London MC & producer Apex Zero has just released his new video today for “Obtain Bearing”, a self produced track taken from his debut album Reality Provoking Liberation released late last year
Filmed in west London, Nottingham and Grenada, the visuals represent his roots while his rhymes reflect the conscientious lyricism endorsed by international publications such as MOJO, Blues & Soul, Rap Reviews and The Word is Bond
Working on a new mixtape due for release later in the year, the First and Last crew member was also seen interviewing Dead Prez for the UK’s I Am Hip Hop Magazine.
There is a version of this track edited for radio. Check it out on the audio stream below and any djs not already serviced with a full quality mp3 can request it from UrbanElite PR HERE
Apex Zero took some time out recently to speak with Andrew Kay for British magazine Guestlist recently to speak on his new album “Reality Provoking Liberation” which released on Monday 28th October.
It’s the debut solo album from the London rapper and producer, a brief departure from his work as part of the hip hop duo First and Last. It’s had an impressive media response in the past couple of months, with an appreciation not only for the conscientious lyricism addressing a range of political and social issues, but the ferocity of the delivery and quality in production.
In the interview, he also speaks on his background in starting out in hip hop, and how artists such as Immortal Technique, dead prez, Wu Tang, Nas, Chinese philosophy, historic figures Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Huey P Newton and writers Michel Foucault & Molefi Kete Asante have all influenced and contributed to his way of thinking. He also goes into detail about the extent of his musical influences, which are wide ranging,and his thoughts on the UK hip hop scene, past and present
Apex is busy rehearsing with his live band for his launch event on Saturday 7th December which takes place upstairs at The Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, London E1 6QL. Also performing will be Caxton Press and Iron Braydz. DJ for the night is A.Gee from Itch FM, hosted by Peaches. £5 on the door, 8pm – 1am, all details about the venue at www.vibe-bar.co.uk
The album is available to buy now in digital and CD formats directly HERE
With the release of the debut solo album by London’s hip hop producer & rapper Apex Zero, “Reality Provoking Liberation”, an example of the impressive diversity of media interest is displayed in two reviews over the past 24 hours
Online magazine PopCulturez is a multi genre publication covering news, reviews, features by rock, country, pop and hip hop artists. Their review includes the opening salvo “From the outset, it is clear that Apex Zero is taking his music to an uncompromising place, with political rhymes coming at an unrelenting pace.“, the article then continuing to note “while many rappers are caught up in the streets or tales of club-hopping, this young MC looks further due to his studies of socialist philosophy, politics, and African history….and has also taken inspiration from a number of other British MCs, with strong hints of names like Terra Firma, Lowkey, and Kashmere seeping through his styles.”
Summarizing “Apex Zero comes off like Britain’s answer to Killah Priest to show that real, hardcore hip-hop with a political mindset still exists in 2013” you can read the entire review HERE
Meanwhile, UndergroundHH, a website dedicated to UK hip hop and championing both new and more established independent artists on the scene featured the album, again drawing comparisons to British & international artists such as Immortal Technique, Wu Tang, Dead Prez, Skinnyman and Klashnekoff, and comments “Apex delivers stone cold pen game fighting back at the system, the roots of population control and the endless routine of a 9 to 5.” and then featuring his videos for Power Source, Chaotic Revolt and Our Times.
Gearing up for his official launch party with a live band upstairs at The Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL on Saturday 7th December, he will also be joined on the night by Caxton Press, Iron Braydz, DJ A.Gee (Itch FM) and host Peaches. Entry is £5.00 on the door, 8pm – 1am and nearest tube is Aldgate East.
Also look out for a brand new video for his new single Absolute Zero being released to the internet on Monday 4th November as well as further media coverage, reviews and interviews.
Meantime, you can listen back to his interview with Tarek on Reprezent Radio from 23rd October where he was live in the studio for the Revolution Hip Hop Show.
All media, press, magazine and radio requests and inquiries about this release can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE
We said that the debut solo album by London’s Apex Zero was one of the biggest for UK hip hop in 2013, and it appears that the internationally renowned publication that is MOJO Magazine would agree.
