The Stem Society

Ep 197

Drake is sitting out the Grammys again, and I respect him for sticking to his position. He's won awards, broken records, and built a career that doesn't need validation from the Recording Academy. So what does another Grammy really mean for somebody at his level?

Then I'm getting into something Rapsody said about hip-hop media that really made me think.

Why do we keep giving so much attention to platforms that profit from controversy, beef, and street stories while overlooking the people who actually care about the music?

I'm talking about Adam22, VladTV, Akademiks, and why both artists and fans have to take some responsibility for what hip-hop media has become.

The Stem Society — Honest Hip Hop Commentary.

Timestamps

(0:20) Drake is not submitting

(2:22) This is on brand for Drake

(5:00) Does Drake need another Grammy?

(6:00) The Grammys history with hip hop

(7:19) Drake is bigger than a Grammy now

(8:27) Rapsody's take on hip hop media

(11:58) Why don't more artist speak out

(14:08) Vlad and Ak do the most

(19:15) Why don't we support respectable platforms

(25:08) Protect black media

Ep 196

Rick Ross is facing serious allegations after turning himself in to police in Miami. His ex-girlfriend has made accusations against him and presented what she says is evidence of her injuries, while Ross has pleaded not guilty and his attorneys say he's been wrongfully accused. There are things on both sides of this story that have me holding off on making a final judgment.

Then The Game is suing UMG for $500K over money he says should've been spent promoting Drillmatic. I understand being upset if the label didn't spend what it allegedly promised—but I don't believe another marketing push would've turned Drillmatic into the album The Game thought it was.

The Stem Society — Honest Hip Hop Commentary.

Ep 195

There are three album storylines I wanted to get into this week.

First, Quavo has Pharrell executive producing Chromelife, a huge feature list and an Offset reunion. On paper that sounds great. I'm just not convinced Pharrell and a bunch of big names fix what hasn't worked for me about Quavo's solo albums.

Then Megan Thee Stallion is getting Act 3 started with the return of Tina Snow, but we're already getting headlines about Klay Thompson again. I want to know when Megan's music gets to be the biggest story of a Megan album rollout.

And finally, Drake is bringing the FOMO music to streaming and continuing what has turned into one hell of a comeback year.

Three upcoming projects, three completely different side plots, and a lot to talk about.

Timestamps

(0:22) Quavo's album Qromelive

(2:33) Is Pharrell right for this?

(3:49) Migos reunion

(5:15) Final Thoughts

(6:33) Meg's album rollout

(7:28) Tina Snow is back

(8:10) Klay is becoming the focus

(11:39) Too much is happening to mention Klay

(15:28) Drake's FOMO coming to DSPs

(16:15) This is revenge

(18:52) I want to hear FOMO

Ep 194

For this episode, I’m getting into two situations where how you handle a problem matters just as much as the problem itself.

First, Outkast is taking Ovrkast to court over his name. I understand Outkast protecting what they built, but some of what they're asking for feels like it could go way beyond protecting a trademark and potentially damage a young artist's career.

Then Rory and QueenzFlip finally came face to face after an issue that goes back two years. Rory admits he misread parts of what happened that night, and I agree that he picked the wrong place and time to confront Flip. But that doesn't erase what Flip originally said about Rory and Mal—or why Rory still felt a way about it.

Ep 193

Joe Budden is pushing back against JBP fans complaining about guests, but I don't think the guests are really the problem. I get into why the podcast has started feeling less organic to me over the years, the transition to what I call "corporate Joe," Clippergate, and why longtime listeners may be sticking around more out of habit than excitement.

Then I get into AZ Chike's new album. It's projected around 9K first week and people are already calling it a flop. I've listened to the album twice and think it's good, so we're talking about what those numbers actually mean for an artist at AZ's stage, how Kendrick affected expectations, and why one first week shouldn't define where AZ goes from here.

Timestamps

(0:35) Joe claps back at fans

(4:19) Joe is looking at it all wrong

(6:08) The beginning of the end for me

(7:12) Leaking your numbers as a rollout

(9:32) Taking the fans ideas and selling the back

(14:24) Final thoughts

(18:45) Did AZ Chike flop?

(23:41) How Kendrick ruined the album

(26:00) Give AZ more time

(29:32) Cole's Corner: J Cole's Sneakers

Ep 192

Glasses Malone called out P-Lo for working with Drake, but is he keeping that same energy for everyone? Cole breaks down why Glasses’ criticism feels selective and why artists shouldn’t be pressured over who they choose to work with.

Then, Drake’s FOMO stream is finally here. From nine unreleased songs and new Don Toliver collaborations to the 2027 tour announcement, Cole gives his take on why FOMO felt less like another Iceman moment and more like a victory lap designed to keep Drake’s 2026 run going.

Timestamps

(0:27) Glasses Malone presses P Lo

(4:07) One sided war with Drake

(5:58) Your standard is inconsistant

(11:02) Glasses is a hypocrite

(13:30) Drake FOMO recap

(14:37) What I got from FOMO

(17:38) Drake announced the tour

(19:35) Somehow the Kendrick vs Drake battle was mentioned

Ep 191

Kendrick 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?

Ep 190

Kendrick 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

Ep 189

AZ 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?

Ep 188

Drake 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