Ebro, Laura Rosenberg, and Rosenberg introduce DJ Quicksilva and attorney Bill Murphy to discuss the death of Samuel “Big Sam” Brown following a Baltimore County police “wellness check.” Quicksilva says Officer Derek Hale struck Brown twice in the face, causing him to fall, suffer severe head injuries, remain in a coma for over a week, and later die; he disputes a narrative and police report suggesting Brown punched the officer, arguing Brown only tried to swat the officer’s hands away and missed. Murphy says the officer had a legal duty to de-escalate, instead delivering hard punches that broke facial bones and led to Brown fracturing his skull when he hit the ground. The group says the family was not notified for 12 hours and claims police initially suggested Brown “slipped on ice,” which they say was untrue; they note Hale is on administrative leave while the Attorney General decides whether to press charges. They call for “Justice for Big Sam,” including firing and charging the officer, and discuss qualified immunity, the cost to taxpayers, and the idea that wellness checks should be handled differently.

The show also reads listener emails, then debates criticism of Rosenberg’s “devil’s advocate” approach during a Jack Harlow discussion, celebrates Family/FOT Friday, and ends with talk of a possible doorless helicopter ride for content.

Key Moments:

(00:00) Mic Check Banter

(00:49) Introducing Justice for Big Sam

(02:16) Quick Silva Tells Sam's Story

(04:45) Lawyer Breaks Down Video

(06:28) Debunking Police Narrative

(10:22) Hospital Call and Coverup Claims

(12:55) Support the Family and Next Steps

(14:12) Aftermath and Bigger Picture

(16:07) Wellness Checks and Defund Debate

(17:41) Police Budget Power

(18:20) Listener Emails Roll In

(18:46) Fan Love and Parenting Talk

(19:35) Show Segments and Shoutouts

(20:35) Email Calls Out Rosenberg

(22:10) Rosenberg Explains His Stance

(24:24) Jack Harlow Critique Breakdown

(26:13) Algorithm Triggers and Grace

(30:33) Helicopter Ride Debate

(31:15) Subscribe and Sign Off

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Ebro, Laura, and Rosenberg banter about creating a show intro, then revisit Rosenberg’s past “Kelly Rowland debacle,” with him calling his question clumsy, noting they were fine until social media amplified it, and saying he sent apologies and moved on. They react to a clip of Ebro arguing that some fans speak with unwarranted certainty about hip-hop “classic” albums, with discussion about the roles of artists, consumers, and media in shaping consensus, plus examples like Illmatic, Low End Theory, and Aquemini and debate around Drake’s classics. In the rundown, they play Cam’ron and Ma$e’s interview with Shyne about a Brandy dating overlap, followed by Ray J’s angry response. They also watch Trump clips mocking Gavin Newsom and revealing a congressman’s terminal diagnosis, criticizing the name-calling and sharing private health information.

Key Moments:

(00:00) Show Cold Open

(00:18) K Pop Style Intro

(00:51) Destinys Child Drop

(01:27) Kelly Rowland Fallout

(01:52) Rosenberg Explains

(03:29) Ebro Opinion Clip

(04:13) Who Gets To Critique

(08:16) Classic Albums Debate

(11:07) Laura Rundown Begins

(11:21) Mase Shine Brandy Story

(13:52) Reacting To The Tea

(14:55) Double Lowdown Tease

(15:11) Ray J Brother Response

(16:03) Should Ray J Join

(17:08) Shyne Anniversary Plans

(17:36) Missing Trump Clips

(18:21) Trump Dyslexia Rant

(20:59) Name Calling Jokes

(21:56) Bascom Scumbag Lore

(23:18) Paternity Leave Talk

(23:57) Outro And Academics

(25:04) Terminal Diagnosis Clip

(26:48) Final Wrap And Tees

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Ebro, Rosenberg, and Laura open by discussing New York City’s ongoing dog poop problem after winter storms, including new city ads urging owners to clean up, police summonses, and proposals to add poop bags to corner trash cans. They debate whether New York is truly the “greatest city,” comparing livability to cities like Rio, LA, and Tokyo, noting Tokyo’s cleanliness and safety but less diversity and potential isolation. Laura previews the rundown, then they pay tribute to Apollo legend Kiki Shepherd, who died at 74 from a massive heart attack in Los Angeles. In headlines, Jay-Z is announced as this year’s Roots Picnic headliner in Philadelphia, sparking talk about expensive VIP packages and festival comfort. They also break down backlash to LaRussell’s lyrics calling figures like Trump, Epstein, and Hitler “heaven sent,” sharing his explanation that God created both great and evil people and arguing the outrage is largely about wording and algorithms.