In their current edition celebrating their 20th anniversary, they have afforded “Reality Provoking Liberation” a 4 star review, describing it as a “DIY stunner” which will have “Fans of Triple Darkness, Dead Prez and Immortal Technique piqued by the arrival of fresh political rap blood”
It’s been a key underlying factor in the level of media interest created by the album from the rapper & producer, the mix of political and social issues addressed with a fierce delivery and conscientious lyricism, once a standard for the genre but a rarer entity in recent times. But green shoots of recovery are evident in releases from both sides of the Atlantic in the past couple of years, and Apex Zero has emerged as another new name adding his own weight to the re-establishment of the anti-establishment.
The album is out now, available to buy in digital and CD format HERE
You can expect to see more coverage on the release in the weeks ahead, and he is also preparing the release of his new video for “Absolute Zero” on Monday 4th November. He is also preparing for his album launch party on Saturday 7th December which will take place upstairs at The Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL. He is putting together a special set with his live band for the night, which will also see performances by Caxton Press and Triple Darkness’ newest member Iron Braydz accompanied by DJ A Gee (Itch FM) and host Peaches.
The night runs from 8pm – 1am, £5.00 on the door, nearest tube station is Aldgate East. You can see more details about the venue at www.vibe-bar.co.uk
You can also keep up to date and find out more information about him via his website www.firstandlastpride.co.uk where you can also submit booking and feature requests, or connect with him on twitter @ApexZero00
He will also be guest of Mr 13 and DJ Bones on their Bang Radio hip hop show live in the studio tonight 29th October from 10pm, (5pm EST). Can hear it online at www.wearebang.com
Any media, press or radio / dj requests for interviews, copies of the album for review or requests for full quality clean edit mp3s of the singles can be sent to UrbanElite PR HERE
Meanwhile, check out these two tracks from the album, A Meeting of the Continents ft Hasan Salaam & Iron Braydz, and Spray The Roof ft OMeza Omniscient and Invincible Armour
Riding in on the back of St Jude’s Storm which hit the southern UK this morning, the 28th October arrived and with it the release date of the debut solo album by west London’s rapper & producer Apex Zero.
Having released his mixtape The Pulse of the Awakening almost exactly a year ago, the new album “Reality Provoking Liberation” is 15 tracks of hard spittin, conscientious lyricism and raw energy which has received plaudits for the range of political and social issues addressed in the rhymes
Having been influenced by artists such as Wu Tang, dead prez, Immortal Technique, Phi Life Cypher, Blak Twang, Skinnyman and Klashnekoff, comparisons have been made by the media to UK hip hop contemporaries such as Lowkey, Akala & Triple Darkness for the manner in which he tears into the subject matter and brings meaning to the tracks in the best traditions of the culture.
Already reviewed and interviewed by a wide range of publications, including Flavour, Clash, Wordplay, Bearded, The Skinny, In-Spirels, The Word is Bond, Whatculture, MOJO, Subba Cultcha, AAA Music, Sampleface, Blacksheep and much more….with much more to come….it has been as anticipated a highly impressive debut from the emcee who remains a member of the city’s First and Last duo.
Released today independently on his own Design Chaos label, it is available to buy digitally or in physical format via mail order. BUY IT HERE
He has in fact added 3 bonus cuts recently to the original 12 track version, and the full tracklist is :
Head vs Heart (Intro) 02:12 Shackled by the Pound 04:26 Absolute Zero 03:40 Power Source (War at Night) 03:31 Our Times feat. OMeza Omniscient and Kyra 04:27 Walk on Water feat. Seapa and OMeza Omniscient 03:11 Don’t Follow the Image feat. OMeza Omniscient and Amy True 04:04 Three Children (Us and We) 06:37 Obtain Bearing 05:13 Everything Must Change 02:20 Chaotic Revolt 03:58 A Meeting of the Continents feat. Hasan Salaam and Iron Braydz 03:44 Spray the Roof feat. OMeza Omniscient and Invincible Armour 04:10 Apex Zero, Growth, Slay the Basilisk, First and Last, Reality Provoking Liberation – Growth (Slay the Basilisk) 07:04 Reality Provoking Liberation feat. OMeza Omniscient 05:21
There’s no question, this has been one of British hip hop’s albums of the year, and one all heads and fans of the traditional tru skool style will appreciate.
