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SoulOnFire-FlavourMag

Leading UK online urban music, fashion and lifestyle publication Flavour Magazine took time out recently to speak with ethemadassassin, the hip hop MC currently based in Los Angeles but most associated with his native North Carolina.

Starting out in the 90’s based in cities such as Greensboro NC and Camden NJ, he started out coming up through the rap battle scenes, although it was his relatively short time on the mic compared to others that earned him his moniker. He went in for the kill, short & sweet, and one night a comment was heard “damn, that’s some mad assassin shit right there” and the name stuck.

Although the discography is relatively modest in comparison to others for an artist so long in the game – Soul on Fire being only his 3rd official studio album – this has been down to a variety of factors, the regular life trials & tribulations, the right producers to work with, moving from place to place, but it’s always worth the wait. He moved to LA in the last couple of years to team up again with his old partner in rhyme from NC Veteran Eye to form Veteran Assassins, so time has also been spent recording and touring as a group.

There is in fact a new Veteran Assassins album in the pipeline with significant production from Edinburgh’s Sci Fi Stu who who provided the beat for the killer track on the current album “80’s & 90’s”

London based journalist Taytula Burke jumped on the phone to E recently to speak on the new album and his time back in the day starting out and learning his craft. He speaks openly about his relationship with his parents and the impact that had and how his life changed when he took himself off to college and saw the comparison in life there to what he’d been accustomed to on the streets.

The album itself is very auto-biographical in nature and the interview goes more in depth into the background and what makes the man he is today. Read it all HERE

Soul on Fire is one for the real hip hop heads, soul, rock and hip hop sample led beats with some skilled narrative in the lyricism and wordplay. You can buy it on iTunes now HERE

Meantime, check out some of the joints off the album

80’s & 90’s

H.T.G. ft Sole-R

CAN’T GET ENOUGH

Follow him on twitter @ethemadassassin and the magazine @FlavourMag You can reach Taytula @Taykeova

Thanks also to Flavour Magazine editor Annika Allen

Press, magazines, media and dj requests and inquiries can be sent to UrbanElite PR HERE

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T : @urbanelitepr

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Rah-FlavourMag

Newark NJ is home to one of the legendary names in the rap & hip hop game, ex Flipmode member Rah Digga

Its been 3 years since she last dropped an official album, 2010’s “Classic”, but she aint been sleepin with a series of buzz joints released to the internet in the past year, a new Hood House EP, a new rap mixtape coming later in the year, the setting up of a new non profit community based dance facility in Newark, running for local office, a new album scheduled for early 2014 and international tour plans

She took time out recently to speak with London based journalist Delphina Scott for one of the UK’s leading urban music, fashion & culture online publications, Flavour Magazine. She talks in depth on all her activities as well as her thoughts on the Kendrick Lamar verse, her views on the new upcoming artists, recording processes and reveals she’d like to work with Roc Marciano, Azealia Banks and how she rates Detroit’s Danny Brown

Read the whole interview HERE

All official Rah Digga product & merchandise can be purchased from her Bandcamp

You can hear all of her joints from the past year over at her Soundcloud

Check out a couple of them

NEW HOES


I HEARD YOU SAY

Look out for news on the new mixtape coming soon, and keep up to date with her on twitter @TheRealRahDigga Get updates from the magazine on twitter @FlavourMag and if youre a real hip hop head, say hi to Delphina @rawbluecheese

Thanks also to Flavour Magazine editor Annika Allen

Any further UK & European media or press inquiries for Rah Digga can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE

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T : @urbanelitepr

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Rah-InSpirels

As part of their “Wonder Woman” series, London lifestyle magazine In-Spirels caught up with legendary emcee Rah Digga recently.

Currently launching her new Hood House EP, a hybrid of classic house beats and rhymes, Newark NJ resident and ex Flipmode member Rah Digga is also currently finishing off her new rap mixtape due for release around the turn of the year ahead of her new solo album due in early 2014.

She has also launched her new non profit organization NJ Dance Network as well as becoming involved in local council politics

In this interview with the magazine’s Taytula Burke, she discusses her new music projects & tour plans, explains the possibility of running for office, the “molly craze”, reflects on her career to date and the industry today and her current inspirations. Its a really in depth insight to her various activities which you can read HERE

All official Rah Digga music & merchandise can be bought from her BANDCAMP and you can check out all of her most recent releases on Soundcloud

Check out “New Hoes” and “Another One” ft Rapsody


You can follow her on twitter @TheRealRahDigga and the magazine @inspireLS and Taytula @Taykeova

Any further media, dj or press inquiries can be sent to UrbanElite PR HERE

UrbanElite PR
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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
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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

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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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Flavour Magazine’s Shireen Fenner sat down with Melanin 9 recently ahead of the release of his debut album “Magna Carta” which releases on 3rd December.

They discuss a range of issues including the situation for a UK hip hop emcee and the general levels of support for the genre, the various issues which influence his writing, his choice of producers and working with Triple Darkness and what went into putting Magna Carta together and his plans for 2013.

