Elizabeth McQueen

Musician pay for live shows in Austin hasn’t changed in 40 years. Here are some other ways they’ve found to make money with music.

Austin musicians are making the same amount of money per gig as they did in 1979. In the latest episode, we look at gig pay through the years and talk to musicians Greg Clifford and Beto Martinez about how they’ve found ways to make money from music that don’t involve playing live.

Drummer Greg Clifford is pictured in his home where he produces lo-fi music on Feb. 8, 2022, in Austin. Michael Minasi/KUTX

Musician and producer Beto Martinez is pictured in his home studio on Feb. 9, 2022, in Austin. Michael Minasi/KUTX

Fight in the Bowling Alley!

Confucius and Fresh discuss DaBaby’s recent fight with DaniLeigh’s brother in a bowling alley, and debate when being braggadocious in hip-hop goes from okay to corny.

In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts, you’ll learn interesting tidbits about Kanye’s “All Falls Down,” 50 Cent’s album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, The Lady of Rage, Missy Elliot, Lil’ Kim, and more!

After the news about Isiah Rashad, Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that hip-hop is ready for an openly gay male rapper.

In his Confucius Reads the News segment, Confucius talks about the reaction to the Biden administration’s community-based harm-reduction programs for drug users, Snoop Dogg’s recent acquisition of Death Row records, Marjorie Taylor Green’s incorrect usage of gazpacho, and more!

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

RiRi is Prego!

This week on The Breaks Confucius and Fresh discuss the importance of owning the things you create and talk through Nicki Minaj’s run-in with City Girls. They tell you Hip-Hop Facts about the beat to Camp Lo’s “Luchini AKA This Is It,” the truth behind the title of Drake’s hit “Marvin’s Room,” how a person gets a Roc-A-Fella chain, and more. Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that if Nicki Minaj releases a record it will be the record of the year. And Confucius talks about Rihanna’s pregnancy announcement, Biden’s announcement that a U.S. operation killed the leader of ISIS, the recent freeze in Texas, and more in his Confucius Reads the News segment.

Listen to the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Live music doesn’t always pay the bills. So what else can you do?

In this episode, you’ll learn how much money the average Austin musician makes per gig, and why it can be hard to make a living playing live music.

Then you’ll learn all about an alternate revenue stream for musicians — sync licensing. Nathalie Phan, founder of SoundSync Music, will explain the ins and outs of sync licensing from an agent’s perspective and Austin rapper Tee-Double will walk you through the artist’s perspective.

During Nathalie’s segment you’ll hear the song “Black Tea” by Slug, Elijah Fox, Soul Food Horns and Yasper.

During Tee-Double’s segment you’ll hear “Caped Up” from his album Local Transplant.

Nathalie Phan is pictured in her home on Jan. 31, 2022, in South Austin. Michael Minasi/KUT

Hip-hop artist Tee-Double is pictured in his home studio on July 15, 2021, in Austin. Michael Minasi/KUTX

All About Samples

This week on The Breaks:

Confucius and Fresh take a deep dive into samples and hip-hop. You’ll hear about the samples in MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This,” Big Krit’s first two albums, Joe Budden’s “Pump it Up,” Sisqo’s “Thong Song,” Puff Daddy’s “Been Around the Word,” Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby,” Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock Life,” Biggie Small’s “Juicy,” and more!
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Frank Ocean’s cover of the Isely Brothers of “At Your Best (You Are Love)” is better than Aaliyah’s cover of the same song.
In his Confucius Reads the News segment, Confucius talks about Cardi B’s recent legal win, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement announcement, the recent SWAT raid on NBA Youngboy’s house, and more!

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Confucius Talks Depression

In this episode of The Breaks

Confucius opens up about his experiences with depression and talks about the importance of mental health with Fresh.
Confucius and Fresh celebrate Freddie Gibbs’ recent success and explain why they wish he would chill out a little bit.
In this week’s Installment of Hip-Hop Facts, you’ll learn the truth about the beef between Kris Kross and Another Bad Creation, how Lil Cease squashed his beef with the Outlawz, how Left Eye helped Kris Kross figure out their style, how Young Thug is directly responsible for the rise of Lil Baby and more!
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that yes, there are at least 20 rappers who can rap as well as Biggie Smalls!
In his Confucius Reads the News segment, Confucius talks about Wack 100’s comments about Bobby Shmurda, the failure of the Voting Right’s Act in the Senate, Jaheim’s Verzuz Challenge to Usher, Donald Trump Jr. retweeting Nicki Minaj, and more!

