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.
Future
Is Raunchiness in Rap really that new?
Inspired by discourse around the recent BET Awards, Confucius and Fresh discuss why some folks are reacting oddly to what’s perceived as uncouth behavior alongside an Unpopular Opinion Puerto Ricans’ place in the rise of Hip-Hop.
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.
When Did R&B and Hip-Hop Become One?
After a quick postmortem on the Drake-Kendrick beef, Confucius and Fresh dissect how R&B crept into Hip-Hop’s sonic sector. Get that, an Unpopular Opinion around Kendrick’s de facto influence on the West Coast’s relevance, plus Hip-Hop Facts and Confucius’ reactions to the latest headlines right here.
Who’s Winning This Beef?
As the Kendrick-Drake beef escalates, Confucius and Fresh are joined by cultural strategist Keys and producer-DJ Mason Flynt for a rare, three-part roundtable discussion on the ongoing exchange. Hear everyone’s takes plus an Unpopular Opinion and Confucius’ reaction to university protests in the latest episode.
The Drake-Future Feud / Sex Appeal
Confucius and Fresh cover the latest rap beef before weighing the importance of sex appeal in the modern era. Hear that, Hip-Hop Facts, Confucius Reads the News, and an Unpopular Opinion on industry politics.
Climate Change Fatigue
The details of climate change can be overwhelming. For some, it’s so overwhelming that they begin to shut it all out. Others are just tired of hearing about it. Those where the dual inspirations of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
The Great Resignation
The pandemic changed life as it once was. Many lost jobs. Others began remote work. Everyone took stock of what was most important. Even two years in, we’re not seeing a workforce that’s back to “normal.” That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Attack on Dave
Confucius and Fresh discuss the recent incident at a Dave Chappelle show where a fan jumped on stage and attacked him and muse on the recent nominations to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the connection between Run-DMC, Suge Knight, and 2Pac, CeeLo Green’s criminal past, the connection between Young Thug and Lil Baby, the connection between Future and Dungeon Family, and more!
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Travis Scott has a better catalog than Young Thug.
Confucius talks about the recently leaked draft Supreme Court Opinion signaling that the Court will overturn Roe v. Wade in Confucius Reads the News
Rest in Power DJ Kay Slay
Fresh and Confucius celebrate the life of DJ Kay Slay, and debate whether Future really is the best rapper alive.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about DJ Kay Slay, DJ Drama’s Gansta Grillz, and more!
After T-Pain called out the city of Dallas over low ticket sales, Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that artists can’t be mad about low ticket sales.
Confucius talks about the fall of Netflix, Future’s comments about whether he wants more kids, Florida’s decision to revoke Disney’s special status, Jerry Seinfeld’s friendship with Wale, and more on Confucius Reads the News.
The Breaks’ Mt. Rushmore of Rap
The week on The Breaks:
- Fresh is out, so Confucius answers the question put forth by Rap Caviar — Who are the 4 best rappers of the 2010’s? For Confucius it’s Drake, Kendrick, Future and Nicki Minaj.
- Confucius puts forth that of his top 4 hip-hop artists, Drake is hands down the biggest artist of them all.
- Confucius discusses the release of DMX’s posthumously released record “Exodus.”
- In this week’s installment of Random Hip-Hop Facts you’ll find out info about Lil Jon, the writing of “Still D.R.E.,” why Jay-Z skipped the Grammys and what the most bootlegged album of all time is.
- In his Confucius Says segment Confucius encourages listeners to be honest with themselves about who they are so that they can be true to themselves.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Respect Nicki Minaj!
This week on The Breaks:
- Fresh is out, so host Confucius Jones explores the legacy of Nicki Minaj after the re-release of her 2009 mixtape “Beam Me Up Scotty.”
- This week’s installment of Random Hip-Hop facts centers around LL Cool J and Jay-Z after the announcement that both of them will be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
- Confucius talks about Future’s recent jab at his ex Lori Harvey on 42 Dugg’s song “Maybach, and proclaims that Future complains about women more than Drake does.
