Joe Budden | “THE GOLD STANDARD” (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 232)
The Need to Know Podcast
From the Need to Know Podcast era — the show has officially come to an end. This is part of the archive. Enjoy the guest conversations. A deep conversation with Joe Budden on media, relationships, and the realities behind running one of the most influential podcasts in culture. Joe reflects on the evolution of his platform, navigating public fallout, and the balance between business, friendship, and integrity. The discussion also touches on industry rankings, creator economics, and the shifting landscape of modern media. Topics include: The evolution of The Joe Budden Podcast Business vs....
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Joe Budden | “ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST” (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 238)
The Need to Know Podcast
From the Need to Know Podcast era — the show has officially come to an end. This is part of the archive. Enjoy the guest conversations. A wide-ranging conversation with Joe Budden on music, media, and the evolving creator landscape. The group reflects on industry narratives, platform dynamics, and what it takes to sustain relevance over time. Topics include: Media perception vs. reality Streaming, AI, and creator leverage The state of R&B and rap Building longevity in entertainment
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THE NEED TO KNOW POD | EP. 344 (FINAL EPISODE)
The Need to Know Podcast
This marks the end of The Need to Know Podcast. The show is complete, and everything below this episode is part of the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. SaVon and Alex reflect on the journey, 2025, and what comes next.
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The Kid Mero | “HOOD HISTORIAN” (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 313)
The Need to Know Podcast
Originally released: July 7, 2025 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. SaVon and Alex sit down with Mero for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on media, ownership, and building in today’s creator landscape. From BX stories to real industry insight, this one blends humor with perspective throughout.
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Elliott Wilson | “MOMENT OF CLARITY” (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 292)
The Need to Know Podcast
Originally released: January 2025 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. A candid conversation with Elliott Wilson on hip-hop media, independence, and navigating relationships in the industry. From critiques of new media to the evolving landscape of the culture, Elliott shares perspective on legacy, partnerships, and what the future holds for the next era of hip-hop.
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Ish | “WORDS MEAN THINGS” (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 334)
The Need to Know Podcast
Originally released: October 13, 2025 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. A wide-ranging conversation with Ish and Yassy on relationships, media narratives, and the realities behind public perception. From transactional culture to industry power dynamics, the discussion also touches on business, recovery, and navigating life both on and off the mic.
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Ian Dunlap | “HOUSE OF CARDS” (ARCHIVE)
The Need to Know Podcast
Originally released: March 6, 2025 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. A wide-ranging conversation with Ian Dunlap on wealth, investing, and navigating the realities of building and maintaining financial leverage. From market outlooks to public perception, the discussion also touches on legacy, risk, and what it takes to sustain success over time.
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Mandii B | “PAID IN PASTA” (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 259)
The Need to Know Podcast
Originally released: May 16, 2024 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. A candid conversation with Mandii B on podcasting, public perception, and navigating transitions in media. From creative pressure to industry relationships, Mandii shares insight on building across platforms, handling controversy, and evolving as both a creator and entrepreneur.
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Lowkey | “THE CAMPFIRE” (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 276)
The Need to Know Podcast
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Mecca | “MY QUALIFIED OPINION” (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 332)
The Need to Know Podcast
Originally released: October 6, 2025 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. A deep conversation with Mecc Rashawn on artistry, legacy, and the role of mentorship in hip-hop. From his work behind the scenes to shaping influential platforms and moments in the culture, Mecc shares insight on integrity, media, and what it takes to sustain impact over time.
info_outlineAlex 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).
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