Over the 4/20 weekend Confucius and Fresh hash out marijuana’s impact on hip-hop, the latest shots against Drake, and why the OGs aren’t always right. Hear that along with Hip-Hop Facts and Confucius’ take on the latest headlines.
Nas
J. Cole’s Apology / Kendrick vs. Drake
It’s a two-parter of Kendrick Lamar clashes: J. Cole’s public apology and Drake’s ongoing affronts. Hear how Confucius and Fresh feel about the beef, Hip-Hop Facts, the latest headlines, and an Unpopular Opinion on hip-hop’s “health”.
Jermaine Dupri vs. Dr. Dre / The Neptunes vs. Three 6 Mafia
Tough calls all around when it comes to ranking these heavyweights! And is radio dead? Maybe just the commercial kind…Hear that plus Hip-Hop Facts and the latest news in this episode.
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.
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.
We ARE Playing Y’all & We’re at ACL Fest
Confucius and Fresh debate whether this is the best time for Austin hip-hop or not. Then they talk about this year’s Austin City Limits Festival, and relive their best and worst ACLfest memories. The Breaks will be interviewing Austin Artist Blckchyl ACLfest Bonus Tracks Stage Sunday, 10/15 from 2:45-3:15pm.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Oukast’s Auqemini, why Russell Simmons passed on Nas’ Illmatic, and more, and how Baja Men’s “Who Let the Dogs Out” originated at Austin’s Reagan High School.
Fresh States the Unpopular Opinion that James Fauntleroy is the greatest songwriter-producer of a generation.
Confucius talks about Beyoncé’s record Renaissance tour profits, Austin’s status as a great place to open a business, Donald Trump’s gag order, Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as speaker of the house, and more in Confucius Reads the News.
SXSW Stories
Confucius and Fresh talk to Jordan Cummings, one of the founders of HennyThing ATX, a festival which will be in Austin on March 18th, 2023. Then Confucius and Fresh tell their favorite SXSWstories from years past.
You learn Hip-Hop Facts about whether Biggie’s “Long Kiss Goodnight” is really a Tupac diss, how old Nicole Wray was when “Make it Hot” became a hit, and why Nas’s had an issue with The Roots and Black Thought, and more!
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that SXSW is kind of played out.
Confucius talks about how SXSW pays musicians, Amazon’s efforts to change the rules around when you can buy liquor, and Marjorie Greene Taylor on Confucius Reads the News.
Nas, Clickbait, and Relevance
The fellas start with a two-parter inspired by 21 Savage’s recent comments on Nas; how much of it is embedded in clickbait culture and past that, what really is relevance in hip-hop?
Hip-Hop Facts covers a ton of chance connections: From Babyface, Whitney Houston, and Dr. Dre to Nas and DJ Envy, DJ Toomp and T.I. and yes, even Jay-Z and Gorillaz.
Kendrick fans may disagree with the Unpopular Opinion, but according to Fresh himself, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers basically came and went. Listen to all that plus reactions to the latest headlines from Donald Trump, Atlanta, Nancy Pelosi, Elon Musk, and more.
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.
Is Rap the Most Dangerous Profession?
Aside from folks like firefighters, etc., is being a rapper one of the most disproportionately dangerous lines of work? Confucius & Fresh compare the plights of Waka Flocka Flame and Nipsey Hussle to illustrate how the perils of disrespect.
The fellas respond to a Rolling Stone article on the rise of emo rap as the “fastest growing sub-genre” by discussing relatability, youth demographics, and long-term sustainability.
On Hip Hop Facts Fresh details how Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash ended up in Blondie’s “Rapture”, how LL Cool J not-so-sneakily got FUBU into a Gap ad, and when Full Force wrote for the Backstreet Boys. Confucius walks us through the passing of “Uncle Bob” (who saved Lil Wayne’s adolescent life after a suicide attempt), the simultaneous 1999 release of Destiny’s Child’s Writing on the Wall and Hot Boys’ Guerilla Warfare, and Jay Electronica’s production of Nas’ “Queens Get The Money”.
Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion riffs on Charleston White and how disrespect has become the “new normal” in hip-hop.
Confucius Reads the News sheds insight on JetBlue’s merger with Spirit Airlines, President Biden’s COVID-19 test results, the declaration of Monkey Pox as a public health emergency, the volley of projectiles hurled at Kid Cudi’s Rolling Loud Festival performance after replacing Kanye West, and Chris Rock’s insistence that he “shook off” the Will Smith Oscars slap.
Rest in Power MKW
This week on The Breaks:
- Confucius and Fresh pay tribute to actor Michael K. Williams.
- The hosts discuss the upcoming Verzuz between Jah Rule and Fat Joe.
- In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn interesting tidbits about Jay Z’s “The Blueprint,” Nas, the time the Lox almost stabbed Mike Tyson, Beanie Sigel’s album “The Truth” and more.
- After Tidal’s recent tweet, Fresh and Confucius answer the question “Would you rather have $500,000 or a dinner with Jay Z.”
- After finding out that an Austin artist obviously bought streams, Confucius uses his Confucius Says segment to encourage aspiring artists to fake it ’til they make it…within reason.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Boosie Be Quiet!
This week on The Breaks:
- Confucius and Fresh talk about Boosie Badazz’s reaction to Lil’ Nas X’s pregnant promo pictures, and encourage the “Set it Off” artist to stop commenting on things he shouldn’t be commenting on.
- The hosts talk about the feud between Kanye and Drake, and bemoan the fact that André 3000 got caught up in the middle of their latest beef.
- You’ll learn interesting things about how Fat Joe saved Common’s life, why the Jack the Rapper conference was moved from Miami to Atlanta, Rapping Duke from the Biggie Smalls song “Juicy,” the origin of the beef between Nas and Death Row East, the time that Silkk the Shocker almost fought Tupac, the first verse Ceelo every recorded and more.
- Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that the Breaks should focus more on what’s happening in the Austin Hip-Hop and R&B Scene.
- In his Confucius Says segment Confucius talks about why wrong he thinks Texas’ 6 week abortion ban is and how embarrassed it makes him to be a Texan.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Dipset Debacle
This week on The Breaks:
- Confucius and Fresh discuss the latest Tekashi 6ix9ine related drama between 21 Savage and Wack 100.
- Both hosts talk about Tyler the Creator’s most recent interview with Laura Styles on Hot 97.
- In this week’s installment of “Hip-Hop facts” you’ll learn interesting things about Jim Jones’ “Summer in Miami,” Tupac’s “Hit Em Up,” Jaydakiss, The Joe Budden podcast, Nas and more.
- Confucius and Fresh share their thoughts on the latest Verzuz battle between Dipset and the Lox.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Kim Verzuz Nicki?
This week on The Breaks:
- Fresh is still out, so Confucius talks about the recent news that Lil’ Kim would like to do a Verzuz with Nicki Minaj.
- Confucius breaks down the Verzuz battle between Bobby Brown and Keith Sweat
- In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn interesting tidbits about Nas’ classic records “Illmatic” and “It Was Written,” Aaliyah’s “At Your Best,” Jah Rule, Keith Sweat and more.
- Confucius talks about the recent altercation between Lil Uzi Vert, his ex girlfriend Brittany Byrd, and artist SAINt JHN.
- In his Confucius Says segment Confucius defends Austin artist and activist Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone against the unfounded allegations that local artist manager Wane levied against him on twitter.
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.
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.
Don’t Argue with Stupid
This week on The Breaks Fresh and Confucius:
- Discuss the success of Cardi B’s new song “WAP” featuring Megan the Stallion.
- Talk about the recent arrests of two men for the 2002 murder of Run DMC’s Jam Master Jay.
- Theorize as to why Akon might be hanging out with Tekashi 6ix9ine.
- Debate whether Kim Kardashian’s involvement in the effort to free C Murder will be make an impact.
- In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh hopes that Jay-Z can let go of any lingering pettiness he might feel towards Nas.
- In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius says that it’s not worth it to try to understand other people’s baffling decisions.