- In his Confucius Says segment Confucius acknowledges that the odds are stacked against Black and Brown Austinites, but still encourages them to do the work to fix the problems they see around them, even when it’s hard.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Texas Standard: October 27, 2020
There’s some hope from the left Texas could go blue in the presidential election, and some likelihood it could when it comes to the state house. We’ll explore. Also, the divisive state of politics right now has many concerned about the risk of violence on or after Election Day. We’ll dig into news Texas Army National Guard troops will be deployed. Plus, misinformation going out before an election is nothing new. But evidence it’s targeting Spanish-speaking communities. Also, when counties can turn any building into a polling place it often means many of those buildings won’t be fully accessible. And a small-town Texas story is getting its shot on the big screen. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Why We Want To Predict The Future (Kind Of)
Predictions about the future can make us feel good, but only to a certain extent. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, and Dr. Bob Duke discuss the psychology behind why and what we want to know when it comes to what’s coming up.
Texas Standard: December 12, 2019
Blocked at the border: a judge in El Paso puts the brakes again on part of the president’s border wall project, although parts of the wall are still going up. We’ll have more on the latest legal challenge to the president’s effort to fulfill his campaign promise of a border wall from the Gulf to the Pacific. Also, a battle in the Texas Capitol City over changes to the code may be the shape of things to come for the rest of Texas, we’ll hear why. And 2019, a good year for cyber security? Our tech expert Omar Gallaga gets us up to speed and more today on the Texas Standard:
Trailer: Season 3–The Green New Deal
Season 3 of The Secret Ingredient will focus on The Green New Deal (GND). Listen this season as Raj Patel, Tom Philpott and Rebecca McInroy discuss the future of agriculture, climate change, economic inequality and what it will take to create The Green New Deal in an effort to save the planet!
Asymmetry: Past & Future
Dating back to when we were kids, two weeks into the future seems a lot longer than two weeks in the past. Even as adults we know two weeks is the same length regardless of when it takes place and yet we still experience this asymmetrical mindset.
In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke discuss asymmetry between the past and future.
Texas Standard: May 15, 2018
the US Supreme Court’s decision on sports betting: what are the odds things will change in the Lone Star State? We’ll explore. Also, what’s the best and worst price for gasoline you’ve seen? Tweet us @TexasStandard because this hour we’re exploring the rise to $3 bucks per gallon, and how that could affect us way beyond the pumps. Also, more and more states moving away from hypnosis as a tool in law enforcement. Some officials calling it junk science, though in Texas, in can be a matter of life and death. Lauren McGauhey of the Dallas Morning News explains. And the attempt to hear what your ears can-not. A new idea to combat killer twisters before they strike. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Higher Ed: Helping Students Flourish In Careers Of The Future
One of higher education’s biggest challenges in the coming years may be to prepare students to flourish in a world with many careers and positions that don’t now exist. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss how higher education can be ready for this new reality. Ed wrote the following in his 2017 President’s Report:
…in the decades to come, higher education faces some serious challenges, not the least of which is remaining relevant to the intellectual and creative needs of students who will graduate into a world in which over 65% will eventually holds careers in positions that have yet to be created.
In this episode, Ed and Jennifer discuss the ways that education already prepares students for a broad range of careers and some ways it may need to pivot as the work world continues to evolve. Listen to this whole episode for a glimpse into the future and to get the solution to a retro puzzler about old-fashioned cash registers.
This episode was recorded Feb. 28, 2018.
Texas Standard: March 12, 2018
The president’s gamble over tariffs: why Texas may be in the crosshairs if Europe decides to go tit-for-tat. We’ll have a conversation with the EU ambassador. Plus, full speed ahead for the general election? For dozens of Texas candidates, the brakes are still on for the runoffs. We’ll lift the curtain on what it takes to get past the next political hurdle. And is a historic part of downtown El Paso ready for the bulldozer? Some residents say no one prepared them, and they’re pushing back. Also evangelical women in the era of Trump and me too. After allegations from a porn star and more, can Trump still count on support from the religious right? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard: