The latest “Rapture & Verse” monthly column written by the UK’s Matt Oliver has just been published in Monolith Cocktail.

The column is a regular bite sized but informative summary of news, events, videos, single, EP, mixtape and album releases in the world of hip hop keeping you up to date with the key movers on both sides of the Atlantic.

This month’s article includes Apollo Brown, The Doppelgangaz, Royce da 5’9″, DJ Shadow, David Begun, Public Enemy, LMNO, Big Punisher, Confucius MC, Verb T, Main Source and many more.

Also mentioned in honourable despatches is the new album “Respect Is Earned Not Given” by eastcoast rapper / producer duo Tone Chop and Frost Gamble. Releasing on September 29th it includes featured artists Kool G Rap, Planet Asia, online battle rap sensation DNA, Canadian upcomer White Rhino and Tragedy Khadafi with whom Frost is currently recording a new album.

READ THE FULL COLUMN HERE

“Respect Is Earned Not Given” will release in digital and CD formats through 22 Entertainment and is available to pre-order on iTunes and Bandcamp

The first single released last month was “Walk the Walk” featuring Kool G Rap, currently receiving airtime on stations including Sirius XM and Rapstation. It is streaming on Spotify and Soundcloud

All international press, media and radio station DJ enquiries regarding Tone Chop, Frost Gamble and their new album can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR, our contact information is available HERE

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New music video released today by Detroit rapper ZotheJerk and Winnipeg based producer Frost Gamble who originally hails from upstate NY.

“Axe Somebody” is a bonus cut and follows last month’s official single “Risk vs Reward” ft Sadat-X taken from the album “Black Beach” out on May 26th which includes additional guest appearances by KXNG Crooked, Guilty Simpson, Boldy James, and Young Bleed.

Frost takes it all the way back on the beat, the renowned booming funky break underpinning Zo’s high octane delivery complimented by Big L’s sampled hookline. Drop the needle on it….

The track will be made available as a free download next week. Check in with them on social media on twitter @TheJerkNation & @FrostGamble or over on their joint Facebook Page to find out exactly how and where you can get a free mp3.

Meanwhile, a news article about the album has just been published in French Magazine “ABCDR DU SON” and the feature includes the stream of the duo’s single “Risk vs Reward” together with the video interview they conducted for another French online “In The Mood TV”.

CHECK THE NEWS ITEM IN FULL HERE

“Black Beach” releases through 22 Entertainment and is available to pre-order on iTunes

All international press, media and radio station DJ inquiries regarding ZotheJerk, Frost Gamble and their album “Black Beach”, including requests to interview the artists or for promotional copies of the album for review consideration, can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR.

All our contact information is available HERE

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Binghamton NY rapper Tone Chop and Winnipeg based producer Tone Chop release their debut collaboration EP “Veteran” on November 18th through Seven 13 Music & Entertainment.

French online magazine “In The Mood” has just published a news feature on the release which can be read HERE

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Available to pre-order on ITUNES, the 7 tracks are the product of two artists who began as rap battle rivals in upstate NY before becoming partners in rhyme and tagging. Frost’s subsequent move to Canada saw the pair pursue solo careers, Chop releasing a whole series of mixtapes including collaborations with Tom Gist, St Laz and Jinx Da Juvy.

Now fully focused on beatmaking, Frost’s earlier productions saw him work with Sadat-X, Rakim’s son Tahmell and J-Ro. Earlier this year he contributed to Seven 13’s “God Bless Dope Rappers” compilation which also featured Royce da 5’9″, Horseshoe Gang, Kid Vishis and Crooked I.

The first single from the EP “Leave It Alone” featuring Ruste Juxx & Nobi is their tribute to the late Sean Price, while the recent bonus cut “Being A Boss” splices up the Jadakiss & Nate Dogg joint “Time’s Up” for the hook. Check them out

Look out for more international media coverage on the EP release and a new video releasing next week. Meantime keep up to date with Tone Chop & Frost Gamble on social media :

Twitter (@ToneChop & @FrostGamble)
Instagram (@ToneChop & @Frost.Gamble)
Joint Facebook Page

All media and press inquiries regarding the “Veteran” EP including requests for promotional copies to review, requests to interview the artists or DJ requests for mp3s can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact information is HERE

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At the heart of the re-emerging west coast hiphop & rap scene, Long Beach crew Horseshoe Gang are set to release their fourth official studio album “Anti-Trap Music” on 29th April 2016 through Seven 13 Music & Entertainment

The younger brothers of KXNG Crooked (aka Crooked I) and COB affiliates have been prolific over the past decade with a stream of EP, album and mixtape releases, and the new album follows last year’s “Knockin on Rap’s Door” EP. 2015 also saw their renowned rap battle with Funk Volume and an appearance on Sirius XM’s “Sway in the Morning

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THEIR FREESTYLE ON THE SHOW

All international media, press and radio inquiries regarding Horseshoe Gang and the new album can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR.

