Dr. Dre

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:

- 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:

- 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.

Saweetie vs Quavo

This week on The Breaks

hosts Confucius and Fresh discuss Saweetie and Quavo’s recent breakup.
the hosts talk about Master P’s desire to buy Reebok.
In this week’s installment of Random Hip Hop Facts Confucius and Fresh tell you interesting tidbits about Raekwon, the recording of “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx,” Ne-Yo, Dr. Dre, Black Thought and more.
Fresh states his Unpopular Opinion that older people have to stop judging younger people for not knowing the music of their elders.
Inspired by the controversy around Tamika Mallory, Confucius states that no activist should be profiting from other people’s pain in his Confucius Says segment.

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

Shmurda Home!

In this episode of The Breaks:

Confucius and Fresh talk about Bobby Shmurda’s recent release from prison.
Both Hosts discuss Jay-Z’s latest deal with Moet Hennessy, and talk about how not everyone has to achieve the same success as Jay-Z in order to be considered successful.
Fresh explains his confusion and disappointment around the announcement of the upcoming Verzuz battle between Raekwon and Ghostface Killah
In this week’s installment of “Random Hip-Hop” facts you’ll learn interesting tidbits about Dr. Dre, Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Rihanna, J-Bo, Andre 3000 and more.
In his Unpopular Opinion Fresh states that Nicki Minaj will be remembered as the greatest female rapper of all time.
In his Confucius says Confucius says that when it comes to famous ex-friends like Dame Dash and Jay-Z, fans need to let go off the idea of reconciliation.

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.

Celebrating Friday

This week on The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius:

Talk about the successful battle between Teddy Riley vs Babyface and a potential battle between Dr. Dre and Diddy.
Discuss the recent conflict between French Montana and Young Thug over Montana’s comments about Kendrick Lamar.
Touch on the lasting impact of Friday on its 25 anniversary.
In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh defends Drake’s first album Thank Me Later.
In his Confucius Says segment Confucius explains how love is not always enough to get us though the hard times.
This week’s local song of the week is “Happy Hour” by Mélat.

Listen to this week’s episode of The Breaks

Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify or Stitcher

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.

The Breaks: Babyface vs Teddy Riley vs Technology

This week on The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius

Talk about the decrease in streaming during the pandemic and what it means for the music industry.
Touch on the continuing beat battles, including the technical difficulties in the battle between Babyface and Teddy Riley.
In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh says that Diddy would smoke Jermaine Dupri in a beat battle and that Dr. Dre would beat, but not annihilate, Diddy in a beat battle.
Confucius reminds people to stick by their values especially in this time.
This week’s Local Song of the Week is TEMPLO by Angélica Rahe.

Listen to this episode of The Breaks

Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify or Stitcher

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.

Dr. Dre is the GOAT

This Week on The Breaks:

Confucius and Fresh explore all the reasons that Dr. Dre is the greatest producer of all time.
Both hosts discourage people from dismissing new music as not “Real” Hip-hop or “Real” R&B.
They interview Austin artist Mike Melinoe about his new record “Clajidu,” why he moved to Austin from Detroit and his perspective on the Austin music scene.
Both hosts discuss their theories on why hip-hop and Black culture speak to so many people around the world.
Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that Frank Ocean hasn’t done enough musically to warrant his fans booing Drake offstage at Camp Flog Gnaw.
Confucius wants people on the internet to stop shaming others for liking things that are popular in his Confucius Says segment.

Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify or Stitcher

Listen to this episode of The Breaks

Hear the music from The Breaks played on their Saturday Night Hip-hop show