What’s the greatest rap album of all time? Confucius and Fresh weigh options before revealing this year’s SXSBreaks lineup. Also, Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion makes a compelling point about how extensive familiarity with a city’s culture diminishes interest in its scene.
Outkast
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.
Diddy, the Grammys, and Andre’s New Groove
Between P. Diddy’s salacious allegations, rumors about next year’s Grammy Awards, and of course, Andre 3000’s boldly bizarre return, there’s a lot to cover this week on The Breaks! Hear all that on top of Confucius Reads the News and Hip-Hop Facts on the latest episode.
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.
Let’s Hear it for the Ladies of ATX
Confucius and Fresh talk about why women are ruling Austin’s R&B scene, and discuss why Spotify is winning the streaming wars.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about TLC’s original name, the album Outkast and A Tribe Called Quest never made, Dr. Dre’s favorite album, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Deion Sanders’ leaving Jackson State University is a bad move, mostly because his time at the HBCU did nothing to improve the standing of HBCU football long-term.
Confucius talks about Brittney Griner’s release, the NC blackout caused by a woman who wanted to stop a drag show, Raphael Warnock’s win in Georgia, and more.
Fake It Till You Make It
Confucius and Fresh debate whether Outkast and Wu-Tang are still relevant to hip-hop culture. Then they discuss the phenomenon of people in Austin music faking it until they make it.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how J. Cole almost got signed to G-Unit, why Lil Wayne didn’t curse on his first record, how MF Doom came up, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that people have been too hard on Elvis.
Confucius talks about the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the ruling by a Texas judge that employers don’t have to cover anti-Aids medication, Ukraine’s recent tweet quoting Pusha T, and more!
The Breaks: Celebrating DJ Screw w/Lance Scott Walker
Confucius and Fresh talk to Lance Scott Walker about his new book DJ Screw: A Life in Slow Revolution.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Outkast’s “So Fresh, So Clean (Remix),” the truth about Anderson Paak’s upbringing, how Quincy Jones tried to buy The Source and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Life of Pablo isn’t a top 5 Kanye album.
Confucius talks about the baby formula shortage, the decision by US Soccer to give male a female players equal pay, Madison’s Cawthorn’s primary defeat, and the birth of Rihanna’s baby in Confucius Reads the News.
TROY NōKA Speaks
This week on The Breaks:
- Confucius and Fresh talk to artist and producer TROY NōKA about his new record, “Grab the Will,” what it’s like to work with artists like Frank Ocean and Chris Brown and how he helped Doja Cat on her rise to fame.
- On this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts, you’ll learn interesting tidbits about how we almost got an entirely different version of Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter II,” how the term “The ATX “came about, what Deezie Brown’s stage name used to be, why Outkast didn’t perform at the Superbowl and more.
- Fresh states his Unpopular Opinion that Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III” isn’t actually a classic.
- In this week’s installment of Confucius Read the News, Confucious talks about the fight that happened during Verzuz between Three 6 Mafia & Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, President Biden’s recent phone call with Russian President Putin, Mark Meadows’ refusal to cooperate with the Jan 6th commission, and Rick Ross’s decision to change his album cover art.
What’s Next for NBA Youngboy?
This week on The Breaks:
- Confucius and Fresh talk about their plans for the Austin City Limits Music Festival. You can catch them on October 8th on the Bonus Tracks Stage at 12:30pm.
- The hosts talk about what the future may hold for NBA Youngboy after his album Sincerely, Kentrell, knocked Drakes Certified Lover Boy out of the top spot on the Billboard 200.
- In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop facts you learn about how Timbaland and Missy Elliot got connected with Aaliyah, Goldlink’s relationship to drug Kingpin Rayful Edmund III, the origin of the issue between Shawty Lo and T.I., the controversy around the movie State Property, how Schoolly D helped Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff on their path to fame, Killa Mike’s verse on Outkast’s “The Whole World” and more!
- Fresh and Confucius talk about the news that the 2022 Superbowl will have a hip-hop heavy half-time show.
- Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that if you’re ranking Kendrick, Drake and J Cole, Cole comes in second and not third.
- Confucius encourages people to let of envy in his Confucius Says segment.
Is Ye Back?
This week on The Breaks:
- Confucius is out, so Fresh talks about Kanye West’s latest unfulfilled promise to release his latest album, Donda, on July 24th and wonders if this new record signals a return of the old Kanye.
- Fresh lays out who he thinks might win the upcoming versus between Dipset and the Lox.
- In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop facts you’ll learn interesting tidbits about UGK’s “One Day,” Outkast’s “Slump” and the Atlanta rap group D4L.
- Fresh talks explains why he think that Isaiah Rashad’s new release The House is Burning is a contender for album of the year.
- In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh discusses Coi Leray’s XXL Freestyle and states that people have to let go of “trolling” as a scapegoat for people who don’t take rapping seriously
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
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.
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.
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.
The Breaks Cancel Tory
This week on The Breaks
- Hosts Confucius and Fresh talk about the absurdity of Tory Lanez new record “Daystar” where he denies shooting Megan the Thee Stallion in the foot.
- Both hosts talk about their love for Outkast’s record “Aquemini” after the 22nd anniversary of its release on September 29th.
- In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh states that the best rap album if 2020 is “The Price of Tea in China” by Boldy James.
- With the election less than 30 days away Confucius stresses the importance of voting in his Confucius Says segment.
Listen to this episode of The Breaks
Not Today Kanye
This week on The Breaks
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- Confucius and Fresh talk about Kanye’s quest to regain control of his masters, and explain why they’re skeptical about his appeals to other artists for support.
- Both hosts talk about how surprised they were to hear that Outkast had considered making a mixtape for DJ Drama’s mixtape series Gangsta Grillz and discuss why they think it might not have happened.
- Confucius and Fresh discuss how and why music tastes change.
- In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh states that Austin radio is in a very, very good place.
- In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius encourages people to keep those they don’t like from living rent-free in their heads.
Listen to this episode of The Breaks
This Song: Cautious Clay On “B.O.B” by Outkast
When Cautious Clay saw the video for Outkast’s “B.O.B” for the first time, the combination of the duo’s rapid fire rap style, techno influenced production and hyper-saturated psychedelic visuals blew his 7-year-old mind. On this episode, he tells us how that experience continues to have a profound impact on his own work, especially on his new project “Table of Context.” Plus, he explores how Outkast, along with his beat-boxing flute teacher, taught him to approach creativity without boundaries.
Cautious Clay just released a new EP called Table of Context
Listen to this episode of This Song
Listen to Cautious Clay’s new EP Table of Context
Check out Cautious Clay’s Tour Dates
Listen to Songs from this episode of This Song
This Song: Alessia Cara // OSHUN
This episode of ‘This Song” is all about inspiring women who just happen to be young.
Alessia Cara is a Canadian singer and songwriter who’s song “Here” hit #1 on the Hot R&B charts. She’s also 19 years old. Hear Alessia Cara chat with KUTX DJ and Producer Taylor Wallace about how she’s inspired by the music of Amy Winehouse and Drake and what her current creative life is like.
Then listen as Thandiwe and Niambi Sala of the New York based hip hop duo OSHUN, both of whom are still in college, explain how songs by Outkast and Billie Holiday helped them realize what it was they wanted to do with their own music.
Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher to get the new episodes of This Song delivered to you as soon as they come out.
Watch Alessia Cara perform “Here” on solo on VuHaus
Watch OSHUN’s Studio 1A Performance
Download OSHUN’s Mixtape Asase Yaa
Watch the video for OSHUN “Protect Your Self”
Listen to the songs featured in Episode 38 of This Song.