Elizabeth McQueen

Fake It Till You Make It

Confucius and Fresh debate whether Outkast and Wu-Tang are still relevant to hip-hop culture. Then they discuss the phenomenon of people in Austin music faking it until they make it.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how J. Cole almost got signed to G-Unit, why Lil Wayne didn’t curse on his first record, how MF Doom came up, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that people have been too hard on Elvis.

Confucius talks about the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the ruling by a Texas judge that employers don’t have to cover anti-Aids medication, Ukraine’s recent tweet quoting Pusha T, and more!

Confucius vs Fresh

Fresh and Confucius debate which one of them is the better music fan. Then Confucius tries to convince listeners that deep down, Fresh thinks he’s from Harlem, New York.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the first song Missy Elliot wrote for another artist, how Fat Joe almost signed Eminen, how artist and podcaster Tank got his start with, and more!

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that gatekeepers in music are still necessary.

Confucius talks about Sarah Palin’s recent loss in Alaska, Texas’s decision to make abortion completely illegal, Jay-Z’s comment on capitalism, and more in his Confucius Reads the News segment.

State of the Austin Union

Confucius and Fresh talk about the current state of the Austin R&B and rap scene. They also discuss whether radio is still important and what needs to change for it to stay relevant.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how Joey Bada$$ really feels about his song “Devastated,” how Dipset ended up with an office in the Def Jam building, who gave Irv Gotti his name, and more!

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Megan Thee Stallion might be a little overrated.

Confucius talks about the Uvalde School Board’s decision to fire police chief Pete Arrendondo, Offset’s lawsuit against his record label, the Biden administration’s decision to forgive some student loans and more in Confucius Reads the News.

Who Killed R&B?

Confucius and Fresh talk about the importance of hip-hop podcasts. Then they discuss Diddy and Mary J Blige’s recent conversation about who killed R&B.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about who invented turntable scratching, who wrote P. Diddy’s “Let’s Get It,” how Jay-Z and Kanye prevented “Watch the Throne” from leaking before it was released, and more.

After seeing Kid Cudi’s Esquire cover where he’s wearing only a sock,  Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that just because your favorite artist does something outrageous,  doesn’t mean it’s cool or artistic.

Confucius talks about Kid Cudi’s remarks about Kanye in his Esquire article, Donald Trump’s difficulties finding lawyers, Timbaland & Swizz Beats’ lawsuit against Triller, their partner in Verzuz, and more.

 

The Curious Case of Rap Mags

This week Confucius and Fresh talk about the decline of hip-hop magazines and discuss whether video vixens are still a thing.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about H.E.R.’s history as a child prodigy, how DJ Clark Kent finagled Notorious B.I.G. onto Jay-Z’s “Brooklyn’s Finest” the lost “Gettin Jiggy Wit It” remix and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Austin artists should stop asking the city government for help and stop threatening to leave the scene.

Confucius talks about the FBI raid on Mar-A-Lago, A$AP Rocky’s legal trouble with A$AP Relli, Serena Williams’ retirement from tennis, and more in this week’s installment in Confucius Reads the News.

 

 

Rap Loves Comedy

Confucius and Fresh talk about the connection between hip-hop and comedy. Then, inspired by the success of Saucy Santana, they discuss whether hip-hop is ready for an openly gay rapper.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the collaborative record that DJ Premier and 50 Cent never made, the connection between In Living Color and the Superbowl halftime show, how the introduction of  Soundscan helped hip-hop, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that radio is still a musical gatekeeper.

Confucius talks about NBA Youngboy’s acquittal on gun charges, Desus and Mero’s split, the passage of a bill codifying same-sex marriage in the House of Representatives and more in his Confucius Reads the News segment.

 

 

 

For the Love of Money

Inspired by Akademiks comments about certain rappers’ behavior at Michael Rubin’s white party,  Confucius and Fresh discuss hip-hop’s fascination with billionaires and crime lords. Then they talk about whether today’s rap lyrics are more dangerous than they were in the past.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the beef between Cypress Hill and Ice Cube, whose flow Method Man copied on Biggie’s “The What,” how Disney tried to sign Dr. Dre,  and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Tupac was a great writer, but not the best rapper.

Confucius talks about the death of James Caan, inflation and its impact on Kool-Aid, Twitter suing Elon Musk, and more.

 

 

All About Beef

Confucius and Fresh discuss why people love rap beefs so much. Then they break down what factors might play into artists not living up to the hype surrounding them.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Mystikal’s history with No Limit, Scarface’s early days as a DJ,  how Lil Wayne was inspired by Jay-Z, who Quincy Jones originally wanted to pitch “She’s Out of My Life” to,  and more!

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that New York will never regain its dominance over hip-hop.

Confucius talks about Boris Johnson’s resignation, Brittney Griner’s imprisonment in Russia, Glo rilla getting signed to CMG by  Yo Gotti, the mass shooting in Highland Park on July 4th and more during Confucius Reads the News.

 

NFTs and Music: Austin Musicians’ Thoughts on NFTs

Hear what Jackie Venson, Deezie Brown, David Shabani, and Erin Ivey have to say about NFTs and Music.

You can check out the NFT for our song “What is an NFT?” It’s not for sale, but it is on the Solana blockchain!

https://solsea.io/n/AaYykx8tvL4yzrmwwqwuB3H3NFaiV3kF7uEeAM9bfwHJ/

And you can listen to the song any time on our podcast feed by clicking this link.

