BREIS: Arise & Shine
Interview by Molaundo Jones
BREIS is a Hip-Hop artist based in the United Kingdom, hailing from from Nigeria.
BREIS (pronounced like breeze) and I met about a decade ago in London. We were introduced through a group of mutual friends at a backyard BBQ in Brixton (there’s an old video on The Intercontinentalist of Poet/Educator Camesha Cox that documents the moment). Not only is BREIS an amazing emcee, he also uses Hip-Hop to empower young people across the UK through “Student of Life,” his Hip-Hop education-based youth development program. On a recent trip to NYC, BREIS managed to take a slight detour to Jersey City to stop by The Stu and bless the space with his presence.
“I’m Bruce Wayne and Batman, Clark Kent and Superman, all in one.”
How would you describe your Hip-Hop style?
I would describe my style as a fusion of where I'm from— which is both Nigeria and the UK. When I first started, I used to describe my sound as BAM- British African Music. So I've embraced both sides of me. I'm Bruce Wayne and Batman, Clark Kent, and Superman, all in one.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I grew up listening to Motown artists, Stevie wonder being one of my favorites. Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson. I also used to listen to a lot of Nigerian artists like King Sunny Adé, Ebenezer Obey, and Fela Kuti. And then a lot of jazz and then I started to get into Hip-Hop music. Roxanne Shante, EPMD LL Cool J. When I decided I wanted to get into music, I think a little bit of those influences just found their way into my sound and into, maybe, the essence of what I was trying to do as well.
What music are you listening right now?
Right now I’m in the middle of completing my EP which is called “Arise and Shine.” I haven't had the mental space to really listen to what's going on out there at the moment. I'm listening to a few artists here and there but not fully digesting it. And I think that's because I'm really just focusing on what I'm trying to do. But secondly, I really just want to completely absorb what it is that I'm doing so that I can fully give that to the people, because they're gonna pick up on these things. So I really want them to really feel it. This is a special project for me. I’m very proud of it, very excited to be putting out.
“I’ve always thought that Hip-Hop as an art form is very reflective and very creative. And I've wanted to, I've tried to harness that power to encourage others to also be creative.”
How would you describe this project and what makes it different from your previous projects?
“Arise and Shine” is very special to me because it was birthed out of a time when I wasn't sure if I was going to continue doing music or not. And it was inspired by something my mum would always say to me. She passed away a few years ago and these words, those words inspired me, “Arise and shine.” And, you know, she always wanted me to just be elevated and just do what I have to do and bring it forth. So this is kind of a nod to my mum.
“I started a Hip-Hop education company called Student of Life. We go into schools and get young people to express themselves through the art form of rap.”
What music artist, dead or alive, would you like to write for or collaborate with the most?
I’ve always wanted to work with Stevie wonder. I wanted to work with Big Pun because I thought he was incredible lyrically- just incredible. But I would love to have a writing session with Bob Marley because I think as a songwriter his precision was just so on it. Like he really knew how to get to the heart of the matter with his lyrics and melodies. I mean, I don't know what his process was like, whether it was something he labored over or it just came to him naturally. I would love to sit down and have a writing session with Bob Marley.
Can you talk a little bit about the work you’ve done over the years with young people and what it means to you?
I've always thought that Hip-Hop as an art form is very reflective and very creative. And I've wanted to, I've tried to harness that power to encourage others to also be creative. So I started a Hip-Hop education company called Student of Life. We go into schools and get young people to express themselves through the art form of rap. It's a great way to encourage their self-esteem. It's a great way for them to reflect over certain issues. It’s a force that has enabled me to impact not just myself, but my community as well. It’s a very, a very important part of what I do. It informs my music and my music and informs it. So there's a great symbiotic relationship between the two.