Growing up in both the UK and Nigeria has influenced BREIS’ sound, which is a fusion of Hip Hop, Jazz and Afro-beat. He has toured internationally and shared the stage with world class artists such as Afro beat musician, Tony Allen, Dele Sosimi, Dead Prez, Big Daddy Kane, Black Thought (The Roots), Angie Stone.

Breis released on iTunes a Hip-hop audiobook  titled Brilliant Rappers Educate Intelligent Students (B.R.E.I.S), a UK's premiere interactive rapbook which according to him sums up his 12 years of work on stage as well as in the classroom.

Armed with a mixtape titled "Your Favourite MC" (2004) and a critically acclaimed EP "The Brilliant EP" and currently working on a debut album, BREIS has been regarded as one of the best kept secrets in British Hip-hop according to The Guardian UK.

Read up this interview he grants to Pulse Music and get a hang of his personality, his love for the Hip-hop art and future plans.

When did you start taking Hip-hop seriously?

I started taking Hip Hop seriously in the late 90s. I loved break dancing but rap was my number one passion. It's been at the core of most of the work I do.

What song made you fall in love with hip-hop?

Too many to mention but I remember an old school song by Roxanne Shante and anything rap group EPMD did. 

How was the reception of the audience when you first performed at Afropolitan Vibes in Nigeria?

The Afropolitan vibes crowd was possibly the best audience to perform to. The crowd is so diverse and they showed me a lot of love from the beginning. By the end of it we were all on the same page and singing together. The Bantu band are so solid, it was great to perform there. 

What do you think of hip-hop culture in Nigeria as compared to the UK and the US?

Hip Hop culture has 4 basic elements - Djing, rapping, break dancing, graffiti. So far I've only experienced rap and a little break dancing in Nigeria. I've seen minimal djs and graffiti artists at work. It would be good to see the other elements brought to the forefront also.

I know there are some incredible illustrators here, so it would be interesting to see more of that. Nigeria is big on music but when it comes to Hip Hop, most are still only in tune with commercial artists. It would be great to see a lot more lesser known MCs telling their stories and rapping about life in Nigeria. 

What inspired your hip-hop literacy program?

I set up a Hip Hop inspired company called STUDENT OF LIFE a few years ago in the UK and have been running school programs to make education a bit more fun for young people and to encourage creativity, confidence and self expression.

 The Hip Hop literacy project was the leading project. I've been blessed to launch it across the UK, different parts of Europe, Aruba Island, Washington DC and in Malaysia. If any Nigerian schools are interested I'd be delighted to launch it over here too.

Do you happen to come from a family in which everyone loves music passionately?

Not really.

Who are your favourite hip-hop acts in Nigeria and outside Nigeria?

There are many rappers out here that are amazing - Maximum, Show Dem Camp, Falz, Poe, Phlowetry, The Fulani rapper, Dris, Phyno, M.I and many more. Outside Nigeria - Sakordie, M.anifest, Ty, Kendrick, Wretch32 - I'll be here all day if I have to go through the list

What are your fondest musical memories during your performances?

Performing in Japan! That was the first time I performed in front of a non-English speaking audience and they were moved by the music. That was an incredible moment. Then Afropolitan Vibes let me know I was welcome back as an artist in my own home country.

How do you prepare for a performance? Do you ever get nervous?

Pray, practice, relax, panic, then relax again. I almost always get nervous until I hit the stage.

What advice would you give to beginners on handling stage fright?

Breathe deeply.

How do you balance music with other obligations?

I don't know if I balance music and other obligations yet. I'm still working on that lol.

What's a typical recording session for you like? What makes a good session?

When there's a mutual respect and no egos are present, magic can happen in a recording session. Sometimes I know exactly which song I'm working on and all the parts that will make it work - The intro, outro, ad libs, hook, guest vocals, everything, and just execute what I have in my mind. That's how it was for my last single, 'The right person'.  Other times I'll be writing in a session and then once I've practised a couple of times, I lay down my vocals.

What project are you currently working on that we can be on the look out for?

I'm working on a new EP/album project and an educational one also for 2017. In the meantime I'll be dropping some tracks on https://soundcloud.com/mrbreis so stay tuned for that.