Legacy
Maury master of ceremonies Maury Povich tells the truth about his hip-hop admiration.
Words: John Kennedy
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Spring 2019 issue of XXL Magazine, on stands now.

Maury Povich is the daddy of daytime television—no paternity test needed. The 80-year-old host of Maury has been entertaining scandal-seekers for 28 years via the syndicated talk show’s polygraph tests, unruly teenage guests and baby father drama. It’s no surprise that hip-hop has reveled in the ratchetry. Everyone from Meek Mill to Logic to Wyclef Jean has name-dropped the Emmy-nominated show in rap lyrics. Cam’ron’s 2004 video, “Get Em Girls,” parodies Maury’s infamous DNA tests, and in 2015, Lil B dropped a song named “Flexin Maury Povich.” Povich dialed up XXL to show that the love is reciprocal.

XXL: Hip-hop artists have shown you a lot of love in their music. Did you ever think you’d be embraced by rappers?

Maury Povich: I never ever expected it. Over the years, I realized that they watch and incorporate the show into their lyrics. I’m grateful of the recognition. We have the youngest audience of any daytime talk show. I attribute that to people who love hip-hop and watch my show. It’s all good, as they say.

You’ve been keeping tabs on hip-hop, too. Last year you offered to give Drake a paternity test on the show. What other rappers are on your wish list?

I wanted Cardi B and Nicki [Minaj] to come on my show—we’ll settle all [hearsay] with lie detector tests. I was so excited about that. They’re great artists. I’ve always believed that as a talk-show host, I’m just an advocate for my audience, [so] I want to ask the same questions my audience would ask. I’d love to have 50 Cent on. Lil Wayne would be fun. I wanted Jay-Z desperately on one of my anniversary shows. He sent me an autographed poster of [The Black Album]. That’s the closest I’ve ever got. Every so often I give him a shout-out hoping he’ll come on.

In 2004, Bizzy Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony appeared on Maury to serenade a then-19-year-old woman who was born with a spinal condition called spina bifida. What do you remember about that?

She was a big fan of his. I love when hip-hop artists respond to something like that because it shows people that they do have concerns [and] a conscience. I think too much of the public took the wrong view of hip-hop, especially way back in the gangsta rap days. They felt that these people didn’t have any heart and soul. So, I love that.

Who are your favorite hip-hop artists to listen to?

I'm so old [so] I have to go back to the early days: Run-DMC or LL Cool J. But I love the crossover hip-hop and R&B.

If you could have one artist remix the theme music to Maury, who would it be?

Jay-Z. He can bring Beyoncé for backup.

Check out more from XXL’s Spring 2019 issue including our Dreamville cover story featuring interviews with J. Cole, J.I.D, Bas, Cozz, EarthGang, Lute, Omen and Ari Lennox; Show & Prove interviews with Flipp Dinero and Blueface, a look into how Hot 97's Ebro Darden went from fish mascot to hip-hop gatekeeper, and more.

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