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A couple of weeks ago, Melanin 9 chopped it up with the UK’s online Rawroots to speak on the release of his debut album Magna Carta which can be bought now on iTunes.

He talks about his early days of deejaying, comin up in London and the early crews he worked with, working with producers Chemo, Beat Butcha, Jehst and Bronze Nazareth and plans on working with them in the future, the eclectic production on Magna Carta and his approach to the art of emceeing and lyricism.

Check it out (as featured on www.rawroots.com)

As well as iTunes, you can buy the physical CD format of his album via http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

Link with them on twitter @Melanin_9 and @Rawroots

Any further media & press enquiries can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE

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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

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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

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MagnaCarta-MusicOMH

Multi genre online publication Music OMH are the latest to review London’s Melanin 9 and his debut album “Magna Carta” which released on iTunes on Monday 3rd December.

Contributor Thomas May gives this a thorough examination, and a 4 star rating, opening with :

“On this record, Melanin 9 remains admirably committed to his belief in the potency of hip hop as a socially transformative art form”

Of course as an artist, Melanin 9 is heavily influenced by the ethos of hip hop during the Golden Era, although in this album applies a contemporary take for 2012, a point picked up by the magazine when they say “it is the lyrical dexterity and poise of delivery with which Melanin 9 presents his sentiment that elevates this record beyond mere social critique.”

His lyricism and wordplay have been his trademark since the days of his mixtapes “High Fidelity” and “144,000”, and as debut albums go, to quote MusicOMH is one which is “made only more striking by the knowledge that this is the artist’s debut“. With the ongoing throwback to the 90’s scene happening in the United States right now, it’s little surprise that Melanin 9 has been enjoying such a level of media attention internationally.

You can read the whole review HERE

The album can be bought digitally on iTunes HERE

You can also buy the physical CD format of the album via http://m9ether.bandcamp.com where you can also purchase the 12″ vinyl version of his single “White Russian” featuring Roc Marciano

On twitter, you can reach him @Melanin_9 and the magazine @MusicOMH

Look out for much more international media coverage on this release in the weeks ahead. Any further press enquiries can be sent to UrbanElite PR HERE

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MagnaCarta-GuestlistInterview

London’s monthly music newspaper and online platform The Guestlist Network had already given Melanin 9’s new release “Magna Carta” their full endorsement by naming it their “Album of the Month” at the beginning of November.

They have just followed that up with a new interview courtesy of Janine Francois

He speaks on his new album and how it was put together, the universal nature of hip hop culture compared to the more insular outlook of others, his thoughts on the Golden Era and the influence that has played in his writing style and his earlier days coming up through the scene

Read the whole interview HERE

The album was released on iTunes on 3rd December, and you can buy that HERE

If you prefer physical CD copies and the 12″ vinyl of his single featuring Roc Marciano “White Russian”, these can be purchased via http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

Follow him on twitter @Melanin_9 and the magazine @GuestlistDotNet

Any further media enquiries about this release can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE

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T : @urbanelitepr

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MagnaCarta-HipHopisAWOL

With Melanin 9’s debut album “Magna Carta” releasing on iTunes today, you will see a lot of international media covering the record in the next couple of weeks.

Latest is Hip Hop is AWOL, based over in Ireland, and as the name suggests regularly covers a lot of international videos, singles and albums. Owner Ruairi tells us that Magna Carta is in his top 3 albums for 2012 along with Roc Marciano (who features on Melanin 9’s video “White Russian) and Ka.

A great supporter of UK hip hop, he reflects on other British artists who have made some international headway this year citing Genesis Elijah’s appearance with Royce da 5 9 on Copywrite’s album (another handled by UrbanElite PR) together with Melanin 9’s own progress :

“Hopefully this is the start of UK Hip Hop getting its proper recognition on the international stage and no better album to lead the charge than M9’s Magna Carta”

The unprecedented support from Stateside onlines such as Nah Right, Hip Hop DX, 2Dopeboys, The Source and Complex combined with UK publications MOJO, Clash, Guestlist, Q Magazine (end of December) and many more does suggest that the traditional sound of hip hop isnt so much making a comeback, but now receiving wider recognition for its longevity and being introduced to a new generation.

Melanin 9’s wordplay, lyricism and subject matter leans towards the ethos of The Golden Era of hip hop in the 90’s, but the album is broader than that with a willingness to push the boundaries more in its beats and production. It takes from the past to be relevant in the present

You can read the whole review HERE

You can buy the album now via iTunes HERE

You can buy physical CD copies of the album and the 12″ vinyl of his single White Russian via http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

Connect with him on twitter @Melanin_9 and the magazine @HipHopisAWOL

Any media, press and radio enquiries about this release can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE

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MagnaCarta-Sampleface

Two more international reviews for Melanin 9’s album “Magna Carta” which released today on iTunes. You can buy it HERE

AudioCred is a multi genre online magazine covering “Music with Insight”.

