The Stem Society

BYNK Media LLC
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Daily

Cole Jackson is a music commentator who talks about hip-hop, the media covering it and the business behind it. Hip-hop media, artist moves, industry politics, controversies and whatever has everybody arguing that week — it’s all on the table. Cole looks at what happened, how people are reacting and then gets into the part that actually interests him: what are we really talking about here? Sometimes the popular take makes sense. Sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes the whole conversation is ridiculous.

  1. 4d ago

    Who's Really Biased?

    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

    Who's Really Biased?

  2. Aug 16

    Beyond Approach

    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

    Beyond Approach

  3. Aug 14

    Too Much Drake?

    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

    Too Much Drake?

  4. Aug 9

    Who is In the Right?

    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

    Who is In the Right?

  5. Aug 5

    Show Me the Proof!

    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!

    Show Me the Proof!

  6. Aug 2

    Podcasting is Nasty!

    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

    Podcasting is Nasty!

  7. Aug 1

    Major Artists, Mid Music

    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

    Major Artists, Mid Music

  8. Jul 29

    INDUSTRY UNDER ATTACK?

    Ep 177 This week I'm breaking down one of the strangest stories in hip-hop. Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Kanye West, Playboi Carti and other artists all appear to have been targeted by the same hackers, leading to leaked songs and unauthorized uploads. I examine what happened, the possible connections, and what this could mean for the music industry moving forward. Plus, I share my thoughts on The Game vs. YG Verzuz and why The Game's catalog deserves more respect than it gets. Timestamps (0:20) Major artists are getting hacked (4:21) Who is IMXX (5:14) What I seen on their Discord (9:10) Recap of Game/YG Verzuz (17:08) Cole's Corner: 38 Spesh vs Everybody

    INDUSTRY UNDER ATTACK?
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Cole Jackson is a music commentator who talks about hip-hop, the media covering it and the business behind it. Hip-hop media, artist moves, industry politics, controversies and whatever has everybody arguing that week — it’s all on the table. Cole looks at what happened, how people are reacting and then gets into the part that actually interests him: what are we really talking about here? Sometimes the popular take makes sense. Sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes the whole conversation is ridiculous.

Information

  • Creator
    BYNK Media LLC
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © BYNK Media LLC
  • Show Website
    The Stem Society