Ep 180

Glasses 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!

Ep 179

Joe 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

Ep 178

This 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

Ep 177

This 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

Ep 176

Should 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.

Ep 175

This 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?

Ep 174

This 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.

Ep 173

Is 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.

Ep 172

Lupe 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

Ep 171

On this episode of The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down DJ Akademiks' accusations that Charlamagne Tha God and other media personalities are protecting Jay-Z and Roc Nation, and explains why the relationship between artists and hip-hop media is more complicated than many fans realize.

Later, Cole examines Lizzo's disappointing album sales and asks whether the blame belongs to the algorithm, her label, or the music itself. It's a conversation about accountability, public perception, and how quickly momentum can disappear in today's music industry.

Timestamps

(0:51) Akademiks Tweets

(2:01) Same Points, Different People

(4:00) 2 Narratives

(6:24) Charla has Receipts

(9:17) What's the Real Story

(11:27) Why Did Lizzo Flop?

(13:24) Her First Mistake

(15:43) Lizzo Blames the Algorithm

(20:43) Maybe Lizzo is the Problem

(23:47) Coles corner: Future's new song