The Stem Society

The Stem Society: Cardi B Album Review

After seven years of waiting, Cardi B finally delivers her new album—and I’m breaking it all down. From the big singles to the vulnerable deep cuts, this review looks at the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Did Cardi remind us why she’s a superstar—or does this project expose her as an average rapper coming off a long break?

Cole Jackson gives his honest commentary on the rollout, the sound, the lyrics, and the cultural weight of this release.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Cole Open

(2:00) What Works/Production

(2:39) Lyrics/Does She Has Writers?

(4:31) Best Songs

(6:35) Problems with the Album

(7:16) Why Is Cardi doing Pop - Rap?

(8:09) Filler Songs

(8:52) The Features

(10:21) Did She Trick Us for Sales?

(11:17) Cardi's Lazy Rapping

(13:00) Replay Value

(14:57) Final Verdict

Ep 121

Dame Dash just had one of the wildest weeks in hip-hop. From clashing with Charlamagne on The Breakfast Club to claiming he was “chairman” of REVOLT, getting shut down by the CEO, and now filing a $300 million lawsuit — all in just a few days.

In this episode, Cole Jackson breaks down the timeline and asks the bigger question: why does hip-hop love to clown its fallen moguls? From 50 Cent flipping bankruptcy into a comeback to the way the culture treats figures like Suge Knight, Master P, and Birdman, we explore why some legacies get respect while others get ridicule.

Cole also weighs in on Cardi B’s album rollout. The announcement that her album went platinum on its first day raised more questions than hype. Cole explains why that kind of stat, while impressive on paper, can backfire — feeding into industry skepticism, distracting from the music itself, and making fans debate numbers instead of artistry.

Plus: a deep dive into the AI artist Xania Monet signing a multimillion-dollar record deal. With lawsuits against Suno and copyright laws in question, who really owns AI-assisted music, and is the money worth the risk?

🎙 The Stem Society — Honest hip-hop commentary every week.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Cole Open

(2:08) Dame Dash on The Breakfast Club

(4:21) OG's Clout Chasing?

(6:35) The Breakfast Club is Petty

(9:08) Cam'ron vs Dame

(12:43) Xania Monet Gets Signed

(15:02) Suno is a Scam/The Label Wants Control

(18:42) Why This is Bad!

(20:26) I Got Cardi B Fan Backlash!

Ep 120

Lil Baby might be done with rap completely — at least that’s what someone from his camp is hinting at. Cardi B is finally dropping her album, but the rollout’s got people saying it’s built for first-week sales instead of good music. And then Young Thug popped out from behind all the drama with an apology track… but can a full album really work after everything that’s happened?

Let’s break it all down.

This is The Stem Society — honest hip-hop commentary, no fluff.

⏱ Timestamps

(0:30) Lil Baby Retire Leak?

(1:18) Where is Lil Baby?

(2:40) Did Lil Baby Falloff?

(4:07) Is This a Rollout for The Leaks?

(6:22) Gunna vs Lil Baby

(7:53) This Generation of Artist Like to Quit

(9:07) Cardi B's Rollout Rant

(12:40) Glorilla Diss Track

(14:44) Young Thug's Apology/New Album

(16:46) Young Thug Talks Drake and Lil Baby

(17:32) Young Thug is Not the Same

(19:09) Nobody's Excited

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In this episode of The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down Young Thug’s long-awaited interview and what it means for his future. Cole explores why this conversation matters for hip-hop culture, whether Thug redeemed himself in the public eye, why he still has so much anger toward Gunna, and if he’s finally ready to change his ways.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Cole Open

(1:36) Big Bank was great

(4:03) Young Thug wasn't ready for home

(7:30) Talking about pleas was confusing

(10:56) Did Young Thug snitch?

(13:42) Gunna Talk

(19:41) Will Thug change after this?

Ep 119

Drake just reunited with Bobbi Althoff for their second interview — but was it real or just another curated fluff piece? Cole Jackson breaks it all down on The Stem Society, from the “culture vulture” debate to Wiley calling Drake out on BBC Radio 1Xtra, to why he refuses to sit with hip hop media.

This episode dives into Drake’s history with UK Grime and Afrobeats, the Pharrell jewelry flex, and why avoiding hip hop media says more about his legacy than the interview itself.

