Releasing on November 3rd 2023, the new album “Urban Testimony” by Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC & Edinburgh producer Brelstaff is now ready to pre-order online HERE.
In what is one of his most personal releases to date, the entire theme relates to Justo’s curtailed and traumatic time spent studying at Clark Atlanta University some years ago, documenting the experiences and events witnessed there. The narrative reflects regrets, consequences and lessons learned in what is a brutally honest account of a time which by his own description led him to “a turning point in life”.
The superb lyricism and skillful art of storytellingare bolstered by the atmospheric soundtrack provided by Brelstaff, mixing lofi beats, electronica and jazz fusion for a chilled yet gritty concoction that keep the pages turning.
The album will be available initially in digital format from all leading streaming and download platforms including Apple / iTunes, Spotify, Tidal, Bandcamp, Deezer and Amazon. Singles released so far include “High” and the AA side “Falling / “Satan’s Grip”
There is also a video playlist on Youtube of the singles released to date, and videos for all future singles and album tracks will also appear here
All written media, press or DJ enquiries and requests regarding this or any of our releases can be addressed to our in house promotional division, UrbanElite PR. Their contact details are HERE
We are very pleased to announce today the release of the new AA side single “Falling” / “Satan’s Grip” by Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC and Edinburgh hip hop producer Brelstaff.
This is the second taken from their album “Urban Testimony” out on November 3rd, and follows on from last month’s “High”. This is the latest chapter from the album’s overall theme, a narrative documenting Justo’s curtailed and traumatic experience studying at Clark Atlanta University several years ago.
Carrying the weight of expectations from a household of faith, the essence of the story is that of a conflicted mind on a potential escape route through academia which strays on a path of hedonism in a brutally honest account of events and consequences.
A chilled soundtrack is the backdrop for the post-traumatic “Falling”, a remorseful narrative reflecting on the mental and physical impacts incurred, while the gritty menacing strains of “Satan’s Grip” fuel a metaphorical conversation on the risks of dancing with the devil.
All international press, media and DJ enquiries and requests about any of our releases can be directed to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR. Their contact details are HERE
You can find out more about Justo and Brelstaff on their dedicated Artist Page HERE which also includes all their Social Media platform information.
Enjoy the new music & as ever we appreciate the support.
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
Itincludes 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 Menufor 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
New Dawn Records are proud to announce the upcoming release of the new album “Urban Testimony” by Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC and Edinburgh producer Brelstaff on November 3rd 2023 distributed digitally by Ingrooves / Universal.
Justo first emerged in 2010 while working with his cousin and producer DJ Vic Black of Gangstarr Foundation. The video for their joint “It’s Our Year” released in 2011 featured DJ Premier, and after several years of mixtape releases, the pair would hook up again in 2017 on Justo’s album “Black Ops” produced entirely by DITC’s Showbiz, executively produced and curated by Vic assisted by DJ Premier.
Since then there has been prolific output through worldwide collaborations including Canadian production team The Lost Info, Brooklyn’s Maticulous, Italy’s Bboy Enea, Nova Scotian DK, the UK’s Remulak and for the first time in 2021 with Brelstaff on their joint “Swagu”.
In 2014 while performing under his born name Daryl Donald, Brel released his debut EP “Kept” and the collaborative album “The Clockwork” with south London emcee Cutta Chase. The release of his instrumental album “Solitude” in 2017 followed in 2019 by “Behold the Spirit” and “Full Circle” built up his reputation as one of the most respected new emerging underground lo fi hip hop producers from these shores, attracting a total of 450,000 listeners and a million streams on Spotify.
Subsequently having adopted the new pseudonym, he released the self titled “Brelstaff” in 2020, and returned to the public arena in February 2023 with the new joint “Cursive” featuring the legendary Fashawn, followed in April by the release of the instrumental version of the “Urban Testimony” through New Dawn, securing play on the BBC Radio 1 & Radio 6 show “Focus Beats” in the process.
The new album documents what Justo describes as the “arrival at a crossroads from a life defining year”. A deeply personal narrative which provides a fascinating insight depicting events leading up to and during his curtailed stay at Clark Atlanta University, and he has again turned to Brelstaff to accompany him on his journey. Beautifully crafted, fuelled by skilful lyricism addressing the core messages of mental health, hedonism, loss of faith, redemption and renewed focus all set to the perfect musical score. The perfect partnership.
The album can be pre-ordered from various store with effect from September 8th HERE
A series of singles will precede the album release beginning on August 1st with “High”. All will be available to download and stream from major digital platforms including Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Tidal and Amazon. Videos for all tracks will appear on our official Youtube channel @newdawnrecords where you can now watch the video trailer.
All international press and DJ enquiries can be addressed to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR. Their contact details are HERE and the full official album press release can be read HERE
Again we’d encourage everyone to connect with the artists directly on their social media platforms. Just like everyone we work with, they always got a lot going on & they’ll holla back!
Our first release of 2023 comes courtesy of Edinburgh producer Brelstaff who laces us with his trademark concoction of chilled, soulful, lofi hip hop vibes with further influences of progressive rock, jazz fusion and ambient electronica fused together effortlessly in an ethereal soundtrack that focuses minds and soothes souls in equal measure.
