Confucius and Fresh weigh who gains the most from their industry relationships: Jay-Z or Beyoncé and Young Thug or Gunna, plus an Unpopular Opinion on the future of white rappers.
50 Cent
Do celebrities respect Austin?
Inspired by a recent visit from T.I., Confucius and Fresh talk about how celebrities treat Austin before moving onto the role of Black celebrities in politics and an Unpopular Opinion on 50 Cent.
Rap Beef Episode I: The East Coast Menace
Confucius and Fresh dive into the first episode of their series on rap beefs by tackling some of the most pivotal rivalries the East Coast ever had to offer.
Sitting Down with SaulPaul
Confucius and Fresh kick things off by catching up with Austin-based Grammy nominee SaulPaul ahead of his next album Speak Hope, Sing Joy: Change Maker Music for Kids, out August 30th. Afterwards the fellas chat about the authenticity of Atlanta’s ian and navigate an Unpopular Opinion surrounding Kendrick Lamar and Nipsey Hussle.
What was the worst period in hip-hop?
Confucius and Fresh contemplate what Hip-Hop’s worst era was before moving onto a modern existential debate over the importance of record certifications, plus an Unpopular Opinion on Lil Keke’s impact on Houston rap and beyond.
Has Hip-Hop done a good job of making women feel safe?
After reacting to Apple Music’s recent “100 Best Albums” list, Pause/Play producer and co-host Miles Bloxson joins Confucius and Fresh to talk women’s safety in a genre once run by abusers. Catch that alongside Hip-Hop Facts and Confucius Reads the News, plus an Unpopular Opinion on the modern equivalent to What’s Going On? in this episode.
J. Cole’s Apology / Kendrick vs. Drake
It’s a two-parter of Kendrick Lamar clashes: J. Cole’s public apology and Drake’s ongoing affronts. Hear how Confucius and Fresh feel about the beef, Hip-Hop Facts, the latest headlines, and an Unpopular Opinion on hip-hop’s “health”.
SXSW Plans / The Hard Early ’00s
Find out what Confucius, Fresh, and KUTX have coming up for SXSW and decide whether or not Nelly’s first three albums came up in the “hardest’ era. And in between Hip-Hop Facts and Confucius Reads the News, feathers get ruffled with Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion around the recent wave of women in rap.
The GOAT Rap Album / SXSBreaks 2024
What’s the greatest rap album of all time? Confucius and Fresh weigh options before revealing this year’s SXSBreaks lineup. Also, Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion makes a compelling point about how extensive familiarity with a city’s culture diminishes interest in its scene.
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.
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.
Cappin’ for Unhinged Creatives
Kanye West has made more than his fair share of outrageous headlines this past week, leading Confucius and Fresh to wonder…why continue to cap for unhinged creatives past their point of no return?
And when it comes to the current generation of younger rappers who seemingly can’t dress themselves, is it generational taste, or just objectively gaudy?
Hip-Hop Facts features tidbits on DJ Premier, Lil Jon, and Frank Ocean plus anecdotes on 8 Mile, Men in Black, and more.
Fresh’s latest Unpopular Opinion makes it clear: put Nicki Minaj alongside her rapper peers instead of atop the pop pedestal.
Finally, Confucius Reads the News on Steve Bannon’s prison sentence, Nick Cannon’s latest kid, Elon Musk’s Twitter purchase, and Rihanna’s new single.
What is the DJ’s Current Role in Hip-Hop?
Inspired by an onstage outburst at a recent Wiz Khalifa concert, Confucius & Fresh kick off this edition of The Breaks by reexamining the once-central role of the DJ in the context of contemporary hip-hop.
This week’s Hip-Hop Facts packs tidbits on 50 Cent’s “How to Rob”, Tupac’s relationship with Suge Knight, Akon’s use of onstage decoys, the 1995 Source Awards, and Rakim’s unlikely journey into becoming a rap superstar.
Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion suggests that despite surface-level appearances, Mase of Naughty By Nature is NOT a victim of Puff Daddy.
Lastly, Confucius Reads the News about the latest Monkeypox developments, Biden’s ongoing COVID tests, Alex Jones’ Sandy Hook trial phone fiasco, and the passing of KUT/KUTX legend John Aielli.
Jeen-Yuhs
Confucius and Fresh discuss the Kanye West documentary “Jeen-Yuhs” and talk about The Game’s comments about Kanye and Dr. Dre.
In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts, you’ll learn interesting tidbits about the Young Gunz song “Never Take Me Alive, the Connection between 50 Cent’s album The Massacre, and The Game’s record The Documentary, who was actually in Kanye West’s hip-hop bear mascot and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that there are no hip-hop superstars outside of Kendrick, J Cole, and Drake.
And Confucius talks about the president’s State of the Union, the beef between NBA Youngboy and Lil Durk, the war in Ukraine, and more.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
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.
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.
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.
Diddy vs Dupree?!?
This week on the Breaks Confucius is out so:
- After recent events, Fresh explains why he thinks Jermaine Dupree could hold his own in a Verzuz against Diddy.
- He talks about the recent comments by Lil Duval calling out Black Celebrities for not supporting the release of Boosie Badazz’s biopic “My Struggle.”
- In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn about who gave Ray Parker Jr. — who wrote the theme for “Ghostbusters — his start. You’ll also learn a fact that includes both Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock Life” and Nipsey Hussle’s “Hussle and Motivate.”
- After T.I.’s recent comments blaming 50 cent’s refusal to do a Verzuz with him on New York hip-hop looking down on the South, Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that New Yorker hubris has nothing to do with it.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Kendrick Speaks!
In this episode of The Breaks
- Confucius and Fresh talk about Kendrick Lamar’s recent announcement that his upcoming record will be his last with Top Dawg Entertainment.
- Both hosts talk about the recent addition of Aliyah’s music to streaming services.
- In this week’s installment of “Hip-Hop Facts” you’ll learn interesting things about T.I., Diddy, Ghostface Killah, Wish Bone, 50 Cent, Clipse and more.
- Fresh voices the Unpopular Opinion that Austin artists need to improve the way they promote their songs.
- In his Confucius Segment Confucius stresses the need for people to have the same expectations for themselves as they have for other people.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.