Hip Hop

Dame vs Jay

This week on The Breaks:

Fresh is still out, so Confucius discusses Nicki Minaj’s recent collaboration with BIA, and how happy he is to see her back making music
Confucius talks about Drake’s latest dating shenanigans.
In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn about “Elevators” by Outkast, “Passing Me By” by The Pharcyde, “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and “Unforgettable” by Drake.
Confucius discusses Lil Baby’s recent arrest in Paris.
Confucius explores the rivalry between Dame Dash and Jay-Z, and explains why he thinks the two of them may never mend that rift because of Dame’s propensity to talk too much to the media.
In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius talks about how much he misses his co-host Fresh Knight, who’s been under the weather, and talks about how ready he is for him to come back.

Listen to the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Is Lil Baby the new Lil Wayne?

This week on The Breaks:

Fresh is still out, so Confucius explores the idea that Lil Baby reminds people of Lil Wayne.
Confucius discusses the foolishness of “T.I” trying to deny the multiple sexual assault allegations that have been brought against him in his new song “What It’s Come To.”
Confucius talks about the recent news that Aaliyah secretly dated Static Major, and that their relationship inspired “Are You That Somebody.”
In this week’s installment of “Hip-Hop Facts” you’ll learn interesting things about the making of Tha Carter III, Lupe Fiasco, The Cool Kids & Kanye West.
In his Confucius Says Segment, Confucius encourages listeners not to put unrealistic expectations on the people around them, especially when they are dealing with their own children.

Go Off Mariah!

This week on The Breaks:

Fresh is still out, so Confucius talks about the recent rumors that Mariah Carey exploded at a meeting at Roc Nation that included Jay-Z.
Confucius talks about Kat Williams’ take on cancel culture.
In this week’s installment of Random Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn interesting tibits about Usher, Ludacris, Drake, Jay-Z, and Mariah Carey.
In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius encourages listeners to put themselves in other people’s shoes and lean into empathy.

Listen to the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Having independently released nearly three dozen albums over more than three decades, earned the designation of his own official day (September 30th) in Austin, and remained a founding face of local non-profits Urban Artist Alliance and Music Moves Austin, Terrany Johnson AKA Tee Double is a powerhouse of entrepreneurship, talent, and drive. But in light of Tee Double‘s tremendous output over all the years, these past three have been conspicuously quiet for the rapper-producer, a health-related hiatus that finally came to a close when Johnson received a pancreas and kidney transplant last fall.

Now, back and hellbent on success more than ever before, Tee Double’s just released the thirty-fifth installment to his discography, the aptly-titled Local Transplant LP. Local Transplant boasts a calm, collected, and confident flow from Johnson over mesmerizing, self-produced sample-based beats that recall the crate-digging days of the ’90s, particularly on “Go Off”!

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.

Sunny Jain: “Heroes”

After thirteen years on the road at the front of his global dance group Red Baraat, percussionist-songwriter Sunny Jain was especially affected by the constrictions of COVID. But, ever the optimist, Jain began sifting through his rolodex and soon formed a half-hundred intercontinental collective willing to help out in the writing and recording process of a new project.

Well, today, after countless hours of remote collaboration, Sunny Jain released the aptly titled Phoenix Rise LP, re-assembling the infectious energy of Red Baraat with the idiosyncrasies of his newfound team players, complete with music videos and even a 22-recipe vegan cookbook. Sunny Jain and company glisten throughout the album, effortlessly blending genres like jazz and hip-hop underneath striking vocal performances, as heard on one of Phoenix Rise‘s lead singles “Heroes”!

Respect Big Boi!

This week on The Breaks:

Hosts Confucius and Fresh try to combat all the online negativity surrounding Big Boi.
The hosts talk about the recent fight between NLE Choppa, his entourage and one of his fans.
You’ll learn interesting things about Run DMC, Toni Braxton, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Nas, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe and more in this week’s installment of Random Hip-Hop Facts.
In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh cautions local artists from trying to get their music listened to by publicly airing their grievances with other rappers.
In his Confucius Says segment Confucius encourages people to keep pursuing their dreams.

