The Breaks

The Breaks > All Episodes

August 14, 2023

ATX Hip-Hop vs. the Media

By: Elizabeth McQueen

Confucius and Fresh discuss the comments that Kydd Jones made on Fresh’s show New Fresh City about his reservations about people who write about hip-hop in Austin. Then, inspired by a recent article in Billboard,   they talk about the future of pop stardom.

You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the connection between Angie Lopez and  Biggie’s “Ten Crack Commandments,” who signed 98 Degrees to Motown, why Prodigy and C-Murder got taken off the final version of the remix of M.O.P’s “Ante Up” and more.

Fresh States the Unpopular Opinion that Metro Boomin makes way better albums than DJ Khaled.

Confucius talks about how High School Musical’s Troy and Gabriella are in couples therapy, what it’s like to live under the Texas heat dome, and Donald Trump’s latest indictment in Confucius Reads the News.

 


Episodes

December 11, 2023

Cha’Keeta B Interview

The fun kicks off this week on an interview with Austin’s Cha’Keeta B to talk women in hip-hop and her upcoming EP Where the Wild Flowers Grow. After that Confucius and Fresh talk about  accountability when it comes to violence against women in music, the baffling ambassadorship of Lil Yachty, and more.

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December 4, 2023

Remembering Mixtapes & Steering Clear of Commercialism

Remember when mixtapes were almighty? Confucius and Fresh definitely do! Hear their take on the route mixtape culture has taken, plus some strategies to avoid over commercializing the genre in 2024, how The Breaks succeeds in a primarily non-black space and more on the latest episode.

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November 27, 2023

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.

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November 20, 2023

BONUS! ACL Fest with Blakchyl 2023

Fresh is out of town this week, but The Breaks still has new(ish) content! In this episode, Confucius and Fresh take the Bonus Tracks Stage during ACL Fest last month. The two interview Austin-born-and-raised artist Blakchyl and discuss what’s up and coming for the hip-hop artist. Enjoy the conversation and for anyone wanting more, visit […]

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November 13, 2023

Talking Hip-Hop: Journalism vs. Gossip

Sure, rumors are intriguing. But why has hip-hop talk moved from music journalism to celebrity clickbait? And when it comes to club culture, forget your section! Bottle wars simply don’t rack up to club-wide celebrations. Hear all about it plus Hip-Hop Facts, Confucius Reads the News, and a particularly Unpopular Opinion that may upset Keke […]

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November 5, 2023

Afrotech and Hubbledvision

Confucius and Fresh interview J.M., the founder of Austin’s Hubbledvision, and Chicago-based artist Blvck Svm about their musical collaboration and the Afrovision event at this year’s Afrotech. Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion and Confucius Reads the News.

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October 30, 2023

What Does Artist Cey Adams Have to Say?

Confucius and Fresh interview hip-hop art legend Cey Adams, former creative director for Def Jam who designed album covers for everyone from Run-DMC to Jay-Z. They talk about his early days in hip-hop, what it’s been like to watch the genre evolve and grow, and his new show “Combinations” at the West Chelsea Contemporary in Austin. Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion and Confucius Reads the News

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October 23, 2023

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 […]

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