West London’s Apex Zero has come a long road to emerge as one of the most impressive new artists in the UK Hip Hop scene today, a status that has been cemented and enhanced following the release and critical acclaim of his debut solo album “Reality Provoking Liberation”. The emcee & producer, also one half of the city’s First and Last crew, started as a young teenager and became a regular on the cities live circuit, appearing at the renowned End of the Weak and Speaker’s Corner events where he’d rub shoulders with many of the city’s finest underground artists, creating relationships that 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 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 P. 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 is 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. Their reputation for hardcore rhymes and shows soon began to spread. It’s a trademark delivery style that has stuck with Apex Zero ever since, fierce and powerful rhymes with intelligent wordplay and subject matter. “Reality Provoking Liberation”, which is almost entirely self produced, features Triple Darkness member Iron Braydz, Hasan Salaam (of Immortal Technique’s Viper Records), Amy True of Caxton Press, Invincible Armour (Zulu Nation / DMC) and of course First and Last’s OMeza Omniscient. The self described “Neo-Hardcore Hip Hop Emcee” produced a remarkable first album. It retains the underlying themes of social and political issues over beats that act as a rollercoaster ride to match the emotions. This impressive combination is balanced perfectly and acknowledges both the need to express the artist’s thoughts and the need to entertain. This is something has been recognised and lauded by critics and fans alike, highlighted in the hugely positive global press the album has received, including a four-star review in MOJO Magazine, an 8/10 in Blues and Soul Magazine and a nomination for Wordplay Magazine’s album of the year. Reviews have compared Apex Zero’s style and content to legendary underground emcee’s and artists such as Killah Priest, Immortal Technique and Dead Prez, whilst also stressing the originality and authenticity of his work and message. The album has been accompanied by visually stunning music videos, assembled by the world-renowned production company ‘Global Faction’, which perfectly capture the essence of Apex’s sound and message. Following the release of his album, began regularly hosting and emceeing at DnB, Jungle and Bass Music events with the underground London veteran DJ Steaz (Speaker’s Corner/We Are Dubist) and became involved with I AM HIP HOP magazine, expressing his views on Hip Hop and it’s connection to society. He has since interviewed Hip Hop legends Dead Prez and Onyx for the publication. Aiming to broaden his horizons, both musically and intellectually, Apex Zero travelled to Beijing, China in 2014. After only a few months, he began making waves in the underground music scene, performing at Hip Hop events around the city, including supporting Thailand’s Bangkok Invaders at ‘The Turn Up!’, Nasty Ray’s infamous ‘Natural Flavour’ night and ‘Section 6’ the long running Hip Hop platform created by the pioneer of Chinese Hip Hop MC Webber. In 2015, Apex Zero shared the stage at Dada, Beijing with Congo Natty family members Nanci & Phoebe and DJ Snuff (Zulu Nation/Speaker’s Corner/EOW), where his performance gained the attention of the city’s leading Bass Music crew The Syndicate. Apex officially joined the crew a few months later and is now the resident emcee for their events, where he has held down performances with UK heavyweights OM Unit, Sam Binga, My Nu Leng and Shanghai based DJ/producer Conrank. With his reputation growing, Apex has since performed in a number of locations around China, including ‘Intro Festival’ 2015 and supporting Jamaica’s Perfect Giddimani as part of UBC’s ‘JamAfreeca’ 2015 tour. In his live performances, Apex produces an electric energy and stage presence that supporters and audiences have come to expect from this dynamic emcee, whose lyrical potency is equally matched by the depth of his content and his ability to move a crowd. It is this highly impressive combination that hardcore Hip Hop and Bass music fans love, a combination that Apex Zero undoubtedly posses, and is the reason why his reputation in the UK, China and around the world, continues to grow with every performance and release. His next project will be an EP, set for release in autumn 2016, which will feature collaborations with MC Webber aka Raddam Ras, Jackson Turner and UBC, as well as OMeza Omniscient from First and Last and production from himself, OMeziah, Frank Freeman, GI and in:theory. Official Website: www.firstandlastpride.co.uk Email: mail@firstandlastpride.co.uk FB: www.facebook.com/apex.omeza Twitter: @ApexZero00