Ep 134In this episode of The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down two conversations that are really about the same thing: legacy in hip-hop.Cole reacts to The Game claiming he’s the best rapper on the West Coast, and why Kendrick Lamar’s name immediately entered the conversation. Is greatness about pure skill, or do catalog, impact, and how an artist moves over time matter more?The episode then shifts to the end of Ebro in the Morning on Hot 97, and why radio still plays a role in hip-hop culture — but only if it evolves in a podcast-driven era.This isn’t about nostalgia or taking sides. It’s about how hip-hop decides who gets the crown, and how media platforms survive when the culture changes.🎙️ Hosted by Cole Jackson
Ep 133In this episode, Cole breaks down why the new Diddy documentary adds nothing to the conversation. From 50’s ego play to the recycled information, Cole explains why the doc feels like a waste of time and money.Cole also reacts to Trap Lore Ross’ new video on NBA YoungBoy and talks about why creators who lean into street politics need to stand on their words when the pressure hits.Tap in for honest hip hop commentary and real conversations about media responsibility.Timestamps(1:16) Initial Thoughts / 50's Involvement(2:40) What Is the Doc About?(6:59) What Was the Purpose?(8:13) Diddy’s Love Life(9:21) R. Kelly vs. Diddy(10:51) Diddy Is Just Like White Executives(14:02) Final Thoughts on the Doc(15:14) Trap Lore Ross Going at YoungBoy(16:43) Who Is Wrong?(20:02) I Won’t Blame Artists(22:07) Stand By Your Statement!(24:31) Hip Hop Is ALWAYS the Blame(25:56) Stop Supporting TLR(27:44) Outro
Ep 132Cole breaks down why The Bigger Picture didn’t work long-term and what its ending says about the shallow state of hip-hop podcasting. He also dives into why labels pushing DSPs to raise streaming prices is a bad idea, and whether real alternatives to Spotify and Apple Music even exist. A full culture talk from someone who actually pays attention.Timestamps(0:00) Cole Open(1:08) The Bigger Picture Says Goodbye?(3:46) The Couldn't Move Past Kendrick v Drake(5:05) Jeremy, Dj Hed and Elliott Wilson felt non committal(9:37) Elliott's Hidden Agenda(14:57) The Problem with Hip Hop Podcasting(18:13) Spotify is Going to Raise the Price(19:10) The Labels Are to Blame(20:17) The OG Rappers are the Problem(24:39) Here is My Alternative to Streaming
Ep 131This week on The Stem Society, Cole breaks down Drake’s new Complex interview and pulls out the moments that actually matter. From the “calm seas” comment to the mindset behind the Iceman rollout, Cole digs into what Drake is really trying to signal before the album drops.Then, we get into the Roc Nation Distribution announcement and why the timing and presentation of this move just feel off. Is this a strategic play or a bad look for the culture? Cole explains why this news isn’t landing the way Roc Nation probably hoped.Tap in for honest hip-hop commentary, no industry politics.Timestamps:(0:00) Cole Open(1:27) Drake's Iceman Rollout(2:26) Points from Drake's Complex Inteview(8:31) Drake's Make or Break Album(9:20) Final Thoughts on Drake(10:53) Roc Nation Distrobution Announcement(11:52) The Internet's Perception(12:56) Russ Speaks Up(16:07) What is Roc Nation Really Offering?(17:28) Learn About Alternatives(19:50) Final Thoughts
Rory Farrell had one of the messiest weeks in podcast history. Old tweets and retweets resurfaced showing racist comments and disrespect toward Black women, and his reaction in a live X Space only added fuel to the fire — sarcasm, excuses, and an apology that didn’t land.In this episode, Cole Jackson breaks down the full story and asks the real question:Is Rory actually canceled… or is this another case of outrage that disappears once the timeline moves on?Tap in as we unpack the fallout, the cultural response, and what “accountability” even means in hip-hop media today.Chapters:(0:00) – Cold Open(1:14) – What Really Happened(6:14) – The X Space Fallout(12:54) – People Aren't Really Doing Anything(19:20) – It's All a Scam(21:17) – My Final Thoughts on Rory's Apology
Westside Gunn says WWE kicked him out of Monday Night RAW in Buffalo — after years of sitting front row, spending thousands, and repping wrestling in his music.Cole Jackson breaks down why the fallout between Gunn and WWE hits deeper than a copyright issue. From cease and desists to cultural disrespect, this episode dives into how hip-hop helped make wrestling cool again — and why WWE still doesn’t get it.🎙️ Hosted by Cole Jackson | The Stem Society