Check out his videos for Power Source and Chaotic Revolt
Be on the lookout for more press coverage in the weeks ahead, and a new video for Absolute Zero being launched on Monday 4th November. He will also be live on air with Mr 13 on Bang Radio tomorrow from 10pm GMT (5pm EST)
His official album launch party takes place on Saturday 7th December upstairs at The Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL. Doors open at 8pm with entry £5.00. He will be appearing with a live band and there will also be performances from Caxton Press, Iron Braydz, DJ A.Gee (Itch FM) and hosted by Peaches. Venue details are at www.vibe-bar.co.uk
Any further media or press inquiries requesting interviews or copies of the album to review, or djs looking for full quality radio edit mp3s of any of the singles from the album can contact UrbanElite PR HERE
Edinburgh based physical & online publication The Skinny Magazine covers a broad spectrum of entertainment including theatre, comedy, art, literature, going out / events, travel and music.
Their contributor, Bram Gieben, likes his hip hop and is the latest to review the new debut solo album by London’s Apex Zero – “Reality Provoking Liberation” – which releases on 28th October. The rapper & producer would have been best known previously as part of the duo First and Last (still very much alive & kicking) and also as part of the group The Pantheonz of Zenn-La, renowned for their frenetic live shows.
Opening with “Apex Zero’s raw, manifesto-driven raps have a lot in common with the edgy, paranoid psy-ops chat of Triple Darkness and M9. Chaotic Revolt in particular captures the anger and violence inherent in the legacy of the 2011 London riots, and throughout, the beats draw on the rich tradition of string-led, cinematic sample-craft of RZA” it is another review picking up on the range of political & social issues covered in his rhymes and delivered in such a way that “Throughout, Apex Zero’s lyrical content is angry, literate and intelligent”
Listen out for Apex Zero appearing on Itch FM this Saturday, 26th October, from 8.30pm with Sammy Jay, then the following Tuesday, 29th October, with Mr 13 on Bang FM from 10pm.
You can expect to see much more coverage on the album between now and his album launch party which takes place upstairs at The Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL on Saturday 7th December where he’ll be joined by Caxton Press, Iron Braydz and Itch FM’s DJ A.Gee. Entry is £5.00 on the door and more information is available at www.vibe-bar.co.uk
It may be possible to see him perform prior to this, so best keep up to date with him on twitter @ApexZero00 and via his website www.firstandlastpride.co.uk You can also connect with the magazine on twitter @TheSkinnyMag and Bram via @t3xtur3
Any further press or media inquiries, requests for interviews with Apex Zero or copies of the album to review can be sent to UrbanElite PR HERE
Meanwhile, check out this bonus cut released recently, The World We Exist In
British online magazine AAA Music (Access All Areas), is a multi genre platform covering festivals, events, artist releases and interviews and news.
They are the latest to run the rule over the debut solo album by London rapper & producer Apex Zero, “Reality Provoking Liberation” which releases on 28th October. The opening of the review reiterates the point which many have picked up on and has earned praise for the approach :
“On the album Apex Zero raps throughout with subject matter about social and political themes…& raps with an aggression and purpose, delivering his rhymes with a unique distinctive flow”
Summarizing, “it is clear that Apex Zero is one of the most impressive rising artists in UK hip hop; this debut offering which is a solid piece of work from the first track to the last track” the full review can be read HERE
Look out for more coverage on this release in the weeks ahead and listen out for him live on Itch FM on Saturday 26th October from 8.30pm, and on Bang FM on Tuesday 29th October from 10pm.
He has also just confirmed his album launch party upstairs at The Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL on Saturday 7th December. The event starts at 8pm, finished at 1am, £5 on the door and will also see performances by Caxton Press, Iron Braydz and Itch FM’s DJ A.Gee. Nearest tube station is Aldgate East and you can see more about the venue at www.vibe-bar.co.uk
Check out his recently launched singles “Spray The Roof” featuring OMeza Omniscient and Invincible Armour and “A Meeting of the Continents” featuring Hasan Salaam and Iron Braydz
You can keep up to date with Apex on twitter @ApexZero00 and check in with the magazine @AAAMusic_UK
Any further press or media inquiries about this release, requests for interviews or copies of the album, can be sent to UrbanElite PR HERE
The British media coverage has been building in the lead up to the release of the new album “Reality Provoking Liberation” by London hip hop Emcee and producer Apex Zero
His debut solo album, he has come up through the city’s live scene and released tracks as part of the duo First and Last and also the group The Pantheonz of Zenn-La. This is where his fierce delivery style and conscientious lyricism first came to the fore, and marked him out as one to watch for the future. Very much in the traditions of British artists such as Phi Life Cypher, Blak Twang, Lowkey, Triple Darkness and Akala, Apex engages with a wide range of political and social issues in his verses, and also has a significant hand in the production side of things along with his First and Last colleague OMeziah
The UK’s online blog Sampleface has built a strong following recently for their coverage of events, releases, news and features, and regular contributor Taytula Burke put the album under the microscope.
