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.
Ginuwine
2024: Year of the Austin Breakthrough?
Confucius and Fresh kick this week off by weighing the odds of an Austin hip-hop/R&B artist breaking out into the national mainstream before tackling the latest from everyone’s favorite controversy-maker – Lil Nas X. Get all that, Hip-Hop Facts, an Unpopular Opinion about hip-hop’s hatred of Drake, and Confucius Reads the News in this edition.
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.
Why Leave Austin?
The Breaks thanks everyone who showed some love during KUT & KUTX’s summer membership drive open house! It got Confucius and Fresh reflecting on reception and listener demographics and overall reception before begging why leave the city where your brand was born?
On Hip-Hop Facts the fellas dig up some great trivia on Milli Vanilli, Wiz Khalifa’s brief marriage to Amber Rose, some family resentment within Run-D.M.C. and more.
Watch out Ye-fans, in this week’s Unpopular Opinion Fresh calls it like he sees it; Yeezus simply does not belong in the top three of Kanye’s best albums.
Finally, Confucius Reads the News on the latest from OceanGate, the discovery of hard drugs in the White House, the Keke Palmer-Usher spectacle, and Yusef Salaam’s council seat victory.
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.
R&B’s Diminishing Dominance
In this episode, Confucius and Fresh break down what happened to R&B as a dominating force before debating whether or not Austin City Limits Music Festival has “gotten better” at showcasing rap in recent years.
On Hip-Hop Facts you’ll hear about Lil Jon’s double distribution of the “Yeah” instrumental, birthday boy Ginuwine’s real name, and the first of many Belly film trivia tidbits.
Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion goes meta when he defends the significance of The Breaks itself for playing local artists.
And no news from Confucius this week; Instead he talks up his headliner comedy gig this Wednesday at The Pershing, hosted by Fresh!