In the latest episode of The New Rory & Mal, the hosts take listeners through a speculative and humorous exploration of Jay-Z’s career moves and potential collaborations, with a special focus on his ties to figures like Pusha T, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole. The episode cleverly combines insider musings with lighthearted jokes, offering fans an insightful yet fun perspective on the state of the music industry.
The conversation kicks off with the hosts mulling over Jay-Z’s involvement with Pusha T and The Clipse. While past collaborations, like the classic “Drug Dealers Anonymous,” set a high bar, the hosts wonder if Jay-Z might feature on a Clipse album anytime soon. Despite their speculations, they ultimately feel Jay-Z may be more likely to lend his talents to up-and-coming projects from other artists, rather than returning to his longtime collaborator’s fold.
The hosts take a brief detour into rumors surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s potential feature on Pusha T’s latest album, with some pondering whether Kendrick’s iconic voice will make an appearance on the project. Although the idea is still very much up in the air, they speculate that Kendrick could be one of the unexpected but thrilling collaborations coming soon.
As the hosts continue to joke about Jay-Z’s legendary status, they laugh at the notion that Jay-Z might be staying “in shape” for rapping, citing persistent rumors about his ongoing involvement in the music industry. However, they cast a skeptical eye on whether Jay-Z is actively recording verses for upcoming projects, suggesting that his focus may not be as much on new music as it is on his various business ventures.
The episode shifts focus to the next logical recipient of a Jay-Z feature, with the hosts debating which artist could earn that coveted collaboration. They quickly dismiss the idea of Jay-Z working with rising stars, lamenting that none have yet reached the level of star power to catch his attention. The hosts toy with potential names, considering major artists like J. Cole and even R&B sensation Steve Lacy. They even reflect on their mixed feelings about J. Cole’s past track “Mr. Nice Watch,” hopeful that the two might find better chemistry on a future record.
As the hosts dive deeper into hypothetical scenarios, they entertain the possibility of Jay-Z addressing some of the 2024-2025 music industry controversies on J. Cole’s highly anticipated The Fall Off. With themes of industry struggles and rumors making the rounds, the hosts feel that a Jay-Z feature could be the perfect response to the ongoing narrative. If it comes to fruition, it could mark the ideal setup for an iconic collaboration between the two.
The hosts also take a critical look at the state of the music industry today, observing a decline in new artists who possess the star power necessary to attract major features like Jay-Z’s. They express frustration over the lack of emerging talent that commands the level of attention required to land a feature from one of the biggest names in the game.
Injecting humor into the conversation, the hosts have a laugh at the way internet narratives depict Jay-Z’s lifestyle, joking that he’s living the life of a stay-at-home dad while Beyoncé continues to rule the charts. They poke fun at the idea of him leisurely strolling with billionaire friends and dropping off his kids, imagining him as a figure of high-profile domesticity.
The episode wraps up with a nod to Jay-Z’s undeniable influence on the culture, even as his career remains shrouded in mystery. While the hosts acknowledge that they can’t predict what Jay-Z will do next, they continue to celebrate his legacy while humorously dissecting the various rumors and speculations swirling around his potential musical return.
