Jason Lee Names Joe Budden and Charlamagne to Media Mount Rushmore

Jason Lee is expanding the conversation beyond celebrity headlines and internet drama. While attending the 6th Annual Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards in Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Unlocked founder revealed that only two figures belong on his personal “Mount Rushmore” of modern media—and he had no problem including himself on the list.

Speaking with journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on the red carpet, Lee named himself alongside Charlamagne Tha God, Angie Martinez, and Joe Budden as the voices he believes have had an outsized impact on the current media landscape. The inclusion of Budden stood out, given the pair’s public disagreements over the years, but Lee framed the choice as recognition of influence rather than personal alignment.

“Charlamagne Tha God and me,” Lee said when asked to build his hypothetical media monument. He later added that Budden is “undeniably a force,” even though the two “don’t align on everything.”

COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what’s next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.

The comments came during a broader discussion about ownership, independence, and the growing influence of Black-owned media companies. Lee pointed to executives such as Lemuel Plummer and Byron Allen as examples of creators who build lasting infrastructure rather than simply create content.

He also highlighted fellow media entrepreneurs, including Angelica Nwandu of The Shade Room and the late journalist Robin Ayers, describing collaboration among independent media owners as essential to long-term success.

The conversation with Robinson eventually shifted from media influence to global issues. Asked how he would make peace with Budden if he “ruled the world” for a day, Lee dismissed the premise entirely. “World peace with Joe Budden is the least of my worries,” he said.

Lee’s latest remarks arrive just weeks after he found himself at the center of another viral entertainment debate. During an appearance on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio, he defended Rihanna amid the online backlash surrounding her brief interaction with Tyla at the 2026 Met Gala.

Lee argued that the controversy lacked perspective, noting Rihanna’s demanding schedule and responsibilities as a mother, business executive, and global celebrity.