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August 28, 2023

Hot Boys and Girls

The Breaks

By: Elizabeth McQueen

Fresh and Confucius talk about the impact that this year’s record heat is having on live music in Austin. Then, inspired by Asian Doll’s comments about not wanting to rap at 30, they debate the merits of older rappers.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how Andre 3000 lived in Austin, why Dr. Dre turned down opportunities to work with Michael Jackson and Prince, what Missy Elliot song contains Beyoncé’s first solo outing and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that people don’t actually separate the art from the artists, but instead just decide what bad behavior they will or won’t tolerate.

Confucius talks about Trump’s mug shot,  the recent Republican Party presidential debate, the Biden Administration’s new student loan repayment plan, and more.

August 21, 2023

Do ATX Rap Shows Make Money?

The Breaks

By: Elizabeth McQueen

Confucius and Fresh try to understand why people think local hip-hop shows can’t be successful in Austin. Then they discuss whether J Cole could surpass Kendrick Lamar one day

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about who gave Missy Elliot her “Misdemeanor” nickname, who signed Queen Latifah to her first record deal, how Method Man’s “All I Need” Remix featuring Mary J. Blige came to be, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Big K.R.I.T. has a better overall discography than J. Cole. (spoiler alert! Confucius does not agree.)

Confucius talks about the heat in Austin, how Austin venue Hole in the Wall secured a 20-year lease thanks to a grant from the City of Austin, Donald Trump’s most recent indictment in Georgia, and more in Confucius Reads the News

 

 

August 14, 2023

ATX Hip-Hop vs. the Media

The Breaks

By: Elizabeth McQueen

Confucius and Fresh discuss the comments that Kydd Jones made on Fresh’s show New Fresh City about his reservations about people who write about hip-hop in Austin. Then, inspired by a recent article in Billboard,   they talk about the future of pop stardom.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the connection between Angie Lopez and  Biggie’s “Ten Crack Commandments,” who signed 98 Degrees to Motown, why Prodigy and C-Murder got taken off the final version of the remix of M.O.P’s “Ante Up” and more.

Fresh States the Unpopular Opinion that Metro Boomin makes way better albums than DJ Khaled.

Confucius talks about how High School Musical’s Troy and Gabriella are in couples therapy, what it’s like to live under the Texas heat dome, and Donald Trump’s latest indictment in Confucius Reads the News.

 

July 30, 2023

Jump On It!

The Breaks

By: Elizabeth McQueen

Confucius and Fresh talk to Austin Hip-Hop artist and activist NOOK Turner about Jump On It Week,  July 30-August 6th.

Then they discuss what support looks like for black endeavors in Austin.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how Bun-B feels about Jay-Z using his bars in 99 Problems, How DJ Screw’s mom inspired him to sell mix tapes, what happened when Sinéad O’Connor featured MC Lyte on a song, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Lil Baby is overhyped.

Confucius talks about the recent confirmation that the US Government has alien biologics, Mitch McConnel freezing during a press conference, chaos in the DeSantis campaign, and more in Confucius Reads the News.

July 24, 2023

RDC World talks Dream Con

The Breaks

By: Elizabeth McQueen

Confucius and Fresh talk to Mark and John from RDC World about Dream Con, the anime and gaming convention they’re throwing  July 28-30 at the Austin Convention Center.

They also talk about why hip-hop artists like Lil Baby and Lil Durk are canceling their tours lately.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how Webby, not Plies, was the original artist on “Shawty,” the real reason Ice Cube left NWA, why George Clinton was inspired to write Atomic Dog, and more.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Wale is the most underrated rapper of a generation.

 

 

 

July 17, 2023

Grace Sorenson Speaks!

The Breaks

By: Elizabeth McQueen

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.

July 10, 2023

Why Leave Austin?

The Breaks

By: Jack Anderson

The Breaks thanks everyone who showed some love during KUT & KUTX’s summer membership drive open house! It got Confucius and Fresh reflecting on reception and listener demographics and overall reception before begging why leave the city where your brand was born?

On Hip-Hop Facts the fellas dig up some great trivia on Milli Vanilli, Wiz Khalifa’s brief marriage to Amber Rose, some family resentment within Run-D.M.C. and more.

Watch out Ye-fans, in this week’s Unpopular Opinion Fresh calls it like he sees it; Yeezus simply does not belong in the top three of Kanye’s best albums.

Finally, Confucius Reads the News on the latest from OceanGate, the discovery of hard drugs in the White House, the Keke Palmer-Usher spectacle, and Yusef Salaam’s council seat victory.

July 3, 2023

Shout Out to the Women

The Breaks

By: Elizabeth McQueen

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.