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show

Could affordable housing save Austin’s music scene?

In the latest episode, you’ll learn how Austin non-profit Foundation Communities helped musician James Shelton find affordable housing the central Austin. And you’ll get a crash course in how affordable housing works from Foundation Communities Executive Director, Walter Moreau.

Walter Moreau of Foundation Communities is pictured on Jan. 12, 2022, outside of Bluebonnet Studios. Michael Minasi/KUTX

Read “The Artist Loft: Affordable Housing (for White People)” from the Atlantic

Read “The Rise of White–Segregated
Subsidized Housing” from The Institute on Metropolitan Opportunity at the Minnesota School of Law.

5 Years of The Breaks

This week on The Breaks:

- The Breaks celebrate the 5th Anniversary of their radio show on KUTX 98.9
- Confucius and Fresh discuss the greatest beef of all time — the one between Elmo and Zoe’s pet rock, Rocco
- Both hosts look back on the last five years of The Breaks radio show.
- In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts, you’ll learn about the deal that almost happened between Def Jam and BMF, how Cam’ron almost signed Rick Ross, how J Cole hipped Dr. Dre to Kendrick Lamar, how T.I.’s wife Tiny helped him early in his career and more.
- Fresh states his Unpopular Opinion that JID will make the best album of 2022.
- In his Confucius Reads the News segment, Confucius talks about the anniversary of the insurrection of January 6th, the rise of the Omicron variant, and why Antonio Brown walked off the field.

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

How some Austin musicians are finding housing help with HOME

In the latest episode, you’ll learn about Austin Housing Opportunities for Musicians and Entertainers or HOME. This Austin organization helps older musicians with housing and living expenses.

You’ll hear from Marcia Ball and Rosie Flores.

DJ Hella Yella Speaks!

This week on The Breaks:

- Confucius and Fresh interview Austin’s DJ Hella Yella about his career and his new radio show on KAZI 88.7.
- In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn interesting things about video director Ralph McDaniels, who Ludacris’ co-host was in his early radio days, why Ice Cube wasn’t allowed to do a song with Dr. Dre and Eazy-E, the story behind CL Smooth and Pete Rock’s song “They Reminisce Over You (Troy)” and more.
- Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that contrary to what some people are saying, there are a lot of exciting things happening in hip-hop right now.
- In Confucius Reads the News, Confucius talks about the recent run-in between Freddie Gibbs and Jim Jones, President’s Biden’s reversal on canceling student loan debt, Cardi B’s latest accomplishment and more.

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

TROY NōKA Speaks

This week on The Breaks:

Confucius and Fresh talk to artist and producer TROY NōKA about his new record, “Grab the Will,” what it’s like to work with artists like Frank Ocean and Chris Brown and how he helped Doja Cat on her rise to fame.
On this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts, you’ll learn interesting tidbits about how we almost got an entirely different version of Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter II,” how the term “The ATX “came about, what Deezie Brown’s stage name used to be, why Outkast didn’t perform at the Superbowl and more.
Fresh states his Unpopular Opinion that Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III” isn’t actually a classic.
In this week’s installment of Confucius Read the News, Confucious talks about the fight that happened during Verzuz between Three 6 Mafia & Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, President Biden’s recent phone call with Russian President Putin, Mark Meadows’ refusal to cooperate with the Jan 6th commission, and Rick Ross’s decision to change his album cover art.

J Soulja Speaks!

On this episode of The Breaks

You’ll hear Confucius and Fresh’s interview with Austin artist and entrepreneur J Soulja.
In this week’s installment of Hip Hop Facts, you’ll learn interesting tidbits about Wu-Tang Clan’s beef with Hot 97, how T.I. got Young Dro on the Grand Hustle label, how Kanye West hooked up with Jamie Foxx to make Slow Jamz, the connection between CeeLo Green and the song “Happy” and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that the tragic events at the Astroworld Festival won’t lead to any big changes in how music festivals operate.
In his new segment, Confucius Reads the News, Confucius talks about the omicron variant’s appearance in California, the future of Roe v. Wade, LeBron James recent COVID diagnosis and Stacey Abrams’ announcement that she will run for governor of Georgia.

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Bonus! Music Scenes as Economic Clusters

Here’s another way to think about music scenes — they’re legitimate economic clusters! Don’t know what we mean by that? Well, you can listen to this bonus episode and learn a little economic theory courtesy of Michael Seman, assistant professor in the LEAP Institute for the Arts’ arts management program at Colorado State University.