These can include requests for a promotional copy to review and to interview the group. Note they will also be appearing at SXSW in March if you wish to meet them in person. Our contact details are HERE and the full press release including tracklist can be read HERE

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The CD version is already available to pre-order direct from the label. There are various packages on offer including signed copies and combinations with t-shirts. Click the LINK and take your pick. You will receive your order a week before the official release date.

Already released from the album are two singles, both available on iTunes

POVERTY SLOGANS (iTunes Link)

CROOKED I ROBOT (iTunes Link)

You can connect with the guys on social media, Twitter (& Instagram) @HorseshoeGang and on Facebook “HorseshoeGangCOB“. Reach the label over on Twitter @Seven13Music

Look out for more releases and news from Horseshoe Gang in the weeks and months ahead

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Back in December, one of Cincinnati’s most prominent hip hop Emcees Buggs tha Rocka released his free album “Scattered Thoughts of an American Poet” and enjoyed extensive international coverage at the time.

Early this year, he signed a deal with Talib Kweli’s Javotti Organization for a new project with Donte from MOOD as the duo “Space Invadaz”. Both artists have known Talib for a number of years and of course Cincinnati’s Hi Tek.

In the past few weeks, Hip Hop Vibe contributor Stranga the Great caught up with Buggs in his hometown to discuss the link up with Talib, his early days starting out and his first releases, his immediate plans both with his solo career and the new Space Invadaz project and the pair speak about racial tensions in light of recent high profile news stories.

WATCH THE WHOLE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE

Keep up to date with Buggs tha Rocka on twitter @BuggsThaRocka

Any press & media enquiries regarding Buggs tha Rocka and his last release Scattered Thoughts of an American Poet can be sent to UrbanElite PR, our contact details are HERE

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New Jersey trio Price AK, Riq da Kid & Tru Trilla, aka 050 Boyz, release their new album “Everything 050” on 4th August

While this may be their debut album as a group, a follow up to their earlier mixtape “050 Dat”, all three members have been involved in hip hop during the past couple of decades as members of groups, with solo projects and as part of the Garden State Greats movement of 2004 launched by Treach (Naughty by Nature) and Fam (Rottin Razkals).

The group formed in the past few years, in part inspired by the concept behind GSG regenerated by DoItAll from Lords of the Underground. The album’s only producer Clinton Place also has a history with the group members going back to the 90’s, and the new release can be viewed as the natural result of many years of collaborations and developed working relationships in New Jersey’s scene.

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The first review of the album was published today in the UK’s long running online Blacksheep Magazine. Read what their writer Andrew Kay had to say HERE

Further news of the release has just been published in two more British online publications, HHK Magazine and London’s Guestlist Network

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READ THE ARTICLE IN HHK MAG HERE

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READ THE FEATURE IN GUESTLIST NETWORK HERE

They launched their first official single from the album recently, “Pay Them No Mind” which features DoItAll and Tha Advocate. Check the stream

Expect to see extensive international media coverage of this release over the summer months together with new videos, singles and audio releases. You can connect with them on Social media via their Group twitter account @050_Boyz (individual a/cs @PrinceAK_050 @RiqDaKid_050 @EgoFree2_050 @ClintonPlace9) and on their Facebook Page

All international press & media enquiries regarding 050 Boyz and the album “Everything 050”, whether requests to interview the group or for a promotional copy of the album to review, can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact details are HERE

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Constant Deviants released their new album “Avant Garde” on 12th May.

The fourth in six years from the prolific duo, it is available through their own Six2Six Records label on digital, vinyl & CD formats. Buy it HERE

Emcee M.I. and producer DJ Cutt, currently filming a new movie and recording new material, have just launched their second official single from the album. “End All Be All” is the follow up to “Breathin” which reached #1 in the college radio charts earlier in the Spring, and was first aired while the pair were guests on Beatminerz Radio recently.

CHECK THE STREAM OUT ON SOUNDCLOUD

Look out for further media coverage on this release shortly together with the release of the third and final episode of their “3Stylez” video series, a trilogy of filmed performances with DJ Cutt on the decks and Emcee M.I. freestyling

You can keep up to date with them on social media, whether on twitter @Cnstnt_Dvnts & @Six2SixShift or over on their Facebook Page

Any dj’s looking to be sent the full quality mp3 of “End All Be All” to play in their sets, or members of the press & media interested in interviewing Constant Deviants can send their requests to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact details are HERE

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Southern Rapper & Producer Ande Bishop jumped onto Skype recently to talk with SiriusXM host Jon Leiberman about a range of issues for his “Rapping with Leiberman” online tv show.

