@ApolloBrown & @JoellOrtiz - Mona Lisa EP

Detroit producer Apollo Brown has made a name for himself as one of Hip-Hop’s most legendary new producers while maintaining a golden era sound. His production credits are a who’s who of Hip-hop greats from Danny Brown to Ghostface Killah, Ras Kass to Westside Gunn. Even Chance the Rapper used a pair of Apollo beats on his debut mixtapes. Known for bringing the best out of musicians, Apollo has a knack for making timeless classics. 

Brooklyn’s Joell Ortiz started on none other than Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label and built a huge buzz in the industry. He’s worked with legends like Just Blaze among others. He then signed to Shady Records as ¼ of the supergroup Slaughterhouse. He’s worked with Hip-Hop titans Eminem, Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Akon, and Big Daddy Kane. 

Now the pair of Hip-hop luminaries have their first collaborative album on Mello Music Group. It’s nothing short of a masterpiece: Mona Lisa.

@ApolloBrown & @dalocksmith - No Question (EP) @MelloMusicGroup

West Coast Berkeley grad, battle rapper and musician Locksmith has hammered out a reputation as one of Hiphop's most enlightened no punch pulling emcees. From his early appearances on MTV's Freestyle Championship to his frequent Shade 45 appearances, Locksmith always brings cutting lyricism that not only questions the status quo but offers deep truths for reflection. Meanwhile Detroit's Apollo Brown has built his illustrious career on emotive production that draws the best out of already legendary mic kings. From his work with Ras Kass and OC, Skyzoo to Ghostface Killah, Apollo repeatedly creates eyes shut, head nodding, soul stirring perfection for our greatest storytellers to lay their truth bare.

So when Richmond & Detroit came together in the studio the answer was "No Question" - a new project that finds Locksmith ruminating on everything from advice to his younger self to his continued drive to rise without following in anyones footsteps. Apollo Brown is back June 15th with yet another of the best emcees to ever do it.

@ApolloBrown & @RasKass - Impossible Dream (feat. @SeanPrice & @BleuDavinci) (Single)

"Meditation with a Buddhists' breath 'cause sleep is the cousin of death."

@ApolloBrown & @RasKass - "How To Kill God" | Official Music Video

@ApolloBrown & @RasKass - Blasphemy (Album) @MelloMusicGroup

In his seminal memoir Soul on Ice, Eldridge Cleaver wrote, "All the gods are dead except the god of war." Ever since Ras Kass titled his 1996 opening salvo after Cleaver's book, the critically revered Carson, CA rapper has waged verbal warfare against all those with aims of obscuring the truth. Rappers, preachers, politicians – none have been spared from the wrath of his sharp, illuminating rhymes.

Blasphemy, the collaborative album from esteemed Mello Music Group producer Apollo Brown and Ras Kass, is a thought-provoking and highly personal treatise on the unspoken. The sub-rattling and operatic opener "How to Kill God," a scathing indictment of major religions and the transgressions enacted in their name, serves as a statement of purpose. No "ism" is out of bounds, no topic too untoward. Whatever you hold sacred isn't above aggressive inquiry.

Behind the boards, Apollo Brown orchestrates with divine aural vision. Though Blasphemy is his first album with a west coast rapper, he doesn't retread g-funk synth grooves. He also forgoes the minimal, rubbery bounce popular with the current crop of west coast talent. Amidst a sea of production crafted for the drug-addled turn up, his work is a life preserver, saving ardent hip-hop fans with hard-hitting beats made buoyant by donuts of soul and blues. On his deftly layered suites, drums hit with the force of an unabridged Bible to the dome, the samples masterfully selected and utilized. With Blasphemy, Brown has created MPC gospel, sonic scripture.

In his seminal memoir Soul on Ice, Eldridge Cleaver wrote, "All the gods are dead except the god of war." Ever since Ras Kass titled his 1996 opening salvo after Cleaver's book, the critically revered Carson, CA rapper has waged verbal warfare against all those with aims of obscuring the truth. Rappers, preachers, politicians – none have been spared from the wrath of his sharp, illuminating rhymes.

When not eviscerating MCs and poking holes in theologies, Ras Kass surrounds himself with a rogue's gallery of decorated veterans. Pharoahe Monch, Rakaa Iriscience, Xzibit, and Royce Da 5'9" are among the handful of the elite lyricists present. Each delivers their singular bars in top form, making the songs on which they appear some of the best posse cuts you'll hear in 2014.

Above all, this album displays Apollo Brown & Ras Kass' undeniable synergy. Their sacred writ is the same, their blasphemy for those who want to think as they nod to the rhythm. When Ras Kass crucifies supposed facts over Apollo's beats, it's clear he is the West Coast's preeminent philosopher. When Apollo's blaring suites soothe your soul, it's an ontological fact that he ranks among the best producers in the game. With Blasphemy, the duo has delivered the truth.

@ApolloBrown & @RasKass - Giraffe Pussy feat. @Royceda59, @xzibit & @BishopLamont (Single) @MelloMusicGroup

@ApolloBrown & @RasKass - "Humble Pi" || Official Music Video

@UglyHeroes - Michael & Scottie & Horace Prod By @ApolloBrown (Music Video) @MelloMusicGroup

@ApolloBrown Cellophane Cypher Ft @QuelleChris @RasKass @yUthe78er @Has_Lo @Cavwins

@ApolloBrown - Thirty Eight (Beat Tape)

Today Apollo Brown releases his newest instrumental journey, a ride through early 80s Detroit, the sound caught somewhere in the transition between heroin & crack.  The album is a technicolor ride through pool halls and back alleys, in a city wrapped in the throws of early decline and day prostitution. The new instrumental album is 20 cuts deep with all the crackle, resonant warmth, and incredible instrumentation you've come to expect from Detroit's best producer, Apollo Brown.  Shout to Complex who debuted the album stream this morning. After you listen be sure to pick the album up at any digital spot today (the CD with bonus 5" vinyl & 180 gram Vinyl versions will be released next week).

