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AlbumCoversmall

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

All news and information can be found at his official site www.firstandlastpride.co.uk and you can connect with him on twitter @ApexZero00

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

UrbanElite PR
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T : @urbanelitepr

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RPL-Sampleface

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

Keep up to date with Apex via twitter @ApexZero00 and connect with the magazine @SampleFace and Taytula at @Taykeova

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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RPL-FlavourMag

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

Read what he had to say HERE

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

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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RPL-WordIsBond

In the lead up to releasing his debut solo album “Reality Provoking Liberation” on 28th October, London’s hip hop Emcee & Producer Apex Zero took time out to speak with Teckzilla from the renowned international online magazine The Word is Bond

In the article, Apex speaks on his early days, his background, family, transition from releasing a solo project for the first time separate to his involvement with the duo First and Last, most inspirational live performance, who he’d like to work with, what he does when not involved with music, favourite “mind altering” piece of art and of course the album itself.

Check out his thoughts on this and more HERE

Meanwhile, he has just launched his new single “Spray The Roof” which features First and Last partner in rhyme OMeza Omniscient and Invincible Armour

Check it out on Soundcloud below

STRWeb

Any djs not already serviced with the full quality clean radio edit mp3 of Spray The Roof, or any other members of the media & press with inquiries about the album can contact UrbanElite PR HERE

Look out for details about the re-arranged date for his album launch event at The Vibe Bar, Brick Lane in London being announced very shortly, and you can keep regular tabs on him via Twitter @ApexZero00 and connect with the magazine @TheWordisBond

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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MagnaCarta-InSpirels

In-Spirels Magazine is a London based lifestyle online magazine covering music, fashion, hair & beauty and much more, with the focus being on those who inspire others and act as positive role models via their achievements.

Recently, the publication’s Taytula Burke interviewed Melanin 9 for their “1 2 Watch” feature.

They discuss his new album “Magna Carta”, what acts as his main motivations, his thoughts on hip hop generally and the journalist picks up on his approach to writing :

“If you haven’t guessed by now, Melanin 9 is not your average ‘money cash hoes’ type of spitter. His name alludes to the fact that he has a deeper way of thinking than your average guy on the corner……

Speaking of genius, I think there was a hint of that going on during the composition of Magna Carta. The LP has a throwback ‘diggin’ in the crates’ kind of vibe; so if you are bored of the monotonous computer generated sounds around, you’ll love the jazzy soulful tones and ‘real hip hop’ beats that M9 flows effortlessly over…..

If you are into British hip hop, this guy should definitely be on your playlist. Melanin 9 already has a solid international fanbase and I can only see Magna Carta helping the numbers to increase.”

Its a really well put together piece by the magazine, a good insight to the artist’s thoughts as well as analysis of the album itself. Read it in full HERE

The album is available on iTunes and the CD version can be bought directly by mail order via http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

Follow them on twitter @Melanin_9 and @InspireLS

Further media or booking enquiries for Melanin 9 can be sent to UrbanElite PR HERE

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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MagnaCarta-RapReviews

Zach Gase, contributor to US online RapReviews, is the latest to cast his eye over the new album “Magna Carta” by London’s Melanin 9

“M9 is a skilled wordsmith, he pairs together syllables that work well together, and the things he raps about are of social importance”

Scoring a very creditable 7/10, the UK emcee has consistently impressed with his trademark lyricism and wordplay, even with those who’s own preference may lie outwith the 1990’s Golden Era tinged influence in the beats and rhymes.

The full review can be read HERE
Check out the sounds now, via the videos “Organised Democracy”, “White Russian” ft Roc Marciano and the album snippet stream first featured by Bonafide Magazine :

VIDEO : ORGANISED DEMOCRACY

VIDEO : WHITE RUSSIAN

ALBUM SNIPPET STREAM

The album is available to buy now from iTunes HERE

More media coverage to follow soon. All press enquiries about this release can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE

Meanwhile you can connect with both on twitter @Melanin_9 and @RapReviews

UrbanElite Promotions
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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MagnaCarta-Dataransmission

British multi genre online publication DataTransmission have just allocated Melanin 9’s debut album “Magna Carta” an 8/10 rating via their review by Janine Francois

“Just simply a stunning piece of art” is how the review is summarized which you can read in full HERE

MagnaCarta-ItchFM

There’s little question that this has been a landmark release for the London emcee with such an extensive of international media coverage, and it was also good to see the re-emergence of London’s Itch FM who featured Ryan Proctor’s review in Old to the New. Anyone involved with British Hip Hop will be well aware of the role the radio station played over many years in supporting artists such as Blak Twang, Jehst, Phi Life Cypher, Task Force, Skinnyman and many others, before winding up operations a few years back.

