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RPL-RapEssence

West London rapper and producer Apex Zero releases his debut solo album Reality Provoking Liberation on 28th October

Known for being part of the city’s hip hop duo First and Last and also a regular on the live circuit at events such as EOW and Speaker’s Corner, he’s developed a reputation for his fiery verbal delivery covering a range of political and social issues.

American online magazine Rap Essence took a listen through the album and provided a track by track synopsis. They conclude in their summary

“The beats are banging throughout, with most having a strong Wu-Tang-ish influence to them. The dark instrumentals coupled with Apex Zero’s fierce flow and intelligent subject matter set this album apart from many of the other hip-hop being released today. Lyrically he reminds me of Dead Prez or Immortal Technique in that he has a confrontational style and clever politically-charged wordplay. While I may not agree with everything he says on the album, it’s definitely nice to hear an emcee who refuses to cower to the powers that be and spit with a passion about the topics that he believes to be true”

Afforded a 4/5 rating, read the whole in depth review HERE

Check out a couple singles from the album

A Meeting of the Continents ft Hasan Salaam & Iron Braydz

Video for Chaotic Revolt

Follow Apex Zero on twitter @ApexZero00 and the magazine @Rap_Essence You can also get more information from the official website www.firstandlastpride.co.uk

Any inquiries from media, press, and djs about this release can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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London’s DJ Elma has a “Kick This” series on Youtube where she’s interviewed artists such as The Pharcyde, Slum Village, Genesis Elijah, Dublin’s Workin Class Records and many more

In late August, she met up with west London hip hop artist Apex Zero in Brixton to speak on his music, new album Reality Provoking Liberation and his various political views which form much of the subject matter for the album

As a student of African history, African-American figures such as Malcolm X & Huey Newton and politics, not surprisingly in this interview he outlines his views on corruption, social cohesion, oppression, justice, war, peace, the political systems at home and overseas and much more. It was his introduction to legendary hip hop artists such as Immortal Technique, Nas, Dead Prez, Tupac & Wu Tang which motivated the young man to study more, and it has come full circle as he now portrays his views as an Emcee.

Whether you agree or disagree with his points of view, he articulates his thoughts well whether in the form of his rhymes or in the setting of an interview, something which has been commented upon by various members of the media to date

Check the full interview on Youtube

The album releases on 28th October. There have already been several video & single releases from it, including Chaotic Revolt and A Meeting of the Continents featuring Hasan Salaam & Iron Braydz

CHAOTIC REVOLT

A MEETING OF THE CONTINENTS

Look out for much more news & coverage of this release over the coming months, including plans for a launch night in London in November

You can follow him on twitter @ApexZero00

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

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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RPL-TheRapUp

London’s Apex Zero releases his debut solo album “Reality Provoking Liberation” on 28th October

In the main produced by Apex himself and fellow First and Last member OMeziah , the release is full of powerful lyricism and skilled wordplay, the trademarks of the best in UK hip hop over the decades.

The new single “A Meeting of the Continents” brings together the United States, UK and Africa in personnel and subject matter. Produced by DJ Fortune, Apex is joined by New Jersey’s Hasan Salaam and north London’s newest member of Triple Darkness, Iron Braydz. Fierce flows convey a strong sentiment from all three Emcees throughout, and compliment Fortune’s slick beat

The single was premiered on The Rap Up today. See the full feature on it HERE

You can hear the track directly on Soundcloud

AMOTCcover

You can follow these artists on twitter @ApexZero00 @HasanSalaam & @Braydz

Any djs not already serviced with the clean radio edit can request it from UrbanElite PR HERE Similarly, any general press or media inquiries about the album release can be addressed to UrbanElite PR via the same point of contact

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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RPL-SoundparlorInterview

London’s Apex Zero, one half of First and Last who describes his style as “neo-hardcore tru skool hip hop” came up through the city’s live scene, notably the End of the Weak and Speaker’s Corner events.

It’s only in recent years he’s turned his focus on the recording side, initially as part of First and Last and then releasing his mixtape “The Pulse of the Awakening” in 2012 ahead of his debut solo album “Reality Provoking Liberation” which releases on 28th October 2013.

