This Week in R&B: From OT’s Karaoke Takeover to Jerome Bieber’s Soul

Episode 17 of This Week in R&B kicked off with Jay Valentine and Bobby setting the tone in a brand new studio setup, drawing mixed feelings from the hosts. “I don’t know if I like it yet,” Jay admitted, to which Bobby added, “It’s got a vibe though.” While adjusting to their updated visual setting, they introduced the audience to “Sheila Ratchet,” a cheeky nickname for a toy prop that quickly became a running joke.

They poked fun at a Lego cat figure that Jay said “ain’t R&B,” and agreed it needed to go. Lighthearted debates and shout-outs to the in-studio Prince album collection gave fans an inside look into the crew’s creative space.

Karaoke Night: OT Genasis Steals the Show

Much of the episode focused on Jay’s birthday celebration and a karaoke party that quickly turned legendary. The highlight? OT Genasis. Jay and Bobby couldn’t stop raving about his presence, with Bobby dubbing him “the king” of karaoke. “He sang all night,” Bobby recalled. “That man came to have a good time.”

OT’s dedication left a lasting impression. The hosts compared him to a host at a comedy show, repeatedly jumping in with songs and even joining others mid-performance. “He did about ten joints,” Jay shared. “That’s expensive karaoke!”

The night wasn’t just about fun—it emphasized the importance of authentic energy. “If you sing too good, you’ll get booed,” Jay joked, stressing the vibe was about having fun, not showcasing vocal perfection. Their impromptu group performance of “Cry for You” stood out, with Lonnie jumping in to fill out the harmonies. “It was a complete moment,” Bobby said. “Highlight of the night.”

Celebrity Guests, Private Vibes

The celebration took place at Project 7714 in Hollywood, courtesy of Taz and Javar. Jay described it as an intimate space curated for just the right energy. “They really set it out for us,” he said.

The event drew big names including Brent Faiyaz and Kiana Ledé, though many pulled up low-key. Brent even met Jay on the way out, and the two hit it off. “Cool young dude,” Jay noted, revealing that Brent will appear on R&B Money in the future.

Not everyone made it past the velvet rope. Jay mentioned turnaways at the door and admitted to tracking down who invited uninvited guests. “You don’t have a cracking party without a couple turnaways,” he joked. “But I’m also kicking out whoever invited them.”

Back to the Internet: Beyoncé's Drive Gets Bipped

The show shifted gears to viral news, starting with the headline-grabbing theft involving Beyoncé’s team in Atlanta. Someone broke into one of her entourage’s vehicles and stole unreleased music. “They bipped Beyoncé,” Bobby exclaimed, using slang for a smash-and-grab. “You need your ass whooped,” he added bluntly. “Don’t release her music—give it back.”

Jay and Bobby speculated it could’ve been an inside job, expressing disbelief that someone could access such exclusive material. Their frustration stemmed not just from fandom, but also from personal experience. Jay shared a story about losing a hard drive of beats near The Grove in L.A., and how painful it was. “You go to sell them beats, and now they want the files and stems—but you don’t have them,” he said. “That [stuff] hurts.”

AI in Music: A Double-Edged Sword

From industry theft to industry tech, the conversation moved to artificial intelligence in music. Harvey Mason Jr., Chairman of the Grammys, had recently spoken about AI’s role in the industry. The hosts offered a nuanced take: AI is a useful tool, but lacks “the pepper.”

Jay explained how he uses AI to spark creative ideas and refine lyrics, while Bobby was more hesitant, favoring authenticity. “I want to hear bad notes,” Bobby said. “I want to hear mistakes. That’s what makes it real.”

Still, both agreed on AI’s value as a tool—if not a replacement. “It needs seasoning,” Jay said. They discussed how younger ears might already be tuned to synthetic sounds, but for now, the human touch still reigns in their creative process.

Drake’s Tattoo Dilemma: Fanboy or Foul Play?

Another viral moment discussed was Drake’s decision to cover up a tattoo of LeBron James with a tattoo of another man. Jay and Bobby couldn’t wrap their heads around it. “I’m never getting another man’s number, face, or name on me,” Bobby said. “That’s intense.”

The conversation reflected broader critiques of celebrity culture and what they described as “super fanboy behavior.” Jay joked that it was like switching names between exes, while Bobby called it “corny as hell.” Though they acknowledged Drake’s musical genius, they weren’t buying this particular move.

Mary J. Blige and the Toll of Touring

The hosts also touched on a clip of Mary J. Blige performing with a seemingly disinterested expression. While Bobby insisted performers should push through, Jay offered a more compassionate angle. “You never know what someone is going through,” he said, joking that Mary’s face looked like she needed a bathroom break.

They dug into the broader topic of performance fatigue, especially with iconic artists forced to sing the same songs night after night. “You can’t say no the day of,” Bobby argued. “You get paid a lot to sing hits and make people scream.”

Both hosts agreed on one thing: concerts aren’t the same with phones in every hand. They cited Bruno Mars and Dave Chappelle as examples of artists banning phones to maintain the live experience. “It’s weak when I look down and you doing this,” Bobby said, miming phone use. “I want to connect.”

Jermaine Dupri's $10 Million Strip Club Spend

In one of the most surprising revelations of the episode, Jermaine Dupri claimed he spent $10,000 a week at Magic City for 20 years. That’s roughly $10 million. “I had to text him about it,” Jay said. “He said, ‘Liquor, strippers, food.’”

While Bobby initially called it the “dumbest [stuff] ever,” Jay framed it differently. “That’s the marketing budget,” he said. “Records get broken in the strip club.” The group recalled that some of their own hits found life in strip clubs, solidifying the connection between nightlife and hit-making.

Jay concluded that the music industry is about lifestyle, not just spreadsheets. “You could’ve been a lawyer,” he said. “But we picked music to live, to enjoy.”

Justin Bieber Becomes Jerome

The show ended on a lighter note with praise for Justin Bieber’s new album, which Jay jokingly nicknamed “Jerome Bieber.” The hosts applauded Bieber’s R&B direction, especially his collaborations with Pooh Bear. “Some of them runs? That’s Jerome,” Bobby said.

They noted how Bieber appeared more authentic and personal on this project, even if some fans criticized its raw mixing. “It feels raw. Super raw and authentic to him,” Jay said. The consensus? Bieber’s evolution continues to impress, and his decision to own his masters for the first time made this project especially meaningful.