However theyre back online, and you can see the feature at http://www.itch.fm/melanin-9-magna-carta-review/

Magna Carta is available from iTunes now, and can be bought HERE You can also buy the CD physical format by mail order from http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

You can hear snippets of the whole album streamed exclusively yesterday by Bonafide Magazine, another publication to give the release its full endorsement by including it in their Top 50 Releases of 2012. Hear the audio stream HERE

You can keep up to date with all of them on twitter @Melanin_9 @D8aTransmission @ItchFM @RyanProctor75 and @BonafideZine

All UK and international media promotions handled by UrbanElite PR. Any further press enquiries can be sent HERE

UrbanElite Promotions
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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MagnaCarta-Bonafide

MagnaCarta-SurvivingTheGoldenAge

The UK’s Bonafide Magazine has today exclusively streamed album snippets of Melanin 9’s “Magna Carta”

The magazine, who will also include the album in their Top 50 releases of 2012, introduces the feature “Melanin 9 is a true UK hip-hop talent….and the LP tackles real issues such as human rights, social cohesion and self worth”

The 18 minute long stream includes all of the tracks in order of the tracklist:

1) Gene of Isis (prod by Anatomy)
2) Magna Carta (prod by Anatomy)
3) Landslide (prod by Anatomy – scratches by Evil Ed)
4) The 7 Blues (ft Madame Pepper) (prod by Hey!Zues)
5) Cosmos (prod by Parental – scratches by DJ LOD)
6) 11:08 (prod by Option Command)
7) Love’s Stencil (ft Madame Pepper) (prod by OhBliv)
8 ) Heartless Island (ft Triple Darkness) (prod by Jehst)
9) White Russian (ft Roc Marciano) (prod by Anatomy)
10) Red Snow (prod by Anatomy)
11) Organised Democracy (prod by Tony Mahony – scratches by DJ Madhandz)
12) No Man’s Land (ft Triple Darkness) (prod by 7th Dan)
13) Colour Blind (ft Madame Pepper) (prod by Anatomy)
14) Marble (prod by Tony Mahoney)

Check the full feature HERE

Meanwhile, Stateside online magazine Surviving The Golden Age has reviewed the album, again picking up on the strong influence of the Golden Era of 90’s hip hop contained within the release.

Comparing his “raw, hard hitting hip hop beats” to that found on Nas’ “Illmatic” (not the first time the comparison has been made), and like Nas & Biggie “his lyrical content deals with his city….North London” the magazine cites the track “Heartless Island” and credits Melanin 9 as “a highly literate rapper as he references House of Flying Daggers in the same breath as soliloquies”

Read the whole review HERE

There has been extensive international media coverage on this release, with more on the way, and once you check out the album stream on Bonafide you’ll hear why

You can buy the album on iTunes now HERE

You can also purchase the CD physical format direct by mail order from http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

You can follow him on twitter @Melanin_9 and the magazines @BonafideZine & @StGAdam

All press, radio and other media promotions has been handled by UrbanElite PR, and any other enquiries regarding the release can be sent HERE

Urbanelite Promotions
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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MagnaCarta-BrokenCulture

If youre into all things hip hop, and we assume you probably are, you should definitely check out the UK’s online magazine Broken Culture

They have a really wide level of coverage including music, events, art & graff, skate & bmx and much more. The owner Max Quinn has done an excellent job in representing the culture and you can easily tell that “the knowledge” is there given the in depth analysis provided.

They’re the latest to cover Melanin 9’s new album Magna Carta which releases on 3rd December. The feature covers the launch event last Friday at London’s Vibe Bar, provides some extra background information and history on the artist, you can also watch several of his videos and of course read a thorough review of the album itself.

It’s a really well presented piece of journalistic writing, and you can read it HERE

The CD version of the album can be bought direct from http://m9ether.bandcamp.com and the album will also be available to buy digitally. Note that you can also buy the vinyl 12″ of his highly successful single White Russian featuring Roc Marciano, so again if you contact his Bandcamp you can cop that heat there

There will be a lot more coverage on this release coming over the next few weeks, including special video features, and an exclusive snippet stream of the entire album via Bonafide Magazine shortly.

Meanwhile keep up to date with what Melanin 9 is doing on twitter @Melanin_9 and connect with Max and the guys @BrokenCultureUk

Any magazines, press, media or djs looking for more information about the release should contact UrbanElite Promotions HERE

UrbanElite Promotions
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr