The Breaks – KUTX

After watching Xscape perform at the Soul Train Awards, Fresh and Confucius try to figure out why there aren't R&B Groups anymore. Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion and Confucius Reads the News. The post Where’d the Groups Go??? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

The fellas start with a two-parter inspired by 21 Savage’s recent comments on Nas; how much of it is embedded in clickbait culture and past that, what really is relevance in hip-hop? Hip-Hop Facts covers a ton of chance connections: From Babyface, Whitney Houston, and Dr. Dre to Nas and DJ Envy, DJ Toomp and […] The post Nas, Clickbait, and Relevance appeared first on KUT & KUTX St...

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. Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion, Confucius Reads the News and more! The post Grow Up Drake! appeared first on KUT & KUTX Stud...

In this relatively somber episode of The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius reflect on the untimely passing of Migos co-founder Takeoff. But a bigger, two-part discussion lies behind all the fond memories. What does this mean for the longevity of hip-hop artists and why are white people so quick to scapegoat the genre when tragedy strikes? […] The post Rest in Power, Takeoff appeared first on KUT &...

Kanye West has made more than his fair share of outrageous headlines this past week, leading Confucius and Fresh to wonder…why continue to cap for unhinged creatives past their point of no return? And when it comes to the current generation of younger rappers who seemingly can’t dress themselves, is it generational taste, or just objectively […] The post Cappin’ for Unhinge...

Inspired by yet another Rolling Stone article, Confucius and Fresh kick off this week’s episode with a discussion on how Hip-Hop’s increasing commercialization affects its cultural relevance. As the Nicki v. Cardi spat continues, the fellas talk up the importance of women in Hip-Hop, especially when it comes to lyrical effect on men. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion suggests […] T...

In this episode, Confucius and Fresh break down what happened to R&B as a dominating force before debating whether or not Austin City Limits Music Festival has “gotten better” at showcasing rap in recent years. On Hip-Hop Facts you’ll hear about Lil Jon’s double distribution of the “Yeah” instrumental, birthday boy Ginuwine’s real name, and […] The pos...

In this week’s edition of The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius kick off the conversation with a reflection on what it means to be “blackballed” and if it truly continues to exist in the current industry climate. The fellas move on to a debate about whether or not Cardi B is overrated compared to Nicki Minaj, especially in […] The post Being Blackballed in 2022 appeared first on...

Megan Thee Stallion and NBA YoungBoy both have plenty of pull in their own right, but what about head-to-head? Confucius and Fresh kick off the show with a debate on crowd density, taste demographics, and more. As part of their ongoing discussion on once-important vehicles in the digital age, Fresh and Confucius compare viewpoints on […] The post Megan v. YoungBoy: Who Commands a Bigger Crow...

Confucius and Fresh discuss why some artists are so selfish and delusional. Then they try and nail down what makes an album a "classic." Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion and Confucius Reads the News. The post Is Rap Dead? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

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 […] The post Fake It Till You Make It appeared first on KUT &...

Fresh and Confucius debate which one of them is the better music fan. Then Confucius tries to convince listeners that deep down, Fresh thinks he's from Harlem, New York. Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion and Confucius Reads the News. The post Confucius vs Fresh appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Confucius and Fresh talk about the current state of the Austin R&B and rap scene. They also talk about whether radio is still important and what needs to change for it to stay relevant. Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion and Confucius Reads the News. The post State of the Austin Union appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Confucius and Fresh talk about the importance of hip-hop podcasts. Then they discuss Diddy and Mary J Blige's recent conversation about who killed R&B. Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion and Confucius Reads the News. The post Who Killed R&B? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

This week Confucius and Fresh talk about the decline of the hip-hop magazine and discuss whether video vixens are still a thing. Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion, and Confucius Reads the News. The post The Curious Case of Rap Mags appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

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 […] The post What is...

Aside from folks like firefighters, etc., is being a rapper one of the most disproportionately dangerous lines of work? Confucius & Fresh compare the plights of Waka Flocka Flame and Nipsey Hussle to illustrate how the perils of disrespect. The fellas respond to a Rolling Stone article on the rise of emo rap as the “fastest growing […] The post Is Rap the Most Dangerous Profession?...

Confucius and Fresh talk about the connection between hip-hop and comedy. Then, inspired by the success of Saucy Santana, they discuss whether hip-hop is ready for an openly gay rapper. Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion and Confucius Reads the News! The post Rap Loves Comedy appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Inspired by Akademiks comments about certain rappers' behavior at Michael Rubin's white party,  Confucius and Fresh discuss hip-hop's fascination with billionaires and crime lords. Then they talk about whether today's rap lyrics are more dangerous than they were in the past. The post For the Love of Money appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Confucius and Fresh discuss why people love rap beefs so much. Then they break down what factors might play into artists not living up to the hype surrounding them. Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion and Confucius Reads the News. The post All About Beef appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

After hearing Candace Owen's comments about Jay-Z on DJ Akademiks' podcast, Fresh and Confucius debate whether or not we should expect rappers to live life the way they encourage their fans to live. Then both hosts celebrate becoming members of the organization that puts on the Grammys - the Recording Academy! Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion, and Confucius Reads the News. The post Grammy Fam...

Does the act of Beyonce and Drake putting their feet into the house music pool hurt the momentum of hip hop? Confucius & Fresh discuss the implications and ramifications of that argument, then react to Chris Brown’s comment that hip-hop’s dominance has made R&B obsolete. Confucius’ Hip Hop Facts include an interaction between Omar Epps […] The post Hip Hop’s Holdout...

In the first segment of this episode, Confucius and Fresh interview comedians Rochelle Genivive Clinton, Dasharae, Daniel West, and Jordan McDonald. For Hip Hop Facts Fresh talks about Nick Cannon’s pre-Wildin’ Out backing by Will Smith, the myth that Naughty By Nature’s Treach left a reptilian surprise for Tommy Boy Records CEO Tom Silverman, and DJ […] The post Stand Up Comedy...

Confucius and Fresh react to Rolling Stone‘s “200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time” and inspired by 21 Savage, discuss the prospect of getting money and fame in a lower class community without inviting a RICO case or having your neighborhood turn your back on you. You’ll hear Hip-Hop Facts about Yo! MTV Raps, the soundtrack […] The post Rolling Stone’s “200 G...

Confucius and Fresh discuss the recent conflict between Mo'Nique and DL Hughley, and talk about the golden age of streetball and the AND1 mixtapes. Plus Hip-Hop Facts, Unpopular Opinion, and Confucius Reads the News! The post Mo’Nique vs DL appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .