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RPL-BritishHipHop

West London’s Apex Zero releases his first solo album “Reality Provoking Liberation” on 28th October, following on from the 2012 mixtape “The Pulse of the Awakening”

Known in the city as part of the First and Last duo, a past regular at the End of the Weak and Speaker’s Corner events and also as a member of the group Pantheonz of Zenn-La, he’s built up a rep for his energetic live shows and powerful lyrical delivery style, covering a range of political and social issues.

The self defined neo-hardcore tru skool hip hop Emcee also produced most of the album alongside his First and Last partner OMeziah, and while drawing from his eclectic range of musical influences for a new contemporary sound, the heart of the album draws from the true essence of hip hop within his rhymes

Andy Fletcher gave the album a run out and has provided this new review for long standing online magazine British Hip Hop. he opens :

“As artists resolve to release their art without the backing of major labels they have become more willing to discuss subjects that seemed missing before. Apex Zero follows in this tradition, bringing content that might be familiar to fans of artists like Immortal Technique, with a flow that tends to be fast-almost agitated-over atmospheric instrumentals imbued with darkness and subtlety.”

An in depth look at the lyricism, production and subject matter follows, concluding that “This album is a time capsule, like the rawer, younger cousin of Lowkey’s Soundtrack to the Struggle, and as such the areas which are less polished should remain so.” and that the intensity with which Apex Zero pours his heart & soul into this records means “it is far too provocative for a casual listen.”

It’s, as usual for British Hip Hop, an intelligent and analytical review which you can read HERE

Watch out for much more coverage, reviews, interviews and releases in the weeks ahead, and also put a note in the diary that his album launch party takes place Upstairs at The Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL on Saturday 2nd November from 8pm – 1am. Also performing will be Caxton Press & Iron Braydz, with DJ A.Gee from Itch Fm and host Peaches. Entry is £5.00 on the door. Check www.vibe-bar.co.uk for more details

You can watch videos for Power Source, Chaotic Revolt and Our Times at the British Hip Hop review, and meantime check out his single on Soundcloud “A Meeting of the Continents” ft Hasan Salaam & Iron Braydz

You can connect with Apex on twitter @ApexZero00 and the magazine @BritishHipHop

Any djs who require full quality clean radio edits of any of Apex Zero’s singles, or media & press with further inquiries about the album or launch event, can contact UrbanElite PR HERE

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SoulonFire-Guestlist

Guestlist are an online and physical publication based in London who cover many different genres including house, techno, r&b, hip hop, drum & bass, dubstep, reggae, indie and more.

They cover music releases with reviews and interviews, but are also heavily involved with events, clubs, shows & festivals in the UK and in Europe, reporting on the hotspots to visit for people who want to experience the nightlife of various cities throughout the continent….or as they put it “The Ultimate Guide To Going Out and Having Fun!”

Most recent interviews in their “R&B and Hip Hop” section include Tinchy Stryder, Jazzy Jeff, Eve, Wu Tang Clan, Ruff Diamondz and Example, and the latest is with ethemadassassin who released his third solo album “Soul on Fire” on 17th September

The Los Angeles based rapper, most associated with North Carolina where he started performing and recording during the Golden Era of the 90’s speaks with journalist Janine Francois about his new album, the musical progression from his previous albums, lyricism, beat selection, and his favourite track off the album and the reason for his choice

Read the full interview HERE

The album Soul on Fire can be bought online at iTunes HERE

There are some classic cuts on that album, whether “80’s & 90’s” produced by Edinburgh’s Sci Fi Stu & “Can’t Get Enough” with that more soulful sound of the 90’s, or the rockier hardcore sound in joints like “Elements”, “Fight Music”, “Tiger Blade”, “What It’s Supposed To Be” produced by Kyo Itachi….and the bonus track released recently H.T.G. ft Sole-R

Check em out

Look out for more releases from E soon, and his new album with sparring partner Veteran Eye as part of the group Veteran Assassins is also in the pipeline for 2014.

You can reach E on twitter @ethemadassassin and the magazine @GuestlistDotNet with Janine over at @GrrlsClub

Any djs requiring full quality clean radio edit mp3s of any of these tracks, or media & press with further inquiries about the album can contact UrbanElite PR HERE

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SoulonFire-WordplayMag

British Publication Wordplay Magazine exists in both online and printed formats, and cover hip hop news, reviews & features, as well as articles on Graffiti, Fashions, Breakin’, Reggae and generally represent hip hop culture across the board.

