[Album] Compilation - "MMG - Persona"

Let's continue on the Mello Music Group theme right now. A while back we got some slamming single from an upcoming MMG compilation called "Persona" featuring exclusive songs from a host of the fat roster of the respected indie label, often collaborating with other respected underground artists. Emcees and collaborations on here include a lot of interesting things; how about Oddisee & Phonte, yU & Nottz, Apollo Brown & Ras Kass (produced by Apollo Brown, so almost a "Blasphemy" bonus track), Apollo Brown & Masta Ace, L'Orange & Kool Keith, Red Pill & Oh No, and many more. Very dope compilation that YOU NEED TO HEAR! You can stream the album for free via MMG's Bandcamp where you can also purchase a HQ download of the allbum.

[EP] RED PILL - "Learning to Punch"

Mello Music Group signee and Ugly Heroes member Red Pill lets loose a free, digital three track EP called "Learning to Punch" that's especially effective as an introduction to the emcee for those of us not too familiar with his past work. With boom bap-esque production by Oddisee, Apollo Brown, and Duke Westlake this one is certified. Enjoy!

[Album] UGLY HEROES - "Ugly Heroes EP"

Back in the spring of 2013, emcees Red Pill and Verbal Kent hooked up with producer Apollo Brown to form Ugly Heroes and released their self-titled LP on Mello Music Group, A few days ago the trio continued on their rampage with a new EP/mini-album enitled "The Ugly Heroes EP" featuring 10 new songs from the crew (track #7 guest produced by Oddisee). Like its predecessesor it is released on MMG and made available as a digital download for $7.49. It's definitely sounding ill and is a good warm-up to Apollo Brown's upcoming full-length project with Ras Kass. Stream and/or purchase the full project below and enjoy the warm soulful boom bap beats and tight lyricism. 

UGLY HEROES - "Naysayers & Playmakers"

The trio known as Ugly Heroes (produer Apollo Brown; emcees Verbal Kent and Red Pill) released their self-titled debut as a unit in late summer last year. Now one year after the fact the trio is once again gearing up for a new project to be released in digital format on MMG August 19 with a vinyl release coming soon after. Labeled as an Extended Play, the 12" record actually features five new songs, including one joint that's a collaboration with Murs, while the flip side is made up of four bonus cuts. The first single "Naysayers & Playmakers" is vintage Apollo Brown with its pure soulful boom bap that sets the perfect platform for Red Pill and Verbal Kent to get busy to. iLL!

Ugly Heroes - "Me"

Mello Music Group just dropped another bonus track from Ugly Heroes, not found on the self-titled album released earlier this year. The Apollo Brown produced cut is called "Me" and sees Red Pill and Verbal Kent delivering soul searching verses on the topic of holding back oneself. The 2xLP set of "Ugly Heroes" is out now - order here.

Ugly Heroes Ft. DJ Eclipse - "Ugly"

If you can't get enough of Ugly Heroes and their recently released self-titled debut album, here's another FAT cut from the trio of Apollo Brown, Verbal Kent, and Red Pill that DID NOT make the retail LP. "Ugly" features the super talented DJ Eclipse tearing it up over Apollo's stellar production, with Verbal Kent and Red Pill going IN and overall this joint is as impressive as anything on the full album. The song is released via MMG's Bandcamp to celebrate the vinyl release of the album which is out now. The 2xLP set also features a bonus 45 featuring two exclusive joints, I'm not sure if "Ugly" is one of them too. Order directly from the label NOW!

UGLY HEROES out NOW

Apollo Brown's not only one of the absolute dopest producers to emerge over the last few years, but he stays one of the busiest. Through his signing with Mello Music Group, the Detroit producer has recently supplied us with brilliant full-length collabos with OC and Guilty Simpson, while also finding time to remix Ghostface Killah's latest effort into what's probably the best albums of 2013 so far. 

Brown's latest endeavour is as one third of UGLY HEROES, supplying all production for emcees Verbal Kent (Chicago) and Red Pill (Detroit). While the album doesn't quite match the heavy hitting genius of the three aforementioned LP:s, it's a grand journey with a lot of soul and important topics aimed at the everyday man. The atmosphere reminds me of something in between The Left's "The Gasmask" and Diamond District's "In The Ruff", so of course you need to hear this ASAP. The album was released today to iTunes, but if you´re looking for physical copies there's still a small wait left - the CD drops the 28:th, while the 2xLP set (complete with bonus 45) will be available June 11. Check the album track "Hero's Theme" below.

UGLY HEROES - "HERO'S THEME"

[Snippets/Interview] Apollo Brown, Verbal Kent, Red Pill are UGLY HEROES

As I announced in a previous post some time ago, three Mello Music Group artists have joined forces for a brand new group called "Ugly Heroes"; with Apollo Brown on the beats, Verbal Kent on the rhymes together with a rhymer I'm not previuosuly familiar with named Red Pill. They are about to release a full-length album on the MMG imprint that drops May 28 this year. The trio very recently was interviewed about the upcoming album by UHF Cable Access Channel 43; The video above also features lots of small bits and pieces from the album. Sounds pretty great at that too! Check it out for yourself, and get ready for the "Ugly Heroes" project in just slightly more than a month. You can pre-order your copy from UGHH now, in your choice of CD, 2xLP or a limited deluxe edition - pick your favorite @ UGHH.