Ep 129The 2026 GRAMMY nominations are in, and hip hop came to play. Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nods, but did the Academy finally get it right?Cole Jackson breaks down the biggest rap and R&B categories — from Clipse’s Let God Sort ’Em Out to Leon Thomas’s MUTT — and calls out who got snubbed. Then, Cole pivots to a new lawsuit accusing Spotify of ignoring fake bot streams and asks the question every fan is thinking:if the biggest artist in the world benefits from bots, what does that say about the industry?The Stem Society is hosted by Cole Jackson — honest commentary at the intersection of hip hop, R&B, and culture.New episodes every Sunday and Wednesday.⏱️ Timestamps(0:00) - Cole Open(1:45) - Will This Be Kendrick's Night(3:34) - Best Rap Album(7:40) - Who Got Snubbed (10:54) - Best Rap Performance(13:24) - Best Rap Song(15:09) - Album of the Year(19:27) - Drake and Fake Streams
Four years later, Dave returns with The Boy Who Played Harp — a deeply personal album about faith, loss, and growth.This isn’t just a rap record; it’s a reflection of where he is as a man.In this episode, Cole breaks down how Dave uses spirituality, honesty, and vulnerability to tell his story. From “175 Months” to “Chapter 16” with Kano, this is Dave sounding more grounded — and more human — than ever before.If you’ve ever questioned your faith or felt like you’re figuring life out one prayer at a time, this one’s for you.🎙️ The Stem Society — honest hip-hop commentary with Cole Jackson. New episodes every Wednesday and Sunday.
Bonus EpisodeEveryone keeps saying hip hop is dead, but the numbers don’t tell the full story. In this video, I break down why the culture is still alive — just evolving in new spaces. From charts to creativity, hip hop hasn’t flatlined, it’s just shifting.Social Media:@colejackon12 - Twitter@colejackson_bynk - Instagram
Ep 127This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down two moments that show what happens when hip-hop gets personal.First, Kevin McCall’s emotional podcast moment reignites old drama with Chris Brown — raising questions about money, pride, and how fame breaks artists.Then, Trap Lore Ross gets confronted by Central Cee’s team at ComplexCon — sparking a bigger conversation about accountability in hip-hop media and what happens when content creators push the line for clicks.Cole unpacks both stories with honesty, humor, and perspective — reminding us that in hip-hop, the truth always comes with a cost.Timestamps(0:00) Cole Open(1:26) Kevin McCall cries on the couch(3:10) Chris Brown and Kevin McCall's history(4:02) Kevin McCall blows $8 Million(5:55) Does Chris owe Kevin for his success?(9:11) It's the labels fault!(11:40) Kevin needs to take responsibility(12:15) Ray J and Young Thug step in(14:33) Trap Lore Ross gets pressed at Complex Con(17:00) Trap Lore Ross content(18:09) Stand on what you say!(19:37) Trap Lore Ross side of things(22:06) Content Creators just want attention(23:33) Outro
Tyler, The Creator is catching heat again — this time for old anti-Black tweets from his early career that have resurfaced online. The backlash came right after he paid tribute to D’Angelo, and somehow, his own fanbase became part of the problem.Cole Jackson breaks down the controversy, the internet’s obsession with digging up the past, and how Tyler’s evolution as an artist challenges what “Black artistry” looks like in modern hip-hop.🎧 The Stem Society — Honest Hip-Hop Commentary. No Industry Filter.⏱ Timestamps:(0:00) Cole Open(0:39) Tribute Gone Wrong(4:24) Tyler's Old Tweets(9:01) Tyler's Music Tells Us Everything(15:01) Final Thoughts
Ep 125In this episode, Cole Jackson gets real about the downside of honesty in hip-hop media. After losing subscribers for calling Drake’s lawsuit a business move instead of a personal attack, Cole breaks down how fan culture and hive mind thinking are hurting small creators, hip-hop, and the conversations around it.From Drake vs Kendrick to Nicki vs Cardi, and even voices like Akademiks and Joe Budden, this episode explores how fan loyalty has turned into blind allegiance — and what that means for creators who choose truth over tribes.🎙️ The Stem Society is where real hip-hop commentary lives — no industry filters, no PR spin, just perspective.