@ApolloBrown - Cigarette Burns EP

Two weeks from today Detroit producer Apollo Brown will be releasing his newest instrumental soundtrack Thirty Eight. The sound falls somewhere between the end of 70s heroin and the beginning of 80s crack, like day prostitution. The technicolor journey begins today with a three track collection of instrumentals from the project that Apollo has titled Cigarette Burns EP.

To go along with the OST, Apollo has created three advance film posters in addition to the cover photo taken by legendary photographer Jeremy Deputat.

Murs & Apollo Brown - The Pain Is Gone (Single)

from the upcoming "Mandala Vol. 2, Today's Mathematics" available January 28th.

Murs is back, with.... what else? A story about a girl. Detroit producer and MMG star Apollo Brown helms the soulful, strings driven production on this tale of lust from Southern Cali's favorite emcee.

Ugly Heroes “Pay Attention” (Produced by Apollo Brown)

from the upcoming original Mello Music Group compilation "Mandala Vol. 2, Today's Mathematics" - out everywhere January 28, 2014!

Mello Music Group - Mandala Vol. 2, Today’s Mathematics 

01 No Design To This (feat. Fredro Starr) [prod. Audible Doctor] 

02 Juk (feat. Stik Figa & Rapper Big Pooh) [prod. Duke Westlake] 

03 Beast Mode (feat. Verbal Kent) (Cuts DJ Eclipse) [prod. Kaz-1 ] 

04 Won't Last A Day (feat. Yarbrough & Gensu Dean) 

05 The Pain Is Gone (feat. Murs) [prod. Apollo Brown] 

06 Up (feat. Muhsinah) [prod. 14KT] 

07 Space Age Love (Inst.) [prod. Audible Doctor] 

08 Pay Attention (feat. Ugly Heroes) [prod. Apollo Brown] 

09 Advanced Degrees (feat. Howard Llyod) [prod. Gensu Dean] 

10 The Last Real One (feat. Wise Intelligent & Has-Lo) [prod. Audible Dr] 

11 Keep It On The Hush (feat. Jamall Bufford) [prod. Def Dee] 

12 Stardust (feat. Blacastan) [prod. Gensu Dean] 

13 Low Seratonin (feat. Ugly Hereos) [prod. Oddisee] 

14 Le Boulevard Montmartre (Isnt.) [prod. Oddisee] 

15 Listen To Me (feat. Def Dee & yU) [prod. Def Dee] 

16 Mantra (Tut’s Revenge) [prod. Georgia Anne Muldrow] 

Following a triumphant 2013 for the Mello Music Group label, with full-length releases from Oddisee, Quelle Chris, Ugly Heroes, 14KT and Gensu Dean & Planet Asia to name a few, Mandala Vol. 2, Today’s Mathematics celebrates the breadth of talent on deck over sixteen carefully-selected new tracks. Showcasing the depth of lyricists and producers that the MMG squad has to offer, the LP delivers everything from brag rap workouts, electro funk excursions, tales of relationships turned sour and late night kush soundtracks. 

Audible Doctor contributes three cuts - “No Design To This” features former Onyx MC Fredro Starr, and bodes well for their forthcoming album project, while “Space Age Love” is a rolling instrumental groove built upon layered vocal snippets and horn hits, while “The Last Real One” combines the minds of veteran PRT rapper Wise Intelligent with young gun Has-Lo. 

Gensu Dean provides the backing for Yarbrough’s verbal assault on “Stand Hard In A Circle Of Thieves,” unleashes menacing keys for “Advanced Degrees” (featuring Howard Lloyd on vocal duties) and brings that 12-bit grit for Blacastan to let loose with for the punishing “Stardust.” Apollo Brown teams up with Murs for the engaging narrative of “The Pain Is Gone,” before lacing the Ugly Heroes with a melancholy backdrop for “Pay Attention.” 

The Heroes also contribute “Low Serotonin” over a blistering Oddisee beat, while third of the trio Verbal Kent reunites with Kaz 1 for “Beast Mode,” which also boasts some heavy scratch-hook work from the legendary DJ Eclipse. Def Dee laces Jamall Bufford’s “Keep It On The Hush” with an early 90’s N-Tyce vocal grab for the hook, and duets with yU on the breezy “Listen To Me.” 14KT’s sole contribution is the powerful “Up” with songstress Muhsinah, while Duke Westlake recruits former Little Brother MC Rapper Big Pooh and Stik Figa from Kansas for the head-nodding “Juk.” 

Rounding off proceedings, Oddisee provides the masterfully-constructed “Le Boulevard Montmartre” instrumental, sporting crunchy snares and filtered bass in a manner that would make Pete Rock proud, while Georgia Anne Muldrow‘s “Mantra (Tut’s Revenge)” recalls the sound of early LA electro greats such as The Egyptian Lover and the Arabian Prince with a dusted, addictive groove. 

Acting as both an ideal introduction to the Mello Music Group roster for newer listeners and a celebration of the strength of the label for existing fans, Mandala Vol. 2, Today’s Mathematics is an essential experience for anyone with an ear for soulful music that isn’t afraid to stay down to earth while shooting for the stars.

Ugly Heroes - Hero's Theme || Apollo Brown, Verbal Kent, Red Pill (Music Video)