You can read the whole interview HERE

There has been a fantastic response to this album from media in the UK, USA and Europe, and you will see more examples of this in the weeks ahead, together with new singles and videos

Anyone preferring CD versions of the album can buy them now directly from http://m9ether.bandcamp.com All those pre-ordered have just been sent out

You can keep up to date with him on twitter @Melanin_9 and the guys over at the magazine @shireenxoxo and @flavourmag

Any further magazine, press or general media enquiries about this release can be sent to UrbanElite PR HERE

UrbanElite Promotions
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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With the release of Melanin 9’s debut album coming up next Monday 3rd December, best get used to this as there will be a whole load of media coverage going live from both sides of the Atlantic and Europe in the next couple of weeks!

Latest is the UK’s Wordplay Magazine who have a good range of content from hip hop releases and features, graffiti & paints, fashion and pretty much cover the whole hip hop culture.

Joe Downes gives his full backing with this review HERE

Anyone who prefers CD versions of the album can buy these online via http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

You can keep up to date with him on twitter @Melanin_9 and the magazine @WordPlayMag and their reviewer @JoeyDeezGi

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Islington’s Melanin 9 took time out his busy schedule recently to speak with lifestyle magazine The London Word about his thoughts on the capital city

It’s a regular feature in the online publication where local residents involved in a cross section of the performing arts give their opinions and experiences on living there

Read what he has to say HERE

Meanwhile, full details of the album launch event have just been announced.

Happening upstairs at The Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL on Friday 23rd November, the night runs from 8pm – 1am

Door price is an extremely reasonable £5 where you will get the opportunity to see Melanin 9 perform various tracks from his new album Magna Carta, which is on general public release from 3rd December.

DJ for the night is Choice FM’s DJ 279, hosted by Neasden’s Iron Braydz.

Also performing will be Genesis Elijah, Phoenix da Icefire, Cyrus Malachi, Skriblah, Logic & Rewd Adams, which in anyone’s language is a massive lineup representing some of the best in the UK hip hop scene.

The Facebook Event Page is HERE

You can also get more information at http://vibe-bar.co.uk or call the venue on 0207 247 3479 Nearest Tube is Aldgate East which is only 5 minutes away. For any fans of hip hop in London, its an absolute must see event.

Keep up to date with Melanin 9 via http://www.melanin9.com or http://m9ether.bandcamp.com where you can also pre order CD versions of the album which will be delivered slightly ahead of official release date on 25th November

You can also follow him on twitter @Melanin_9 and the magazine via @TheLondonWord

Any further media enquiries regarding the release can be addressed to UrbanElite Promotions HERE

UrbanElite Promotions
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T @urbanelitepr

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Flavour Magazine are one of the UK’s leading online urban culture publications edited by Annika Allan

One of their feature writers, Shireen Fenner, who is also a presenter for Channel AKA TV, got on the phone recently to Ohio’s Copywrite to speak with him about his beginnings in hip hop, working with Megahertz and the scene in Ohio generally. They also discuss the international rap battle network and the international flavour of the album featuring MC’s from the UK and the United States.

God Save The King (Proper English Version) releases on Tuesday 13th June on Man Bites Dog Records, and with quality production from Marco Polo, Jaguar Skills, Kount Fif, Vanderslice, Stu Bangas, Curtiss King, Surock & Bronze Nazareth, its one of the biggest international independent releases of 2012

The full tracklist is

Year of The Gun ft Killah Priest, Inspectah Deck & Bigz Flygerian prod by Bronze Nazareth
Crooked Coppers ft Crooked I & Iron Braydz prod by Surock
Love from Sarah (PSA) ft DJ Sarah Love
Troop Jackets ft Sean Price & SAS prod by Kount Fif
Ghost in the Machine ft Context prod by Jason Rose
Overdose ft Royce da 5 9 & Genesis Elijah prod Curtiss King
J.O.Y. ft Torae & Jason Rose prod Jason Rose
Got Myself ft Gillie The Kid & Sinista Daniro prod by Jason Rose
More Sorrow ft Illogic & Don Jaga prod by Stu Bangas
Yo! MTV Raps! (Money for Nothin’) ft Jason Rose prod by Jason Rose
Golden State (of Mind) ft Casual, Evidence, & Roc Marciano prod by Vanderslice
Opium Prodigies ft Illogic prod by Marco Polo
Arachnaphobia ft Killah Priest, Lord Basis & Melanin 9 prod by Jaguar Skills
Starter Hats ft Sonny Seeza (Onyx) & Akala prod by Kount Fif
G$K ft Dru Blu & Jason Rose prod by Stu Bangas
Still Pickin ft Sean Price, Mystro & Dom prod by Kount Fif
A Talk with Jesus prod by Poetiq Beetz

Read the full interview HERE

Follow them on twitter @Copywrite @Flavourmag @Shireenxoxo

A new single will be launched on Tuesday to mark the album’s release

URBANELITE PROMOTIONS
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