Ep 124Drake’s lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has officially been dismissed. In this episode, Cole Jackson breaks down Judge Vargas’ 38-page opinion, how it frames rap beef as protected art, and what this means for the culture going forward.Timestamps:(0:00) Cold Open – Drake vs UMG dismissed(1:17) What the Dismissal Says(7:10) Drake’s claim about bots and pay-for-play(10:24) The timeline reacts on X(16:17) Cole's Got Questions(18:38) Drake's Legacy/Outro
Ep 123 Cole Jackson dives into two of the week’s biggest stories in hip-hop: Cardi B and Nicki Minaj’s Twitter meltdown and Diddy’s sentencing. The episode breaks down how a $4.99 tweet turned into a family-level feud — and why Diddy’s four-year sentence says more about the system than it does about justice.Tune in for unfiltered commentary and cultural analysis that keeps it honest — because The Stem Society isn’t here to play it safe.Timestamps (0:00) Cole Open(1:40) Cardi vs Nicki/How Did It Start?(5:07) Cardi's Numbers Are Fake?(7:33) Took It Too Far(9:26) Nicki's Next Album(11:13) Cardi Has a Problem(14:02) Diddy's Sentencing(18:05) Fame is Not Above the Law
Young Thug’s UY Scuti is 20 tracks of highs and lows. In this review, I break down what worked, what didn’t, the production, and the features. Thug shows flashes of the artist fans know and love, but most of the project feels scattered and inconsistent. I explain why this album lands as a Light Spin and what it could mean for his future.📱 Follow Cole Jackson:IG → @colejackson_bynkX → @ColeJackson12📡 Follow BYNK Media:IG → @bynkmedia1X → @bynkmedia1
Ep 122Cardi B just went back-to-back at #1 on the Billboard 200 with 208k first week — the first woman since Nicki Minaj to pull it off. But does that mean hip hop is thriving in 2025, or are we watching the culture stall out? Cole Jackson breaks down Cardi’s run, Nicki’s response, and why the game might be short on new stars.In the second story, Live Nation’s CEO claims concert tickets are “underpriced.” Cole explains why that doesn’t add up for fans — or for artists.🎙 Hosted by Cole Jackson, The Stem Society delivers honest hip hop commentary and unfiltered takes on the culture.Timestamp(0:00) Cole Open(1:18) Cardi's Album is Number 1?(4:30) Do you think hip hop is having a great year?(6:16) We Need Drake(10:35) No New Stars(12:42) Who We Should Talk About(15:29) Final Thoughts(16:12) Concerts are Underpriced(19:32) AI and Dynamic Pricing(22:06) Final Thoughts(24:56) Outro📱 Follow Cole Jackson:IG → @colejackson_bynkX → @ColeJackson12📡 Follow BYNK Media:IG → @bynkmedia1X → @bynkmedia1
The Stem Society: Cardi B Album ReviewAfter 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 121Dame 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 120Lil 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📱 Follow Cole Jackson:IG → @colejackson_bynkX → @ColeJackson12📡 Follow BYNK Media:IG → @bynkmedia1X → @bynkmedia1
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?