Kill Tony's George Floyd joke 'was horrible' and that Kevin Hart 'smiling during it was horrible,' suggesting a line was crossed at a 'black event with black excellence.'

3Luxury Brand Strategy: Navigating Mass Market Collaborations

The Audemars Piguet (AP) x Swatch collaboration is analyzed as a strategic move by a luxury brand to address the secondary market and expand its reach. While some argue it cheapens the brand's exclusivity, others contend it's a smart way to introduce the brand to a younger, broader audience and assert ownership over its design elements (like the octagon shape) after losing a trademark battle.

Ish suggests the collaboration is a 'direct response' to AP losing its trademark for the octagon shape, aiming to 'associate that shape with my brand' through mass distribution. Parks notes the watches will be affordable ($300-$500) but will likely see high aftermarket value.

4Public Figures and Image Management: The Caitlyn Clark Dilemma

Caitlyn Clark's public image is scrutinized due to her association with controversial figures and her perceived neutrality regarding a fanbase accused of racism. The discussion highlights how public figures, especially those with a large platform, are expected to actively distance themselves from problematic associations, and that neutrality can be interpreted as endorsement.

The hosts discuss Clark walking out with Morgan Wallen, who was 'caught on film using the n-word.' Ish states, 'You're too rich and famous to not have someone in her should be whispering to you that ain't the dude to walk out with.'

5The Scrutiny of Academic Credentials in the Public Eye

Dr. Cheyenne Bryant's explanation for the absence of her doctoral records (due to her university's closure and a two-year record retention policy) is met with skepticism. The hosts emphasize that in the public sphere, such explanations invite further scrutiny, and a simpler, more transparent approach (like posting a dissertation) would be more effective in dispelling doubts.

Mark Hill states that Bryant's explanation 'doesn't fully make sense' and that many former students claim they can still access their records. He suggests the 'best thing to do to disprove this is just post your dissertation.'

Bottom Line

The rise of 'line-standing' as a specialized service for highly anticipated product drops, indicating a growing market for convenience and access in consumer culture.

So What?

This highlights a niche but lucrative business opportunity driven by consumer demand for exclusive products and a willingness to pay for convenience, especially for items with high aftermarket resale value.

Impact

Entrepreneurs can formalize and scale 'line-standing' services, leveraging technology for booking, payment, and real-time updates for clients seeking limited-edition releases.

Luxury brands are increasingly experimenting with collaborations and secondary market strategies (like Rolex's buyback program) to maintain relevance and control brand perception in a rapidly changing consumer landscape.

So What?

This signifies a shift in how luxury brands approach exclusivity and market engagement, moving beyond traditional scarcity models to actively manage their presence across different price points and consumer segments.

Impact

Brands, even outside luxury, can explore innovative collaboration models and direct-to-consumer strategies that engage new audiences without diluting core brand values, potentially creating new revenue streams and brand loyalty.

Opportunities

Luxury Product Line-Standing Service

A professional service that employs individuals to queue for highly anticipated, limited-edition product drops (e.g., watches, sneakers) on behalf of clients, particularly those with high resale value. This addresses the demand from busy consumers or those unwilling to endure long waits, leveraging the aftermarket potential of such items.

Source: Discussion about people camping out for AP x Swatch watches and paying others to stand in line.

Key Concepts

Support Hate

This model describes individuals who pretend to be supportive but secretly harbor ill will, often only reaching out or engaging when a person is experiencing a negative event or controversy. Their 'support' is a veiled form of antagonism, seeking to witness or amplify misfortune rather than genuinely help.

Luxury Brand Democratization (or Dilution)

This model explores the tension between maintaining exclusivity and expanding market reach for luxury brands. Collaborations with affordable brands (like AP x Swatch) can either democratize access and build future clientele or dilute the brand's prestige and alienate its high-end customer base, impacting its secondary market value.

Public Image Blind Spots

This model highlights how public figures, despite good intentions or a generally positive track record, can make decisions or associations that are perceived negatively due to a lack of awareness of broader social contexts or the optics of their actions. It emphasizes the importance of 'reading the room' and understanding how actions can be interpreted by different audiences.

Lessons

  • Carefully vet public associations and endorsements, as perceived neutrality can be interpreted as complicity, especially for public figures with significant influence.
  • When addressing public controversies or questions about credentials, prioritize clear, direct communication and readily available evidence to avoid fueling skepticism.
  • Analyze market trends beyond traditional segments; consider how collaborations and secondary markets can either enhance or dilute brand value, and strategize accordingly.

Notable Moments

Joe Budden's son's 25th birthday coincides with a car lease issue, highlighting the financial responsibilities of parenthood and the transition to adult independence.

This personal anecdote provides a relatable moment for parents, showcasing the ongoing financial and emotional support required for adult children, even after they reach milestones like 25.

The hosts' strong reactions to the Philadelphia 76ers' playoff loss, particularly the 'ground invasion' of New York Knicks fans in their home arena.

This segment captures the intense passion and rivalry in sports, illustrating how team performance and fan dynamics can deeply affect local pride and even personal moods.

Cat Williams' surprise appearance at the Kevin Hart Roast, which was framed as a public reconciliation after a privately squashed beef.

This moment highlights the strategic use of public platforms for celebrity reconciliation, demonstrating how personal conflicts can be leveraged for entertainment and brand narrative, even after private resolution.

Quotes

"

"You in your house rooting against me, but you calling me like we friends. We don't talk. I don't need you to call me with nothing bad."

Joe Budden
"

"This is a black eye for the city of Philadelphia."

Co-host
"

"1.3 is just rage bait. Like, come on. I'm not the biggest fan of this album, but 1.3 is shut."

Joe Budden
"

"If an album is worth 1.3 out of 10 or one mic or whatever your rating system is, you shouldn't probably be reviewing."

Co-host
"

"At a black event with black excellence such as Kevin Hart, why the f*** do I need to see Kill Tony? I don't I don't get it."

Joe Budden
"

"There's not a moment where you're going to see Dave Chappelle... appeared to be cooned down."

Co-host
"

"Any f*** that's like me that got money, got motion, and can afford certain s***, they got anything to say about AP dropping some affordable watches is weirdos and haters and bogus as f***."

Ice Wear VZO (clip)
"

"The elitism, the world runs on that. Y'all live on this block. You can't live on this block. I drive this car. You can't drive this car."

Co-host
"

"You shouldn't be about to marry somebody and you ain't seen them without making it."

Co-host

Q&A

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