Confucius and Fresh weigh who gains the most from their industry relationships: Jay-Z or Beyoncé and Young Thug or Gunna, plus an Unpopular Opinion on the future of white rappers.
Michael Jackson
Has GloRilla overtaken Cardi B as hip-hop’s “it girl”?
Confucius and Fresh confer on GloRilla’s growing popularity, check the pulse on Austin’s hip-hop scene, and predict the state of Drill music’s foreseeable future.
Been There 3 Interview
Confucius and Fresh are joined by DAWA/Riders Against the Storm’s Chaka and Been There cofounder Aaron Brown to discuss Been There 3: A Party to Support Our Unhoused Neighbors happening November 2nd at Radio East to benefit The Other Ones Foundation. Hear that, a chat on the relationship between hip-hop and Halloween, and an Unpopular Opinion on Kendrick Lamar’s recent choice of media outlets.
LARA’ Interview
Austin R&B singer LARA’ joins Confucius and Fresh in conversation on her new album Luvology and her upcoming tour with Rapsody. Then the fellas weigh why R&B isn’t as profitable as hip-hop and Meek Mill’s status as a top tier rapper.
BLK ODYSSY Interview
Confucius and Fresh sit down with August 2021 KUTX Artist of the Month BLK ODYSSY to talk about their newly released album 1-800 Fantasy before setting the stage for an upcoming series on beefs.
Do Ghostwriting Allegations Hurt Drake’s Reputation?
With the big beef behind us, how do ghostwriting allegations hurt Drake’s status among the GOATs? Hear what Confucius and Fresh have to say on that, plus Jay Electronica’s prospects on being the greatest rapper that never was and an Unpopular Opinion The Alchemist’s ranking in the world of production.
Officially the Best Radio Show
After so many consecutive nominations, Confucius and Fresh reflect on their first ever ‘Best Radio Show’ Austin Music Award before discussing why longtime Austinites are jaded to good opportunities. And in between Hip-Hop Facts and Confucius Reads the News, Fresh dishes a particularly Unpopular Opinion on why the music industry actually doesn’t need to change.
What Does Artist Cey Adams Have to Say?
Confucius and Fresh interview hip-hop art legend Cey Adams, former creative director for Def Jam who designed album covers for everyone from Run-DMC to Jay-Z. They talk about his early days in hip-hop, what it’s been like to watch the genre evolve and grow, and his new show “Combinations” at the West Chelsea Contemporary in Austin.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Jay-Z’s first appearance on television, Jermaine Jackson’s diss song to his younger brother Michael, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that the culture put unrealistic artistic expectations on Bobby Shmurda after he got out of jail.
Confucius talks about the recently discovered flesh-eating parasite in Texas, the new speaker of the House, and Bob Mendez’s legal woes in Confucius Reads the News.
MJ as the Bar
Coming off of ACL, the fellas discuss MJ (take your pick – Jackson OR Jordan) as the golden standard for success and why it may hold less water these days. Plus, Confucius and Fresh gush about the Hype Williams classic Belly.
Hip-Hop Facts enlightens us on how Fabolous got his name and reflects on the recent passing of DJ Mark the 45 King. Afterwards Fresh shares his Unpopular Opinion on the modern state of sloppy sampling before Confucius Reads the News.
Hot Boys and Girls
Fresh and Confucius talk about the impact that this year’s record heat is having on live music in Austin. Then, inspired by Asian Doll’s comments about not wanting to rap at 30, they debate the merits of older rappers.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how Andre 3000 lived in Austin, why Dr. Dre turned down opportunities to work with Michael Jackson and Prince, what Missy Elliot song contains Beyoncé’s first solo outing and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that people don’t actually separate the art from the artists, but instead just decide what bad behavior they will or won’t tolerate.
Confucius talks about Trump’s mug shot, the recent Republican Party presidential debate, the Biden Administration’s new student loan repayment plan, and more.
Is Rap Dead?
Confucius and Fresh discuss why some artists are so selfish and delusional. Then they try and nail down what makes an album a “classic.”
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how Prodigy and Busta Rhymes almost ended up with the beat for Jay-Z’s “U Don’t Know,” what happened when Michael Jackson met Princess Diana, how the Lox almost got signed by Suge Knight, and more!
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that hip-hop is dead.
Confucius talks about the death of PnB Rock, Lindsay Graham’s proposed 15-week abortion ban, Cardi B’s plea deal, and more on Confucius Reads the News.
The Breaks Live at ACL Fest 2021
This week on the Breaks:
- Confucius and Fresh were out at the Austin City Limits Festival for weekend 2. You’ll hear their interviews with Austin artists Mike Melinoe and Sheila, recorded live at the ACLfest Bonus Tracks stage.
- In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts, you’ll hear about the surprising connection between Megan Thee Stallion and Q-tip, how 50 Cent passed on Freddy Gibbs, Aaliyah’s intro to 4 page letter, how Rick James felt about MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This,” the story of Prince and Michael Jackson’s Bad and more.
- Confucius and Fresh discuss OG Ron C’s assertion that DJ Screw didn’t actually chop and screw beats.
- Fresh puts forth the Unpopular Opinion that Texas Hip-Hop deserves more appreciation than it is currently getting and should get its flowers now!
- In his Confucius Says segment Confucius says that even though he’s been a fan of comedian Dave Chappelle he thinks the comedian needs to shut the hell up.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Richard Hartley (Ep. 15, 2021)
On this week’s In Black America program, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Pastor Richard Hartley of Haven International Ministries in Queens, New York, in-demand vocal and choir coach, and star of the USA Network reality program “The Rev.”