This young emcee and producer has taken his time to study renowned figures in music and public life. With eclectic listening tastes that range from John Coltrane to Rage Against the Machine to Motown, he has been influenced by the lyricism of Tupac, Wu Tang, Immortal Technique, Dead Prez, Nas and fellow British artists Skinnyman, Klashnekoff. With a personal interest in figures such as Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey & Huey Newton, and having studied socialist philosophy, politics and African history, his style is comparable to contemporaries such as Lowkey, Triple Darkness, Melanin 9 and Akala

American online magazine Soundparlor took time out recently to speak with Apex Zero about his early days & influences, his goals and challenges he faces and his new album

The feature acts as an excellent insight into the key inspirations for this young artist, the mindset and thought process behind his music with some surprising twists & turns added into the mix. Read the whole interview HERE

Apex Zero will be premiering his new single “A Meeting of the Continents” on US online The Rap Up on Tuesday 27th August, and the track features Hasan Salaam and the newest member of London’s Triple Darkness crew, Iron Braydz.

From the album, he has already released several videos, most recently “Chaotic Revolt”

Look out for much more news on this release over the next few months. Any media, press or dj inquiries can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE

Follow Apex Zero on twitter @ApexZero00 and the magazine @_soundparlor_

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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ChaoticRevolt

West London’s Apex Zero releases his debut album “Reality Provoking Liberation” on 28th October and marks the 2nd anniversary of the London riots by launching this new video “Chaotic Revolt” filmed by Global Faction.

One half of the city’s First and Last duo, he’s released a series of mixtapes and was a regular performer at the renowned End of the Weak / Speakers Corner nights, performing at the EOW World Finals in Berlin in 2010.

The album includes features from Triple Darkness’ newest member Iron Braydz, Amy True from Caxton Press, London’s Invincible Armour and Hasan Salaam. His fierce flow style and subject matter throughout the album are in the best traditions of conscientious hip hop, intelligent rhymes & wordplay over almost entirely self produced beats with additional contributions from DJ Fortune and Omeziah

Citing influences which include Wu Tang, Immortal Technique, Pharoahe Monch, Skinnyman and Klashnekoff, he’s studied some of the best in the business to develop his own identity and style, and has become one of the most impressive new figures on the scene today.

Look out for much more news on this release in the weeks ahead.

For more information, visit the official site www.firstandlastpride.co.uk

You can reach him on twitter @ApexZero00 or Facebook www.facebook.com/apex.omeza

There is a special clean radio edit for the single, check it out on Soundcloud

Any djs looking for a full quality mp3 of the clean / radio edit, or any media & press with general inquiries about the album can contact UrbanElite PR HERE

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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Clash

In his first “Rapture & verse” column of 2013 for Clash Magazine, Matty Oliver has featured Los Angeles’ hip hop artist Malkovich and his free album “Great Expectations”

Distributed by UrbanElite PR to the media in early January, the tracklist includes some real bangers with production by Yamin of Clan Destined, Computer Jay, Josh the Goon and various featured artists including Gotham Green on “Get Away”

Malkovich is mentioned in dispatches among good company, with news on Eminem headlining UK festivals, The Pharcyde’s dates in Britain in February, and release news from Public Enemy, Joey Bada$$, Lost Poet, Jack da Union, T.I., Danny Brown, Freddie Gibbs, The Cool Kids and much more.

Read the column in full online at CLASH MAGAZINE

The full tracklisting of “Great Expectations is :

STORM CHASER prod by Leggo
LIES prod by Evildewer
GREAT EXPECTATIONS prod by Josh The Goon
WHAT I KNOW ft Sum prod by Becoming Phill
PALMS prod by X-Man
CALI prod by Bei Rui
THROUGH THE TREES ft Ali Abnormal, Blvme, Sum, Chris Clarke prod by Computer Jay
CRY AMERICA ft Omni prod by Mike Beats
THE MEANING OF EYES prod by Yamin Semali
LIONS IN WINTER ft & prod by Core Rhythm
GET AWAY ft Gotham Green prod by Leggo
BEDBUGS prod by Becoming Phill
WAITING FOR YOU ft Micah McKee prod by Becoming Phill
SUNDAYS prod by Evildewer

The album is available free from his BANDCAMP

Check out the radio edit for “Get Away” ft Gotham Green. Any djs needing that sent through to them, get at us via the website quoted below

Also take a look at his video for “What I Know”

You can follow Malkovich on twitter @MalkovichMusic and the magazine @clash_music

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-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

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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MagnaCarta-Rawroots
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

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