Breakestra

Breakestra, founded by breaks enthusiast Miles Tackett, is a dynamic hip-hop orchestra hailing from Los Angeles. The group emerged in 1997 from Tackett's DJ sets at a local coffeehouse, uniting a talented lineup including multi-instrumentalist Tackett, drummer Josh "Wallet" Cohen, and a variety of instrumentalists and vocalists. The band's club night, Root Down, quickly gained popularity, drawing in both audiences and underground rap acts like Jurassic 5 and DJ Shadow. Their initial single, "Getcho Soul Togetha," was released on Stones Throw in 1999, marking the beginning of their journey into the world of instrumental hip-hop.

Breakestra's early releases, such as their demo The Live Mix Tape and subsequent volumes, showcased their unique blend of deep funk covers and original compositions. In 2001, they officially debuted with The Live Mix, Pt. 1 in Japan, followed by a second volume on Stones Throw. The group continued to evolve, collaborating with artists like Chali 2na and Soup from Jurassic 5 on the single "Family Rap" in 2005. That same year, they released their third studio album, Hit the Floor, on Ubiquity Records, featuring a revamped lineup and further solidifying their reputation as a pioneering force in the hip-hop scene.