Buck50 | Episode 16 | Pop the Trunk

Recap / Main Plot

“Pop the Trunk” (Episode 16, “Pop the Trunk”) is a panel-style rap/pop-culture podcast where the hosts mostly begin by trading funny questions and then spiral into a long, chaotic discussion about bad service rants, rage-bait entertainment, and a controversial Complex list: “Top 50 Best New York Rappers of All Time.”

Key Highlights & Jokes

Cold open “trunk popping” jokes

The episode opens with the crew riffing on the phrase “pop the trunk,” including:

• A bit about whether “Billy Revan is a motorcycle or a trunk”
• A dig about how “it doesn’t look like that” compared to dance moves (with cabbage patch / trunk pop-style jokes)

The “fob” / keys are gross gag

When someone describes using a key fob to open the trunk, the hosts clown it as “gross,” escalating the humor around the sensation/idea of popping.

Pizza debacle rant (Billy’s main story)

Billy tells a story that kicks off the show’s big “service anger” energy:

• He orders pickup expecting 20 minutes, but ends up waiting another 30–35 minutes while others look frustrated too.
• He’s furious that staff said “20 minutes” when it clearly wasn’t, then gets offered an additional 2-liter drink as if that will fix things—Billy reacts angrily because he didn’t want the soda.
• When the food finally arrives home, it’s not even hot, so he has to microwave it—leading him to vow he may never go back.
• The crew also expands into restaurant ethics:
  • young staff handling customers without enough leadership
  • the importance of an “OG” (experienced leader) being present
  • how mistakes can happen even when a place seems “not busy”

Escalation & “public service” anger (mostly comedic)

They fantasize (as jokes) about throwing the soda at the window and getting back at the restaurant, but the overall tone stays comic rather than literal.

“Lists are rage-bait” discussion

A major turn in the episode focuses on why the Complex list is built to provoke arguments:

• The hosts argue the list is structured to generate controversy through:
  • outrageous placements (they specifically mention Nicki Minaj at #7)
  • missing legends
  • “sprinkling” names to keep arguments going
• They argue the criteria are too subjective for ranking lyrical ability/songwriting, even though influence/cultural impact is weighted heavily.
• They reference interactive components (like over/underrated voting percentages) and use them to further challenge the ordering.

Notable debate points on the list

The conversation includes disagreements about who’s missing, who’s ranked wrong, and what “counts”:

• Dislike that some major figures aren’t there (examples include Grandmaster Caz not being listed)
• Questions about certain inclusions (they debate whether DMC deserves the spot they gave him)
• Complaints that Boot Camp isn’t represented the way the hosts expect
• Artists they think are too high/low, including French Montana, Jim Jones, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, 50 Cent, and others
• A recurring question: can influence outweigh bars?
• They strongly like LL Cool J, arguing he deserves a higher position for longevity + battle rap + continued relevance
• They roast the idea that the list may be compiled by people who don’t truly know the culture deeply

Clip/segment about “does Cool Keith rap?”

A quick mini-joke stands out:

• A clip sparks confusion over whether certain artists “count” as rappers
• The hosts treat it as ignorance and riff that some people think it’s more of a producer/DJ/character thing rather than “rap”

Other tangents that add flavor

• Respect/tribute moment: They do a RIP for Rob Bass, including discussion of how hip-hop crossed into mainstream with tracks like “It Takes Two” and “Joy and Pain.”
• Modern media amplification: They talk about how some podcasts and personalities (mentioning Nessa / Hot 97, Jason Lee / Vlad) can amplify nonsense—either intentionally or as part of the machine.

Overall Tone / What Makes It Stand Out

The episode isn’t a single linear story—it’s more like comedy + venting + hip-hop nerd debates.

The pizza rant functions like the emotional “center,” before the show shifts into a full-throttle critique of a culture list designed to spark outrage.

Appearing Personalities

• Vinnie Paps (Vinnie)
• Mr. Majestic Left
• Mr. Brandon Long (Brendan)
• Billy (Billy Bindlesticks / “Billy Revan” referenced in jokes)
• Irish Billy / Rick / Fresh (mentioned as part of the crew’s intro energy; exact roles unclear due to subtitle noise)
• Complex / Rolling Stone / Vibe / Spin (referenced outlets being debated)
• Rob Bass (RIP tribute subject)
• Nessa (Hot 97) (referenced)
• Jason Lee and Vlad (referenced)