On this episode we discuss the New York Knicks winning their first NBA championship in 53 years. We also discuss our favorite New York rap anthems to help Knicks celebrate. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Backstreet Boys, Ludacris, Earth Wind & Fire and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that Jay-Z teaming up with Target isn’t that big of a deal.
Hip Hop
Dallas hip-hop group Cure for Paranoia talks breakout Tiny Desk win
Texas-based oil-drillers are looking for a competitive advantage — and they’re turning to AI. What are the implications? Turns out regulators don’t really know. We’ll hear more.
As the nation turns to honor members of the military who gave their all while serving, what of those service members who died years later after exposure to chemicals while in uniform?
Plus, the week in politics and a rising star in Dallas — our conversation with the frontman of Cure for Paranoia.
Happy Mother’s Day!
This episode is more special than most because we get to interview our own mothers! We discuss their musical upbringing and learn more about ourselves as well. Hip-Hop Facts include facts about The Jacksons, 2pac, Pokemon and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion will definitely spark a conversation with music lovers.
Cole World
On this episode, we discuss all the recent interviews J. Cole has done and why we aren’t big fans of them. We also discuss much simpler times when you could download, and burn, all the music you loved as a kid. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Vanessa Williams, Brandy, Kid Rock and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion will definitely be a conversation starter.
Rockin’ With TheBrosFresh!
On this episode we sit down with Louisiana artists TheBrosFresh and talk about their upcoming music and how is Austin treating them. We also discuss VladTV making tweets about Jay-Z to garner attention from the worse parts of the internet. Hip-Hop facts include facts about I Love Lucy, Drake, Master P and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is that 90s/2000s themed parties are overrated.
Lovers & Friends
It’s our Valentine’s Day episode! We talk about our favorite rap songs about love and we also talk about two people who hate each other, 50 Cent and Ja Rule. Hip-Hop facts include facts about Boyz 2 Men, T.I., Paula Patton and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about podcasting not hurting the reputations of New York rap artists.
Ralph McDaniels (Ep. 09, 2026 re-broadcast)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with pioneering music video director, DJ and VJ Ralph McDaniels, who in 1983 created Studio 31 Dance Party, a television program presenting recordings of music performances that evolved into the long-running music video program he created and co-hosts, Video Music Box.
D’Angelo The Great
On this episode we discuss the legacy of the late musican D’Angelo who suddenly passed last week at age 51. We also discuss the upcoming Verzuz between hip-hop labels Cash Money (Lil Wayne, etc) and No Limit (Master P, Snoop, etc.) and how it would look. Hip-Hop facts this week include facts about D’Angelo, UGK, 2pac and Lil Wayne. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about how Lil Jon might not be the biggest fan of Three 6 Mafia in the overall legacy of crunk music.
Can Drake Get Back On Top?
On this episode we discuss what artists get a pass to “genre bend” and what artists don’t. We also discuss what can Drake do to regain his number one spot in hip-hop. Hip-hop facts include Will Ferrell, Jay-Z, Allen Iverson and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that rappers don’t have to do traditional hip-hop media platforms.
Spite Club w/ Jedi512 and Boots
On this episode we talk with former KUTX Artist of the Month Jedi512 about his newest project “Spite Club” with producer Boots. Hip-hop facts include facts about LL Cool J, Migos, and TLC. Unpopular Opinion with Fresh is about Frank Ocean being underrated.
AI and the Future of Music
AI is a hot topic right now, but how will it impact music? We discuss everything from fake bands getting millions of listens to a legendary producer vouching for the use of AI to lawsuits by major music groups against AI music generation programs.
In the latest episode, we dive into how Austin musicians are using the tool or staying away. Hear from Chinasa Broxton and Carlos Dashawn Daniels Moore of Tribe Mafia, Walker Lukens, Lauren Bruno, Jonny Johnson, Zeale and Erin Walter share their thoughts on the future of AI and music.
Tell us what you think about AI and Music
Pause/Play is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.
Social Media & Music: Love It, Hate It, or Use It?
Social media has completely changed how musicians share their work and connect with fans — but not everyone is here for the endless scroll. Some artists are over it and have even ditched it altogether.
In this episode, we dive into the love-hate relationship musicians have with social media. Hear from Chinasa Broxton, Carlos Dashawn Daniels Moore of Tribe Mafia, Walker Lukens, Sara L. Houser, and Robert Ellis as they dish on how they do — or don’t — use these platforms to build their careers and stay true to their art.
