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MagnaCarta-Stereoboard

Another review of UK hip hop MC Melanin 9’s album “Magna Carta” which released on 3rd December 2012.

This one had slipped under the radar until today, but first published in January 2013, online magazine Stereoboard reviewer Jonny Rimmer has given this a massive vote of approval

Opening up with an overview of the shifts taking place right now in the UK scene, with more people switching attention to the “hip hop” community, he opens :

“There are significant changes afoot in the world of UK hip hop. With grime is on the way out, and its established heads like Wiley and Dizzee Rascal moving towards poppy pastures new, hip hop is again gaining popularity in cities all over the UK. The battle scene is also making waves with Don’t Flop boasting now one of the biggest battle-league fanbases on the planet. Most tangibly though, there is a real sense that hip hop is now a real voice for young people seeking change – see the recently retired Lowkey and Logic’s ‘People’s Army’; M9 also fits this mould.”

This is then followed by the opening salvo in relation to the album itself :

“However, one cannot stress enough just how much of an accomplishment Magna Carta is. For starters, it sounds very little like a British album at all, snubbing garage for the sort of slow, meditative beats that you’d find on 90s noir records like Mobb Deep’s The Infamous. And the mood it establishes is gorgeous, with jazzy trumpets, saxophone and piano samples forming the backdrop to M9’s bleak urban narratives. Even though there are several different producers here, all of them match M9’s vision, tailoring their ideas to the MC’s aesthetic vision.”

Offering a 4.5 / 5 rating, read the whole review HERE

Magna Carta is available digitally from iTunes and can also be ordered in CD physical format from http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

Here is a snippet version of the album on his own Soundcloud page

Melanin 9 is busy recording new material as well as setting up some dates, which will also include performing on the main stage at the Boom Bap Festival in the UK in September. Anyone wishing to book melanin 9 for dates can contact UrbanElite Promotions HERE or check the contact information on his twitter profile @Melanin_9

You can also connect with the magazine on twitter @Stereoboard

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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MagnaCarta-LiveMagazine

Melanin 9’s launch night for his new album “Magna Carta” took place at The Vibe Bar in London’s Brick Lane in late November, and the venue was rammed full with the city’s hip hop fraternity there to see him joined by Choice FM’s DJ 279, Genesis Elijah, Rewd Adams, Iron Braydz, and his Triple Darkness sparring partners Cyrus Malachi and Phoenix da Icefire.

There was also a healthy media turnout, included in their numbers Snehal Shah from Live Magazine which publishes online and in physical print and covers a broad range of lifestyle subjects targeted at the youth market

The magazine has combined a review of the album with an interview and it can be read in full HERE

Released on 3rd December, “Magna Carta” is available on iTunes and also in physical CD format by mail order from http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

Its been a landmark release for the highly talented lyricist and the UK scene generally given the level of international media coverage and attention it has received over the past few months, all promotions handled by UrbanElite PR. Check out the following videos

Organized Democracy

White Russian ft Roc Marciano

Freestyle for SBTV’s “Skooled By” series

Melanin 9 is now accepting booking enquiries via his Bandcamp above, his twitter @Melanin_9 or they can be emailed to UrbanElite PR HERE

With thanks to Snehal and Alya for the feature, you can follow the magazine on twitter @LiveMagUK

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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MagnaCarta-Bloggerhouse

The international coverage of Melanin 9’s debut album Magna Carta continues, this time via Stateside online Bloggerhouse, who have named it “Album of the Day” for Tuesday 18th December 2012.

“very solid and enjoyable, with loads of replay value, “Magna Carta” is filled to the rim with quality cuts”

The impact made by this release on the reviewer, with its emphasis on lyricism, wordplay and use of classic hip hop production was clearly significant :

“Melanin 9 impressed the hell outta’ me with this one and I had no problem coughing up the dough for M9′s past efforts “144,000″ and “Orion’s Stencil” via his BANDCAMP page”

Its just the latest in a long line of trans-Atlantic endorsements for the London emcee over the past couple of months, and also further indication that far from being dead, the classic sound of hip hop is very much alive & kicking and connecting with a new generation of fans. Read the whole review HERE

The Bandcamp in question is http://m9ether.bandcamp.com where you can also buy Magna Carta in CD format via mail order. On iTunes, the album can be bought HERE

Check out the snippet version of the album

You can follow the artist on twitter @Melanin_9 and the online magazine @bloggerhouse

All international media handled by UrbanElite PR. Any further enquiries can be directed to us HERE

UrbanElite Promotions
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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ECHOES MAGAZINE

MagnaCarta-Echoessml

INTERNATIONAL HIP HOP (FRANCE)

MagnaCarta-IHHfrontcover

MagnaCarta-IHHFranceblog

In their end of year edition, legendary UK magazine Echoes have included a review of Melanin 9’s new album “Magna Carta” which released on 3rd December 2012.

“Recreating the claustrophobic climate of pre-millenial angst, Magna Carta could have snuck out in the late 90’s. To his credit, Melanin 9 never sounds like he’s having to try too hard” opens Sunil Chauhan’s analysis in an issue which also includes new releases by Homeboy Sandman, Ruff Sqwad, Kingdom of Fear, Lazy Habits, Kendrick Lamar, Jungle Brothers and Kool G Rap

“Magna Carta does what it says on the tin, as it’s supposed to do” it concludes, and you can read the whole review in the publication which hit UK stores today. You can see more about the magazine online at www.echoesmagazine.co.uk

Meanwhile, French magazine International Hip Hop hits stores in France from Tuesday 18th December, and we have a sneak preview of the reviews section which as well as covering Melanin 9’s album with a 90% rating, also features releases by Mystro, K-Def, Lord Finesse, Pace Won & Mr Green, Snowgoons and Blaq Poet.

