KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

Elizabeth McQueen

Grace Sorenson Speaks!

Fresh and Confucius talk to Austin R&B singer-songwriter  Grace Sorenson about why she got into music, what it’s been like to work with BLK ODDYSY, and what she has on the horizon. Grace will be playing KUTX Summer Jam on Friday, July 21st at Stubbs Indoors as part of Hot Summer Nights.

They also discuss a comment Kee from Austin’s Wave Tribe made on Fresh’s show New Fresh City show — the idea that Austin doesn’t have the culture to back up a street rap scene.

You’ll also hear Hip-Hop What Ifs about what if Lil’ Wayne had left Cash Money early on, what if 50 Cent had never been shot, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that 6lack has not made a good album since Free 6lack.

Confucius talks about the SAG-AFTRA strike, Ron DeSantis poll numbers, Tom Brady and Kim Kardashian’s romance, and more on Confucius Reads the News.

Shout Out to the Women

Confucius and Fresh debate whether or not women are saving New York rap, and try and figure out if hip-hop fashion is better now than it was in the past.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about what R&B girl group passed on the Britney Spears hit “Baby One More Time,” the time Lloyd Banks almost signed with Kanye’s “Good Music” label, what Case is really saying at the end of “Missing You” and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that artists actually do need exposure.

Confucius talks about the Sriracha shortage, the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action, and the implosion of the Ttan submersible on Confucius Reads the News.

 

No Austin Without Us

Confucius and Fresh talk to Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone about DAWA, the Black Live Music Fund, and the Sonik Frootz showcase at Antone’s.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how ODB made it on Pras’ song “Ghetto Superstar,” the weird way Montel Jordan got signed to Def Jam, how Erykah Badu’s song “Honey” became a single, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Lil Wayne’s “A Milli” is a very overrated song.

Confucius talks about the disappearance of the Titan submarine, the House of Representative’s vote to censure Adam Schiff and more on Confucius Reads the News

Crew Love

Confucius and Fresh interview Austin comedian Jordan McDonald about his comedy, the scene in Austin, and his upcoming show “The Wonderful Unixorn Experience” at Rozco’s Comedy Club on June 23rd. Then, inspired by BET’s competition,  they debate which hip-hop crew is the greatest of all time.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Steve-o’s run-in with Raekwon, which apparel brand was the first to be blurred out on Yo MTV Raps, the run-in between Samuel L. Jackson’s wife and Tupac on the set of Juice, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that the 90’s sitcom Family Matters didn’t age well.

Confucius talks about the revelations around Trump’s handling of classified documents, the vandalism at the former Montopolis Negro School, and the Supreme Court’s decision on gerrymandering in Alabama in Confucius Reads the News.

Culture Wars of Austin

Confucius and Fresh discuss why hip-hop and R&B don’t get the respect they deserve in Austin. Then they talk about the most important albums of the last 10 years.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how Rihanna’s ANTI was almost produced by Travis Scott, what superhero Janet Jackson almost played, who Janet’s “Let’s Wait a While” was really about, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that the Black Eyed Peas are the biggest sellouts in hip-hop.

Confucius talks about the Supreme Court’s decision that Alabama’s voting maps need to be redrawn, the staff strike at the Austin American Statesman,  how CNN fired their CEO and more on Confucius Reads the News.

 

Do Austin Artists Deserve Opening Slots

Fresh and Confucius talk about whether more touring shows should feel obligated to put Austin artists on their bills. And they debate the importance of deep cuts on albums.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the story behind Ginuwine’s “Same Ol’ G,” why Aaliya’s “Come Over” almost didn’t happen, what record Tina Turner holds, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Snoop Dogg’s “Doggiestyle” is better than Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic.”

Confucius talks about Ron DeSantis botched presidential campaign announcement on Twitter Spaces, the movement on the deal to raise the debt ceiling, what’s been happening during the Texas legislative session and more on Confucius Reads the News.

 

Make Rap Fun Again

Confucius and Fresh talk about the disappearance of dance from hip-hop. Then they try to answer the question,” Is rap bad for race relations?”

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the song Tupac played for his friend after he shot two off-duty police officers,  how Biggie got the “Big Poppa” beat, and the truth about LL Cool J’s “I Shot Ya” and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that you don’t have to be from the culture to be for the culture.

Confucius talks about the recently released Durham Report, the end of Title 42, Johnny Depp’s standing ovation at Cannes and more in Confucius Reads the News.

Hey Mama

Confucius and Fresh shout out to all the Mamas for Mother’s Day. They discuss Rory and Mal’s conversation about colorism’s role in Ice Spice’s career. Then they talk about Fresh’s new show on Austin Music TV called New Fresh City.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the first time Janet Jackson and Busta Rhymes performed “What’s It Gonna Be” live together, how Big Pun got Cipha Sounds to take a shot of Hennessy, who originally inspired Three 6 Mafia’s “Poppin’ My Collar,” and more!

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that artists today have to be more talented than artists of the past.

Confucius discusses Prince Charle’s coronation, Jean Carroll’s successful sexual assault lawsuit against Donald Trump, CNN’s Trump Townhall and more on Confucius Reads the News.

Time > Money

Confucius and Fresh discuss Swizz Beatz recent comment that for him, time is more important than money. Then they discuss whether being a public figure makes dating more complicated.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Dr. Dre’s and Ice Cube’s un-released record “Helter Skelter,” who the role of Rob was originally written for in the movie “3 Strikes,” what the highest-grossing hip-hop tour of all time is, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that it is beneath Lil’ Kim to do a Verzuz with Nicki Minaj.

Confucius talks about the alleged assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin by Ukraine, Ron Desantis’s recent trip to Israel and his ongoing troubles with Disney, the recent bill that passed through the Texas Senate that would allow the Secretary of State to overturn elections in Harris Country, and more on Confucius Reads the News.

Will AI Change Hip-Hop?

Confucius and Fresh discuss whether or not AI is poised to change the music industry. Then they talk about the racism of cancel culture.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how Jay-Z really felt about Kanye getting his Roc-a-fella chain, the Dogg Pound’s connection to Houston, how Jay-Z was supposed to be in Belly, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that the Midwest is the best region for R&B and Hip-Hop.

Confucius talks about Harry Belafonte and Jerry Springer’s passing, the ongoing battle between Ron Desantis and Disney and more on Confucius Reads the News.

 

 

Wendy Day Has Good Advice You Can Use

Confucius and Fresh talk to Wendy Day — who helped discover Eminem and helped Cash Money land an unprecedented $30 million dollar deal with Universal Music Group — about the realities of the music industry, and how independent artists should approach their careers.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the first hip-hop website to have push notifications, what blogsite first debuted the Weeknd’s music, the origin of Okay Player, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Pusha T does not deserve to be on Billboard’s Top 50 Rappers of all time.

Confucius talks about Elon Musk’s views on aliens, the rumors about a serial killer in Austin, Ron DeSantis’s trip to Washington, and more on Confucius Reads the News.

Rap Republicans

Fresh and Confucius interview Austin comedian Victor Martinez Jr. who’s performing at the comedy show “Tabernacle: starring Confucius Jones and Friends” Sunday, April 16th at Antone’s.

Then the hosts discuss DJ Akedemiks recent deal with Rumble, and how it’s a sign of hip-hop’s tendency towards conservatism.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about RZA’s original lyrics on Kanye’s “Dark Fantasy,”  Biz Markie’s original lyrics for “Just a Friend,” that time when Curren$ey, Jay Electronica and Mos Def formed a group, and more!

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Jah Rule has a better catalog than 50 Cent.

Confucius talk about the arrest of the man who murdered Cash App founder Bob Lee, the fight over the legality of the mifeprestone,  the reinstatement of expelled Tennesee legislators Justin Pearson and Justin Jones  and more on Confucius Reads the News.

Speech Talks

Confucius and Fresh talk to Speech from Arrested Development about the Grammys, the song Tennessee, and why Speech always felt hip-hop should be the number-one genre in the world. The band just played the Urban Cultural Fest in Austin. Then the hosts discuss the importance of live performance in hip-hop.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the origin of the movie “Drumline,” how many sounds Mannie Fresh used to make the early Cash Money beats, how De La Soul might be on a version of “Scenario,” and more.

Fresh and Confucius debate Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion from last week that people have been too hard on the tv show Friends.

Confucius talks about the recent school shooting in Nashville, Disney’s strategy to go around Ron Desantis and more in Confucius Reads the News,

 

All About Our Listeners

Fresh’s SXSW Recap

Fresh walks you through what went down at this year’s SXSW and SXSBreaks.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about why Rockwilder thinks Bink of Justice League stole his idea from “I Ain’t Mad At Cha,” how Musiq Soulchild feels about his first record, whose life the Fresh Prince of Belaire was based on, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that people have been too hard on the TV show “Friends” for its lack of diversity.

 

Stop It Melle Mel!

Confucius and Fresh discuss Melle Mel’s comments about Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, and Eminem. Then they debate whether or not best-of lists are an attempt to keep New York hip-hop relevant.

You’ll hear a special “What If?” version of Hip-Hop Facts where they ask what would have happened to Method Man’s debut album if RZA’s basement hadn’t flooded, what if Pimp C hadn’t gone to jail, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Melle Mel was right that Kendrick Lamar being named as one of the greatest rappers of all time is a bit premature.

Confucius talks about how US music retail revenue is up, the House’s investigation of Twitter, Tucker Carlson’s real feelings about Donald Trump, and more in Confucius Reads the News.

 

 

 

SXSW Stories

Confucius and Fresh talk to Jordan Cummings, one of the founders of HennyThing ATX, a festival which will be in Austin on March 18th, 2023. Then Confucius and Fresh tell their favorite SXSWstories from years past.

You learn Hip-Hop Facts about whether Biggie’s “Long Kiss Goodnight” is really a Tupac diss, how old Nicole Wray was when “Make it Hot” became a hit, and why Nas’s had an issue with The Roots and Black Thought, and more!

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that SXSW is kind of played out.

Confucius talks about how SXSW pays musicians, Amazon’s efforts to change the rules around when you can buy liquor, and Marjorie Greene Taylor on Confucius Reads the News.

All Are Welcome

Fresh and Confucius try to dispel the myth that native Austinites don’t celebrate artists who aren’t from here. They also talk about how few dedicated spaces there are for hip-hop in Austin.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the first recording Alicia Keys debuted on, the truth about whether Big L was going to sign to Rocafella, where Frank Ocean’s Nostalgia Ultra debuted, and more!

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that when it comes to hip-hop, the argument that quality is better than quantity doesn’t hold up.

Confucius talks about Marjorie Taylor Greene’s call for a “national divorce,” the Fox News texts that came to light as a result of the Dominion lawsuit, Quavo’s new song “Greatness” and more on Confucius Reads the News.

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