The Stem Society
BYNK Media LLC
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The Stem Society is a music show hosted by Cole Jackson, focusing on the latest music news, critiques of new releases, and honest takes on events in the music industry. The show spotlights various artists, sharing their new music and personal journeys, while also discussing trends, hip hop controversies, and upcoming projects.
Епизоде
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The Kendrick Verse is There 17.09.2026 19минEp 191Kendrick Lamar is missing from AZ Chike’s No Rest for the Wicked tracklist, but Cole isn’t convinced the feature is actually gone. Could Kendrick’s verse be hidden to put the spotlight back on AZ?Plus, Meek Mill goes after DJ Akademiks following the Lil Durk verdict, but Cole thinks Meek’s energy would be better spent getting people excited about his music again.Timestamp(0:24) What happened to Kendrick's feature?(3:06) Did we make this up?(5:33) The fans reaction(6:35) Cole's theory about the feature(9:25) Meek Mill rants about Akademiks(10:15) Meek and Ak go at it online(14:07) Meek's not street anymore(17:27) What happend to the music? -
You Are Not Really Listening 13.09.2026 29минEp 190Kendrick Lamar’s latest feature has Cole questioning his current run. The versatility is there, but after GNX and some of Kendrick’s previous feature runs, is it wrong to want more bars?Then Karrahbooo and Lil Yachty debate his role in her career. After hearing Karrahbooo’s new album, Cole thinks Yachty’s point is becoming harder to ignore—even if some ego is involved.Timestamps(0:25) Kendrick Lamar's current run(1:29) IRC goes in on Jhene and Kenrick's new song(3:00) My problem with Kendrick's run(4:35) What's the deal with the AZ Chike feature(8:50) Kenrick has done this better(10:13) Let's debate Karrahboo vs Yachty(13:53) Karrahboo's history(15:58) What does her album sound like?(18:16) Yachty is the key to her career(20:09) Da Baby's new resturant is a hustle -
Let's Talk Music! 10.09.2026 32минEp 189AZ Chike, Pusha T and possibly Drake all have new music on the way. Cole breaks down what has him excited about each release, where he has doubts, and which artist might have the most to prove.Then we get into Complex’s updated Hottest Rappers list. Kanye has taken the #1 spot, Don Toliver continues to have a huge year, and Jay-Z’s placement has Cole questioning what “hottest rapper” actually means in 2026.Timestamp(0:44) Can AZ Chike hold the west down?(8:48) Pusha T announces new music(10:46) Can Pharrell do it again?(12:54) What will the Clipse do?(16:04) Will Drake's FOMO equal to Iceman?(19:06) Should Drake diss anybody on FOMO?(22:48) Is Kanye the hottest rapper right now? -
Does Everybody Have FOMO? 08.09.2026 22минEp 188Drake has everybody wondering what FOMO is, but Cole isn't buying the theory that it's another album. With three projects already out and no U.S. tour since 2024, could Drake be preparing to take FOMO on the road?Then we get into Big Sean and Kid Cudi reconnecting with Kanye and a bigger question about relationships in the music business: does forgiveness become easier when someone's value goes back up?Timestamps(0:30) Big Sean performs with Kanye again(3:01) Ye & Big Sean's history(8:09) Kid Cudi is cool with Kanye?(10:33) Are they cool because Kanye is winning?(12:57) Ye is getting over on everybody(15:09) Drake's announces FOMO(16:46) My prediction of what FOMO is(21:21) I breakdown the September 15th announcment -
Voluntary Infomation 03.09.2026 17минEp 187Keefe D has been found guilty in the murder of Tupac Shakur, but after years of publicly talking about the case, should anyone really be surprised by how this ended?Then we switch gears to Jay-Z. With Hov performing again and making some interesting moves, Cole has a theory: Is all of this building toward a Super Bowl performance and a new album?Timestamps(0:32) Keefe D is found guilty(2:05) Keefe D did this to himself(5:30) Keefe D connection to the Durk case(9:40) My Jay Z prediction (10:10) Cole connects the dots(12:24) When the album is dropping -
