Biography
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
"By the content of the band incorporating hip-hop music, spoken word, and having the ability to reach a diverse audience through the integration of our purpose created a powerful message; that was indeed professional.....
“theBreax’s” character was respected not only by the students, but faculty and staff through positive feedbacks and continual appraisals that were given after the event. “The Breax” truly set the standard of what our campus needed, because their agenda and attention was surely focused on our event purpose and the needs of the students..... I highly recommend “The Breax” to service your college or university community. Thank you for your time in allowing me to share my personal experiences.
Sincerely,
Nikesha Gipson
Concordia University, Irvine Graduate Class of “08”
Commissioner of Clubs and Organization, CUI
Intercultural Advanced Scholar, CUI
Biography:
An Armenian Refugee and two Baltimore natives cross paths in San Diego California and form a Hip-Hop Spoken Word band with the hope to change the world. Feel good music with a message, theBREAX fuse party rocking elements with modern lyricism over cutting edge production. theBREAX are breaking out the box of Hip-Hop music, religion, and political correctness, pushing the envelope of music, giving the masses what they want: enjoyable feel good music with an uplifting message that changes lives.
Formed in 2006, theBREAX exploded on the Southern California Hip-Hop and Spoken word scene and took it by storm with incredible performances, becoming crowd favorites at Elevated, Vibes and the Hot Monkey Love Cafe, three of San Diego’s largest open mic venues. The group continued to electrify audiences, sharing the stage with notables such as: Tonex, Fred Hammond, 4th Avenue Jones, Pigeon John, The Visionaries, LMNO, LA Symphony, Future Shock, and Guinness Book Record Holder, Supernatural.
The members are an eclectic cast from: Azerbaijan, Baku (Ruslan: Emcee/Producer), Baltimore, MD (Beleaf: DJ, Emcee) and Oceanside, CA (Mic B: Drummer/ Production) and Vista, Ca (Name Brand: Producer). Their signature “Breaking out of the box” sound is a flavor that defies conventional songwriting with a combination of energy and precision. With their globally appealing sound and amazing live show, theBREAX are creating a diverse and loyal following of supporters. Mixing musical genres, while maintaining their own style has given them the ability to reach a wide array of people.
After making a solid buzz with the 2007 release of their self titled album, Rawkus Records declared theBREAX one of the “next 50 important Hip-Hop acts” gaining the group international attention. theBREAX brought in 2008 with a strong appearance on Syntax Record’s Night Owls 4 featuring LMNO. All seemed well until they remixed Jay-Z’s album American Gangster naming their version Eye Am Gangster. Clearly being Jay-Z’s favorite undeclared remix album of all time, Eye Am Gangster was received with praise, placing the remix in the top five of online blogs and remix contests. It was also met with a level of backlash and distrust by fans that developed different expectations from the group based on their previous project.
In the spirit of “breaking out of the box,” theBREAX decided to go for the Benjamin’s in 2008 with their sophomore album "When theBREAX Sold Out", the satire themed album was received with critical acclaim and made theBREAX a staple of innovation and risk taking in many Hip-Hop circles.
To continue their buzz into 2009 theBREAX are setting to release the first of its kind "hybrid DVD" entitled "Broken Television". The DVD features a documentary, live performance footage, music videos, over an hour of bonus footage, theBREAX entire music catalog, and a brand new album; Restocked. The documentary directed by American Auxiliary features appearances by LMNO, Pigeon John, Future Shock, LA Symphony, Deux Process, Ant Black, Rudy Francisco, Kendrick Dial, Smoothini, NomiS, Topher 85, Insufficient Funds, Afaar and many more. When placed in a computer the hybrid DVD disc also allows the consumer access to theBREAX entire music catalogue; including their Rawkus 50 debut, When theBREAX Sold Out and Name Brand’s "Seeds of Life".
Instrumentation
Ruslan - Lead MC / Poet / Producer
Beleaf - DJ / Poet / Mc
Mic B - Drummer
Discography
Restocked 1.5 (digital release) - 2009
Broken Television Hybrid DVD - 2009
Nights Owls 4 - A Shot in the Dark (Syntax Records/Koch Entertainment) - 2008
track 3 "We Will Not Stop" feat. LMNO... first project released national distribution. Top 10 Consistent Play on XM radio, HCR.fm, and CMJ radio.
Marz - Juke Box (O.Y.I.E. Music)
track 5. Hip-Side
Afaar - Write to Live (End of Earth Records)
track 9. Afaar Breax the Record
Forgotten Heroes - Forget What You Heard (End of Earth Records)
track 12. Gallery Drive – featuring Insufficient Funds, Afaar, Ruslan of theBREAX
Mixx Masters Lounge / Steel Roots TV
Inspirational Network
National Broadcasted Urban TV Show
To the Ends of the Earth - Volume 3 (End of Earth Records)
track 6. Cold War (remix)
Name Brand - Seeds of Life remix CD. (Eye Am Productions) - October 2007.
theBREAX (Eye Am Productions, re-released by Rawkus Records) - January 2007
Top 50 on SphereofHipHop XM show
Top 25 Count down on HCR.FM
Radio Promoted by Foundation Media
Ruslan - Out of Order (Eye Am Productions) - 2004
Links