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.
Dr. Dre
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 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.
What’s next for The Breaks?
Confucius and Fresh reminisce on their journey so far over the past eight years and what to expect next before dissecting what makes LL Cool J such a significant figure in hip-hop history, plus an Unpopular Opinion on Drake’s status as a so called “culture vulture”.
Interview with Dr. Rosalind Oliphant and Terry P. Mitchell
Confucius and Fresh sit down with Founder Dr. Rosalind Oliphant and Author Terry P. Mitchell to discuss the Austin African American Book Festival and The City We Built: Black Leaders of Austin, happening June 29th, plus Hip-Hop Facts, reactions to the latest headlines, and an Unpopular Opinion on Tyler the Creator’s role as a West Coast representative.
Will Austin blow up because of Rap & R&B?
In this edition, Confucius and Fresh debate what genres will continue to put Austin on the musical map before discussing why the South in general is so dominant. Get that, Hip-Hop Facts, Confucius’ reaction to the latest headlines, and an Unpopular Opinion on lyrical positivity in the latest episode.
Do Ghostwriting Allegations Hurt Drake’s Reputation?
With the big beef behind us, how do ghostwriting allegations hurt Drake’s status among the GOATs? Hear what Confucius and Fresh have to say on that, plus Jay Electronica’s prospects on being the greatest rapper that never was and an Unpopular Opinion The Alchemist’s ranking in the world of production.
How Important is Weed to Rap?
Over the 4/20 weekend Confucius and Fresh hash out marijuana’s impact on hip-hop, the latest shots against Drake, and why the OGs aren’t always right. Hear that along with Hip-Hop Facts and Confucius’ take on the latest headlines.
Jermaine Dupri vs. Dr. Dre / The Neptunes vs. Three 6 Mafia
Tough calls all around when it comes to ranking these heavyweights! And is radio dead? Maybe just the commercial kind…Hear that plus Hip-Hop Facts and the latest news in this episode.
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.
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.
Did Capitalism Kill Hip-Hop?
Inspired by a recent article in Defector, Confucius and Fresh discuss the impact of capitalism on hip-hop. Then they talk about Puff Daddy’s decision to give Bad Boy artists their publishing back.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about who wrote Dr. Dre’s “The Watcher,” what Chamillionaire and Paul Wall did before they were famous, the connection between Shaq and UGK, and more.
Fresh States the Unpopular Opinion that Mac Miller’s 2016 Divine Feminine album was the album that Drake should have made that year.
Confucius talks about Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner’s divorce, the push in Texas to criminalize traveling to get an abortion, the Ken Paxton Trial and more on Confucius Reads the News.
Do Austin Artists Deserve Opening Slots
Fresh and Confucius talk about whether more touring shows should feel obligated to put Austin artists on their bills. And they debate the importance of deep cuts on albums.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the story behind Ginuwine’s “Same Ol’ G,” why Aaliya’s “Come Over” almost didn’t happen, what record Tina Turner holds, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Snoop Dogg’s “Doggiestyle” is better than Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic.”
Confucius talks about Ron DeSantis botched presidential campaign announcement on Twitter Spaces, the movement on the deal to raise the debt ceiling, what’s been happening during the Texas legislative session and more on Confucius Reads the News.
Time > Money
Confucius and Fresh discuss Swizz Beatz recent comment that for him, time is more important than money. Then they discuss whether being a public figure makes dating more complicated.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Dr. Dre’s and Ice Cube’s un-released record “Helter Skelter,” who the role of Rob was originally written for in the movie “3 Strikes,” what the highest-grossing hip-hop tour of all time is, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that it is beneath Lil’ Kim to do a Verzuz with Nicki Minaj.
Confucius talks about the alleged assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin by Ukraine, Ron Desantis’s recent trip to Israel and his ongoing troubles with Disney, the recent bill that passed through the Texas Senate that would allow the Secretary of State to overturn elections in Harris Country, and more on Confucius Reads the News.
SXSBreaks is Back!
The Breaks talk about why Cardi B has stayed relevant, and reveal the lineup for SXSBreaks, the SXSW showcase featuring Austin’s best hip-hop and R&B Acts.
You’ll learn hip-hop facts about how Wu-Tang was the first rap group to do a worldwide tour with a rock band, who was D’Angelo’s “Devil’s Pie” originally belonged to, how good the original version of Dr. Dre’s The Chronic really was, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Odd Future is the most underrated rap collective in history.
Confucius talked about the Eagles losing the Super Bowl, the recent UFO sightings in the states, and more in Confucius Reads the News.
Advice for Austin Artists
This week Fresh and Confucius get real about what they think artists in the city should do career-wise. They talk about the importance of music videos, and when artists should try to start performing outside of Austin.
Plus, they celebrate Love Austin Music Month by playing an interview with J Soulja from ACLfest.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that paying for features by bigger artists isn’t always the best way to get your music out there.
Confucius talks about the recent involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin, the debate over the debt ceiling, and Dr. Dre’s $200 million catalog sale in Confucius Reads the News
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.
Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige & Snoop Dogg (Ep. 25, 2022)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents highlights from the Super Bowl 56 Halftime Show, featuring Hip-Hop visionary Dr. Dre, Long Beach icon Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige, the Queen of R&B Hip-Hop, and excerpts from the Pepsi Halftime Press Conference.
5 Years of The Breaks
This week on The Breaks:
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- 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.
DJ Hella Yella Speaks!
This week on The Breaks:
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- 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.