Melanin 9 took time out recently to speak with London’s Huck Magazine on the 5 rhymes & verses that stand out for him over the past decades
Part of a regular feature for the publication, the London emcee has picked lines from Nas “Take in Blood”, Ras Kass “Reelishymn”, The Roots “No Alibi”, Cannibal Ox “Iron Galaxy” and Jesht “ESP” and explains why he rates them and the meaning for him as an artist.
You can read this feature in the magazine which is in stores now, and can also be bought online HERE
With Christmas only around the corner, you can buy Melanin 9’s Magna Carta, easily one of the hottest UK hip hop albums of 2012 at iTunes digital store HERE or order the physical version via http://m9ether.bandcamp.com
Look out for new interviews and videos coming in January 2013
All media, press & radio handled internationally by UrbanElite PR. Any further magazine or club/event booking enquiries can be sent via the CONTACT page on this site
As the name suggests, BritishHipHop.Com have been one of the long standing supporters of UK hip hop, but have also covered a wide variety of international artists.
Andy Fletcher from the magazine sat down with London’s Melanin 9 recently ahead of the release of his new album “Magna Carta”, due out on 3rd December.
It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the talented emcee, freestyle performances for SBTV being featured on The Source in the United States, the launch of his single & video this week for “White Russian” featuring Roc Marciano, premiered by Nah Right and covered by many top international onlines including Hip Hop DX and 2 Dope Boys, and the preparation for his launch event tonight, Friday 23rd November upstairs at The Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 (8pm – 1am, entry £5) where he’ll be joined by DJ 279, Genesis Elijah, Iron Braydz, Rewd Adams, Cyrus Malachi, Phoenix da Icefire, Skriblah Dangogh and Logic.
The interview covers the early days, starting out working with Terra Firma’s Skriblah Dangogh, the meaning behind his new album Magna Carta and the emphasis on relevant subject matter playing a pivotal role in his overall approach, thoughts on the world of hip hop and the various sources and artists from which he draws inspiration, and his overall reflection on the past 6 years
Its one of the most in depth interviews he’s given for some time and can be read HERE
British Hip Hop are also the latest to give their full backing to the release in their review of the record, which can be read HERE
Although now near the year’s end, Magna Carta has become one of the biggest UK hip hop albums of 2012 making an unprecedented international impact. Look out for much more coverage in the weeks ahead, and for Melanin 9 to be making even bigger moves in 2013
Props to Eskay and his team at Nah Right in New York
Nah Right have today, 20th November, premiered the new official video by London’s Melanin 9 ft Roc Marciano “White Russian”, produced by Anatomy
Taken from the album Magna Carta which releases on 3rd December, with CD versions available by pre – order via http://m9ether.bandcamp.com
Its rare for a UK hip hop artist to receive this level of Stateside support, however Melanin 9 has already featured in The Source last week via his performance for SBTV’s SkooledBy series, and with coverage coming in key UK publications MOJO and Q Magazine, it’s testament to his skills as a lyricist and wordsmith, and refreshing to see it being recognized at such a wide level
The UK’s multi genre online Subba Cultcha has undergone a revamp recently, and just relaunched with a whole load of news, reviews and audio clips from the world of hip hop, rap, dance, and various forms of “urban” music.
They are the latest to review Melanin 9’s new album “Magna Carta” which releases 3rd December 2012
Contributor Ben Bradford opens “Melanin 9 draws you into his deep river of words, strong, powerful and meaningful words” and analyzes the subject matter in some depth. Little surprise as the London based emcees has been regarded as one of the UK’s most skilled lyricists for some time, a long time student of the “Golden Era” now putting his own take on it for 2012.
Concluding on his involvement with Triple Darkness, he ends “Both Melanin 9 and Cyrus Malachi it seems are determined to take hip hop into a meaningful and dark world of its own. With no compromise”
You will be able to see his Triple Darkness sparring partners Cyrus Malachi and Phoenix da Icefire at his album launch party on Friday 23rd November upstairs at The Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, London E1, where they will also be joined by DJ 279, iron Braydz, Genesis Elijah, Rewd Adams, Logic and Skriblah Dangogh. 8pm – 1am, £5.00 entry, an 18 + over event
As debut albums go, it’s going to be a landmark release for this British emcee, already featured in The Source Magazine USA via his SkooledBy performance for SBTV, named “Album of the Month” by The Guestlist Network with more to come via MOJO, Q Magazine, Clash, and the launch of his video “White Russian” featuring Roc Marciano on 20th November, premiering on Nah Right in New York.
