blankSLATE with SaVon

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

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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

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

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.

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

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

SaVon and Alex return with transparency and laughs as they open with Patreon updates, community member shoutouts, and the winner of the AirPods Max giveaway. Next, the crew fields Patreon questions—starting with their first heartbreaks and how love, therapy, and R&B shaped them (10:41)—then debate whether it hurts more when an ex gets married or has a baby (14:56). Holiday talk follows as Alex plans to channel 50 Cent for Halloween while SaVon reminisces on rapper costumes gone wrong (19:26). The conversation shifts to Tony Yayo and Memphis Bleek and how loyalty looks different under 50 Cent and Jay-Z (26:26) before a spirited Fabolous vs Lloyd Banks debate over bars, mixtapes, and longevity (34:30). The crew then honors the late D'Angelo with reflections on artistry and Black men's health (43:41) and closes by dissecting the viral Marc Lamont Hill vs QueenzFlip moment on The Joe Budden Podcast—arguing that authentic tension and intellect can coexist in modern Black media (51:21).

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

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

The crew is back on Patreon and nothing is off limits this time. Yassy opens up about why she's completely done being a "ride or die" and how that mindset nearly broke her. From there, things spiral into wild territory — BBLs, body image, "market research" trips to the D.R., and what those enhancements really do to people's minds. The gang then breaks down the new rules of tricking, the chaos behind birthday dinners, and the blurred lines between love, ego, and money. But the real chaos starts when talk turns to DMs, rejection, and the kind of bedroom prep routines you've never heard discussed this openly. By the end, it's clear — you're either Team Alex or Team SaVon, and you'll want to pick a side before this one ends.

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

SaVon and Alex return with updates for the NTK community, including updates on their upcoming AirPods giveaway and Patreon shout-outs. Alex shares his wild on-field experience at the New York Jets game, sparking a hilarious debate about loyalty—to your team, your barber, or your girl (4:15). The conversation pivots to Bryson Tiller's long-awaited 'Solace & The Vices' double-disc release, why his new music feels happier, and how content saturation has changed how we all listen (16:25). The guys then rank R&B's most overrated acts and question who could vanish from music without being missed (30:31). From there, they break down the surprise return of VERZUZ with Cash Money vs No Limit at Complex Con in Las Vegas, debating whether this battle still matters in 2025 (39:09). The episode closes with a sharp but funny look at AI deepfakes and digital ethics after OpenAI's new Sora rollout (50:17), plus a viral Cam Newton "body-count" discussion on male ego and competition (1:08:57).

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

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.