M.C. BREEZE THE IS THE FIRST SUBJECT OF A SERIES OF NEW MOVIES TELLING THE STORY OF PHILLY RAP.

PHILADELPHIA, DECEMBER 14, 2001 – “How can you talk about Philadelphia (rap music) without talking about M.C. Breeze? How are you going to go from Schooly D to Jazzy Jeff? You can't. He's the link in the chain.” -- Philly Rap Pioneer Schooly D.

Today's rap fans may not be aware of the pioneering accomplishments of West Philadelphia's M.C. Breeze. He was one of the first rappers to release music on his own label (Breeze Records); he was the first M.C. to have a record banned from Philadelphia Radio (“Discombobulatorbubulator”) and he was the subject of immense local pride when he was tapped to write and perform the theme song to fellow Philly Boy Sylvester Stallone's movie, “Rocky V,” under the name Joey B. Ellis.

A winner of this year's Philadelphia Music Conference's Urban Legends Award (previous winners include DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Lady B, Schooly D and Jocko Henderson, among others), Breeze is also a bright, articulate and multitalented entertainer who's been around since the birth of Hip Hop in Philadelphia.

“Of all the Old School Philly Rappers, Breeze most represents this city,” says filmmaker Mike D on why Breeze was chosen to be the subject of the first Bring The Beat Back production.

“While other rappers were busy talking about how fly their sneakers, cars and gold chains were, from his very first record, Breeze was reppin' Philly.” That first record, an EP released in the winter of 1985, featured “It Aint'New York,” “Discombobulatorbubulator” and a ballad, “Another Sad Song,”and was entirely produced by Breeze. He wrote and performed all the music (keyboards, guitar and Dr. Rhythm drum machine) live in a four track studio and did the lead vocals. He even drew the artwork for the label and (later) album cover. Handmaster Flash, a member of his original crew, The Mighty B-Force, did turntable scratches and additional raps. The record was released on Breeze's own label and funded with money he saved delivering pizza for Dominos'.

While “It Ain't New York” was a hit (it's title was lifted to promote the first ever “Philly vs. NY rap battle at the Spectrum in 1986), the song that created controversy and helped vault Breeze to his legendary status was “Discombobulatorbubulator.” A comical rhyme about the day in the life of Breeze, it was banned from local radio play because of it's offensive remarks about Chinese food and the people who serve it. The ban effectively kept the song from “blowing up” outside Philly. Undaunted, Breeze would come back with a series of hit 12”, both on his label and several majors that showcased his unique style of singing and rapping with a sense of humor. The pinnacle of his commercial success came after he signed to M.C. Hammer's Bust It imprint and was afforded the chance to write and perform 3 songs on the Rocky V soundtrack including the main theme. The second single, “I Thought U Were The One For Me,” a dance track, was a Platinum seller in overseas.

After Hammer's fabled bankruptcy, Breeze had to make a choice. “I could either stay in (the Bay Area) and be broke or come back to Philly and be broke, so I chose here.” After suffering double family tragedies, which took him away from music for some time, his love for music and sharing with others has never been stronger. With money saved he has build a recording, graphic art and video studio from “a shell” of a building not far from the Belmont Plateau where he used to perform back in the day. He is a co-founder (Along with B-Force's Disco Dave and Phillyhiphop.com's Funk Wizard Snow) of the Greater Philadelphia Hip Hop Alliance, an organization created to support and promote all elements of Hip Hop in the Del Val. Its most recent meetings have had attendance in the hundreds. He has just released a CD called “The Best of Breeze and DJ Trevor,” which compiles all of his hits and rarities and plans to release a collection of all new material called “The Way I See It” in early 2002. A self-taught expert at 3-D computer animation, he has designed his own website (mcbreeze.com) and is directing both the live action and animation for a completely digital horror film called “Hells Furie,” which is now in production.

On Wednesday, January 23, Bring The Beat Back will present the World Premiere of “Philly Boy,” a Movie About M.C. Breeze. The first in a series of films documenting the Story of Philly Rap, “Philly Boy” uses candid interviews, music and rare footage to trace Breeze's entire career from his early days as a member of B-Force, to touring around the world with M.C. Hammer, hitting bottom and facing a series of family tragedies to come back to his undying love of music. This digital film features appearances by Lady B., D.J. Jazzy Jeff and ?uestlove from the Roots, and many more. At International House, 3701 Chestnut Street in West Philadelphia. Screenings are at 6pm and 8pm. Admission is $5. Arrive early for door prizes and other def surprises. Presented in conjunction with Phillyhiphop.com and The Grape Street Pub.

Bring The Beat Back is a series of projects intended to document and promote the origins of Philly Rap Music for the new millennium. through a series of digital films and other multimedia endeavors. Created by Mike D, a graduate of both NYU Film School and The American Film Institute, “Philly Boy—A Movie About MC Breeze” was Associate Produced and Photographed by Tito Irizarry.

M.C. Breeze is available for Print and TV interviews. Please contact MikeD@bringthebeatback.com for details.

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