Most of their content would focus on all forms of “urban” music, but they also report on other styles such as blues, rock, dance and pop, with many internationally renowned artists having had their releases reviewed.

All the more impressive that Melanin 9’s debut album is afforded a 4.5 / 5 rating, and the analysis provided by Bryan Hahn is in depth, addressing the concept behind the name “Magna Carta”, the subject matter delivered in a style reminiscent of ATCQ, Mobb Deep, DOOM and Aesop Rock, and his contemporary take on the undoubted influences from the Golden Era of hip hop.

“M9’s style and word choice is impressive and captivating. He has definitely done his fair share of homework on history and various ideologies and then masterfully breaks them down with finesse. Take note America, we could learn a thing or two from the Brits” he concludes

Read the whole review HERE

Second up is a review by Blaise for the UK’s online Sampleface

The name of the blog taken by their own definition “a facial expression made when a piece of music is deemed worthy of sampling” inspired by DOOM !

Another informed 4 star review where some background information is provided about Melanin 9, and again comparisons in approach and delivery are made not for the first time with artists of the calibre of Nas, Lord Finesse, Wu Tang and Mobb Deep.

Blaise himself is a hip hop artist and can appreciate the wordplay, lyricism and subject matter displayed by Melanin 9, in his own words, “there is a wonderful balance of lyrical artistry on a canvas of exceptionally produced beats”

Read the entire review HERE

The scale of media coverage on this release so far, with more to come, isn’t just hype. This is an appreciation of a lyricist and hip hop artist drawing from the best of the Tru Skool Golden Era generation and giving it a different flava for 2012. Not only for himself, this can only be a promising sign of things to come for all similar international artists and fans of the genre.

Follow Melanin 9 on twitter @Melanin_9 and if you prefer the album in CD format, it can be “mail ordered” via http://m9ether.bandcamp.com You can also purchase the 12″ vinyl of his single “White Russian” featuring Roc Marciano from his Bandcamp. Meanwhile, you can connect with both magazines on twitter @AudioCred & @SampleFace

Any further press, radio or other media enquiries about this release can be sent HERE

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MagnaCartaCover1400

One of the biggest UK hip hop releases of 2012 is now available to buy from iTunes.

“Magna Carta” is London emcee Melanin 9’s official debut album and from today, 3rd December, people can purchase it online via the store HERE

Of course, if you prefer to buy the physical CD version of the album, they can be bought by mail order directly from http://m9ether.bandcamp.com

There has been huge trans-Atlantic and European media interest in the album, already named “Album of the Month” in Guestlist Network with further coverage in publications such as MOJO, Clash, Flavour, British Hip Hop, The Hip Hop Chronicle, K-Mag, Subba Cultcha and many more, with much more to come.

His freestyle for SBTV’s new SkooledBy Series was also featured by Stateside magazine The Source, he’s been interviewed live on DJ 279’s Choice FM show and Funhouse TV, and you can look forward to seeing further filmed performances and interviews in the weeks ahead. His single & video “White Russian” featuring Roc Marciano had a massive international response, and he’s currently working on the follow up

Any fans of the Golden Era of hip hop in the 90’s with a contemporary twist where the focus is on powerful lyricism and skilled wordplay will want to get their hands on this release. A truly 2012 tru skool classic.

You can follow him on twitter @Melanin_9

The full tracklist is :

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!Zeus)
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)

Any further media enquiries about the album should be addressed to UrbanElite Promotions HERE

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MagnaCarta-TheFindMag

The Find Magazine is an international publication contributed to by music lovers all over the world interested in hip hop, jazz, funk & soul, like crate digging journalists looking for that real traditional sound, and reporting on it wherever on the planet it happens to be.

One such contributor is Melbourne based writer Mladen Luketin, the latest to give Melanin 9’s new album Magna Carta (out 3rd December) the once over.

There’s been links between the British and Australian hip hop scenes for many years, so between that and the focus of the magazine, its no surprise that the album is well received.

“UK emcee Melanin 9’s official debut album Magna Carta delivers a mature and serious sound”

Read the whole review HERE

Melanin 9 draws many of his influences from the Golden Era of hip hop, but in this album has also mixed the game up with some experimental contemporary sounds which is a large part of the reason he’s had such a huge range of media interest, combined with his skilled lyricism, wordplay and subject matter

CD versions of the album are available now and can be bought by mail order via http://m9ether.bandcamp.com as can the 12″ vinyl of his single “White Russian” featuring Roc Marciano

Look out for much more media coverage in the weeks ahead from the UK, Europe and United States. Any further media, press or radio enquiries about the release can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE

Follow him on twitter @Melanin_9 and connect with the guys over at @thefindmag

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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

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