The Stem Society

Ep 187

Keefe 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

Ep 186

Lil 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

Ep 185

The 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

Ep 174

Akademiks 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

Ep 183

Lil 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

Ep 182

Drake'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

Ep 181

Why 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

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