The Stem Society

Ep 167

This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down the latest Griselda controversy after comments from Rory & Mal reignited rumors of tension between Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher.

Cole looks at the history of the breakup rumors, Conway's departure from the label, Benny's Def Jam deal, and why the Griselda split may have been hiding in plain sight for years.

The bigger question remains: can Griselda still be Griselda without all three founding members?

Timestamp

(0:22) The rumor of the Griselda breakup

(5:39) The group has fought the rumors for years

(11:20) Is Westside Gunn the problem?

(13:25) YG's problem with B Dot

(15:55) B Dot's response

(17:56) Should artists get upset about lists?

Ep 166

This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson reacts to Jay-Z's surprise Roots Picnic freestyle and breaks down the shots aimed at Drake, Kanye West, Dame Dash, Nicki Minaj, and Tory Lanez.

Cole also discusses whether Drake would have any chance against Jay-Z in a battle and why Hov's latest move might expose some hypocrisy.

Plus, the leaked Sauce Walka call that has the internet talking and why everybody involved might be chasing attention.

Timestamp

(0:34) Jay Z Roots Picnic freestyle

(3:14) Jay is responding

(5:24) Will Drake respond?

(9:11) Does Jay Z look like a hypocrite?

(13:11) Sauce Walka's BM phone call

(15:15) Sauce is clout chasing

(17:21) Sauce history with Drake

(20:44) Sauce is handling this wrong

(21:51) Cole's Corner: Boosie won't grow up

Ep 165

This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson reacts to DJ Hed facing backlash after clips surfaced of him allegedly editing Drake’s “2 Hard 4 The Radio” and questions whether hip hop media personalities are becoming too emotionally invested in rap beef.

Cole also breaks down Drake surpassing Michael Jackson for the most solo #1 songs by a male artist and explains why breaking records and becoming a cultural phenomenon are two completely different things.

Ep 164

Cole Jackson breaks down the latest controversy surrounding DJ Akademiks after new conversations sparked around payola, label influence, and whether hip hop media can still be trusted. Cole also reacts to Akademiks responding to allegations tied to artists, labels, and even Trump’s Truth Social platform.

Later in the episode, Cole reacts to Rick Ross calling Drake’s ICEMAN “horrendous” and questions whether Ross is giving real criticism or simply using Drake’s name to help promote his upcoming album.

Plus a new Cole’s Corner segment on Daz selling bootleg copies of The Chronic.

Timestamps

(0:24) Does Ak take payola?

(2:51) Is hip hop media getting paid?

(5:10) Platforms want to paywall

(6:41) Ak is paid by Truth Social

(9:22) Final Thoughts

(10:23) Rick Ross talks "Iceman"

(12:39) Who made who

(15:30) Rick Ross is not Drake

(16:51) Cole's Corner: Daz vs Death Row

Ep 163

This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down the Drake Spotify controversy after the platform corrected its original streaming record announcement and sparked new conversations about bots, streaming manipulation, and UMG.

Cole also reacts to JID’s deleted tweets about the BET Awards and his comments about J. Cole while asking a bigger question about respect, status, and how the industry values hip hop artists.

Ep 162

This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down the theory that Drake’s 3-album drop might have had nothing to do with music quality and everything to do with business.

Cole dives into the UMG lawsuit, the reaction culture around “mid” album reviews, and why so many streamers and podcasters may be missing the bigger picture behind Iceman, Hibibti, and Maid of Honor.

Timestamps

(0:32) Drake wants his independence

(3:36) The theory behind 3 albums

(7:05) Drake's crazy work rate

(9:50) Drake's not the first

(12:09) $2 Billion dollar deal?

(13:16) Final Thoughts

(14:31) Cole's Corner: Rory & Mal v Rick Ross

Ep 161

Cole Jackson breaks down all the speculation and internet chaos surrounding Drake’s upcoming Iceman album.

From Kendrick conspiracy theories and streamer narratives to Charlamagne’s comments, rumored disses, Future speculation, and Drake’s relationship with streamers, Cole looks at what actually matters heading into release week.

He also explains why Iceman needs to deliver a real rap moment for Drake and why hip-hop fans should judge the album off the music — not internet politics.

Timestamps

(0:27) Why did GNX disapprear?

(4:29) Ak changing the narrative

(7:41) Drake can still rap

(10:04) Charlamagne leaks information

(17:11) Drake has to get a win

Ep 160

Cole Jackson breaks down the latest fallout from Complex’s Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking after Ebro and Peter Rosenberg call DJ Akademiks an “algorithm hustler.”

Cole questions whether Ebro is being hypocritical, whether Complex is moving politically, and why certain voices only speak up when it benefits them.

Later, Cole reacts to Latto announcing her “retirement album” and debates whether this is a real exit from rap or just rollout strategy.

Timestamps

(0:19) Ebro calls out Algro Hustle

(3:07) Ebro has a problem with Ak and Complex

(5:56) Cole looks deeper into Ebro's contributions

(7:45) Scammer's in the Media Space

(10:51) Final Thoughts

(12:05) Latto's Retirement Announcment

(14:04) This Could Be Real

(16:51) What Will This Sound Like?

(17:45) Cole's Corner: Rick Ross

Ep 159

Cole Jackson breaks down Complex’s 2026 Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking and questions whether these lists still have credibility.

From Akademiks defending his spot to debates over Kai Cenat, Charlamagne, On The Radar, and relationship politics in media, this episode looks at whether hip-hop media rankings reward real work or just popularity and connections.

Timestamps

(0:28) The top 5 picks

(1:04) Akademiks goes viral

(2:39) Rory and Mal spot is suspect

(4:05) Complex moves the goal post

(6:55) Charlamagne got no respect

(8:37) Why is Kai Cenat still here?

(11:33) Why this list is important

(12:21) Final thoughts

(13:20) Cole's Corner: Bad Hip Hop Conversations

Ep 158

Jay-Z has the culture debating again.

In a recent interview, he said older rappers making “young music” comes off forced — and fans can tell when it’s not authentic. In this episode, Cole breaks down the statement, the pushback, and what it really means for hip-hop today.

Plus, Cole reacts to the Rick Ross vs. French Montana Verzuz announcement and explains why it’s not hitting like it should — and whether Verzuz has run its course.

Timestamps

(0:21) Jay Z makes a statement

(1:49) Akademiks leads the internet in a response

(6:30) Is Jay the head of Hip Hop

(10:17) Is this really about Drake

(13:50) What is the goal

(17:54) Final thoughts

(19:35) Verzuz is back

(22:00) Verzuz is cooked