- Ewan David Alman
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Ewan David Alman/Da Brakes 
Background information Birth name Ewan David Alman
Northolt, England West LondonAlso known as Da Brakes, Brakes, Lyrical B, DB Born 31 July 1984 Genres British hip hop, Rap Occupations Songwriter Instruments Rap Labels Unsigned Ewan Alman (born 31 July 1984) is a British actor and rapper, commonly known by his stage name, Da Brakes, and known for his role as Fraser in the feature film Breathe.
Contents
Biography
Born in Paddington, west London, Ewan David Alman is a British born actor/rapper best known by his stage name Da Brakes. His name derived from an incident as a child riding a trolley. Brakes was approaching a curb and started pressing what he thought was the brakes but was actually the mechanism to raise and lower the platform. Subsequently he crashed into the curb and badly damaged his shin. The name 'Brakes' stuck and was eventually used as his rap persona.
Brakes first television appearance was on the BBC MI5 drama Spooks where he played the younger brother of the lead character Danny. He then went on to appear in various commercials such as Phones 4U as well as hit television dramas such as William & Mary and The Bill.
Brakes began rapping at the age of 14 with school friend Syke who formed one half of the duo 'Strictly 4Bidden'. Syke & Brakes honed their skills freestyling and battling until eventually they were ready to enter their first competition to be staged at The Hackney Empire. However, Skye was reluctant to enter citing the reason that they were not ready and needed more practice. Brakes however thought otherwise and decided to enter the competition as a solo artist. Brakes went on to win 'Best Under 18 Act' and 'Best Overall Talent'. Strictly 4Bidden soon disbanded and Brakes continued as a solo artist.
Brakes has achieved moderate success with his three releases Business as Usual (2006), Still Unsigned...The Mixtape (2007), and Clean but Still Street (2009). The latter features a collaboration with American rapper Kel Spencer.
In 2009 Da Brakes signed to independent label Brown Moose Records. This relationship came to an end in August 2010 and now Da Brakes continues to record independently
Filmography
Year Title Role Director 2009 Teenage Kicks Panza Paul Windmill Breathe Fraser Nicholas Winter Silly Billy Dave Mark Jackson Sweet Mother (short film) Ayo Momodou Touray 2007 Oovoo (Internet) Beat Up Boy James Rouse Finding Frank Again Pool Player Fire Engine Films MTV (Commercial) Jogger Erica Herbert Little People (theatre) Joe Ellis Crooked Sleeve Theatre Company Keeler (theatre) Lucky Gordon & Johnny Edgecombe Paul Nicholas 2005 Yesterday's Tomorrow (short film) David Duane Wharton 2003 Loveman (short film) Deeton Wilmot Duane Wharton Phones 4U (commercial) Featured Male Joy Films The Bill (TV) TJ Daley Sylvie Boden William and Mary (TV) Vernon Manning Matthew Evans 2002 Sex Bomb (commercial) Featured Male Flextech Bold (commercial) Featured Male Production International Regulate (short film) LJ Brooks Duane Wharton The Bill (TV) Lee Robson Thames Television Ltd 2001 Stolen (short film) Jerome Stephen Sloper Spooks (TV) Bruno Rob Bailey Discography
Albums
- 2001: Brakes Yourself
- 2006: Business As Usual
- 2007: Still Unsigned...The Mixtape
- 2009: Clean But Still Street
Singles
- 2007: "Wannabe"
External links
Categories:- Living people
- 1984 births
- British actors
- English rappers
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