The Need to Know crew returns with laughs and real talk about checking in with your people before addressing ongoing Apple Podcast feed issues and why full episodes are temporarily on YouTube (0:00). Lama steps from behind the boards to share behind-the-scenes stories and the grind that brought him to the mic (6:30). The team debates rappers entering podcasting, the future of the medium, and how oversaturation is reshaping the space (12:40). They revisit the viral Jay-Z VERZUZ debate—stacking LL Cool J, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Future as potential challengers (22:30). Then it's Drake's rough week: alleged bot-inflated streams, gambling scrutiny, and Gracie Bond's viral claims, all tied back to the lasting impact of Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" (33:50). The crew reacts to the GRAMMYs splitting the Country Album category after Beyoncé's win (1:00:00), folds in a quick look at award-show bias (1:04:30), and closes with thoughts on Big Sean and Jhené Aiko's rumored breakup and what honesty looks like in relationships (1:08:30). Subscribe to our Patreon for EARLY & EXCLUSIVE access to ad-free episode visuals with music included, exclusive episodes each and every Tuesday, and much more! - www.patreon.com/NeedToKnowPodcast Book your next podcast recording at Need to Know Studios TODAY - https://needtoknowstudios.com/ Join our Twitter/X Community to chop it up with us about all things Need to Know - https://twitter.com/i/communities/1777442897001910433 The Need To Know Podcast Social Handles https://www.instagram.com/needtoknowpod/ https://twitter.com/NeedToKnowPod https://www.tiktok.com/needtoknowpod SaVon https://www.instagram.com/savonslvter/ https://twitter.com/SavonSlvter Alex https://www.instagram.com/balltillwefall/ https://twitter.com/balltillwefall
--------
1:47:55
--------
1:47:55
Episode 338 | "Morbid & Unsettling" (with Yassy)
Alex is joined by Yassy and begins with a hilarious scam-call story that turns into an authentic PSA about phone scams (2:20). After Patreon shout-outs, a listener question sparks a debate on how long it takes for dating to get serious (14:05), leading to talk about "Temp Dating," relationship trials, and modern red flags. The crew shifts to music as Cam'ron's lawsuit against J. Cole raises questions about loyalty and integrity in Hip-Hop (26:00), followed by a conversation on the "Hip-Hop decline" narrative now that there are no Rap songs in the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 for the first time in 35 years (42:15). Jay-Z's bold VERZUZ comment — "no one can stand on stage with me" — kicks off a dream matchup debate featuring DMX, Lil Wayne, Kanye, Drake, and LL Cool J (54:00). Later, the room reacts to NLE Choppa's Tupac-inspired "KO" diss toward NBA YoungBoy (1:16:46), shares thoughts on new music from Brent Faiyaz and Offset (1:28:45), and closes with love for Big L, DJ Premier, and Max B's long-awaited return from prison (1:44:56). Subscribe to our Patreon for EARLY & EXCLUSIVE access to ad-free episode visuals with music included, exclusive episodes each and every Tuesday, and much more! - www.patreon.com/NeedToKnowPodcast Book your next podcast recording at Need to Know Studios TODAY - https://needtoknowstudios.com/ Join our Twitter/X Community to chop it up with us about all things Need to Know - https://twitter.com/i/communities/1777442897001910433 The Need To Know Podcast Social Handles https://www.instagram.com/needtoknowpod/ https://twitter.com/NeedToKnowPod https://www.tiktok.com/needtoknowpod SaVon https://www.instagram.com/savonslvter/ https://twitter.com/SavonSlvter Alex https://www.instagram.com/balltillwefall/ https://twitter.com/balltillwefall
--------
1:51:52
--------
1:51:52
"Mentally Bricked Up" | Patreon Exclusive Preview
Subscribe to our Patreon for ad-free, early access to main episodes, exclusive episodes each and every Tuesday, and much more! - www.patreon.com/NeedToKnowPodcast After a surprise run-in with a famous scientist, Alex swears his IQ jumped 30 points — but the crew isn't letting him off easy. From mental man-crushes and superpower confessions to Irish exits, African dating stories, and the debate over Eddie Murphy vs. LL Cool J energy, this one spirals from curiosity to comedy fast. Tap in on Patreon to hear who everyone compares themselves to, which celeb Alex almost melted for, and how the pod accidentally turns philosophical.