The review opens “The name is clue enough that this is not a trap, ratchet or dance music offering. The 12 track project is a non-stop call to overthrow an oppressive system that has everyone around the world under the cosh” and gets to the heart of the matter quickly in deciphering the rapper’s motivation, meaning and message to the world while also addressing the production techniques involved. Summarizing “Apex Zero is definitely a gifted emcee and I think given the unstable times we are living in, this for some, could be a soundtrack to revolution.” you can read the entire article HERE
Check out the single Spray The Roof featuring OMeza Omniscient and Invincible Armour, and the video for Chaotic Revolt
It is likely that the re-arranged album launch event will take place in London in early December, with the exact date to be announced shortly. Meanwhile, any further media or press inquiries about the album, or dj requests for full quality radio edit mp3s can be sent to UrbanElite PR HERE
British publication Blacksheep Magazine has a long history of reporting on international hip hop & rap music news, events, releases & features.
Their regular contributor Andrew Kay took several listens through the new album by London’s Apex Zero. Out on 28th October, “Reality Provoking Liberation” is his debut solo album, although has released a previous mixtape in 2012 “The Pulse of the Awakening” and was previously known as part of the duo First and Last (still going strong) and the group The Pantheonz of Zenn-La.
Coming up through London events such as End of the Weak & Speaker’s Corner, and as part of these groups, he became known for his lyricism covering a wide range of political and social issues combined with a fiery delivery style. The review touches upon this in “The anger and the passion command every verse enabled by some wonderfully fluid production“, the production in the large part also courtesy of Apex Zero with further contributions from First and Last’s OMeziah
With comparisons of the “social commentary” made with artists such as Public Enemy, Immortal Technique and Brother Ali with a “rich London and UK centric vibe to it” the review then proceeds through a track by track breakdown, summarized as a whole with the description “an album of reportage, a war report from the tower blocks of a stark, cold Big Smoke, where social injustice and human enslavement are commented upon with the fist pumping ire of a frustrated humanist.”
Check out examples of the album via the single “A Meeting of the Continents” featuring Hasan Salaam & Iron Braydz, and the video Chaotic Revolt
The date for the re-arranged album launch event in London will be announced very shortly. You will hear about it here, or you can read about it by following Apex on twitter @ApexZero00 or checking on his official website www.firstandlastpride.co.uk You can also follow the magazine on twitter @Blacksheepmag
Any magazines, press or other media inquiries about the album or individual singles can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE
In the lead up to the release of his debut solo album, London’s hip hop rapper & producer Apex Zero took time out to speak with British online publication Flavour Magazine.
Flavour is a well established magazine covering a broad spectrum of urban culture whether music, news, general entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, movies and events. The album Reality Provoking Liberation, which releases on 28th October, has made a major impression with media for the range of political and social issues addressed by the Emcee, and the powerful lyricism with which they’re delivered. So the magazine’s contributor Delphina Scott was sent along to find out more about what makes the man tick
There will be much more press coverage on this release in the weeks ahead, and you’ll be able to hear him live on Itch FM on Saturday 26th October from 8pm (GMT), and on Bang FM, Tuesday 29th October from 10pm (GMT).
Meanwhile, check out a couple of his singles from his album
A Meeting of the Continents ft Hasan Salaam & Iron Braydz
Spray The Roof ft OMeza Omniscient & Invincible Armour
Any press or media with further inquiries about the album, or dj’s requiring clean radio edit mp3’s of the singles should contact UrbanElite PR HERE
Meanwhile keep up to date with Apex on twitter @ApexZero00 and via his site www.firstandlastpride.co.uk and look out for confirmation of his re-arranged album launch event in London being announced in the next couple of days. You can also follow the magazine on twitter @FlavourMag and connect with Delphina at @RawBlueCheese