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)
London’s Melanin 9 will be launching his new video “White Russian” featuring Roc Marciano & produced by Anatomy on Tuesday 20th November 2012
New York’s renowned online portal for rap & hip hop music Nah Right will be premiering at 4pm GMT (11am EST) www.nahright.com
Taken from his debut album “Magna Carta” which drops on 3rd December, M9 has enjoyed a lot of international media attention on the release, and his freestyle for performance for SBTV’s new SkooledBy Series went live on the internet on Monday 12th November. It was subsequently picked up by The Source Magazine in the United States
His new video interview with Blatantly Blunt has just been aired today
Currently named as The Guestlist Network’s “Album of the Month”, expect to see a lot more media coverage in the weeks ahead including MOJO and Q Magazine
Meanwhile, Roc Marciano has just released his eagerly anticipated new album Reloaded on Decon Records
The Magna Carta album launch party takes place Upstairs at The Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL on Friday 23rd November. 8pm – 1am, £5 entry (18 +), nearest tube is Aldgate East. He’ll be joined by Choice FM’s DJ 279, Host for the night Iron Braydz, and there will be further performances from Genesis Elijah, Rewd Adams, Cyrus Malachi, Logic, Phoenix da Icefire & Skriblah Dangogh. There will also be live graff and Caribbean food on offer – all the details are at the FB event page HERE
So be sure to check it out this coming Tuesday, 20th November at 4pm GMT / 11am EST, the video launch of Melanin 9 “White Russian” featuring Roc Marciano via www.nahright.com
Copywrite’s new album God Save The King (Proper English Version) is recognized in the new issue of one of the UK’s leading publications Q Magazine.
Included in Paul McGee’s Hip Hop Round Up for the month, it’s featured along with the new releases by Big K.R.I.T. and Aesop Rock.
The Ohio MC’s album was released on 7th August 2012 on Man Bites Dog Records and is available now on iTunes. Includes production contributions from Bronze Nazareth, Marco Polo, Stu Bangas, Jaguar Skillz, Curtiss King, Kount Fif and Surock.
The MC’s featuring from the USA and UK include S.A.S., Bigz Flygerian, Akala, Genesis Elijah, Iron Braydz, Melanin 9, Mystro, Context, Dru Blu, Royce da 5 9, Evidence, Roc Marciano, Torae, Crooked I, Killah Priest, Casual, Sean Price, Inspectah Deck, Sonny Seeza and many more.
However, as the article suggests, “The guestlist’s impressive throughout, but Copywrite’s characteristic self-assurance never lets you forget it’s his album”
Q Magazine Issue 315 is on sale in all UK stores now.
NEW ALBUM : COPYWRITE “GOD SAVE THE KING (PROPER ENGLISH VERSION)”
RELEASE DATE : 15TH MAY 2012
LABEL : MAN BITES DOG RECORDS
Been over a year in the making, but the long awaited release of the new album by Ohio’s Copywrite has finally arrived.
The Columbus based MC first came to the attention of the hip hop world as a founder member of the group Megahertz. His work with producers RJD2, J-Dilla, Cool & Dre, Illmind and early collaborations with Royce da 5 9, Killah Priest, Sean Price and Dilated Peoples soon established his position on the international scene through a series of releases including “The High Exhaulted”, “Ultrasound” and “The Life and Times of Peter Nelson”.
With a reputation as a battle – hardened MC with punchlines for days, and fresh from picking up the “Best Lyricist” title at The Ohio Hip Hop Awards in late 2011, Copywrite has delivered an exceptional album. The title is part inspired by the features on this record with some of the best that the UK and US have to offer standing shoulder to shoulder over 17 tracks.
Inspired by previous collaborations with UK artists Rhyme Asylum, Loudmouth Melvin, Skillit and Sam Khan, he began work on what he describes as “his best release to date” from February 2011. The monumental task of constructing an album truly representative of the Trans Atlantic hip hop community would of course take time to complete, but the result has been well worth the wait.
The release includes contributions from some of the most repescted MC’s in the UK game :
Context, Mystro, Genesis Elijah, Iron Braydz, SAS, Bigz Flygerian, Dru Blu, Akala, Melanin 9 & Don Jaga all bring their “A – Game” to the table alongside US heavyweights Royce da 5 9, Killah Priest, Illogic, Crooked I, Sean Price, Casual, Evidence, Roc Marciano, Sonny Seeza, Inspectah Deck and Torae.
Also look out for a special rare appearance by the UK’s “1st Lady of Hip Hop”, DJ Sarah Love.
