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.
Wiz Khalifa
What does a good album rollout look like today?
Most artists can’t just drop a surprise record, so Confucius and Fresh review press strategies for making a bigger album impact before discussing why the majority of blog site era rappers never made it. Hear that, an Unpopular Opinion on New Edition’s Ralph Tresvant, plus Hip-Hop Facts and the most recent headlines.
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.
Why Leave Austin?
The Breaks thanks everyone who showed some love during KUT & KUTX’s summer membership drive open house! It got Confucius and Fresh reflecting on reception and listener demographics and overall reception before begging why leave the city where your brand was born?
On Hip-Hop Facts the fellas dig up some great trivia on Milli Vanilli, Wiz Khalifa’s brief marriage to Amber Rose, some family resentment within Run-D.M.C. and more.
Watch out Ye-fans, in this week’s Unpopular Opinion Fresh calls it like he sees it; Yeezus simply does not belong in the top three of Kanye’s best albums.
Finally, Confucius Reads the News on the latest from OceanGate, the discovery of hard drugs in the White House, the Keke Palmer-Usher spectacle, and Yusef Salaam’s council seat victory.
Grow Up Drake!
After the release of the Drake and 21 Savage collaboration, “Her Loss,” Fresh and Confucius try and figure out if Drake is outgrowing his subject matter.
They also talk about anti-semitic comments by Kyrie Irving and Kanye and explore the issue of black ownership.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Wiz Khalifa’s 2nd album, the connection between John Legend and Lauryn Hill, how Omar Epps got the part in Juice, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Foxy Brown is overrated.
Confucius talks about the recent midterm election in Confucius Reads the News.
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.