--------
10:51
--------
10:51
Episode 337 | "Halloween Love Story"
SaVon and Alex kick things off by answering Patreon listener JJH's question on their top three "struggle meals" (6:25) and unpacking the NBA's latest gambling scandal, breaking down Chauncey Billups' alleged mob-linked poker games, Terry Rozier's betting scheme, and what it means for athlete integrity and fan trust (18:00). Later, they debate generational superstardom through the lens of Playboi Carti, NBA YoungBoy, and the disappearance of universally famous names (1:01:08), before covering Diddy's latest headlines (1:12:57), the Golden Globes' new podcast category (1:22:28), and the Riyadh Comedy Festival and the moral cost of Saudi money in entertainment (1:31:01). The episode closes with new music reviews from Kehlani, Leon Thomas, Miguel, Hit-Boy and The Alchemist, plus anticipation for Drake's 'ICEMAN' (1:40:56). Subscribe to our Patreon for EARLY & EXCLUSIVE access to ad-free episode visuals with music included, exclusive episodes each and every Tuesday, and much more! - www.patreon.com/NeedToKnowPodcast Book your next podcast recording at Need to Know Studios TODAY - https://needtoknowstudios.com/ Join our Twitter/X Community to chop it up with us about all things Need to Know - https://twitter.com/i/communities/1777442897001910433 The Need To Know Podcast Social Handles https://www.instagram.com/needtoknowpod/ https://twitter.com/NeedToKnowPod https://www.tiktok.com/needtoknowpod SaVon https://www.instagram.com/savonslvter/ https://twitter.com/SavonSlvter Alex https://www.instagram.com/balltillwefall/ https://twitter.com/balltillwefall
--------
2:04:39
--------
2:04:39
Episode 336 | "Fishnets & Coke"
SaVon and Alex open on fall weather in New York and how September always feels like a reset, before joking through an AWS outage that exposed how dependent creatives are on big tech (0:00) and calculating the real cost of streaming the NBA season (9:00). Next, they deep dive Kevin McCall's viral breakdown and his long history with Chris Brown (15:20), which leads into a broader talk on Gucci Mane's admission of schizophrenia on The Breakfast Club and mental-health transparency in Hip-Hop (35:55). From there they dive into DJ Vlad vs G Herbo (57:00), debating entitlement in media, the line between "platform vs personality," and why artists no longer need the press. The discussion expands to NBA YoungBoy's polarizing appeal (1:19:33), Stephen A. Smith's appearance on Carmelo Anthony's 7 PM in Brooklyn and the ethics of letting him diss LeBron James (1:21:51), before closing with the latest in new music (1:49:00). Subscribe to our Patreon for EARLY & EXCLUSIVE access to ad-free episode visuals with music included, exclusive episodes each and every Tuesday, and much more! - www.patreon.com/NeedToKnowPodcast Book your next podcast recording at Need to Know Studios TODAY - https://needtoknowstudios.com/ Join our Twitter/X Community to chop it up with us about all things Need to Know - https://twitter.com/i/communities/1777442897001910433 The Need To Know Podcast Social Handles https://www.instagram.com/needtoknowpod/ https://twitter.com/NeedToKnowPod https://www.tiktok.com/needtoknowpod SaVon https://www.instagram.com/savonslvter/ https://twitter.com/SavonSlvter Alex https://www.instagram.com/balltillwefall/ https://twitter.com/balltillwefall
Get ready to be entertained and informed by the Need To Know crew every Monday and Thursday (plus Tuesday on Patreon only)! SaVon and Alex offer a fun and thought-provoking listening experience on current events, entrepreneurship, relationships, and more. With their unique chemistry and relatability, there's no topic off-limits for this duo. So don't miss out - subscribe, comment, and tune in to The Need to Know podcast for everything you need to know and a good time!
South Africa