The pair discussed his new Ocean$ EP which released earlier this week on Seven 13 Entertainment, before moving onto various political issues including his experiences with racial profiling and the alleged threat of an attack by ISIS in the USA. They then finished by addressing the politics of boxing and the NBA playoffs

Previous guests on the series have included Bishop Lamont, The Bronx’s La Bruja, Cincinnati’s Buggs tha Rocka, Baltimore Emcee M.I. from Constant Deviants & Jack Thriller

Ocean$ EP is available from iTunes now

This introductory EP is the latest in a string of releases since Ande switched focus at the start of 2015 to his own career having produced American Roulette stablemate Londn Blue’s “False Hope” EP in 2014. Tracks including “50 Centences”, “$77.43” & “Strictly for My Friendz” have been featured by a wide range of prominent international online publications, his video for “MoneyorFriendz” was aired by MTV & VH-1, and his single “OLDJAYZVIDEOS” received a public endorsement from Rick Ross

Hotly tipped as the next big thing from the new wave of urban artists coming through from The South, Ande is currently recording new tracks for future planned releases and conducting interviews for world media.

Keep up to date with him on twitter @2AndeBishop & his label @Seven13Music

All international press and media inquiries regarding Ande Bishop can be sent to UrbanElite PR. Our contact details are HERE

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Rapper & producer Ande Bishop is an artist on the rise, deemed by many to be the one to watch from the new wave of emerging artists in the Southern rap scene.

Since switching focus to his solo career only in January of this year having produced Londn Blue’s “False Hope” Ep in 2014, he has launched a string of releases specially featured in The Source, Mechanical Dummy, Elevator Magazine & Jack Thriller, while his first official video for his single “MoneyorFriendz” received airtime from both MTV and VH-1.

The young artist who splits his time working out of both Atlanta and Alabama signed a deal with Seven 13 Entertainment and is due to release his debut EP “Ocean$ – Extended Play” on 19th May.

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He recently spoke to London journalist Taytula Burke for the UK’s online publication God is in the TV Magazine where he discussed the influence of his mother’s love of hip hop & in particular Tupac, his dedication & work ethic for music, and the inspiration J Cole’s self produced album has been in his own approach. With early aspirations to be a criminal defence lawyer, he then explains the reasons behind the change of course into music and his writing and recording methods

READ THE WHOLE INTERVIEW HERE

Last week Ande Bishop released a bonus cut “Strictly 4 My Friendz” which again has been featured on a wide range of online platforms in the USA, UK and Europe. You can download it from the official audio stream on Soundcloud

Look out for Ande appearing on the new “Rapping with Leiberman” online tv show shortly where he’ll be talking about his career, politics and the big current news items of the day with SiriusXM’s Jon Leiberman, and meantime keep up to date with him on twitter @Ande_Bishop.

All members of the media & press in the USA, UK & Europe with enquiries regarding Ande Bishop including requests to interview the artist can be sent to Urban Elite PR. Our contact details are HERE

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The UK’s Wordplay Magazine covers a broad spectrum of hip hop culture, music, breakin, graffiti, fashions and much more. They produce a high quality printed physical publication as well as having their online version.

They are the latest to run the rule over the new album “Avant Garde” by veteran duo Constant Deviants which releases on vinyl, CD and digital formats next week, Tuesday 12th May, through their own Six2Six Records imprint.

Maintaining and evolving their musical approach since releasing their debut 12″ Competition Catch Speed Knots in 1996 has earned them international recognition throughout the years, and this latest endorsement is written by journalist Ryan Proctor who also runs his own online platform “Old To The New”

READ THE REVIEW HERE

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You will also be able to watch Emcee M.I. appear on Miami’s 4ManKind TV Show tonight, 5th May, from 8pm EST, and the programme streams live at http://universemiami.com/4mktv/

Yesterday they leaked a previously unreleased track recorded between albums. “Thinkin” features another of the Six2Six Records roster, New York MC Rome. Check the stream out on Soundcloud :

M.I. will be travelling from Baltimore next week to meet up with DJ Cutt for a series of radio & media interviews which are due to include appearances on Beatminerz Radio and Not97. Further details to follow.

Any radio station DJs in New York or members of the press & media who would like to meet with Constant Deviants while they are in the city between Monday 11th May – Thursday 14th May inclusive can get in touch with UrbanElite PR. Our contact details are HERE

Connect with them online on twitter @Cnstnt_Dvnts & @Six2SixShift or on their Facebook Page. The label’s official site is HERE

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