Written in the French language (obviously), the Paris based publication lives up to its name covering hip hop from all over the world, and is produced on a monthly basis. This month’s edition also includes interviews with Nas, Redman, Big K.R.I.T., Jean Grae and Kool Keith. You can find out more about them online at www.ihh.cc

Melanin 9 has built up a loyal fanbase in France and Europe for a number of years, so its no surprise he rates highly here, just as he’s done with a wide level of coverage in the UK’s media and now also making some headway in the States.

The album has been available to buy on iTunes since the 3rd December 2012, and CD versions can be bought by mail order from http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

All international media for this release handled by UrbanElite PR. Any further press enquiries or booking enquiries for Melanin 9 from event & club promoters can be sent HERE

Meanwhile connect with them all on twitter @Melanin_9 @IHHmagazine & @EchoesMag

UrbanElite Promotions
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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MagnaCarta-SabotageTimes

UK’s online magazine Sabotage Times cover a wide range of content including music, sport, fashion, politics, food & drink, travel…a full lifestyle publication with the leader “We Can’t Concentrate So Why Should You”

Contributor Tobi Oke has just reviewed Melanin 9’s new album “Magna Carta” for them introducing the release as “an exploration into the facets of the mind”

Touching on the influence of the 90’s era of hip hop, or Golden Era, the acknowledgement is there that the album takes it to a contemporary level, and not just a slavish re-enactment:

“M9 is heavily informed by supreme mathematics, righteous teachings and the general imparting of knowledge using hip-hop as his medium. Regardless of this, the music above all is what truly separates one MC from another and whilst being a very capable lyricist, M9 has wisely aligned himself with some of the premier beat makers this country has to offer to sculpt his sound.”

The review is a thoughtful look at this record in context of the various directions the genre has taken generally, and the artist’s approach specifically in terms of subject matter and lyricism

Read the whole review HERE

The album can be bought via iTunes now HERE while CD versions can be purchased by mail order from http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

You can follow him on twitter @Melanin_9 and the guys at the magazine @Teflontobz & @Sabotagetimes

There’s been a fantastic international media response to the release over the past couple of months, and you can expect to see more press coverage and video features into 2013.

Any further press and media enquiries about this release can be directed to UrbanElite Promotions HERE Any club and event promoters looking to book Melanin 9 can also contact us via that link or at the artist’s Bandcamp

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-OldToTheNew

“Proving that it is possible to deliver street-influenced, hardcore Hip-Hop without having to appeal to the lowest common denominator, with “Magna Carta” M9 has succeeded in his mission to elevate, stimulate and edutain, delivering one of 2012′s most essential albums in the process.” is how Ryan Proctor summarizes the new album from London’s Melanin 9 for his online blog Old To The New

Ryan has been writing about hip hop for several magazines over the years, contributing reviews, interviews and news, and has established a real tastemaker online platform with his blog, covering some of the best traditional hip hop international releases, videos, singles, albums and events

If in any doubt about his standpoint on hip hop & rap music today, his opening line about Melanin 9’s album and his overall view are combined with :

“Although there may be many artists today prepared to sell their soul and dumb down their content in an attempt to appeal to the masses and achieve their fifteen minutes of fame, there are still real emcees out there who aren’t willing to take the easy route, choosing instead to put hours of effort into mastering their craft, keeping their lyrical swords sharp as they walk in the footsteps of the greats that came before them. London-based lyricist Melanin 9 a.k.a. M9 is one such artist.”

A full in depth review follows HERE

The strength of the classic Tru Skool sound influenced by the Golden Era of the 1990’s is reflected by the international element of his album sales on iTunes throughout Europe and in the States, as well of course as in the UK. This would indicate that the genre is in good health, and still passes the test of time when others come & go.

You can buy the album on iTunes digital store HERE or if you prefer purchasing the CD format by mail order, or the limited edition 12″ vinyl of the single “White Russian” featuring Roc Marciano, go to http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

Connect with him on twitter @Melanin_9 and reach out to Ryan on twitter @RyanProctor75

All international coverage on this release has been handled by UrbanElite PR, and any further media enquiries can be sent HERE

UrbanElite Promotions
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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Clash Magazine is a renowned physical and online UK publication covering the full spectrum of musical genres

It is distributed throughout the country on a monthly basis, and each month Matt Oliver delivers his round up of the best hip hop releases and news in his “Rapture & Verse” column

Included in the issue out in November is coverage of Melanin 9’s new album “Magna Carta” which releases on 3rd December.

“Anyone who’s followed the career of Melanin 9 knows that the Londoner is heavy like lead, operating on the bristles of inner city hells and concrete jungles blocking all exits. The album Magna Carta is typical of his intelligent hooliganism….” the feature opens.

The feature is included with news and new releases by Kendrick Lamar, Vinnie Paz, ?uestlove, El-P, Peanut Butter Wolf, Yungun and much more

Check the whole feature HERE

Pre – orders of the CD version of the album can be placed via http://m9ether.bandcamp.com and his launch night takes place at The Vibe Bar in Brick Lane, London from 8pm – 1am on Friday 23rd November. Also appearing will be Choice FM’s DJ 279, host for the night Iron Braydz, and further performances by Genesis Elijah, Rewd Adams, Logic, Phoenix da Icefire, Cyrus Malachi and Skriblah. Entrance is £5.00

Any further media / press enquiries about the release should be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE

Follow Melanin 9 on twitter to keep up to date about news on the show and upcoming appearances on radio stations @Melanin_9 You can also check the regular updates from the magazine @Clash_Music

Urbanelite Promotions
www.urbanelitepr.com
T @urbanelitepr