Queue up some jams for your New Year’s Eve party with this roundup of some of our favorite music segments from 2024, featuring Beyoncé, the Jesus Lizard, Bayonne and more.
Beyonce
Does Hip-Hop beget violence?
Confucius and Fresh follow up their Rap Beef series with discussions on hip-hop and violence, Jaguar Wright’s allegations against Jay-Z and Beyoncé, and Logic’s intrinsic objective merits as a lyricist.
LARA’ Interview
Austin R&B singer LARA’ joins Confucius and Fresh in conversation on her new album Luvology and her upcoming tour with Rapsody. Then the fellas weigh why R&B isn’t as profitable as hip-hop and Meek Mill’s status as a top tier rapper.
Shxwnfresh in Studio 1A / Interview with Chey
Confucius and Fresh break away from the routine chatter for a two-part guest appearance: Shxwnfresh & THEBROSFRESH in Studio 1A ahead of a Stubb’s show on Friday, August 30th and an interview with Staten Island’s Chey. Hear all that plus an Unpopular Opinion on Heavy D this week.
What ‘Cowboy Carter’ says about Blackness, Beyoncé and country music
Questions are still swirling around the deal cut with Attorney General Ken Paxton over securities fraud charges, with prosecutors pointing fingers – at each other. Investigative reporter Lauren McGaughy of The Texas Newsroom has the latest.
As Texans prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime moment, why some say viewing Monday’s total eclipse could make you a better person.
Beyoncé’s exploration of country music in “Cowboy Carter” has sparked conversations about genre stereotypes and cultural boundaries.
Plus: the week in politics with The Texas Tribune.
The 2024 Grammys / Professional DMs
Confucius and Fresh recap their likes and dislikes of The Grammys and break down how to best approach them for music consideration. You’ll hear some great Hip-Hop Facts, fun takes when Confucius Reads the News, and an Unpopular Opinion about the impact of media inspired by the 2005 film Havoc.
Looking Back at 2023
As we start to wind down for the winter, Confucius and Fresh look back at some of the show’s 2023 highlights before continuing the debate of whether or not the dominance of female rappers will continue into 2024. Get that plus an Unpopular Opinion about establishments exercising discretion, Hip-Hop Facts, and Confucius Reads the News on the latest episode of The Breaks.
We ARE Playing Y’all & We’re at ACL Fest
Confucius and Fresh debate whether this is the best time for Austin hip-hop or not. Then they talk about this year’s Austin City Limits Festival, and relive their best and worst ACLfest memories. The Breaks will be interviewing Austin Artist Blckchyl ACLfest Bonus Tracks Stage Sunday, 10/15 from 2:45-3:15pm.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Oukast’s Auqemini, why Russell Simmons passed on Nas’ Illmatic, and more, and how Baja Men’s “Who Let the Dogs Out” originated at Austin’s Reagan High School.
Fresh States the Unpopular Opinion that James Fauntleroy is the greatest songwriter-producer of a generation.
Confucius talks about Beyoncé’s record Renaissance tour profits, Austin’s status as a great place to open a business, Donald Trump’s gag order, Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as speaker of the house, and more in Confucius Reads the News.
Beyoncé’s the GOAT
Confucius talks about seeing Beyoncé in Houston for night two of her Renaissance World Tour. Then Confucius and Fresh debate whether Drake’s fame is getting in the way of his art.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the connection between Jay-Z and Lupe Fiasco, how Fabolous indirectly connected Rich Paul and LeBron James, what the family connection between Boldy James and Snoop Dogg is, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Beyoncé’s Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) video has had the same cultural impact as Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
Confucius talks about the end of the writer’s strike, the second GOP debate, unprecedented theft in retail stores and more on Confucius Reads the News.
Hot Boys and Girls
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.
Tours from Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are big for local economies
COVID cases in Texas rise by almost 25% in a week as concerns mount over a new variant. Although the vast majority of Texans have given up masks and social distancing, health officials say they’re still important tools as cases pick up and students return to the classroom. Dr. Catherine Troisi of UTHealth Houston joins us with an update.
Young plaintiffs in Montana score a high-profile victory in a fight to force their home state to take climate change more seriously. Could a similar approach work in Texas?
And: Tours from Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are generating huge spending on everything from concert tickets and merch to spillover effects on travel, clothing and more.
Texas’ top musical moments of the year
From the highlights to the blue notes, what happened in the world of Texas music in 2022. A Texas country music legend says goodbye to the road that goes on forever; our conversation with Robert Earl Keene. Also a renaissance for one of the best know Texas artists of all time: the impact of Beyonce’s 7th album, an homage to house and disco music. And Adrian Quesada turns up the volume on a rediscovered musical genre with his Boleros Psicodélicos. A lonestar-studded review of the year, today on the Texas Standard:
Megan v. YoungBoy: Who Commands a Bigger Crowd?
Megan Thee Stallion and NBA YoungBoy both have plenty of pull in their own right, but what about head-to-head? Confucius and Fresh kick off the show with a debate on crowd density, taste demographics, and more.
As part of their ongoing discussion on once-important vehicles in the digital age, Fresh and Confucius compare viewpoints on the seemingly diminished power of music videos nowadays.
On Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn about producer Teddy Riley, some behind-the-scenes anniversary facts for Aquemni, KRS-One’s lack of control over Criminal Minded, early Screw tape appearances, and more.
Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion puts a pessimistic spin on the voice of Native Black Austinites while Confucius Reads the News about Coolio’s passing, a recent Biden rally, A$AP Rocky’s mosh pit despair, and the latest legal updates for Gunna.
