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.
Snoop Dogg
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.
Act II: Album of the Year? / Rappers in Politics
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.
The GOAT Rap Album / SXSBreaks 2024
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.
Do Austin Artists Deserve Opening Slots
Fresh and Confucius talk about whether more touring shows should feel obligated to put Austin artists on their bills. And they debate the importance of deep cuts on albums.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the story behind Ginuwine’s “Same Ol’ G,” why Aaliya’s “Come Over” almost didn’t happen, what record Tina Turner holds, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Snoop Dogg’s “Doggiestyle” is better than Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic.”
Confucius talks about Ron DeSantis botched presidential campaign announcement on Twitter Spaces, the movement on the deal to raise the debt ceiling, what’s been happening during the Texas legislative session and more on Confucius Reads the News.
6 Years of The Breaks!
Confucius and Fresh celebrate The Breaks’ 6th anniversary by telling the story of the show’s origin and talking about their proudest moments from the last 6 years. Then they talk about why women are pulling ahead in Austin’s hip-hop scene.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about why Nipsey Hussle turned down the opportunity to play Snoop Dogg in Straight Outta Compton, who André 3000 originally wrote “Prototype” for, what NWA song Ice Cube wishes he was on, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that DJ Khaled’s over-the-top aesthetic has run its course, and Confucius respectfully disagrees.
Confucius talks about Tory Lanez recent conviction for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, Keven McCarthy’s trouble getting elected as Speaker of the house, and his own deep need for the Eagles to win the Superbowl in Confucius Reads the News.
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.
Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige & Snoop Dogg (Ep. 25, 2022)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents highlights from the Super Bowl 56 Halftime Show, featuring Hip-Hop visionary Dr. Dre, Long Beach icon Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige, the Queen of R&B Hip-Hop, and excerpts from the Pepsi Halftime Press Conference.
Fight in the Bowling Alley!
Confucius and Fresh discuss DaBaby’s recent fight with DaniLeigh’s brother in a bowling alley, and debate when being braggadocious in hip-hop goes from okay to corny.
In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts, you’ll learn interesting tidbits about Kanye’s “All Falls Down,” 50 Cent’s album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, The Lady of Rage, Missy Elliot, Lil’ Kim, and more!
After the news about Isiah Rashad, Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that hip-hop is ready for an openly gay male rapper.
In his Confucius Reads the News segment, Confucius talks about the reaction to the Biden administration’s community-based harm-reduction programs for drug users, Snoop Dogg’s recent acquisition of Death Row records, Marjorie Taylor Green’s incorrect usage of gazpacho, and more!
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Funkmaster Flex Does it Again
In this episode of The Breaks
- Hosts Confucius and Fresh talk about the reconciliation between Snoop Dogg and Eminem, and about Dr. Dre’s recent recovery from a brain aneurysm.
- Both hosts discuss Funkmaster Flex’s rise to prominence, his influence in the industry and his penchant for saying things that put him on the wrong side of history.
- In this week’s installment of “Random Hip Hop Facts” The hosts tell you interesting tidbits about Swisher House, Jermaine Dupri, Angie Martinez, Usher and more.
- In his Unpopular Opinion Fresh states that he hopes musicians will think twice before leaving Austin for another city to further their career.
- In his “Confucius Says” segment Confucius encourages people to listen with compassion to those in need.
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.
Sliding Into 2021 Like…
On this episode of The Breaks:
- Confucius and Fresh remember MF Doom after the announcement of his death.
- Both hosts talk about the feud between Snoop Dogg and Eminem.
- The hosts discuss Young Thug’s comment that Jay-Z doesn’t have 30 songs that everybody knows word for word.
- In this installment of Hip-Hop facts Confucius and Fresh tell you things you didn’t know about Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, 3LW, Beyonce and more.
- In light of Will.i.am’s comments about not feeling accepted by Black audiences, Confucius and Fresh explore the history of Black Eyed Peas and debate whether they are a Black group or not.
- Fresh puts forward the Unpopular Opinion that Black audiences don’t always respond to acts that are doing things they consider “weird.”
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.
Jeezy vs Gucci Mane
This week on the Breaks
- Hosts Confucius and Fresh Talk about the upcoming Verzuz battle between Jeezy and Gucci Mane.
- The duo brings the Random Hip-Hop Facts segment back and drops some random facts about UGK & Bun B, Uncle Luke and Snoop Dogg, Yo MTV Raps, MC Hammer and more.
- Both hosts talk about TI.’s comments after the death of rapper King Von.
- In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh states that the blog era of the of hip-hop (2005-2015) rivals the golden era of hip-hop (1988-1995).
- In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius talks about the speculation surrounding the death of Dallas rapper Mo3 and the shooting of rapper Boosie Badazz and encourages people to mind their own business.
Listen to this episode of The Breaks
Leave Megan Alone!
This week on The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius:
- Discuss Megan Thee Stallion’s latest IG live post about rapper Tory Lanez shooting her in both feet.
- Talk about Snoop Dogg’s appearance on The Breakfast Club.
- Touch on the emerging conflict between Lil Baby and Migos.
- In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh argues that Jack Harlow is overrated.
- In his Confucius Says, Confucius reminds us that other people’s behavior is often about survival, so we shouldn’t take their actions too personally.
Listen to this week’s episode of The Breaks
A Tribute to Ron Banks (Ep. 23, 2020)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents a tribute to his old “marble-shooting’ buddy”, the late Ron Banks. He was a founding member of the legendary soul and R&B vocal group from Detroit, The Dramatics. Ron Banks passed away in 2010.
What We Love About Female Rappers
This week on The Breaks:
- Confucius and Fresh explain what they love about the latest wave of female rappers like Megan the Stallion and City Girls.
- Both hosts talk about their frustration with Snoop Dogg’s episode of Red Table Talk, and express their disappointment with the negative energy people direct towards black women.
- They explain why they don’t think the Coronavirus outbreak will cause South by Southwest to be cancelled.
- They express their support for Waka Flocka Flame’s assertion that hip-hop is not dangerous.
- In his “Confucius Says” segment, Confucius cautions against entitlement and encourages artists to put the work in if they want to get played in the Breaks.
- This week’s Local Song of the Week is “Amplifiers” by Deezie Brown.
Listen to this weeks episode of The Breaks
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Hear the music from The Breaks played on their Saturday Night Hip-hop show
A Tribute to Ron Banks (Ep. 12, 2016)
In Black America presents a 2008 conversation with the late Ron Banks, who passed away in 2020. Banks was the lead singer and a founding member of Detroit singing group The Dramatics.