BET just hit pause on the Hip Hop Awards — and the Soul Train Awards — with no clear return date. In this episode of The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down what this means for the culture, why the Awards still matter, and how BET and its parent company both share the blame.

We also talk solutions: should the Hip Hop Awards move to streaming? Could going back to basics — raw cyphers, real performances, and a wider range of nominees — bring it back to life?

Plus, it’s New Music Friday with fresh drops from JID (God Does Like Ugly), Roc Marciano & DJ Premier (The Coldest Profession), and Gunna (The Last Wun). Which one gets your first spin?

Timestamps

(0:00) Intro

(0:50) BET has cancelled the hip hop awards

(3:14) Why Should You Care

(5:23) What is the company doing?

(7:40) Is BET still for Us?

(9:44) You Should Go To Streaming

(11:15) How to Fix the Awards

(13:55) Final Thoughts

(15:24) New Release Friday

Ep 114

This week, Cole Jackson breaks down Joey Bada$$ vs Columbia Records — and why threatening to leak his album might be the smartest move he’s made all year. Then on the B-side, we look at YouTube Music’s new “Monthly Audience” stat… and why Coolio and Doechii outranking Drake has the whole internet confused.

Two stories. One episode. All facts, no fluff. Welcome to The Stem Society.

(0:00) Intro

(:50) Joey Badass album gets delayed

(3:09) This is common with labels

(6:44) Youtube should be the move

(9:27) What’s Next?

(10:42) Youtube’s Monthly Audience 

(11:50) The First Artist List

(13:27) Monthly Audience will justify Pod BS

(17:15) Outro

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The Stem Society Weekly Album Check In

Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist are back with Alfredo 2—but does it live up to the original? In this week’s Weekly Album Check-In, Cole Jackson breaks down the flawless sequencing, standout features from JID and Anderson .Paak, and the not-so-subtle disses aimed at Curren$y and Benny the Butcher.

Then we get into it: Is this the best rap album of 2025… or is Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse still holding the crown?

Timestamps:

(0:00) Intro

(0:37) Initial Thoughts

(2:45) The Production

(4:56) Freddie Gibbs is Elite

(8:04) Shots at Curren$y?

(9:57) The Freddie & Alchemist connection

(11:10) The Features

(13:38) The Verdict

(14:42) Who Has AOTY?

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Ep 113

Complex just dropped their 2025 Hip Hop Media Power List—and it’s a mess.

In this episode, I break down who got kicked off (Sway, Gabe P, Adam22), the weird additions, and why putting Kai Cenat at #1 says everything about where hip hop media is headed.

We’re talking moved goalposts, clout over consistency, and the real voices being erased from the conversation. This list isn’t about media—it’s about metrics.

Tap in as I give my unfiltered take on what Complex got wrong, who should’ve made the list, and why this matters for creators in the culture.

0:47 – What is Hip Hop Media Now?
2:06 – The Criteria: How Complex Moved the Goalpost
3:49 – Who Got Kicked Off the List
6:59 – Weird Additions & Placements
13:17 – Who Complex Completely Missed
16:52 – The Number One Pick: Kai Cenat
21:41 – Why This List is Trash

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This week, Cole Jackson breaks down two standout drops from very different corners of the music map.

First up is Jim Legxacy’s Black British Music—an emotional, genre-blending mixtape filled with tension, vulnerability, and moments of raw honesty. Cole shares his first-listen reactions, favorite tracks, and what makes this UK release worth paying attention to.

Then, it’s a sharp left turn into Tyler, The Creator’s Don’t Tap the Glass—a dance-heavy, chaotic album. Is this Tyler just having fun, or is there more underneath the surface?

Two albums. Two different energies. Same real talk.

Follow the show and hit play.

The Weekly Album Check In

This week on The Weekly Album Check-In, Cole Jackson takes a close listen to two major drops: the long-awaited return of Clipse with Let God Sort Em Out and the smooth new project from Larry June & Cardo, Until the Night Comes. One album is pushing for best of the year—one just holds steady. Tune in for the verdict.Follow Us on Social Media:

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Ep 112

This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down Nicki Minaj’s explosive claim that JAY-Z and Roc Nation owe her up to $200 million from the Tidal deal. From the original artist equity rollout to the 2021 sale, we revisit the numbers, the silence from other stakeholders like Rihanna and J. Cole, and Steve Stoute’s comments that Nicki never signed her paperwork. With no lawsuit in sight and the Barbz in full attack mode, is this a legitimate financial grievance or just a high-stakes PR play? Let’s get into it.

🎧 Curated Spotify Playlists:

▪️ Cole’s UK Selections – UK rap, grime, drill, alt vibes

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7iw59JQcJD5IEhfr6A4lea?si=vPEdwcYzSEKb4evP_aaUGg

▪️ In The Loop – U.S. hip-hop, new drops, underground heat

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0cKpuFv5atDUg2yn4FhzzZ?si=hGaLFWxvRcqOBNkQlQemsQ

💥 Support the Channel on Patreon

Get bonus content + behind-the-scenes:

https://www.patreon.com/TheStemSociety

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Who’s got the most to prove in the second half of 2025?

In this solo episode, Cole Jackson runs through his official Rap Album Draft — breaking down the most anticipated albums dropping this year. From The Clipse and JID to Drake, Summer Walker, and Larry June, we’re talking release dates, early singles, tracklists, and what could make or break each drop.

Plus: why Cardi B’s comeback feels forced, if Roddy Ricch can bounce back, and whether A$AP Rocky missed his window.

New episodes every Wednesday and Sunday. Culture talk only.

Ep 111

This week, Cole Jackson reacts to the Diddy trial verdict — not guilty on the biggest charges, but still facing time. Did the prosecution blow it, or was the case never solid to begin with?

Then we get into Skepta’s viral tweet calling for a UK vs US rap clash. Cole breaks down the matchups, explains the grime “clash” culture for American listeners, and asks the big question: could US rappers survive that kind of pressure?

Tap in for honest hip-hop commentary, weekly.

Timestamps

(1:04) Diddy Verdict

(3:29) Baby Oil Celebration

(5:22) The Prosecution Fumbled

(6:10) Cassie's Testimony

(8:18) The Sentencing

(10:18) Final Thoughts

(11:49) Intermission

(12:40) Skepta Calls Out the US

(14:02) What is a Clash?

(15:43) Can the US win?

(16:07) Cole Revise the Match Ups

(19:05) Final Thoughts

Ep 110

T-Pain calls out Drake for not bowing out gracefully—and it’s got the internet talking. In this episode of The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down the comments and whether they hit a nerve.

We also unpack the reveal of Cardi B’s long-awaited album Am I The Drama?, plus what the end of Diddy’s trial could mean for his future in the music industry.

Subscribe for weekly deep dives into hip-hop news, album drops, and culture commentary.

Timestamps:

(0:00) – Cold Open

(0:53)– T-Pain vs Drake: What Was Really Said

(10:11) – Cardi B’s Album Announcement: September Drop?

(20:25) - Intermission

(21:25) – Diddy Trial Ends: What Comes Next?

💥 Support the Channel on Patreon

Get bonus content + behind-the-scenes:

https://www.patreon.com/TheStemSociety

📱 Follow Cole Jackson:

IG → @colejackson_bynk

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