Where's the Loyalty? 31.08.2026 23минEp 186Lil Durk’s trial has turned into another internet debate about snitching and street code. I get into Durk’s defense pointing the finger at OTF Vonnie, OTF Jam’s testimony, the leaked phone call, and why I think people watching from the outside are getting ahead of themselves.Then, Hit-Boy’s VladTV interview had me thinking about more than his relationship with Nas. Between Nas, Kanye and his father, I started noticing a pattern that made me wonder if Hit-Boy stays loyal to people longer than he should.Timestamps(0:35) Durk Snitching?(4:35) OTF Jam's leaked call(7:10) Jam testimony(8:24) Jam snitching for fame(10:07) Hit Boy vs Nas?(12:00) Hit Boy and his father(15:50) Kanye is a a**hole!(17:32) Industry relationships are fake(19:33) Cole's Corner: The Fall of Elliott Wilson -
Is Game the Problem? 27.08.2026 30минEp 185The Game wants to clear the air, but does anybody actually owe him a conversation? I look at his history with Kendrick Lamar, the constant references, the interviews and why his own behavior may explain some of the distance.Then, Dr. Dre says AI is another tool for creativity. I get into why I disagree and what embracing AI could mean for producers, writers and musicians.Timestamp(0:24) The Game wants to sqash everything(4:35) Why is there friction between Game and K Dot(6:50) The Game always push the limit(12:43) Is it pride or ego?(20:07) Why is Dre endorsing AI(21:46) Trying to be relevant?(24:07) Cultural Appropriation(27:24) The label executives don't like you -
Who's Really Biased? 20.08.2026 27минEp 174Akademiks is calling out Loren LaRosa, Marc Lamont Hill and Rob Markman over what he believes is unfair reporting surrounding stories involving Drake, Roc Nation and himself.Cole breaks down why Ak may have a legitimate complaint about follow-up journalism while questioning whether his constant wars with members of hip-hop media have contributed to the problem.Then the conversation gets bigger. Akademiks points to Trap Lore Ross and What's The Dirt as examples of YouTubers doing better work than traditional hip-hop journalists — and Cole strongly disagrees.Is this really about bad journalism, or does Akademiks still want validation from a media establishment he believes never accepted him?Timestamps(0:28) Ak calls out hip hop journalists(3:58) Rob Markman responds(7:05) Why did Ak crashout?(11:04) Who is exploiting hip hop?(15:40) Final thoughts on Ak(19:07) Cole's Corner: Wayno vs Ray Daniels -
Beyond Approach 16.08.2026 30минEp 183Lil Durk’s trial is approaching, and prosecutors plan to use his music as part of their case. Cole breaks down the use of “Pissed Me Off,” a witness expected to interpret the lyrics, evidence from Durk’s phone, and why the unverified claim of 35 witnesses shouldn't be treated as fact without better sourcing.Then, Tyga responds to criticism surrounding the AI-assisted production on $TARFACE. Did the controversy expose a problem with AI in music—or just give Tyga the attention he needed?Plus, Cole’s Corner looks at Megan Thee Stallion’s new distribution partnership with Interscope, maintaining ownership of her masters and publishing, and why Act III could be an important album for the next stage of her career.Timestamps(0:50) Durk's music will be used(4:58) More new evidence (7:53) Should we blame the internet?(9:21) 35 Witnesses against Durk(11:27) Tyga vs Pithcfork(18:49) Cole's Corner - Megan Thee Stallion's Success -
Too Much Drake? 14.08.2026 30минEp 182Drake's Stake anniversary livestream went viral for everything from a 20-v-1 dating show to barking for streamer Pinkchyu, but Cole thinks the bigger conversation is what Drake said when the jokes stopped.Drake appeared to take another shot at Jay-Z and Roc Nation before warning rappers that his pen isn't finished. With Drake winning again, does anybody still fear him in a rap battle — and are some of his internet antics actually diminishing his stature?Plus, Cole's Corner looks at Ray Daniels' viral Jay-Z album claim and why hot-take culture continues to hurt podcasting.Timestamp(1:06) Drake does a 20 v 1(3:49) When was Drake ever cool?(7:35) All the access(10:37) Shots thrown at Jay Z(14:42) All rappers get a warning(18:43) Final thoughts on Drake's year(23:15) Cole's Corner - Ray Daniels and Hot Take Culture -
Who is In the Right? 09.08.2026 30минEp 181Why haven't Kendrick Lamar and The Game spoken in over a decade?New comments from Top give us more insight into their fallout, pointing back to The Game bringing Drake to Compton for the "100" video. While some are calling Kendrick emotional for cutting Game off, Cole looks at the situation from another angle: maybe Kendrick simply learned where Game's loyalty stood.Plus, Pooh Shiesty drops All Eyes On Shiest through 1017 while sitting behind bars. Is releasing an album right now a smart move, or is Gucci Mane the only person who really wins?The Stem Society — hip-hop conversation without the stan wars.Timestamps(0:34) The reveal of The Game/Kendrick beef(2:54) Podcasters taking shots at Kendrick(4:50) Kendrick's POV(6:00) The Game is a chaser(8:24) Could The Game help Kendrick?(11:56) Pooh Shiesty drops a new album in jail(12:48) What's the play behind this?(18:03) Pooh Shiesty was managed wrong(20:15) Could this album put him in prison?(21:46) Cole's Corner - Tyga & Fenix Flexin Ai drama -
Show Me the Proof! 05.08.2026 25минEp 180Glasses Malone claims Drake may be funding a Drakeo the Ruler investigation, and the internet is already connecting it back to the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar feud. But is there any real evidence?Cole Jackson breaks down the allegations, YG's response, and why hip hop needs more proof before running with major narratives.Plus, Tyga is accused of using AI on his latest album, leading to a discussion about artificial intelligence in music and whether artists should be publicly exposed for using it.Timestamp(0:32) Glasses Malone's accuses Drake(2:36) YG responds and Flakko explains(6:33) Glasses has a grudge against Drake(8:09) Where's the proof? (11:07) Tyga gets exposed(13:51) Should Tyga be shamed?(15:21) Does this help anything?(16:13) AI music will be everywhere soon(18:40) Cole's Corner: ASAP Rocky is coming! -
Podcasting is Nasty! 02.08.2026 27минEp 179Joe Budden and Charlamagne Tha God made Forbes' list of the highest-paid podcasters, but does that actually move podcasting forward?Cole Jackson breaks down why their success may be the exception rather than the rule, why Black women-led podcasts continue to face unique challenges, and whether today's podcast industry rewards controversy over meaningful conversation.Plus, a full reaction to the 2026 XXL Freshman Class Cyphers, including the standout performances, biggest disappointments, and whether XXL is still setting the standard.Timestamps(0:35) Joe and Charlamagne makes the Forbes list(1:26) Where are the black women? (3:48) Why I think Call Her Daddy made it(7:37) Does this change the landscape?(11:43) Final Thoughts (13:21) Freshman Class Cypher recap(17:13) What's wrong with this cypher (20:15) Should XXL stop the cypher? (23:04) Cole's Corner: North West tour cancelled -
Major Artists, Mid Music 01.08.2026 22минEp 178This week, Cole Jackson looks at the reaction to Rick Ross' Set in Stone and Future's The Real Me. While both artists remain successful, many fans have labeled the albums "mid." Is the problem the music—or the audience?Cole breaks down first-week sales, disappearing album rollouts, changing listening habits, and why hip-hop fans may need to do a better job discovering and supporting new artists instead of relying on the same names.Timestamps(0:25) Rick Ross first week sales(4:51) What happened to the rollout?(5:47) What happend to the standard?(8:19) Future fell off a cliff (9:36) Rappers lose their passion(12:15) Listeners are the blame (13:11) Let's push new artists(15:10) Cole's Corner: Update on 38 Spesh -
INDUSTRY UNDER ATTACK? 29.07.2026 23минEp 177This week I'm breaking down one of the strangest stories in hip-hop. Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Kanye West, Playboi Carti and other artists all appear to have been targeted by the same hackers, leading to leaked songs and unauthorized uploads. I examine what happened, the possible connections, and what this could mean for the music industry moving forward. Plus, I share my thoughts on The Game vs. YG Verzuz and why The Game's catalog deserves more respect than it gets.Timestamps(0:20) Major artists are getting hacked(4:21) Who is IMXX(5:14) What I seen on their Discord(9:10) Recap of Game/YG Verzuz(17:08) Cole's Corner: 38 Spesh vs Everybody -
Guilty of Lyrics 23.07.2026 24минEp 176Should rap lyrics ever be used as evidence in court?This week, I break down the Yella Beezy trial and explain why I think using rap lyrics to convict artists is a slippery slope. Then I react to Complex's updated list of the 100 Best LA Rap Songs, reveal my own Top 5, and close the show with thoughts on why fans need to stop overanalyzing every Kendrick Lamar snippet before the full song is released. -
Go Read a Book! 19.07.2026 29минEp 175This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson reacts to the long-awaited conversation between DJ Akademiks and Charlamagne Tha God. Did the Roc Nation accusations finally get settled, or did the three-hour discussion solve nothing? Then Cole breaks down Jay-Z's historic Yankee Stadium celebration, the surprise guests, the backlash from former insiders, and why the Target freestyle became one of the weekend's biggest talking points.Timestamps(0:18) Memphis Bleek agrues for Jay Z(2:41) Jay picks GQ over hip hop media(4:24) Should Jay Z sit with more outlets?(8:28) Who's to blame?(11:36) Major names don't sit with hip hop media(13:25) Billboards top 10 hottest female rappers(29:15) Why is Trim ranked so high?(17:21) Yung Miami at 2?(19:32) No love for Tierra Whack(21:48) Cole's Corner: What's wrong with Wale? -
Meeting of the Minds 19.07.2026 37минEp 174This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson reacts to the long-awaited conversation between DJ Akademiks and Charlamagne Tha God. Did the Roc Nation accusations finally get settled, or did the three-hour discussion solve nothing? Then Cole breaks down Jay-Z's historic Yankee Stadium celebration, the surprise guests, the backlash from former insiders, and why the Target freestyle became one of the weekend's biggest talking points. -
Blame the Music? 10.07.2026 21минEp 173Is Yung Miami's "Spend Dat" just harmless fun, or does India.Arie have a point about the power music has over culture and behavior? Cole breaks down the backlash, why India.Arie was misunderstood, and whether artists should be blamed when listeners try to live out the lyrics. Plus, five predictions for Jay-Z's massive Yankee Stadium weekend celebrating Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint—including possible surprise guests, a Roc-A-Fella reunion, new music, and even a new album announcement. -
Lupe is Elite 04.07.2026 26минEp 172Lupe Fiasco says there are hundreds of rappers better than Kendrick Lamar, and once again the internet is debating where he ranks among hip-hop's elite. Cole Jackson explains why Lupe deserves respect as one of rap's greatest lyricists while also breaking down why greatness is about more than just bars. Plus, a look at 50 Cent's reported performance at a Donald Trump Jr.-connected event and the ongoing conversation about money, morals, and hip-hop.Timestamps(2:02) Why is Lupe Doing This(3:13) Who Would Win? (3:48) Lupe is an Elite Rapper (6:50) I Think Lupe is Trolling(10:34) The MAGA Rappers(11:28) Ebro Speaks Out(13:36) Rappers Lie(17:22) Cole's Corner: Joe Budden
