Episode 85 kicks off with the crew discussing Denzel Washington’s new starring role in a Spike Lee joint titled Highest 2 Lowest, alongside A$AP Rocky and Ice Spice. This leads to a conversation about Denzel’s greatness and legacy in acting. Resident thespian EverythingOShauN takes a deep dive into why Denzel considers himself a theatre actor first, before a Hollywood one.

Next, the group unpacks Ryan Coogler’s magnum opus film Sinners (spoilers ahead), and a heated debate quickly sparks between Trivelle and OShauN over Michael B. Jordan’s performance playing twins “Smoke & Stack.” This disagreement opens up a broader critique of Jordan’s entire filmography.

As that conversation gains traction, XP jumps in to challenge the double standard in how Black actors are held to higher standards of excellence compared to their Caucasian peers, while dropping a controversial name to attempt to illustrate the point.

After some well-deserved praise for Sinners, the crew breaks down Delroy Lindo’s iconic performance, the film’s hidden messages and spiritual layers, its commentary on the music industry, and Coogler’s creative decisions around format and how they contributed to the film’s success.

During recording, NBA playoff games are unfolding live, interrupting the flow and shifting the conversation to real-time reactions. The Knicks edge out a win to go up 2–0, and Trivelle walks back his previous predictions about the Houston Rockets, offering new takes on their next steps. The focus then shifts to LeBron James, as Trivelle reveals a listener asked for him to be pressed about the viral LeBron clips from OShauN. A heated debate follows comparing peak LeBron vs. peak Jordan, with the cast reliving the highs and lows of LeBron’s dominance in the league. They also touch on Jokic’s continued excellence and Luka Doncic’s need for growth.

From there, the episode transitions to music headlines. The crew discusses Bobby Shmurda’s alleged struggles with ticket sales, Busta Rhymes receiving his first Diamond plaque, and the major Afrobeats artists set to hit Scotiabank Arena in Toronto — Rema, Wizkid, and Davido. That is, until XP finds out in real time that Wizkid’s show has been canceled, sparking a conversation about the significance of selling out arenas in markets like Toronto compared to London or New York.

As the one-year anniversary of the biggest rap conflict of all time approaches, the gang reacts to the debate between DJ Hed (for Kendrick) and Mal (for Drake) on the Rory & Mal podcast. They dissect the arguments and the direction the battle took.

Finally, after Rockstar Games once again delayed the generational release of GTA 6, they surprised fans with a brand-new trailer. XP breaks it down and reflects on the cultural impact a game of that scale holds.

Trivelle closes out the episode with updates on football (including the Champions League Final), boxing, and more.