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.
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 […]
8/8/2022 • 56 minutes, 5 seconds
Is Rap the Most Dangerous Profession?
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 […]
8/1/2022 • 53 minutes, 12 seconds
Hip Hop’s Holdouts on House Music
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 […]
6/27/2022 • 59 minutes, 10 seconds
Stand Up Comedy and Juneteenth
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 […]
6/20/2022 • 58 minutes, 36 seconds
Rolling Stone’s “200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time”
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 […]
6/13/2022 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 35 seconds
Mo’Nique vs DL
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!
6/6/2022 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 7 seconds
Bonus Episode: Interview with Chaka from Riders Against the Storm
In this bonus episode of The Breaks, Confucius and Fresh talk to Chaka from the Austin Hip-Hop Duo Riders Against the Storm about his experience as the first Black chair of the City of Austin’s Music Commission, his work to create the Black Live Music Fund, why he created the DAWA fund, and what’s next for […]
1/6/2021 • 40 minutes, 24 seconds
Not Today Kanye
This week on The Breaks Confucius and Fresh talk about Kanye’s quest to regain control of his masters, and explain why they’re skeptical about his appeals to other artists for support. Both hosts talk about how surprised they were to hear that Outkast had considered making a mixtape for DJ Drama’s mixtape series Gangsta Grillz […]
9/21/2020 • 48 minutes, 9 seconds
The Fall of Tekashi 6ix9ine
This week on The Breaks: Confucius and Fresh discuss what the poor sales of Tekashi 6ix 9ine’s latest record, Tattletales, means for his career. The hosts debate whether Jay-Z’s billionaire status is okay because of his place in the culture. Confucius and Fresh talk about the intersection of hip-hop and branding, especially as it relates […]
9/14/2020 • 47 minutes, 30 seconds
Wakanda Forever
This week on The Breaks: Confucius and Fresh honor the memory of Chadwick Boseman and explain why his life and work made such an impact on them — especially his portrayal of Black Panther. Both hosts discuss the NBA’s strike over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Fresh shares the Unpopular Opinion that Jermaine […]
9/8/2020 • 44 minutes, 35 seconds
Say Their Names (Rerun)
This week, The Breaks decided not to create a new show in light of the recent police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, WI. Instead, they are re-running their episode from June, 1 2020, where Fresh and Confucius talk about the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Mike Ramos in Austin and the resulting protests. They touch […]
8/31/2020 • 45 minutes, 25 seconds
Don’t Argue with Stupid
This week on The Breaks Fresh and Confucius: Discuss the success of Cardi B’s new song “WAP” featuring Megan the Stallion. Talk about the recent arrests of two men for the 2002 murder of Run DMC’s Jam Master Jay. Theorize as to why Akon might be hanging out with Tekashi 6ix9ine. Debate whether Kim Kardashian’s involvement in […]
8/24/2020 • 40 minutes, 10 seconds
WAP!
This week on The Breaks Fresh and Confucius: Talk about why they love “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan thee Stallion and explain why they’re frustrated by the backlash surrounding the song. Celebrate the birth of hip-hop on on August 11, 1973. That’s when DJ Kool Herc threw the “Back to School Jam” at 1520 […]
8/17/2020 • 36 minutes, 16 seconds
Say Their Names
This week, Fresh and Confucius reflect on the police killing of George Floyd and the resulting protests.
6/1/2020 • 0
Celebrating Friday
Fresh and Confucius talk about the battle between Teddy Riley and Babyface, touch on the conflict between French Montana and Young Thug and remember Friday on its 25th anniversary.
4/27/2020 • 44 minutes, 29 seconds
The Breaks: The Weekend vs Usher + Tory Lanez
This week on The Breaks, Confucius and Fresh: talk about the Weeknd’s comments about his influence on Usher’s track “Climax.” discuss the difference between artists who came into their own during the era of physical album sales versus artists who came of age in the streaming era. explore why Tory Lanez had so much popularity with […]
4/14/2020 • 39 minutes, 44 seconds
Roddy Ricch vs Selena Gomez
Hosts Confucius and Fresh discuss how Selena Gomez's plea to fans to stream her new album so that she could beat Roddy Ricch for number one, implore people to ignore fake news, and interview Adrian Armstrong from Brown State of Mind.
1/20/2020 • 0
All Things Drake
Hosts Confucius and Fresh discuss Drake's interview on the Rap Radar podcast and talk about Keyshia Cole's reaction to O.T. Genasis's "Cuz" which is a parody of her song "Love." Plus Austin rapper Flyboy Kane joins them for an interview.
12/30/2019 • 0
Happy Birthday Jay-Z
This week on the Breaks Confucius and Fresh give listeners little known facts about Jay-Z for his 50th birthday & explore the connection between Hov and the late Pimp C. Plus Austin based Harry Edohoukwa comes in for an interview and performance live in Studio 1A, and more!
12/9/2019 • 0
Cardi B or Nicki Minaj?
On this episode of The Breaks, Confucius and Fresh debate who’s been a bigger influence on female rappers today — Cardi B or Nicki Minaj
12/4/2019 • 0
Megan Thee Stallion & The Grammys
This week on The Breaks Fresh explains why he thinks Megan Thee Stallion wasn't nominated for a Grammy in the "Best New Artist" category. Also, Confucius and Fresh talk to Austin's Eazy Boi about his new record "Griffin" and more!
12/3/2019 • 0
Omarion & Pettiness
This week on The BReaks, Confucius explains why he's a fan of Omarion's pettiness towards Lil Fizz, Confucius and Fresh discuss Lil Uzi Vert's twitter rant about his record label, Generation Music Group and Jake Lloyd joins them for an interview.
12/2/2019 • 0
Trailer: The Breaks
Hosts Confucius and Fresh are here to let everyone know about Austin’s vibrant hip-hop and R&B scenes. They’re fun, bold, informed and making it clear that “The Live Music Capital of the World” has a lot more going on than Stevie Ray, Willie, Spoon and other great artists.
