Will Beyoncé’s upcoming Act II score the Queen her first “Album of the Year” Grammy? What role should rappers play in political discussions? And does Houston need to share more of its legacy with the rest of Texas’ hip-hop hubs? Find out what Confucius and Fresh have to say in this latest episode.
Mase
Is J. Cole this generation’s Nas?
In commemoration of J. Cole’s 39th birthday, Confucius and Fresh make a compelling argument for why Cole is the Nas of this generation. And if you’re a music manager or thinking of hiring one, the fellas also lay out the cornerstones of competence in Austin. Get that, an Unpopular Opinion about the impact of streaming on viewer experience, and of course Hip-Hop Facts plus Confucius Reads the news in this last episode for January 2024.
What is the DJ’s Current Role in Hip-Hop?
Inspired by an onstage outburst at a recent Wiz Khalifa concert, Confucius & Fresh kick off this edition of The Breaks by reexamining the once-central role of the DJ in the context of contemporary hip-hop.
This week’s Hip-Hop Facts packs tidbits on 50 Cent’s “How to Rob”, Tupac’s relationship with Suge Knight, Akon’s use of onstage decoys, the 1995 Source Awards, and Rakim’s unlikely journey into becoming a rap superstar.
Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion suggests that despite surface-level appearances, Mase of Naughty By Nature is NOT a victim of Puff Daddy.
Lastly, Confucius Reads the News about the latest Monkeypox developments, Biden’s ongoing COVID tests, Alex Jones’ Sandy Hook trial phone fiasco, and the passing of KUT/KUTX legend John Aielli.
Catching up with the Breaks
The Breaks are back after a two week hiatus. In this episode:
- Confucius and Fresh honor Shock G who passed away on April 22.
- both hosts discuss Irv Gotti’s comments about the passing of DMX
- the hosts debate whether Busta Rhymes was right to crown Bobby Shmurda “The King of New York.”
- you’ll learn little known facts about Irv Gotti, Fat Joe, Mase, Diddy, Lord Infamous, Cappadonna & Drake’s classic record “Views.”
- In his Unpopular Opinion Fresh states that, “Sorry Not Sorry” the DJ Khaled song featuring Jay-Z and Nas is lackluster.
- In his Confucius Says segment Confucius encourages people to enjoy where they are not a not try to bring other people down.
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.