Confucius and Fresh talk about the evolution of R&B’s character over the decades, hip hop and drug usage, and an Unpopular Opinion on Drake’s potential to “fall off”.
Nas
Who benefits more from the marriage: Jay-Z or Beyoncé?
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.
Rap Beef Episode I: The East Coast Menace
Confucius and Fresh dive into the first episode of their series on rap beefs by tackling some of the most pivotal rivalries the East Coast ever had to offer.
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.
What was the worst period in hip-hop?
Confucius and Fresh contemplate what Hip-Hop’s worst era was before moving onto a modern existential debate over the importance of record certifications, plus an Unpopular Opinion on Lil Keke’s impact on Houston rap and beyond.
What’s going on with Cash Money?
Inspired by the recent “Cash Money Reunion” at Essence Music Fest, Confucius and Fresh break down what’s going on behind the scenes with the legendary record label, not to mention an Unpopular Opinion about rappers signing to other rappers.
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.
When Did R&B and Hip-Hop Become One?
After a quick postmortem on the Drake-Kendrick beef, Confucius and Fresh dissect how R&B crept into Hip-Hop’s sonic sector. Get that, an Unpopular Opinion around Kendrick’s de facto influence on the West Coast’s relevance, plus Hip-Hop Facts and Confucius’ reactions to the latest headlines right here.
Who’s Winning This Beef?
As the Kendrick-Drake beef escalates, Confucius and Fresh are joined by cultural strategist Keys and producer-DJ Mason Flynt for a rare, three-part roundtable discussion on the ongoing exchange. Hear everyone’s takes plus an Unpopular Opinion and Confucius’ reaction to university protests in the latest episode.
Is Adam22 Really That Big of an Authority?
Fresh does the show solo as he talks about Adam22’s place in media, Kendrick Lamar’s long-awaited response to Drake, Hip-Hop Facts, and an Unpopular Opinion on “selling out”.
How Important is Weed to Rap?
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.
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.