Afleveringen
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Ep 170
On today's episode of The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down two of the biggest conversations in hip-hop.
First, T.I. is facing criticism after calling Verzuz a "poor people activity" despite spending years campaigning for a battle with 50 Cent. Has he changed his mind, or is this a convenient rewrite of history before his new album?
Then, Meek Mill claims DJ Akademiks and his online coverage are responsible for a dramatic decline in his streaming numbers. Is Akademiks really that influential, or is Meek ignoring the real reasons behind his career slowdown?
Cole gives his unfiltered take on both stories, the bigger cultural implications, and why accountability in hip-hop is often selective.
Timestamps
(0:37) TI speaks out about Verzuz
(3:20) TI used Verzuz for his album
(5:08) TI had to clean it up
(7:09) Verzuz is not good
(11:44) Meek Mill calls out Akademiks
(14:37) Meek might be the problem
(17:34) Meek Mill is not doing it right
(20:06) Cole's Corner: Dame Dash
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Ep 169
This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down the backlash surrounding Jay-Z's decision to release an exclusive 30th anniversary Reasonable Doubt vinyl through Target while the retailer remains the focus of a boycott within parts of the Black community.
Cole examines whether Jay-Z is being tone deaf, why billionaires often prioritize business over public sentiment, and whether fans are willing to hold their favorite artists accountable when money is involved.
Timestamp
(0:14) Jay Z partnership with Target
(1:11) Outrage vs Acceptance
(4:05) Is Jay out of touch
(6:04) This is not the first time
(7:45) Can we hold people accountable?
(9:36) Final thoughts
(10:41) Cole's Corner: Nicki Minaj
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Ep 168
This week on The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down the latest lawsuit and allegations involving Kanye West and asks whether hip-hop fans have become too willing to ignore serious accusations when they involve their favorite artists.
Cole also reacts to Savon's claims that Elliott Wilson owes him $20,000 and discusses why turning personal business disputes into podcast content might be a bigger problem for hip-hop media than people realize.
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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?
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Ep 157
Meg Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson are done — but the internet turned it into something way bigger than it needed to be. In this episode, we break down what actually happened, why people are picking sides, and how narratives are driving the conversation more than facts. Then we get into Vince Staples’ “Blackberry Marmalade” video and the split reaction around it — did he go too far, or are people missing the message?
⏱️ Timestamps
(0:21) Meg & Klay Breakup Breakdown
(2:01) The Narrative is Crazy(4:58) We Don't Know
Anything
(7:07) The Meg Side of Things
(9:56) Final Thoughts
(12:27) Vince Staples “Blackberry Marmalade” Reaction
(14:26) Did People Miss The Message?
(16:31) Final Thought
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Ep 156
In this episode of The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down two major conversations in hip hop.
Drake begins his latest rollout, sparking debate about strategy, timing, and what comes next.
Plus, Complex drops its list of the hottest rappers right now, and the reaction says everything.Tap in and join the conversation.
Timestamp
(0:26) Drake’s rollout begins
(5:43) Is Drake controlling the narrative?
(12:49) Complex drops Top 100 list
(13:58) Why this list makes no sense
(17:00) Biggest snubs & reactions
(23:44) Cole's Corner: Boosie & Vlad Breakup
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Ep 155
Lil Wayne speaks out about being left out of today’s biggest moments, which leads to a bigger question about relevance and legacy in hip hop.
The Game jumps into the Drake conversation and blames fans for the current state of the culture, sparking debate about what actually drives success.
Plus, Ice Spice goes viral after a public incident that raises concerns about how artists move and protect themselves.
Cole Jackson breaks it all down in this episode of The Stem Society.
Timestamp
(0:21) Lil Wayne tweets about being out of the conversation
(8:41) Hip Hop is down?
(9:22) Isaac Hayes III tweets
(11:01) Is this a troll?
(12:33) The battle is not the problem
(16:06) Drake is fine
(20:02) Ice Spice attacked!
(26:03) Cole's Corner - Athony Fantano
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Ep 154
This week, Cole tackles multiple topics.
He dives into Isaiah Rashad’s rollout and why this could be his best — and possibly final — album.
Next, Cole breaks down the Chris Brown & Usher tour, why it feels bigger than a moment, and whether this is the closest thing we’ll get to a Verzuz. He also asks: is this finally the move that puts Chris Brown in position for a Super Bowl Halftime show?
Finally, Cole revisits Gucci Mane’s “Crash Dummy” release, where it went wrong, and what it says about the current mindset of street OGs — including the shift toward more Republican views.
Timestamps
(0:17) Isaiah Rashad's New Album
(1:26) 'Same Sh!t' song and video
(2:28) Isaiah's place at TDE
(3:19) Speculation on who and what's on the album
(5:33) Usher and Chris Brown annouce a new tour
(7:48) Crossing Eras, How Will It Work?
(9:55) Does the Concert Turn Into a Verzuz?
(13:14) Let's Talk More About Gucci Mane
(14:27) OGs Turning Republican?
(18:47) Gucci's Downfall
(21:16) Drake's Rollout is Getting Stupid
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Ep 153
Gucci Mane is catching heat after his latest track sparked a “snitching” debate, and the internet is split on whether he crossed the line or not.
Meanwhile, Offset is back in the headlines following a shooting incident, but the bigger conversation is about his recent pattern and how he’s been moving.
Cole Jackson breaks down both stories, the reactions behind them, and what it means for each artist going forward on this episode of The Stem Society.
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Ep 152
Kanye keeps talking—but this time, people aren’t just tweeting about it… they’re acting on it. What used to be outrage is starting to turn into real consequences, and the industry might finally be drawing a line.
In this episode, Cole Jackson breaks down what Kanye said, why the backlash feels different, and asks the real question—why do we keep letting this slide?
At some point, it stops being controversy… and starts being a pattern.
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Ep 151
Cole Jackson breaks down the growing tension between Gucci Mane and Pooh Shiesty, and what this situation reveals about loyalty, contracts, and how things can spiral in the industry. Then, we get into Kanye West’s latest run—sold out shows, major headlines, and the bigger question: does success erase everything?
Timestamps
(0:00) Cole Open
(0:36) How did we get here?
(4:20) Gucci Mane's Label is Cursed
(7:10) Gucci is a Snitch?
(8:58) What Wrong With New Rappers?
(11:07) Kanye is Back?
(13:28) I Can't Forget KKKanye
(15:15) The Pushback Against Kanye
(18:36) Final Thoughts
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