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

The Pivot

In the latest episode of Pause/Play we talk to the lunch ladies of Free Lunch, musician J Soulja, the founders of Mosaic Live Wire and entrepreneur and artist Cam the TSTMKR about how they’ve pivoted during the pandemic.

You’ll hear from
Jazz Mills — event producer and co-founder of Free Lunch
Carrie Fussell Bickley — singer and songwriter with Calliope Musicals and co-founder of Free Lunch
Caroline Rose –singer, songwriter and producer and lunch lady at Free Lunch
J Soulja — hip-hop artist and promoter
Dan Redman — founder of Mosaic Sound Collective and co-founder of Mosaic Live Wire
Mike Henry — co-founder of Mosaic Live Wire
Stuart Sullivan — owner of Wire Recording and co-founder of Mosaic Live Wire
Cam the TSTMKR — hip-hop artist and entrepreneur

Let us know your thoughts! Take the Pause/Play Survey!

AUSTIN, TX. April 20, 2021. Jazz Mills, of Free Lunch, serves fresh fruit at an event. Michael Minasi/KUTX

AUSTIN, TX. April 24, 2021. From the left: Dan Redman, Mike Henry, and Stuart Sullivan, of the Mosaic Sound Collective and Mosaic Live. Michael Minasi/KUTX

Find out how to contribute to Free Lunch
Find out more about Caroline Rose
Find out more about Calliope Musicals
Find out more about Jazz Mills project Popecoke
Check out Behind the Song on The Smokeout’s InstagramTV
Find out more about Behind the Song Live, Which airs May 4th at 8pm
Find out more about Mosaic Sound Collective
Find out more about Mosaic Live Wire
Find out more about Wire Recording
Find out more about Rent a Record Label

The Breaks: Rest in Power DMX

In this episode of The Breaks hosts Confucius and Fresh:

mourn the passing of DMX.
tell you some little know facts about DMX as part of Random Hip-Hop facts
discuss Diddy’s open letter calling out GM for not investing in Black-owned Media

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

Kojaque: “No Hands”

When you think of Irish music your brain might not go straight to hip-hop. But in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day we’re taking a gander at a rapper straight out of Dublin. Going by the name Kojaque, this young up-and-comer’s been building up his reputation as a lyricist thanks to his effortless, in-the-pocket flow, colloquial rhyme style, and choice of cadence over jazz-inspired beats.

Keep an eye on the horizon for Kojaque’s debut album in the near future, teased most recently with his latest single (and music video) that reckons with the loss of Kojaque’s father and puts you into a melancholy state with its moody instrumental, on “No Hands”.

IKOQWE: “Bulubulu”

In the realms of both hip-hop and electronic, there’s always strength in numbers, even when that number is a mere two. Enter Angola new wave producer Batida and Angola rapper/activist Ikonoklasta, whose shared offbeat, on-tempo energy has made their duo IKOQWE a powerhouse.

Inspired equally by Angolan traditional music as by golden age hip-hop, IKOQWE dropped their debut LP, The Beginning, The Medium, The End and The Infinite, last Friday, combining retro drum programming with striking new sounds, all meshed together across a handful of languages and daring messages. This record is weird as heck but a lot of fun and frankly, just really good; hear for yourself on The Beginning‘s sophomore song, “Bulubulu”!

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.

Nelly vs St. Lunatics

In this episode of The Breaks

Hosts Confucius and Fresh talk about the recent dispute between Nelly and Ali from St. Lunatics.
Both hosts talk about why they think Pooh Shiesty and Flo Milly will be two of the breakout stars of 2021.
In this week’s installment of Random Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn things you might not have known about Lil’ Wayne, Warren G, Outkast and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Prince was intimidated by Michael Jackson.
In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius encourages listeners not to lose touch with who they are, even in the midst the pandemic.

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.

Larry “Lak” Henderson and Capone (Ep. 10, 2021)

This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Larry “Lak” Henderson, known as The Hip Hop Educator and founder and CEO of Smart Music Entertainment, along with legendary rapper Capone, who have recently collaborated on a new brand called SmartThug, which uses hip hop as an educational tool.

The Brain: “So They Say” (prod. Ruler Why) [PREMIERE]

Any hardcore hip-hop expert in Austin ought to remember the name SubKulture Patriots, the fearless five-piece whose ’90s-style beats and rapid-fire lyrical exchanges gave Wu-Tang Clan and Boot Camp Clik a run for their money during their 2010s heyday. SKP’s been laying low recently, but founding mastermind Brian Tanton AKA The Brain isn’t letting a little kenopsia get in the way of his craft.

The native Texan began experimenting with guitar and piano at a young age before graduating to hip-hop production and writing rhymes, but those early essentials have stayed close to The Brain as he’s continued to develop his unconventional, spasmodic flow. Now at the turn of a decade, The Brain is cued up to release his debut solo album, The Epidemic, on April 20th, produced entirely by longtime SubKult collaborator Ruler Why. The rhymes are remarkable, the references are extraterrestrial, and the beats are so fresh you’ll get stuff like the Gregorian chants on “So They Say” stuck in your head again and again.

Funkmaster Flex Does it Again

In this episode of The Breaks

Hosts Confucius and Fresh talk about the reconciliation between Snoop Dogg and Eminem, and about Dr. Dre’s recent recovery from a brain aneurysm.
Both hosts discuss Funkmaster Flex’s rise to prominence, his influence in the industry and his penchant for saying things that put him on the wrong side of history.
In this week’s installment of “Random Hip Hop Facts” The hosts tell you interesting tidbits about Swisher House, Jermaine Dupri, Angie Martinez, Usher and more.
In his Unpopular Opinion Fresh states that he hopes musicians will think twice before leaving Austin for another city to further their career.
In his “Confucius Says” segment Confucius encourages people to listen with compassion to those in need.

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.

Bonus Episode: Interview with Chaka from Riders Against the Storm

In this bonus episode of The Breaks, Confucius and Fresh talk to Chaka from the Austin Hip-Hop Duo Riders Against the Storm about his experience as the first Black chair of the City of Austin’s Music Commission, his work to create the Black Live Music Fund, why he created the DAWA fund, and what’s next for Riders Against the Storm.

Sliding Into 2021 Like…

On this episode of The Breaks:

Confucius and Fresh remember MF Doom after the announcement of his death.
Both hosts talk about the feud between Snoop Dogg and Eminem.
The hosts discuss Young Thug’s comment that Jay-Z doesn’t have 30 songs that everybody knows word for word.
In this installment of Hip-Hop facts Confucius and Fresh tell you things you didn’t know about Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, 3LW, Beyonce and more.
In light of Will.i.am’s comments about not feeling accepted by Black audiences, Confucius and Fresh explore the history of Black Eyed Peas and debate whether they are a Black group or not.
Fresh puts forward the Unpopular Opinion that Black audiences don’t always respond to acts that are doing things they consider “weird.”

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.

What’s Going on with Lil Baby?

In this episode of The Breaks

Hosts Confucius and Fresh do a quick recap of Too Short and E40’s Verzuz battle.
Both hosts discuss the drama in Lil Baby’s love life.
The hosts talk about the recent news that Lil Wayne not only sold his masters, but Nicki Minaj and Drake’s masters as well.
Fresh and Confucius talk about Rowdy Rebel’s recent release from jail.
In this installment of “Random Hip Hop Facts” Confucius and Fresh tell you facts about November 18th, Too Short, DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Source Magazine and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that MC Hammer IS Hip-Hop.
In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius encourages people to put jealousy aside when it comes to close friendships.

Was it Worth it Wayne?

In this episode of The Breaks:

Hosts Confucius and Fresh talk about Lil Wayne’s recent legal troubles and wonder if the rapper regrets endorsing Donald Trump.
Both hosts talk about the upcoming Verzuz battle between E-40 and Too $hort.
In this weeks edition of “Random Hip-Hop facts,” Confucius and Fresh focus on Biz Markie and Lupe Fiasco, Twista and Spice 1.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that the recent focus on white representation in hip-hop journalism actually discounts the many contributions of Black journalists.
In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius encourages people to give The Breaks the credit they deserve for elevating Austin’s hip-hop scene.

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.