The Breaks

January 29, 2024

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 […]

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January 22, 2024

2024: Year of the Austin Breakthrough?

Confucius and Fresh kick this week off by weighing the odds of an Austin hip-hop/R&B artist breaking out into the national mainstream before tackling the latest from everyone’s favorite controversy-maker – Lil Nas X. Get all that, Hip-Hop Facts, an Unpopular Opinion about hip-hop’s hatred of Drake, and Confucius Reads the News in this edition.

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January 15, 2024

Ranking Wu-Tang’s Solo Albums

After a quick back-and-forth about musician work ethic versus entitlement here in Austin, Confucius and Fresh honor Raekwon’s 54th birthday by ranking the first run of solo albums from Wu-Tang clan members. Hear that, Hip-Hop Facts, Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion on the state of integrity in hip-hop journalism, and the first installment of Confucius Reads the […]

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January 8, 2024

What We’re Looking Forward to in 2024

Fresh takes it solo in this first episode of 2024 by giving a forecast of what this new year might have to offer in the world of hip-hop. In terms of resolutions, let’s try and have less “streets” and more music in terms of violence! And while Spotify may be skimping on some payouts, Fresh’s […]

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December 18, 2023

Looking Back at 2023

As we start to wind down for the winter, Confucius and Fresh look back at some of the show’s 2023 highlights before continuing the debate of whether or not the dominance of female rappers will continue into 2024. Get that plus an Unpopular Opinion about establishments exercising discretion, Hip-Hop Facts, and Confucius Reads the News on […]

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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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