Texas Standard: September 1, 2022
Employees of Child Protective Services quitting over the state’s policy to investigate families providing gender affirming care to transgender teens. Reports say the agency charged with protecting children in Texas is on the brink of collapse, we’ll hear more. Also, a small voyage for a boat, a giant leap for the long leaky Battleship Texas. We’ll have more on plans to save an historic ship. And two of the most prominent pop stars in the world, both hailing from Texas, both deciding to remove an offensive word from their lyrics. One critic says it elevates the conversation about ableism. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 4, 2022
On the witness stand, Alex Jones admits the Sandy Hook shooting was 100% real as a defamation trial against him goes to the jury. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: a big win for supporters of abortion rights in Kansas sends up red flags for republicans and boosts hopes for democrats. Clues about how the issue could play out here in Texas? We’ll take a look. Plus a rare bipartisan bill to boost U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Could it also boost Texas’ hopes of becoming a bigger high tech hub? And what a Dallas music writer calls Beyonce’s new album: a love letter to Queer Black music. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Hip Hop’s Holdouts on House Music
Does the act of Beyonce and Drake putting their feet into the house music pool hurt the momentum of hip hop? Confucius & Fresh discuss the implications and ramifications of that argument, then react to Chris Brown’s comment that hip-hop’s dominance has made R&B obsolete.
Confucius’ Hip Hop Facts include an interaction between Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur on the set of Juice, Jay-Z’s still-unreleased Tupac diss track, and Grant Hill’s direct connection to ‘Pac’s footwear on All Eyes on Me liner photos. Fresh talks about how Wu-Tang Clan inspired Wyclef Jean’s “Maria, Maria”, how Moby got his start as a hip-hop DJ at legendary NYC venue Club Mars, and how the game-changing M1 Mixtape was actually preceded by the lesser-known Zoo York Mixtape.
Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion has a message to hardcore fans of all kinds: stop ruining the experience of your beloved series or franchise for yourself by setting personal expectations!
At the tail end, Confucius and Fresh share their thoughts about the FDA’s Marketing Denial for JUUL Vape Pods.
Stand Up Comedy and Juneteenth
In the first segment of this episode, Confucius and Fresh interview comedians Rochelle Genivive Clinton, Dasharae, Daniel West, and Jordan McDonald.
For Hip Hop Facts Fresh talks about Nick Cannon’s pre-Wildin’ Out backing by Will Smith, the myth that Naughty By Nature’s Treach left a reptilian surprise for Tommy Boy Records CEO Tom Silverman, and DJ Premier’s unexpected discovery of Travis Scott through his church community. Confucius discusses why Ice Cube passed on what later became Tupac’s role in the John Singleton film Poetic Justice, how Tupac invented the Humpty Dance, and what Master P said to Snoop Dogg after Snoop recorded an “F Death Row” album for Mack10’s label Hoo-Bangin’ Records.
Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion covers how he doesn’t care how people choose to celebrate Juneteenth, nor the notions of corporations pandering to black consumers, especially if you’re not from Texas!
Confucius wraps things up with the announcement of Beyonce’s album Renaissance: Act 1, Anthony Fauci testing positive for COVID-19, and the granting of additional humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Sliding Into 2021 Like…
On this episode of The Breaks:
- Confucius and Fresh remember MF Doom after the announcement of his death.
- Both hosts talk about the feud between Snoop Dogg and Eminem.
- The hosts discuss Young Thug’s comment that Jay-Z doesn’t have 30 songs that everybody knows word for word.
- In this installment of Hip-Hop facts Confucius and Fresh tell you things you didn’t know about Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, 3LW, Beyonce and more.
- In light of Will.i.am’s comments about not feeling accepted by Black audiences, Confucius and Fresh explore the history of Black Eyed Peas and debate whether they are a Black group or not.
- Fresh puts forward the Unpopular Opinion that Black audiences don’t always respond to acts that are doing things they consider “weird.”
The Breaks are on every Saturday 10pm-1am on KUTX 98.9.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Nelly vs Ludacris
This week on The Breaks Confucius and Fresh discuss:
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- The most recent Verzuz battle between Nelly and Ludacris
- Their own verzuz style battle on Saturday, May 23rd at 8pm when they face off about which was a better year in hip-hop — 1998 or 1999. Watch on the Instagram on the @KUTX account or the @TheBreaksKUTX account.
- How history was made when Doja Cat’s “Say So” remix featuring Nicki Minaj reached number one on the Billboard charts, and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” remix featuring Beyonce reached number two. This is the first time that four black female solo artists have held top two spots on the chart.
- In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh defends the Netflix show Black AF and tells us why he thinks the show’s critics are being too harsh.
- In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius argues that the music industry in the United States and the Austin music scene in particular need to accept hip-hop and R&B as mainstream and not hold them to a higher standard than artists in other genres.
- The Local Song of the Week is “Do You Mind” by Nayome
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Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify or Stitcher
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The Breaks: 1996 vs 1997
This week on The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius:
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- Talk about Megan Thee Stallion’s new Savage remix featuring Beyoncé.
- Touch on Drake’s new record Dark Lane Demo Tapes.
- Discuss their Instagram versuz battle between hip-hop of 1996 vs 1997.
- In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh defends 1997 as a better year for hip-hop than people give it credit for.
- And in his Confucius Says segment, Confucius urges everyone to accept other people’s experiences even if you weren’t a part of them.
Listen to this episode of The Breaks
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify or Stitcher
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