“Urban Testimony [The Instrumentals]” drops Friday April 28th, while the full vocal version, a collaborative project with Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC will be released by us in the autumn, preceded by several singles.
Videos for every track willappear on our official Youtube Channel upon the album’s release next month, and of course it will also be available to download and stream at all major digital platforms including Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple, Amazon & Tidal.
Meantime we have just published the album Video Trailer and Audio Teaser.
Thanks to the team at UrbanElite Productions for both the artwork and video trailer. All media enquiries about our releases can be addressed to our in house promotional division, UrbanElite PR whose contact information is HERE
As someone pointed out to us the other day, 2022 marks the twentieth anniversary of some of our original single releases which at the time enjoyed healthy support, often appearing in DJ Magazine’s hip hop club charts, reviews in UK & US publications and notable for the airplay afforded to them by among others, Steve Lamacq who hosted BBC Radio 1’s flagship Evening Sessions show.
Time flies indeed !
They were all by the crew Belles in Monica and included a number of remixes, all released on 12″ & CD formats. We in fact still have a very limited amount of original stock available of both formats, details at our STORE.
“Y’All Under Surveillance” with remixes by G-Sharp (including cuts by DJ Devestator), DJ Nappa of Phil Life Cypher and The Runaways. Originally released on February 4th 2002
“Meltdown” with remixes by Krash Slaughta, Gripper and Phi Life Cypher’s DJ Nappa including cuts by DJ Mr Thing. Originally released May 6th 2002
What D’Ya Need with remixes by DJ Krash Slaughta and Unsung Heroes. Originally released September 23rd 2002
All of these together with most of our original back catalogue were of course made available in digital formats since we re-launched the label in 2019, streaming on Spotify, Tidal, Apple, Amazon and many more including on our Youtube channel.We have included some versions on our Youtube channel’s Singles Playlist
Included in the 18 track playlist are our most recent singles released over the past couple of years, taken from albums by London’s Ramson Badbonez, Phoenix da Icefire & Husky Brown and New Jersey’s Tru Trilla.
They include features by heavyweight names from both sides of the Atlantic including Reks, Skyzoo, Ruste Juxx, Recognize Ali, Genesis Elijah, Micall Parknsun, Jehst, Kashmere, Sleep Sinatra, Johaz of Dag Savage, MysDiggi, Truemendous, Juxx Diamondz, Justo the MC and the late, great Blacastan and Primo Brown of legendary Italian crew Cor Veleno.
Also added are the two singles from this summer, Qadir’s remix of “Bismillah” and Shahin’s re-working of “Lame Duck”.Dope rhymes, bangin’ beats and serious turntablist skillz from then and now as a soundtrack for your day – enjoy !
We’ll have news of new forthcoming joints and albums currently cooking in various kitchens shortly, so keep ’em peeled.
It will have appeared a little quiet over here at NDR towers recently, mainly because we’ve been busy behind the scenes assisting with the development of brand new projects, news of which will likely be published late 2022 / early 2023.
Meantime, we’ve also been re-connecting and catching up “post Covid” with some of our long time affiliated producer friends, the result being that we now have rare special releases to present, beginning today.
“Bismillah” originally appeared on the album “Lead by Example” we released last year, the phenomenal debut producer album by London’s Ramson Badbonez. This new remix by Qadir featuring Brooklyn’s Justo the MC, San Diego’s Johaz of Dag Savage and Deeprooted, and prolific Nebraskan Sleep Sinatra blends cool groove funk with soulful beats, fused together with a mix of heavy bass, guitar licks, brass and Arabian strings. A perfect joint to add to your heatwave summer 2022 soundtrack.
Just to round off the old year, we put together a special mix with some of the singles we’ve released from 2002 to 2022by artists from the US & UK, all reppin’theorigins of dope rhymes, bangin’ beats & sick turntablism.
All of our singles, EP and album releases are now available from our official BANDCAMP PAGEand of course you’ll also find them streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Tidal and many other digital platforms. For direct links to each release and digital store, visit our RELEASES PAGE where they are separated per artist.
We also have some very limited stock of vinyl and CD’s available of our original catalogue from back in the day. These are now rare collectors’ items, a couple of which are included in this new mix, and details can be viewed on our Physical Releases page.