Did We Give Hip-Hip Away?
On this episode we discuss if the culture of Hip-Hop was too easily given away to streaming services without a fight. We also discuss the pros and cons of using A.I. in hip-hop. Hip-Hop facts this week include Aaliyah, Whitney Houston and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Unpopular Opinion is about about having too much access to celebrities.
DUCKWRTH: “Toxic Romantic”
L.A.’s DUCKWRTH has an adept knack for genre-bending around hip-hop, indie, and electronic music, massaging whatever effect he wants to achieve into his mold. His hip, danceable midtempo grooves have landed him the opening spot on two Billie Eilish tours, his music has been in shows like Insecure and Bel Air, and his song “Start A Riot” with Shaboozey was featured on the widely revered Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack.
DUCKWRTH’s third studio album American F**k Boy is a thoughtfully plotted story that unfolds like a book. Broken down into literal chapters, the voices of notable actors like LaKeith Stanfield give interstitial narration throughout DUCKWRTH’s bear-all odyssey juggling multiple romantic interests, generational trauma, his own self-inflicted patterns leading to toxic relationships. Towards the end, DUCKWRTH describes his ego death necessary to grow, reflect, and move on with a promise to do better.
“Toxic Romantic” kicks off the album with a brilliant display of DUCKWRTH’s groovy midtempo, multi-hyphenate style, punctuating the chaos we’ve been dropped into with a garbled guitar riff and DUCKWRTH calling his pathetic self out with a distorted delivery of the cliché “It’s not you, it’s me. I promise.”
American F*cK Boy is out now on Them Hellas/The Blind Youth.
Ralph McDaniels (Ep. 18, 2025)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with pioneering music video director, DJ and VJ Ralph McDaniels, who in 1983 created Studio 31 Dance Party, a television program presenting recordings of music performances that evolved into the long-running music video program Video Music Box.
Is Jermaine Dupri out of touch?
On this episode we discuss legendary producer/artist Jermaine Dupri’s comments on artists not wanting to be independent. We also discuss the recent Austin Music Awards and some criticisms levied at them from local artists.
Rap Beef Episode III: Revenge of the South (Re-Run)
This episode is a rerun from 10/7.
On the finale of the fellas’ series on rap beefs, Confucius and Fresh head to the south for rows in Texas, Florida, and Louisiana from the late ’80s through the ’00s.
Will Outkast make it into the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame?
Fresh and Confucius discuss whether Outkast has a legitimate chance at making the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame. The pair also breakdown Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show and their thoughts on it.
Geto Gala: “Homerun Derby” (Live In Studio 1A)
As Love Austin Music Month marches on, I’d like to revisit one of my favorite Studio 1A sessions from 2024 and celebrate a new victory. Geto Gala, the rockstar hip-hop duo of Jake Lloyd and Deezie Brown were our November 2024 Artist of the Month, and they headlined our Free Week Show a few weeks ago at Stubb’s Indoors. Hot of the release of Major League at the end of last year, they were part of the 2024 Sonic Guild class and were awarded $10,000 this past Saturday at the 11th Annual Sonic Guild Ball. Which means big things are coming next.
To celebrate this huge victory for one of our favorite artists at KUTX, and to show you what you’re missing in case you haven’t yet seen Geto Gala live, here’s one from their November Studio 1A Session.
Geto Gala plays a SIMS Foundation benefit show Saturday, February 9th at Antone’s with NOLO and Semihelix.
Sweet Limb: “Good For You”
Hip-hop, like any genre, can serve many purposes: not only can it grip your soul with stories of regular people trying to make a living in their country that’s been institutionally designed to work against them, but it can also grip your soul in a soft way, with a mantra: a meditation on a promise. And it’ll make you feel real good.
Austin quartet Sweet Limb brings hip-hop back to its core: talented creatives who realize they’re at their best when creating together. Blending inspirations from your favorite poetic 90s hip-hop groups to Stevie Wonder, “Good For You” is almost like a prayer. A steamy, sensual proclamation to just be good to your beloved. The piano melody really falls in line with the rest of the rhythm section, driving the backbeat while Chris Robinson’s smooth vocals lay out for you the acts of service that come with his love. Trust me, you’ll be directing the music video shot-for-shot in your head during this beauty.