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Focus Beats, produced by Reform Radio, broadcasts weekly through the night, initially on Saturdays aired on BBC Radio 6 and repeated on BBC Radio 1 every Wednesday.

The world renowned station has recently scheduled various programmes of a similar nature, mirroring the phenomenon which has grown exponentially in recent years on Youtube and Spotify playlists. Typically playing a mix of instrumental lo-fi hip hop, chill, and ambient electronica, all designed to assist with relaxation, stress relief, meditation and in particular there is extensive usage by students using these sounds to help with focusing on stud. It is the musical extension of ASMR.

This week’s programme can be streamed for the next six weeks on BBC Sounds and you can listen back HERE

It includes tracks affiliated to New Dawn Records’ releases by three different artists

Brelstaff – “Fine Line (instrumental)” Taken from Urban Testimony [The Instrumentals]” released earlier this year, the original version appears on the vocal version of the album, a collaboration with Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC which drops on November 3rd. The first single “High” will be made available on August 1st.

Urban Testimony [The Instrumentals] on Spotify

Urban Testimony – Official Album Video Trailer on Youtube

Frost Gamble “Long Ride (instrumental)”. This is the instrumental of the track appearing on the album “Cautionary Tales”, another collaborative project this time between the producer originally from Binghamton NY and now resident in Canada, and award winning upstate NY rapper Anthony Kannon

Releasing on October 20th, the first single “Pitfalls” dropped in June with the new single “Make It Rain” ready to make its appearance next week on Tuesday July 18th.

Pitfalls is available on all digital platforms including Bandcamp, Apple, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon and here on Spotify

Cautionary Tales – Official Album Video Trailer on Youtube

Phoenix da Icefire & Husky Brown “Veganite (instrumental)”. The instrumental of the track which appeared on “Panacea”, released by us in 2020 and which was nominated for “Best Independent Album” at the AIM Awards that year.

It remains an immense piece of work by the London duo, with Husky fusing hip hop, funk, soul, dub, electronic and lo-fi sounds as a soundtrack to a narrative by Phoenix addressing prominent issues such as institutional racism, mental health, physical well being, spirituality, climate change, knife crime and aspirations, all delivered with the underlying message of empathy and hope for the future.

A remarkable album that will continue to stand the test of time which you can hear on all digital platforms including Bandcamp, Apple, Tidal and here on Spotify

All the artists we work with have their own page designated for them on this website which includes background information and all of their social media links, so simply go to the ARTISTS section in the Menu for further details.

All international media and DJ enquries about any of our releases can be sent to our in house promotional division, UrbanElite PR. Their contact details are HERE

Our thanks again to Reform Radio for the support

TEAM NDR

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We are delighted to announce that London rapper and producer duo Phoenix da Icefire & Husky Brown have been shortlisted as nominees for “Best Independent Album” at this year’s AIM Awards.

This annual event is hosted by the Association of Independent Music who are celebrating their 20th anniversary of representing the UK’s independent sector of artists, record labels and associated businesses worldwide.

Originally planned to take place at The Roundhouse London in September, understandably due to COVID 19 implications, the organizers have adapted the event to a virtual online ceremony which will be broadcast on Wednesday August 12th.

The nomination recognizes the extraordinary quality of the pair’s album “Panacea” which we released on May 5th, both in terms of Husky’s unique and diverse productions fusing hip hop, rap, soul, dub, bass r&b and electronica, and also reflecting Phoenix’s extremely current narrative addressing climate change, racism, mental health, well being, spirituality and personal aspirations. All of course delivered with the highly creative lyricism and wordplay long associated with the Triple Darkness group member.

They are in high class company across all genres and categories, and you can read about all nominees at the Awards’ official website HERE

The winners will be decided by a panel of music journalists and we congratulate all artists involved on the recognition and wish everyone the best of luck.

The “Best Independent Album” category is in association with Spotify where of course you can stream “Panacea”

A new video for the track “The Humans are Coming” will be released during July, more news on that soon. Meanwhile connect with Phoenix da Icefire and Husky Brown on Instagram @PhoenixDaIcefire @HuskyBrown.Official and Twitter @PhoenixDaFire and @HuskyBrown

All media and press enquiries regarding Phoenix da Icefire and Husky Brown can be addressed to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR who will be happy to assist. Their contact details are available HERE

TEAM NDR