Accessibility links
The Breaks Welcome to The Breaks podcast where hosts Confucius and Fresh talk all things hip-hop — Texas hip-hop, hip hop news, hip-hop history — they cover it all. Both men were born and raised in Austin, Texas and want to let the world know about the city's vibrant hip-hop and R&B scenes. They also want to give people a window into their own lived experience in the Live Music Capital of the World. This podcast is a compilation of insight, opinion and highlights from their Saturday night hip-hop show on KUTX 98.9 FM in Austin.
The Breaks

Podcast Directory
The Breaks

The Breaks

From KUT 90.5

Welcome to The Breaks podcast where hosts Confucius and Fresh talk all things hip-hop — Texas hip-hop, hip hop news, hip-hop history — they cover it all. Both men were born and raised in Austin, Texas and want to let the world know about the city's vibrant hip-hop and R&B scenes. They also want to give people a window into their own lived experience in the Live Music Capital of the World. This podcast is a compilation of insight, opinion and highlights from their Saturday night hip-hop show on KUTX 98.9 FM in Austin.

Most Recent Episodes

Smarter, Not Harder

This week's edition of The Breaks responds to allegations about 2Pac's role in the aftermath of the infamous Quad Studios shooting, before breaking down why smarter, even in the hustle culture of hip-hop, is always a better approach than harder. Hip Hop Facts feature little known tidbits like the reason Cypress Hill is banned from SNL, Jadakiss' connection to the Notorious B.I.G., Nipsey's plan for a STEM center, plus some history behind Slim Thug's Interscope deal and Matthew Knowles. Fresh's Unpopular Opinion? There really aren't male R&B stars like there used to be, and maybe toxic masculinity is to blame. Finally, Confucius Reads the News about Ken Paxton's impeachment, Macy's and Costco's warning about the economic situation, the debt ceiling resolution, and Boston's recent Game Seven loss.

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.

Make Rap Fun Again

Confucius and Fresh talk about the disappearance of dance from hip-hop. Then they try to answer the question," Is rap bad for race relations?" You'll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the song Tupac played for his friend after he shot two off-duty police officers, how Biggie got the "Big Poppa" beat, and the truth about LL Cool J's "I Shot Ya" and more. Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that you don't have to be from the culture to be for the culture. Confucius talks about the recently released Durham Report, the end of Title 42, Johnny Depp's standing ovation at Cannes and more in Confucius Reads the News.

Hey Mama

Confucius and Fresh shout out to all the Mamas for Mother's Day. They discuss Rory and Mal's conversation about colorism's role in Ice Spice's career. Then they talk about Fresh's new show on Austin Music TV called New Fresh City. You'll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the first time Janet Jackson and Busta Rhymes performed "What's It Gonna Be" live together, how Big Pun got Cipha Sounds to take a shot of Hennessy, who originally inspired Three 6 Mafia's "Poppin' My Collar," and more! Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that artists today have to be more talented than artists of the past. Confucius discusses Prince Charle's coronation, Jean Carroll's successful sexual assault lawsuit against Donald Trump, CNN's Trump Townhall and more on Confucius Reads the News.

Time > Money

Confucius and Fresh discuss Swizz Beatz recent comment that for him, time is more important than money. Then they discuss whether being a public figure makes dating more complicated. You'll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Dr. Dre's and Ice Cube's un-released record "Helter Skelter," who the role of Rob was originally written for in the movie "3 Strikes," what the highest-grossing hip-hop tour of all time is, and more. Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that it is beneath Lil' Kim to do a Verzuz with Nicki Minaj. Confucius talks about the alleged assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin by Ukraine, Ron Desantis's recent trip to Israel and his ongoing troubles with Disney, the recent bill that passed through the Texas Senate that would allow the Secretary of State to overturn elections in Harris Country, and more on Confucius Reads the News.

Will AI Change Hip-Hop?

Confucius and Fresh discuss whether or not AI is poised to change the music industry. Then they talk about the racism of cancel culture. You'll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how Jay-Z really felt about Kanye getting his Roc-a-fella chain, the Dogg Pound's connection to Houston, how Jay-Z was supposed to be in Belly, and more. Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that the Midwest is the best region for R&B and Hip-Hop. Confucius talks about Harry Belafonte and Jerry Springer's passing, the ongoing battle between Ron Desantis and Disney and more on Confucius Reads the News.

Wendy Day Has Good Advice You Can Use

Confucius and Fresh talk to Wendy Day — who helped discover Eminem and helped Cash Money land an unprecedented $30 million dollar deal with Universal Music Group — about the realities of the music industry, and how independent artists should approach their careers. You'll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the first hip-hop website to have push notifications, what blogsite first debuted the Weeknd's music, the origin of Okay Player, and more. Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Pusha T does not deserve to be on Billboard's Top 50 Rappers of all time. Confucius talks about Elon Musk's views on aliens, the rumors about a serial killer in Austin, Ron DeSantis's trip to Washington, and more on Confucius Reads the News.

Rap Republicans

Fresh and Confucius interview Austin comedian Victor Martinez Jr. who's performing at the comedy show "Tabernacle: starring Confucius Jones and Friends" Sunday, April 16th at Antone's. Then the hosts discuss DJ Akedemiks recent deal with Rumble, and how it's a sign of hip-hop's tendency towards conservatism. You'll learn Hip-Hop Facts about RZA's original lyrics on Kanye's "Dark Fantasy," Biz Markie's original lyrics for "Just a Friend," that time when Curren$ey, Jay Electronica and Mos Def formed a group, and more! Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Jah Rule has a better catalog than 50 Cent. Confucius talk about the arrest of the man who murdered Cash App founder Bob Lee, the fight over the legality of the mifeprestone, the reinstatement of expelled Tennesee legislators Justin Pearson and Justin Jones and more on Confucius Reads the News.

Speech Talks

Confucius and Fresh talk to Speech from Arrested Development about the Grammys, the song Tennessee, and why Speech always felt hip-hop should be the number-one genre in the world. The band just played the Urban Cultural Fest in Austin. Then the hosts discuss the importance of live performance in hip-hop. You'll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the origin of the movie "Drumline," how many sounds Mannie Fresh used to make the early Cash Money beats, how De La Soul might be on a version of "Scenario," and more. Fresh and Confucius debate Fresh's Unpopular Opinion from last week that people have been too hard on the tv show Friends. Confucius talks about the recent school shooting in Nashville, Disney's strategy to go around Ron Desantis and more in Confucius Reads the News,

Fresh's SXSW Recap

Fresh walks you through what went down at this year's SXSW and SXSBreaks. You'll learn Hip-Hop Facts about why Rockwilder thinks Bink of Justice League stole his idea from "I Ain't Mad At Cha," how Musiq Soulchild feels about his first record, whose life the Fresh Prince of Belaire was based on, and more. Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that people have been too hard on the TV show "Friends" for its lack of diversity.

The Breaks

Podcast Directory