ARTIST / Apex Zero ALBUM / Reality Provoking

ARTIST / Apex Zero
ALBUM / Reality Provoking Liberation
LABEL / Design Chaos
RELEASE DATE / 28th October 2013
West London’s Apex Zero has come a long road to emerge as one of the most
impressive new artists in the burgeoning UK hip hop scene today, as he gets set to
release his debut solo album “Reality Provoking Liberation” on 28th October 2013.
The emcee & producer, also one half of the city’s First and Last crew, started as
a young teenager in the UK’s garage scene. However it was when introduced to
the music of artists such as Dead Prez, Tupac, Wu Tang, Immortal Technique, Nas,
Pharoahe Monch, and fellow English artists Skinnyman and Klashnekoff, that he felt a
stronger connection to the ethos of what these artists had to say, and to quote the
classic ATCQ album, was hooked on hip hop’s “Beats, Rhymes & Life”.
With fellow First and Last member OMeza Omniscient, they became regulars on the
live circuit, first of all as fans, but by connecting with the artists at these shows they
became involved as performers.
Still in his late teens, Apex appeared at the renowned End of the Weak and
Speaker’s Corner events where he’d rub shoulders with many of the city’s finest
emcees. This allowed him to build with members of Caxton Press and Triple Darkness
among others, relationships which remain strong to this day. These performances
culminated in his appearance at the World EOW finals in Berlin in 2010.
The essence of Apex Zero as a hip hop artist is reflected in his studious approach.
As an emcee, he learned from the greats and developed his own identity and
style. In his production, he has allowed his eclectic listening tastes ranging from
John Coltrane, Massive Attack, Rage Against the Machine, Motown, Dub and Roots
reggae to blend with his hip hop influences.
While studying the musical greats, and in some measure because of them, he took
to the books to learn more on historical figures Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey and
Huey Newton, and studied socialist philosophy, politics and African history. In effect,
hip hop instilled the desire to self educate. That self education is now at the core of
Apex Zero’s philosophy, hip hop his creative extension.
Prior to 2010, First and Last released
a series of mixtapes which saw them
work with producers Nickel (Lowkey
& Logic), Craze & Hoax (Emeli Sande,
Giggs), perform with Akala, Lowkey,
Dubbledge & Kyza and appear on
compilations alongside Terra Firma,
Kashmere, Foreign Beggars and M9.
With their stock rising, they formed a
new group The Pantheonz of Zenn-la
with Seapa, The Aurahkel and Yellow
King. Their reputation for hardcore
rhymes and shows soon began to
spread.
It’s a trademark delivery style which has stuck with Apex Zero ever since, fierce and
powerful rhymes with intelligent wordplay and subject matter. The new album follows
last year’s debut solo mixtape “The Pulse of the Awakening”. Almost entirely self
produced, it features Triple Darkness’ newest member Iron Braydz, Hasan Salaam,
Amy True of Caxton Press, Invincible Armour (Zulu Nation / DMC) and of course First
and Last’s OMeza Omniscient.
The self described “Neo-hardcore Tru Skool Hip Hop Emcee” has produced a
remarkable first album. It retains the underlying themes of social and political issues
over beats which act as a rollercoaster ride to match the emotions. Witness the
full-on sensory attack of tracks “Absolute Zero” and “Spray The Roof, the chilled
reflection of “Obtain Bearing”, and the groove laden “A Meeting of Continents”.
It acknowledges both the need to express the artist’s thoughts and the need to
entertain.
This is clearly an important release for Apex Zero, not just as his debut solo album, but
as he explains :
“Reality Provoking Liberation” is more than just a title, more than just an album;
it is a philosophy – a way of resisting and overcoming the oppression endured
by exploited people, a way of bringing about change. We must use the lessons
and training acquired by our experiences to induce and inspire each other and
ourselves to unify, organize and take our freedom for ourselves, by ourselves. Reality *
Provoking * Liberation“
It’s a highly impressive offering from a young and gifted new artist who will
undoubtedly become a major force on the scene in the immediate years ahead.
Video “Chaotic Revolt” launched August 2013
OFFICIAL WEBSITE www.firstandlastpride.co.uk
TWITTER @ApexZero00
FB www.facebook.com/apex.omera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYEBG6URam8
https://soundcloud.com/urbanelitepr/apex-zero-a-meeting-of-the