Their contributor Delphina Scott spoke with ethemadassassin recently, the rapper based out of Los Angeles but most associated with North Carolina having begun performing and recording there since the 90’s. Now one half of the Veteran Assassins duo, he has just released his 3rd solo album “Soul on Fire” on his own R Steel imprint.

In the interview he speaks on the making of Soul on Fire, his own history in hip hop and his views on how his new album fits within the current climate of a switch back of focus to artists with a more traditional sense of lyricism and production.

Read the whole interview HERE

The album does have elements which are a throwback to the Golden Era, but that fits with the tracks where he is reflecting on his life and the sights & sounds of the time in joints such as 80’s & 90’s & Can’t Get Enough. This is mixed with more contemporary production on tracks such as Elements, Tiger Blade and Fight Music, as the album acts as a biographical document, a journey from then til now

Check out some tasters

80’s & 90’s produced by Sci Fi Stu

What It’s Supposed To Be produced by Kyo Itachi

Bonus Cut H.T.G. ft Sole-R

Can’t Get Enough

You can buy the album from iTunes HERE

Follow E on twitter @ethemadassassin and the magazine @Wordplaymag You can connect with Delphina on twitter @RawBlueCheese

And dj’s requiring full quality radio / clean edit mp3s of these tracks, or any press & media with further inquiries about the release can contact UrbanElite PR HERE

UrbanElite PR
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T : @urbanelitepr

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SoulonFire-PopCulturez

UK based online magazine PopCulturez covers a wide range of interests including music genres rock, pop, country, r&b,hip hop and subjects such as sport, politics, tv, concerts….in other words news on the popular culture of the day.

They are the latest to cast an eye over the new album by rapper ethemadassassin, one half of the LA based duo Veteran Assassins most associated with North Carolina though has also worked out of New Jersey and Ohio at various times of his career.

“Soul on Fire” is his 3rd solo studio album, following on from the 2008 release “Tomorrow Never Comes” which included the video for Walk My Shoes as seen on UK stations MTV Base, Flava TV and others coast to coast across America. The current album is more auto biographical depicting his early days and the fashions, sounds and sights of the Nineties, while bringing things up to date of where he is today. Soul laced tracks like “80’s & 90’s” & “Can’t Get Enough” will be recognizable to older heads whereas fuel injected bangers like “Elements”, “Sparta”, “Tiger Blade” and even the latest bonus joint “H.T.G.” brings out the grittier side to this Emcee.

The PopCulturez review reflects on it, opening “he has something that many strictly battle-focused rappers lack; he can craft real songs too.” and in closing “Sure to please fans of 90s-style hardcore hip-hop from the likes of D.I.T.C., E offers his own take on the streets while demonstrating that, as an MC, he is not to be taken lightly.”

Read the full review HERE

The album is available from iTunes now HERE

Meanwhile, check out a couple of the tracks on Soundcloud

80’s & 90’s

H.T.G.

And on Youtube

Keep up to date with him on twitter @ethemadassassin and the magazine @PopCulturez

All media, press and dj inquiries, requests for interviews & full quality clean edit mp3s of any of these tracks can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE

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SoulonFire-SampleFace

The latest review of the new album Soul on Fire by ethemadassassin comes courtesy of UK online magazine SampleFace.

Afforded a 4/5 rating by reviewer Taytula Burke, on the beats and production she opens:

“E curates beats from producers like SciFi Stu, Kyo Itachi, Wonder Boy and Gav Beats resulting in crazy guitar riffs, soulful vocal samples and jazzy piano keys being used as the soundtrack for a joyride through the mind of a veteran emcee.”

The review is another to reflect well on E’s work on the mic with his “lyrical prowess” and subject matter, summarizing “this is an album worth having in your collection if you expect hip hop to have more than just rhyming couplets and a catchy hook.”

You can read the review in full HERE

You can buy the album now from iTunes HERE

Meantime, check out his recently launched bonus cut H.T.G. ft Sole-R on Soundcloud & Youtube

You can follow E on twitter @ethemadassassin the magazine @Sampleface & the reviewer @Taykeova

All press & media inquiries regarding ethemadassassin and the album Soul on Fire, including dj requests for full quality clean radio edit mp3s, can be addressed to UrbanElite PR HERE

UrbanElite PR
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albumcover

New album Soul on Fire by ethemadassassin is a journey through a life of a rapper who started out in the 90’s, coming up through the rap battle scene in his native North Carolina, putting out early mixtapes, hustlin for shows, spins and shine, and who ultimately made the move out to the west coast in recent years to form Veteran Assassins with Veteran Eye in Los Angeles

