This week, Mike and Bassey confront the emotional, cultural, and spiritual process of breaking up with Drake—and everything that led to it.

From a transformative (and joy-filled!) Carnival Cruise experience to the grown-man brilliance of the Clipse album rollout, they explore how hip-hop is evolving, how narratives are weaponized online, and why authenticity is finally making a comeback.

Mike opens up about his previous support for Drake and what finally pushed him over the edge. Bassey doesn’t hold back. Together, they unpack what happens when an artist you once rooted for starts performing as a parody of himself.

In this episode:

• The actual truth about Carnival Cruises and Black joy at sea

• Why the Clipse rollout is a masterclass in mature, intentional hip-hop

• Drake’s descent into gimmickry and the toll of manufactured authenticity

• Essence Fest backlash, diaspora wars, and who benefits from cultural confusion

• A big-picture conversation about Black creativity, evolution, and emotional clarity

Funny, thoughtful, unfiltered, and overdue—this one’s for everyone who's ever had to outgrow a version of themselves… or their favorite rapper.

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  Chapters

  00:00 Introduction and Cosmic Energy

  02:47 Cruise Experience and Cultural Reflections

  05:31 Listener Engagement and Apologies

  08:21 Black Representation in Cruise Culture

  10:57 Navigating Fun and Ruckus on Cruises

  14:01 Essence Festival and Cultural Conversations

  31:36 The Currency of Black Emotion

  37:02 Representation in Hip Hop: The Clips and Black Wellness

  42:42 The Evolution of Hip Hop: From Violence to Authenticity

  48:38 Drake's Influence and the UK Rap Scene

  59:38 The Impact of Celebrity on Hip Hop Narratives

  01:04:09 The Complexity of Identity in Music

  01:06:59 Navigating Fame and Authenticity

  01:08:52 The Dynamics of Celebrity Relationships

  01:14:44 Support Systems in the Spotlight

  01:20:31 The Evolution of Hip-Hop and Its Icons