Timestamps:

(0:52) Interview Recap

(2:23) Bobbi Doesn't Know About Drake?

(3:17) Culture Vulture Claims/ Drake Used UK Grime

(7:34) Drake Used Afro beats for a Number 1

(8:57) Drake Disses Pharrell?

(10:59) Drake Has a Problem with Media

(13:34) Drake vs Hip Hop Media

(15:00) Drake Will Have to Come Back to Hip Hop.

🎙️ This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson dives into two big drops.

• Joey Bada$$ – Lonely at the Top: Joey trades bravado for maturity, with polished production and introspective themes. But did the rollout promise a different album than what fans got?

• Westside Gunn – Heels Have Eyes 2: Griselda’s frontman brings hidden features, coke-rap piano, and gritty verses. But does it measure up to 12 earlier this year, or fall short?

Two heavyweights, two cool listens—did either one deliver?

⏱ Timestamps

(0:00) Cole Open

(1:00) Lonely at the Top/Initial Thoughts

(2:55) Standout Songs

(5:34) This is Not What I Wanted

(7:11) Final Verdict

(9:21) Heels Have Eyes 2/Initial Thoughts

(11:24) Hidden Features

(12:55) Standout Songs

(13:54) Stove God Cooks, Rapper of the Year!

(14:54) Biggest Disappointment

(16:16) Final Verdict

Ep 118

In this episode of The Stem Society, Cole Jackson gives his take on Young Thug’s leaked interrogation audio.

I break down where Thug has gone wrong, how Gunna managed to bounce back from snitching accusations, and whether the street code is ruining hip hop. This isn’t just about one tape — it’s about the rules that can shape or end a career.

What I cover in this episode:

• My opinion on Young Thug’s leaked interrogation clips

• Where Thug may have slipped up

• How Gunna has managed to recover and rebuild his career

• The bigger cultural question: is the street code destroying hip hop?

👉 Let me know in the comments: is the street code protecting the culture, or is it ending careers?

🔔 Subscribe for more honest hip-hop commentary every week.

This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson reviews Offset’s latest album Kiari. Across 18 tracks, Offset delivers his most personal and intentional solo project yet, balancing Atlanta trap energy with reflective cuts. Cole breaks down the standout songs, the features, and why Kiari stands above Offset’s past solo albums.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Cole Open

(1:07) Initial Thoughts

(1:54) Favorite Songs

(5:14) Offset Finally Talks About Cardi B

(6:57) The Features

(8:24) The Bad Spots

(10:05) Final Verdict

Ep 117

This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down two stories shaking hip hop right now.

First, Fat Joe says he actually likes Gunna’s new album The Last Wun — but he refuses to support it after labeling Gunna a “rat.” Cole dives into what this means for the street code, loyalty, and whether that code still holds weight in today’s culture.

Then, Drake reunites with Bobbi Althoff for another interview on her new podcast. Cole doesn’t hold back, questioning why Drake keeps giving her the spotlight while real hip hop media gets sidelined. Is this about clout, or is it hurting the culture?

Tap in for an honest conversation about loyalty, media, and where hip hop draws the line today.

Timestamps

(0:00) Cole Open

(1:15) Fat Joe Problem with Rap

(12:36) Drake Spins the Block with Bobbi

Chance the Rapper is back with Star Line, a 17-track project that’s got the culture asking if this is his true comeback or another stumble. Cole Jackson digs into the themes, highlights, and where Chance stands in 2025.

Then, Cardi B takes on Jay-Z’s Imaginary Players with her own flip, Imaginary Playerz. Cole breaks down the flexes, the delivery, the backlash, and what this move says about Cardi’s future in hip hop.

Two artists. Two big swings. Only one might land.

Timestamps

(0:00) Cole Open

(1:41) Star Line Review/Production

(3:48) Lyrics

(6:23) The Features

(7:37) Hight Points

(8:44) Weak Points

(10:52) Final Thoughts

(12:19) Cardi B's Imaginary Playerz/Hov Influence

(13:33) Cardi's Take

(15:36) Why Is It NOT Working?

(18:29) Do Something Else

(21:53) Sophomore Slump

(23:38) Final Thoughts