In a recent episode of the New Rory & Mal podcast, the crew—Rory, Mal, and Demaris—discussed the heavy backlash they’ve been facing online over comments made about rising artist Doechii. The conversation revolved around how social media took their words out of context, leading to a digital firestorm.
The Viral Clip & The Fallout
The controversy began when a particular clip from their podcast started circulating, with Rory’s comments about Doechii being framed as negative and dismissive. According to Rory, the clip was edited in a way that stripped it of its full context, making it appear as though he was downplaying Doechii’s talent and success.
He clarified that the discussion originally revolved around how artists receive co-signs from legends, such as Lauryn Hill bringing out Doechii, and how that kind of endorsement puts immense pressure on an artist. While Rory maintains that he never discredited Doechii, the internet twisted his words, accusing him of labeling her an “industry plant” and questioning her legitimacy.
“They Made Me the Villain”
Rory expressed frustration, explaining that he has been a vocal supporter of Doechii for years, even reaching out to work with her back in 2019. Despite his history of championing her, one misinterpreted moment had the internet painting him as a hater. He even referenced a tweet from rapper LaRussell, who defended Doechii while seemingly taking shots at Rory.
Mal and Demaris joked about how Rory’s previous support didn’t matter in the court of public opinion, reinforcing the idea that once a narrative is set, there’s little room for correction. Rory admitted that while he understood the backlash, he found it ironic since his track record showed consistent praise for Doechii.
A “PR Apology” & Media Frenzy
Rory revealed that people in the industry, including friends, were jokingly trying to draft a PR apology for him. They even suggested he take a “mental health break” to avoid further scrutiny. However, he found the whole situation ridiculous, believing it was a prime example of how social media selectively amplifies certain narratives.
“They Only Care About Clips”
Throughout the episode, Mal and Demaris chimed in, emphasizing how the internet prioritizes virality over context. They laughed about how the clip fueled an exaggerated controversy, making Rory seem like a gatekeeper against Doechii’s success. In reality, he had only questioned the weight of early co-signs rather than her talent.