It is also auto biographical in the depiction of life on the street, sights, sounds, fashions and the personal & musical development of this artist over the two decades

The latest review by Zach Gase for Rap Reviews picks up on this fact also in the context of the current throwback to the 90’s going on at the moment generally. He compares E to a young Jay Electronica from the days of the Style Wars Bootleg EP and picks up on the fact that the main theme of the album is in reflection a part “homage” to the sound of that era. Props are given for his rapping and lyricism and of course suggests that this kind of style has a specific market – “I’m looking at you, Joey Bada$$ fans”

Its a fair appraisal from a reviewer who admits that he himself doesn’t necessarily buy into a sound deriving from back in the day, but still acknowledges the qualities throughout conceding “I’m sure there are people out there who hold this record in high esteem.” Without doubt, this is a release for the hip hop heads with a love for the traditional qualities. Read the whole review HERE

Meantime, check out his new bonus joint “H.T.G.”

The album is available to buy from iTunes now http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/soul-on-fire/id685226091

Keep up to date with him on twitter @ethemadassassin and also Rap Reviews @RapReviews

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

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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SoulOnFire-HitTheFloor

Los Angeles based rapper, originally out of Greensboro NC (and a time Camden NJ), ethemadassassin has just released his 3rd solo album “Soul on Fire”

It is packed full of hard hittin rhymes, fierce lyricism & wordplay and real street tales as you’d expect from a veteran in the game who started out in the rap battle scene in the 90’s

Some quality production too courtesy of Edinburgh’s Sci Fi Stu, France’s Kyo Itachi and both North Carolina and Cali are repped’ with beats from Wonder Boy, Akthentik Works, Devaron Benjamin and Gav Beats – a mix of classic soul, hip hop & rock with a healthy inclusion of turntablism make this well worth a listen for all hip hop heads who appreciate the realism

UK multi genre online Hit The Floor Magazine have just conducted an interview with E where he speaks on his early days in the game and his thoughts on the scene now compared to back in the day, his new album, the meaning behind his name and also his new joint “H.T.G.” which was also premiered today by HTF.

Read the whole interview HERE

Speaking of which, the new joint featuring Sole-R is absolutely bangin’. Check it out, real dope cut.

HTG

Follow E on twitter @EtheMadAssassin and also the magazine @HitTheFloorMag

And of course, you can buy the new album on iTunes HERE

Any djs looking for the full quality clean radio edit mp3, or any press with inquiries about the release, should contact UrbanElite PR HERE

UrbanElite PR
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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
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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
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SoulOnFire-BritishHipHopsml

One of the UK’s longest running online platforms specializing in hip hop music & culture, BritishHipHop.com, are the latest to review the new album by Los Angeles based Emcee ethemadassassin “Soul on Fire”

Having spent time in North Carolina and Camden New Jersey, E moved to California in the past few years to team up with Veteran Eye to form Veteran Assassins. Both still maintain solo careers, and “Soul on Fire” is the third solo album by ethemadassassin, following on from Tomorrow Never Comes in 2008.

British journalist Andy Fletcher gives the LP a thorough examination in this.

While its fair to say he finds the inclusion of the track Young & Foolish as incredulous due to its departure in sound from the rest of the album, he then goes on to acknowledge the qualities brought to the table here :

“E’s rhyme schemes and flow are tight and hold the album’s momentum. At the start of Sparta he makes use of repetitive rhymes, presumably to maintain his rhyme scheme and flow but it comes off as a small oversight. That isn’t to say that most of his lyrics aren’t well crafted. For the most part, they are. Gratitude is a stand out track with lyrics that will force you to take them in, ‘I’m not the example of living, I’m the spectacle… my nigga Truck took a bullet to his testicles’. These sorts of lyrics pack the content thick and leave a strong, if unpleasant, aftertaste of the world that Ethemadassassin is documenting. This is really where E shines and you’ll hear some of this realist, street approach to lyricism in tracks like lead single Tiger Blade.”

Read the whole review HERE

For those unfamiliar previously with his work, here’s the video for Walk My Shoes which was playlisted on the UK’s MTV Base and Flava TV

As mentioned in the review, check out the single Tiger Blade from the current album

Look out for more coverage coming on this release shortly. All media, press and dj inquiries about the album or to receive radio / clean edits of any of the singles, contact UrbanElite PR HERE

Follow him on twitter @ethemadassassin and the website @britishhiphop

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