A video of the new mix has just been uploaded to our official Youtube channel
The audio only stream is on Soundcloud
Tracks used
1 Belles in Monica – “Meltdown” [Krash Slaughta Remix] 2 Tru Trilla – “God’s Mercy” [produced by DNA Beatz] 3 Ramson Badbonez – “Black Hole Cypher” ft Kashmere, Truemendous, MysDiggi, Micall Parknsun, Joker Starr, Gee Bag, Confucius, Jehst & Phoenix da Icefire 4 Phoenix da Icefire & Husky Brown – “Dark Rainbow Light” 5 Tru Trilla – “Word of God” [produced by DNA Beatz] 6 Ramson Badbonez – “Lead by Example” ft Recognize Ali, Skyzoo & Juxx Diamondz [cuts by DJ Jazz T] 7 Belles in Monica – “Y’All Under Surveillance” [G-Sharp Remix. Cuts by DJ Devestator] 8 Tru Trilla – “God’s Sympathy” [produced by DNA Beatz] ft Fly Kwa & Confucious 9 Phoenix da Icefire & Husky Brown – “Cosmic Soul” 10 Ramson Badbonez – “Rap to the Future” ft Dizzy Dustin, Mr Hooper & Moka Only [cuts by Kompoze] 11 Ramson Badbonez – “Stay True” ft Reks, Ruste Juxx & Blacastan 12 Ramson Badbonez – “Lame Duck” ft Tru Trilla, Fly Kwa & Prince Ak
New releases for 2022 are in the works, currently at the recording stage with some serious heat being cooked up in the kitchen !!
Meantime, we know the past couple of years has been difficult for everyone, so we’d like to thank you all for the continued support, and wish you & yours a healthy and prosperous new year when it comes.
New Dawn Records are pleased to announce the release today of the new single “Lead by Example” by London producer Ramson Badbonez.
The title track from his album out on August 27th, it’s the second following last month’s “Stay True” featuring Reks, Ruste Juxx and Blacastan.
The new joint featuring Ghana’s finest Recognize Ali and Brooklyn’s acclaimed lyrical marksmen Skyzoo and Juxx Diamondz with cuts by the UK’s Jazz T has enjoyed phenomenal radio support in the UK, Europe and US for the past couple of weeks, and is another early representation of the highest quality hip hop present throughout the album. All the more remarkable given this is Ramson’s debut release as a producer, this is a premium cut by any standard.
Available to stream and download from all major online stores and platforms including APPLE, TIDAL, AMAZON, BANDCAMP & SPOTIFY
Any DJ’s who’d like a copy of the new single to play in their sets and on their shows can request it from our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR. Their contact details are HERE
New Dawn Records are proud to announce the release of the explosive new album “Lead by Example” by Ramson Badbonez on August 27th 2021.
Long established as a cornerstone of the UK hip hop scene, the prolific rapper swaps the mic for the mixing desk for the first time in one of the most impressive production debuts witnessed for many years. Unique in its nature, heavyweights from the USA, Canada and the UK share equal billing in a stellar line up of guest featured artists delivering a showcase of the highest calibre lyricism, compelling rhymes and slick wordplay.
Beats influenced by original funk, soul, rare groove and jazz are woven into a soundtrack which fuse the classic and modern eras laced with additional scratch sorcery courtesy of truntablists Kompoze, DJ Jazz T and DJ Miracle, each track precision cut as a backdrop for the gamut of verbal artistry to unleash their full artillery.
Rarely, if ever, has such an array of trans-Atlantic talent appeared together on the one record. Coast to coast, Reks, Skyzoo, Blacastan, Recognize Ali, Moka Only, Ruste Juxx, Dizzy Dustin, Johaz (Dag Savage), Sleep Sinatra, Tru Trilla, Juxx Diamondz and Justo the MC are just some of those standing shoulder to shoulder with British luminaries Jehst, Micall Parknsun, Joker Starr, MysDiggi, Cyclonious, Phoenix da Icefire, King Kashmere and many more.
Benchmark standards are set high in Ramson’s new career progression while still allowing occasional room for his own continued lyrical prowess. Many months in the making in association with our in house executive production and promotional division UrbanElite, this is an essential hip hop collector’s item with few comparisons, a landmark release.
VIDEO TRAILER ON YOUTUBE
ALBUM TEASER ON SOUNDCLOUD
A series of singles will be released over the Spring and Summer, beginning with “Stay True” featuring Reks, Ruste Juxx & Blacastan on April 27th.
TRACKLIST
All tracks produced by Ramson Badbonez
1 On Your Mark (Intro) ft DJ Miracle
2 Stay True ft Reks, Ruste Juxx & Blacastan
3 Rap to the Future ft Dizzy Dustin, Mr Hooper & Moka Only (cuts by Kompoze)
4 Nonchalant ft Mark Fear
5 Bismillah ft Justo the MC, Johaz & Sleep Sinatra
6 Wolves ft Phoenix da Icefire & Cyclonious
7 Equality for Every ft Chima Anya
8 Lame Duck ft Tru Trilla, Fly Kwa & Prince Ak
9 Chinchillas
10 Reservoir Dogs ft Az Izz, Cymarshall Law, Speed Walton & Quip
11 Black Hole Cypher ft Kashmere, Truemendous, MysDiggi, Micall Parknsun, Joker Starr, Gee Bag, Confucius , Jehst & Phoenix da Icefire
12 Lead by Example ft Recognize Ali, Skyzoo & Juxx Diamondz (cuts by DJ Jazz T)
All media & press enquiries regarding the release can be sent to UrbanElite PR who can be contacted HERE
It’s been a long and difficult year for many around the world in the wake of the global Covid 19 pandemic, but now as we begin to all emerge out of this nightmare together we hope this special album helps add to the soundtrack accompanying your journey towards better days.