Key Moments:

(00:00) Show Opens Poo Desk

(01:09) NYC Dog Poop Crackdown

(02:28) Dog Owner Etiquette Stories

(03:34) Bag Dispensers Will Fail

(04:03) Is New York Overrated

(05:38) City Versus City Game

(06:59) Tokyo Diversity Debate

(08:06) Rundown Tease And RIP

(11:09) Jay Z Roots Picnic News

(11:39) VIP Packages Real Talk

(14:45) Hip Hop 50 Praise

(15:19) Festival Setup Ideas

(15:55) Bonnaroo Camping Horror

(16:53) Road Trip vs Flying

(17:16) Hotel or Bust

(18:03) LaRussell Controversy

(20:07) Heaven Sent Explained

(22:40) Algorithm Outrage Machine

(24:00) Provocative Art Defense

(27:41) Wrap Up and Next Topics

(28:10) Jay Z Umlaut Talk

(29:11) Roots Picnic Plans

(29:31) MAGA Gwen Debate

(30:45) Final Chat Goodbye

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Ebro, Laura, and Rosenberg open the show celebrating Ebro’s birthday and discussing low-key birthday plans after a family dinner at Budokan, plus Michael Kay’s birthday text and who remembers whose birthdays. They debate adding memorabilia to the studio as Laura brings in a Tribe Called Quest display box, a Mac Miller Pittsburgh bobblehead, and a Duck Down anniversary piece, weighing whether it looks curated or like a dorm room. The conversation shifts to Mac Miller’s legacy and why some see him as having “done the work” in hip-hop compared to recent Jack Harlow criticism, plus a brief mention of Mac’s Lord Finesse instrumental controversy. They cover backlash and an apology related to a Teyana Taylor security incident, then react to Doja Cat sharing a BPD diagnosis and discuss what it means. The episode features N.O.R.E. stopping by to address “Hot 97 sounds like New York again,” leading to a debate about New York authenticity and moving goalposts, before closing with N.O.R.E. gifting Ebro a Pisces scarf and a playful sign-off.

Key Moments:

(00:00) Birthday Show Kickoff

(00:45) Who Knew The Birthday

(02:11) Trolling On Twitter

(02:26) Low Key Birthday Plans

(04:22) Studio Memorabilia Debate

(06:40) Mac Miller And Jack Harlow

(12:19) Tiana Taylor Security Incident

(14:14) BPD Name Confusion

(14:50) Doja Cat Opens Up

(16:07) Cure Versus Treatment

(16:39) Spectrum And Mislabels

(18:55) Why Doja Seeks Validation

(20:57) Nore Visits The Studio

(22:04) Hot 97 Sounds New York

(24:36) Timberlands And Gatekeeping

(26:16) 50 Cent Narrative Debate

(27:52) Scarf Gift And Birthday Fit

(29:08) Outro And Tomorrow Tease

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The team has some things to say about the new album Jack Harlow dropped, plus we celebrate Sinners' big night at the Oscars!

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On a Freedom/Family/FOTS Friday episode, the crew works through listener emails and voice notes. Laura responds to an email from an adopted Guatemalan listener who thought Laura said she wasn’t teaching her daughter Spanish; Laura clarifies she does speak Spanish with her daughter and has provided Spanish-only classes and a Spanish-speaking nanny. A voice note asks where J. Cole ranks among the greatest storytelling rappers; the group says he’s likely the best storyteller among current top artists, while noting all-time comparisons (Nas, Eminem, Slick Rick, Jay-Z, André 3000, Ice Cube) are tougher. Another email prompts advice on setting boundaries with an overly affectionate 4-year-old niece around a baby. In “Family Matters,” they share kid and parenting updates, discuss a shared hand-me-down coat, debate whether Jazz is dodging Ebro’s massages, and swap safety stories about flossing, choking tools, car doors opening, and a baby throwing up after cake.

Key Moments:

(00:00) Friday Vibes Kickoff

(00:23) Catching Up On Emails

(01:41) Laura On Teaching Spanish

(04:36) Listener Love And Show Growth

(06:01) Voice Note J Cole Storytelling

(09:48) Parenting Boundaries With Kids

(13:05) Family Matters Theme Song

(13:41) Purse Video And Fashion Talk

(14:36) Hand Me Down Designer Coat

(17:08) Maya Update Teeth And Running

(17:40) Baby Bean Chaos

(18:10) Massage Trap Debate

(21:12) Piano Man Schedule

(22:27) Flossing Fail Story

(23:57) Choking Scare Talk

(24:32) LifeVac Safety Kit

(27:10) Car Door Panic

(27:55) Cake Vomit Cleanup

(30:21) Wrap Up Friday Vibes

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ELR shares some of the “plans” that they are putting together for the FOTS. Laura gets you all the information about this year’s Essence Festival and the latest on Kanye West’s album drop. We also give a very special guru about a very high profile couple...

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Ebro, Laura, and Rosenberg got a gift from a FOTS and talk about why one member of the team is missing today. They check out Mamdani's first 69 days in office and break down this weekend's Oscars.

Key Moments:

(00:00) Show Kickoff Gift Reveal

(00:43) Listener Letter Shoutout

(02:03) Studio Decor Debate

(02:27) New Producer Baby Update

(04:28) Fertility Talk Detour

(04:57) Ebro Algorithm Segment

(06:45) Dolphins And Bronx River

(07:13) Dominican Name Jokes

(08:01) Laura Headlines Rundown

(08:13) Billionaires And Dre

(09:40) Oscars Predictions Breakdown

(12:15) Sinners Movie Debate

(14:46) Premiere Seat Drama

(16:00) Oscar Buzz Watchlist

(18:12) Marty Supreme Breakdown

(18:58) Chalamet Opera Backlash

(22:26) The View Reacts

(25:30) Is It All A Work

(28:17) Opera Mainstream Debate

(29:11) Show Wrap And Patreon

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