If you missed the first two episodes of our mini-season about NFTs, you can listen here and here.

Grammy Family

After hearing Candace Owen’s comments about Jay-Z on DJ Akademiks’ podcast, Fresh and Confucius debate whether or not we should expect rappers to live life the way they encourage their fans to live. Then both hosts celebrate becoming members of the organization that puts on the Grammys – the Recording Academy!

This week on Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn about why Michael Jackson turned down a collaboration with Tupac, what the connection is between hip-hop pioneers Disco King Mario and Busy Bee, how long it took Kanye to record Yeezus, and more!

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Baby Keem is overrated.

Confucius talks about The BET Awards, Friends co-creator  Marta Kaufman’s apology about the lack of diversity on the show, R Kelly’s 30-year prison sentence, and more in Confucius Reads the News.

 

 

NFTs and Music: Minting an NFT

Miles and Elizabeth go on a journey to mint an NFT. But in order to do that they have to write and record a song, buy cryptocurrency, set up a wallet, and list an NFT for sale. But things don’t quite go as they planned.

Mo’Nique vs DL

Confucius and Fresh discuss the recent conflict between Mo’Nique and DL Hughley and talk about the golden age of streetball and the AND1 mixtapes.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Black Music Month, the time Will Smith hit Anthony Mackie, Big K.R.I.T.’s baseball connection, Fat Joe’s start in hip-hop, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that not everyone is cut out to be a creative entrepreneur.

And Confucius talks about Canada’s freeze on handgun sales, Elon Musk’s email telling people to be in the office 40 hours a week or else,  the baby formula shortage,  and the final decisions in the Amber Heard / Johnny Depp case.

 

Are Rap Lyrics Evidence?

Fresh and Confucius talk about the recent arrests of Young Thug and Gunna, and discuss whether rap lyrics should be used as evidence.  They also debate whether N.O.R.E was right when he called out artists who give more respect to big-name interviewers than they do to interviewers from the culture.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the first time Biggie and Diddy did a certain drug, why Bun B went solo, how underrated Mase was back in the day, and more!

Fresh states the UnpopularOpinion that Section.80 is Kendrick Lamar’s best album outside of Damn.

And Confucius gets serious when talking about the massacre of school children in Uvalde, Texas in Confucius Reads the News.

The Breaks: Celebrating DJ Screw w/Lance Scott Walker

Confucius and Fresh talk to Lance Scott Walker about his new book DJ Screw: A Life in Slow Revolution.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Outkast’s “So Fresh, So Clean (Remix),”  the truth about Anderson Paak’s upbringing,  how Quincy Jones tried to buy The Source and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Life of Pablo isn’t a top 5 Kanye album.

Confucius talks about the baby formula shortage, the decision by US Soccer to give male a female players equal pay,  Madison’s Cawthorn’s primary defeat,  and the birth of Rihanna’s baby in Confucius Reads the News.

The Return of Kendrick

Fresh and Confucius talk about the release of Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, and Young Thug’s recent arrest and racketeering charges.

This week on Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn about Lil Boosie’s time on death row, Travis Scott’s time in a rap duo with OG Chess, why Jay-Z had a problem with A$AP Rocky, and more!

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that despite his many missteps, Daniel Cesar is not, in fact, canceled.

Confucius discusses the failure of a bill in the Senate to protect abortion, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis,  Harriet Tubman, the recent fights between DaniLeigh and DaBaby and more in Confucius Reads the News.

Attack on Dave

Confucius and Fresh discuss the recent incident at a Dave Chappelle show where a fan jumped on stage and attacked him and muse on the recent nominations to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the connection between Run-DMC, Suge Knight, and 2Pac, CeeLo Green’s criminal past, the connection between Young Thug and Lil Baby, the connection between Future and Dungeon Family, and more!

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Travis Scott has a better catalog than Young Thug.

Confucius talks about the recently leaked draft Supreme Court Opinion signaling that the Court will overturn Roe v. Wade in Confucius Reads the News

Who Shot Megan?

Confucius and Fresh talk about the online controversy surrounding a Lil Durk impersonator and Tekashi 6ix9ine and discuss their thoughts about Megan Thee Stallion’s interview with Gayle King.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Mary J Blige’s appearance in the “Not Tonight Video,” how Napster contributed to the success of Shaggy’s song “It Wasn’t Me,” why the “Men In Black” soundtrack is important, and more!

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” is the single greatest album by a female artist of all time.

Confucius talks about the FDA’s plan to ban menthol cigarettes, Joe Biden’s plea for $33 million in aid to Ukraine, Elon Musk’s recent purchase of Twitter, and more in Confucius Reads the News.

 

 

Rest in Power DJ Kay Slay

Fresh and Confucius celebrate the life of DJ Kay Slay, and debate whether Future really is the best rapper alive.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about DJ Kay Slay, DJ Drama’s Gansta Grillz, and more!

After T-Pain called out the city of Dallas over low ticket sales, Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that artists can’t be mad about low ticket sales.

Confucius talks about the fall of Netflix, Future’s comments about whether he wants more kids, Florida’s decision to revoke Disney’s special status,  Jerry Seinfeld’s friendship with Wale, and more on Confucius Reads the News.