Copywrite himself is on top of his game throughout with his unique flow, rhyme skills and metaphors complimented by top production from Kount Fif, Stu Bangas, Marco Polo, Jason Rose, Vanderslice, Bronze Nazareth, Curtiss King, Jaguar Skills and Poetiq Beetz.
This is an album for fans of the real deal – lyricists and MC’s of the highest calibre ripping apart hard slamming beats. Copywrite reinforces his position as one of the most gifted wordsmiths around today while producing a record which showcases the true essence of international hip hop music.
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$K ft Dru Blu & Jason Rose prod by Stu Bangas Still Pickin ft Sean Price, Mystro & Dom prod by Kount Fif A Talk with Jesus prod by Poetiq Beetz
In addition, a special bonus track “Royal Flush” was recorded featuring Genesis Elijah, Mystro and Iron Braydz. The track produced by New York’s Dub Sonata has an affiliated video which will be released shortly.
Two tracks have already been released to the UK marketplace from the album. G$K ft Lewisham’s Dru Blu (Strapzy) and Golden State (of Mind) ft Casual, Evidence and Roc Marciano
Check the video and audio below
Urbanelite PR are servicing all forms of media in relation to the release of this specific album, and an initial mailout to a selection of written press was issued today, 5th April 2012.
A further mailout will be issued shortly and a single release schedule is currently being arranged. Meantime any press, online platform or dj enquiries regarding possible reviews or interviews should be addressed to urbanelitepr at gmail dot com
Latest release from the new “The Swashbuckler Volume 1 : The Viking Wars” album, presented by Man Bites Dog Records and producer Kount Fif
In the main produced by MBD labelmates Kount Fif and Jason Rose, it has features from Killah Pries, Roc Marciano, Planet Asia, Cappadonna, U-God, Outerspace, C Rayz Walz, Royce da 5 9, Inspectah Deck, Heltah Skeltah and many more.
Album is released on 27th March and there will be a further series of singles and videos over the coming months.
“Early 90’s” is produced by Kount Fif whose credits include Killah Priest’s “Gun 4 Gun” ft Nas, and on this track he’s joined by New York’s Double A.B., Karniege and Torae, the latter having just dropped “For The Record” produced by DJ Premier.
The single reflects the overall motive behind the album, a tribute to hip hop’s “Golden Era”. The LP is rammed full of bangin beats matched with some fierce rhyme skills and flows, and is definitely one for the fans of the “tru skool”
The new album “The Swashbuckler” presented by Man Bites Dog CEO RML and producer Kount Fif drops on the 27th March.
The label, who have just signed Roc Marciano for his new album due out in September 2012, put together this special release after many years of development. Working with Fif, they have drawn from their own influences of 90’s hip hop to put together a record which represents the spirit of the time.
The album includes features from Karniege, Torae, Killah Priest, Planet Asia, Inspectah Deck, Royce da 5 9, Louis Logic, C Rayz Walz, Copywrite, Cappadonna, Vast Aire, Planet Asia, Outerspace & Heltah Skeltah and is produced in the main by both Kount Fif and fellow MBD labelmate Jason Rose.
They have just released this special bonus track “Bullets Travel” featuring Jason Rose, 2Mex and Empuls
ahead of a new single which will be due out shortly.
Look out for an extensive number of video releases from this album over the coming months
JAMIESON : NEW VIDEO & SINGLE “Last Time I Saw You”
London’s Jamieson drops yet another freestyle and video, in what’s been one of the most prolific periods for output from this MC who in his own words is on his own “foreign exchange”, now on the hard grind in New York City.
He lets loose on this one “Last Time I Saw You” over a jumpin hip hop beat, and its always good to hear someone with the flow skills go in with the shackles removed.
He released the first track “I Told You So” from his new EP “I Came I Saw Volume 3” last week, with a lot more to follow in the next couple of months. He has been in the studio with various other artists recently, among them London’s super producer Beat Butcha, so it looks like being a busy 2012.
Together with the video for “Last Time I Saw you”, also check out footage of him performing live at NYC’s famous SOB’s “Who’s Next” Hot 97 showcase.
Live footage performing at SOB’s in New York at the “Who’s Next” Hot 97 showcase
26TH APRIL at RHYTHM FACTORY LONDON : LAUNCH OF “ELEMENTZ” REPPIN THE 4 ELEMENTS OF HIPHOP
PLAYING LIVE : DJ SARAH LOVE, DJ 279, MR THING, DJ SNIPS, DJ SNUFF, CAXTON PRESS, GENESIS ELIJAH, NABA NAPALM, ETHER L BANKS & HOSTED BY MYSTRO. B-boy battles, graff, open mic.