Why Taméca Jones, Austin’s Queen of Soul, is leaving for LA

Austin singer and songwriter Taméca Jones is leaving Austin for LA at the end of the year. In the latest episode, you’ll hear the reasons why the Austin Music scene isn’t working for her. Plus you’ll learn more about our music ecosystem.

You’ll also hear from and Peter Schwarz about the reality of music businesses in Austin’s music ecosystem. And Nikki Rowling explains how so many businesses operating independently can lead to burnout.

Take our Season 3 Survey

DJ Burn One Speaks

This week on the Breaks:

You’ll hear Confucius and Fresh’s interview with legendary producer DJ Burn One who’s worked with artists like Gucci Mane, Freddie Gibbs and T.I.
In this week’s installment of Hip Hop Facts you’ll learn interesting things about how old Teddy Riley was when he produced Dougie E. Fresh’s “The Show,” Juvenile’s 400 Degrees, Lil Kim, why T.I. didn’t end up in the movie Las Vegas and more.
In his Unpopular Opinion Fresh states that Atlanta’s Dungeon Family deserves way more credit that they get.

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

We’re Not New York, LA or Nashville. So What Kind of Music City is Austin? Part 1: Dayglow

We’ve said the words Austin music ecosystem so many times on this podcast. But what do we actually mean when we say that? And how is our ecosystem different from other music cities like LA, Nashville or New York?

In this episode we’ll try to start to answer those questions. First you’ll hear from Austin artist Sloan Struble aka Dayglow, who moved to Austin in part because of the music scene and who has no plans to leave. You’ll also hear from three experts Michael Seman, Nikki Rowling and Peter Schwarz, who will shed some light on what Austin’s music ecosystem is actually like and how it compares to other music cities like New York, LA or Nashville.

Take our Season 3 Survey

Top 5 Hip-Hop Songs

This week on The Breaks:

Confucius and Fresh list their Top 5 Hip-Hop songs of all time.
the hosts discuss the TV show BMF and talk about the positive influence 50 Cent is having as a television producer at Starz.
In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn interesting things about Method Man and ODB, 50 Cent and Young Buck, Kendrick Lamar, Biggie’s song “Sky’s the Limit,” and Pimp C.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that there is no best Hip-Hop record of 2021.
Confucius encourages listeners to let go of the idea that they can save the world in his Confucius Says segment.

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

OG Ron C Speaks

This week on the Breaks:

Confucius and Fresh talk to legendary Houston DJ OG Ron C. He reached out to them after they spoke on his comments about DJ Screw on on The Donnie Houston podcast. He also talks about his early days as co-founder of Swishahouse and tells a hilarious story about Pimp C.
In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn interesting tidbits about the origins of Paul Wall and Chamillionaire, UGK’s song International Players Anthem, how Bun B met Drake, the rise of Swishahouse and more.
In his Unpopular Opinion Fresh boldly states that Wale is one of the greatest rappers of our generation.
In his Confucius Says segment Confucius encourages people to keep their ego in check.

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Freddie Gibbs vs Dr. Umar?

This week on The Breaks:

Confucius is out so Fresh talks about the proposed boxing match between Freddie Gibbs and Dr. Umar Johnson.
Fresh explores his thoughts about Rory and Mal, formerly of the Joe Budden podcast, getting a deal for $10 million dollars to start their own podcast.
In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn interesting tidbits about the recording of UGK’s “Ridin’ Dirty,” Curren$y and Lil Wayne’s relationship and UGK’s history with Jay-Z.
In his Unpopular Opinion Fresh explains why he thinks that the Lakers won’t win the championship this year.

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

The Breaks Live at ACL Fest 2021

This week on the Breaks:

Confucius and Fresh were out at the Austin City Limits Festival for weekend 2. You’ll hear their interviews with Austin artists Mike Melinoe and Sheila, recorded live at the ACLfest Bonus Tracks stage.
In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts, you’ll hear about the surprising connection between Megan Thee Stallion and Q-tip, how 50 Cent passed on Freddy Gibbs, Aaliyah’s intro to 4 page letter, how Rick James felt about MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This,” the story of Prince and Michael Jackson’s Bad and more.
Confucius and Fresh discuss OG Ron C’s assertion that DJ Screw didn’t actually chop and screw beats.
Fresh puts forth the Unpopular Opinion that Texas Hip-Hop deserves more appreciation than it is currently getting and should get its flowers now!
In his Confucius Says segment Confucius says that even though he’s been a fan of comedian Dave Chappelle he thinks the comedian needs to shut the hell up.

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.