Breez Evahflowin and Dirt E. Dutch

What makes a record stand out? Usually it's the beats or rhymes that the producer and emcee respectively created, but sometimes a producer and emcee combine together and deliver an album, the type of record rappers are rarely known for. Perhaps it's because rappers don't do entire albums with one beat maker or maybe it's just because rap today has become a land of club singles and ring tones.


Whatever it is, Breez Evahflowin and Dirt E. Dutch have combined to form Troublemakers and if their self-titled first effort is any indication, they intend to cause even more problems for an industry that is already in trouble.

Knowing little about producer Dirt E. Dutch, his style is reminiscent of an era of classic producers utilizing drums that knock and samples that any good crate digger would be remiss not to add to his list of records to look for.

The rhyming half of Troublemakers, Breez Evahflowin, has been a staple of the NY underground for years as both a solo emcee and member of the unbeatable -- and missing in action -- collective Stronghold. Probably better known for guest verses and a 12-inch or two, here we get to finally see Breez stretch out and try some different styles and really show us why he hasn't given up on a career in this crazy industry: dude has skills.

Attacking the industry and those who challenge hip-hop's relevancy on "No Room for Growth," we see Breez team up with L.I.F.E. Long. The two emcees' chemistry is perfect and rather than it feeling like a competition of who can spit harder, it feels more natural and they try to build off each other.

Throughout the record, Dutch splices in audio clips from, I'm assuming, a combination of films, TV shows and records. These audio clips add to the content of Breez's rhymes and make it feel like a cohesive set of tracks rather than 12 random songs.

This album will satisfy that desire for some banging hip-hop while we wait for the industry to get back in gear and deliver some heat but, unfortunately, it may get forgotten by the end of 2008, and that would be a shame. Do what you have to to find this project, if for no other reason than to hear one emcee and one producer rock together in the vein of that traditional hip-hop sound.
Posted by .. Will Johnsen at February 1, 2008 4:05 p.m. - SPI Seattle

How does a legendary MC step up his game and do something next level over a full decade after first wowing crowds? For Stronghold’s Breez Evahflowin the equation was simple, link up with one of his neighboring state’s hottest up and coming producers, Dirt E. Dutch. In January the duo released an album under the name Troublemakers (Breez Evahflowin and Dirt E. Dutch Are Troublemakers) and I caught up with both of them at their album release party at Cousin Larry’s in Danbury, CT. How did NYC’s Breez Evahflowin meet CT’s Dirt E. Dutch? I was wondering the same thing myself which is why I sat down with them to find out how they linked up, why their teaming works so well, and exactly what kind of trouble they’re causing.

Adam Bernard: Before you two first met what did you know of each other?
Dirt E. Dutch: My first memory of Breez is back in the day, pre 2K, when he would call in to Hot 97 and steal the segment every time. I was car swapping for Avis back then and always listening to the radio while driving up and down I-95. Then later came MTV’s Direct Effect when he had achieved battle champ status.
Breez Evahflowin: I had checked out a couple of Dutch’s IndieFeed Hip-Hop episodes a few years back and had to subscribe. The selection was mega tight and I was diggin the back story on all of the artists. It was respectful and being an artist I appreciated it.

Adam Bernard: So how did you two go from appreciating each other’s work to meeting up and creating something together?
Dirt E. Dutch: Breez hit me with an email giving me props for the IndieFeed playlist. He said he listened to the show while he did his artwork. The dude is a sick artist in case you didn’t know. He laced up the Troublemakers album art. I sweat it because he made me look cock diesel. Like my name was H.R. Buff N Stuff.
Breez Evahflowin: Yeah, well we had to look menacing and what not. (laughs) Dutch sent me the mp3 to “Don’t Be Afraid” and I was like this dude is official with it. There’s an art to sampling and beat making. I get over two dozen beat offers a month but the first couple of tracks Dutch sent really stood out. We never met face to face for the first year we worked together. It was all Google mail and Fetch.

Adam Bernard: Why did you choose Troublemakers as your name? What kind of trouble are you causing and for whom are you causing it?
Breez Evahflowin: There was a weight to the project that felt heavy, like trouble. Dutch actually came up with the name and I instantly approved as the visuals started to fill my mind.
Dirt E. Dutch: I knew the name would be appropriate because with our music we’re causing trouble on several levels. We’re taking it to the industry fakes in songs like “Trouble Anthem” and “Don’t Be Afraid.” We try to help expose the underlying evil that corrupts today’s society in “Killhumanati.” We even come at our fellow emcees and producers that aren’t holding their own weight on “Repo Men.”

Adam Bernard: Dutch, what’s different about working with Breez as compared to the other artists you’ve worked with, and who else are you currently producing for?
Dirt E. Dutch: Breez is just a natural. Period. What separates Breez from most emcees is not only his syllable play, in every song, but he’s saying something. You’ll never hear a Breez verse and say “awe, he ain’t sayin shit.” He cares about his craft and it shows. Right now I have another duo I’m in with Hawl Digg from CT called Workforce. We’ve been rocking live shows on the local circuit for about three years now. Our first officially distributed CD is coming soon. You’ll also hear a new album very soon on the Little Ax label from Rising Sun Quest out of Waterbury, CT, with production from myself and Sketch Tha Cataclysm. Ant Farm Affiliates all day.

Adam Bernard: How do you think your respective fan bases will respond to this? Do you feel you share a fan base already?
Breez Evahflowin: I’m more concerned with Dutch’s fan base than my own. I’ve learned from rockin’ with Soulive in the past that as dope of a lyricist as you might be you’re always directly connected to what you say. It’s a lot easier for people to appreciate a beat over a verse. The soundscape Dutch put together was amazing. I tried my best not to over do it and let each track show just as much instrument as voice.
Dirt E. Dutch: I know that a lot of my IndieFeed fans are fans of Breez and Stronghold. I’ve even gotten a few five star reviews on iTunes that have mentioned Breez’s name. So far we’ve gotten a great response across the board. We just need to reach more ears now and eventually eyes when we drop the video for “Don’t Be Afraid” later this month. Arjen Noordeman is the producer for that. He’s giving it some real eye popping animation and effects.

Adam Bernard: Sounds dope. One last question; when you look at the underground scene that you’re involved in what do you feel artists are doing right and where do you think there is some room for improvement?
Dirt E. Du - RapReviews.com - Adam Bernard

What makes a record stand out? Usually it's the beats or rhymes that the producer and emcee respectively created, but sometimes a producer and emcee combine together and deliver an album, the type of record rappers are rarely known for. Perhaps it's because rappers don't do entire albums with one beat maker or maybe it's just because rap today has become a land of club singles and ring tones.


Whatever it is, Breez Evahflowin and Dirt E. Dutch have combined to form Troublemakers and if their self-titled first effort is any indication, they intend to cause even more problems for an industry that is already in trouble.

Knowing little about producer Dirt E. Dutch, his style is reminiscent of an era of classic producers utilizing drums that knock and samples that any good crate digger would be remiss not to add to his list of records to look for.

The rhyming half of Troublemakers, Breez Evahflowin, has been a staple of the NY underground for years as both a solo emcee and member of the unbeatable -- and missing in action -- collective Stronghold. Probably better known for guest verses and a 12-inch or two, here we get to finally see Breez stretch out and try some different styles and really show us why he hasn't given up on a career in this crazy industry: dude has skills.

Attacking the industry and those who challenge hip-hop's relevancy on "No Room for Growth," we see Breez team up with L.I.F.E. Long. The two emcees' chemistry is perfect and rather than it feeling like a competition of who can spit harder, it feels more natural and they try to build off each other.

Throughout the record, Dutch splices in audio clips from, I'm assuming, a combination of films, TV shows and records. These audio clips add to the content of Breez's rhymes and make it feel like a cohesive set of tracks rather than 12 random songs.

This album will satisfy that desire for some banging hip-hop while we wait for the industry to get back in gear and deliver some heat but, unfortunately, it may get forgotten by the end of 2008, and that would be a shame. Do what you have to to find this project, if for no other reason than to hear one emcee and one producer rock together in the vein of that traditional hip-hop sound.
Posted by .. Will Johnsen at February 1, 2008 4:05 p.m. - SPI Seattle

I haven't heard from this guy in a while, but I'm glad he's back! The ever talented Breez Evahflowin' has teamed up with producer Dirt E. Dutch to deliver (at least to my knowledge) the first new music from Breez in years! The CD, which isn't available in most stores, is another classic example of a sleeper. Virtually no promotion or marketing behind this, but the final product is dope. Check it out. - UndergroundHipHop.com

I haven't heard from this guy in a while, but I'm glad he's back! The ever talented Breez Evahflowin' has teamed up with producer Dirt E. Dutch to deliver (at least to my knowledge) the first new music from Breez in years! The CD, which isn't available in most stores, is another classic example of a sleeper. Virtually no promotion or marketing behind this, but the final product is dope. Check it out. - UndergroundHipHop.com