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As the year draws to a close, here’s a little look back at our releases in 2023

BRELSTAFF – URBAN TESTIMONY [The Instrumentals]

In the Spring, we released “Urban Testimony [The Instrumentals]”. Produced by Edinburgh’s Brelstaff, this was the pre-cursor to the full version of the album he recorded with Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC which would follow later in the year.

Several from the album were used by “Focus Beats”, broadcast on both BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 over the summer months, beginning with “Is She” in June.

A mix of lofi hip hop, chilled out electronica and downtempo soulful vibes which is available to stream on Spotify, with full visuals on the album’s Youtube playlist

ANTHONY KANNON & FROST GAMBLE – CAUTIONARY TALES

Following a series of singles over the summer, “Cautionary Tales” by award winning New York State rapper Anthony Kannon and producer Frost Gamble released on October 20th.

An outstanding piece of work documenting the remarkable story of the young MC’s life to date, Bandcamp chose to feature it on the store’s front page “New and Notable” section.

Available of course from Bandcamp, Spotify and all other digital platforms including Apple / iTunes, Amazon, Deezer and Tidal, with a full video playlist also on Youtube.

JUSTO THE MC & BRELSTAFF – URBAN TESTIMONY

Again after a series of singles spanning the summer and autumn, “Urban Testimony” by Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC and Edinburgh producer Brelstaff was released on November 3rd.

Another to be afforded front page billing by Bandcamp on release, the entire album is themed around Justo’s time studying at Clark University Atlanta several years ago. A fascinating depiction of events leading up to, during and after his curtailed time spent there relayed in a brutally honest account of a conflicted mind on a potential escape route through academia straying rapidly on a path to hedonism, the regrets, lessons learned, and ultimately the strength to survive for better days.

In addition to Apple / iTunes, Deezer and Tidal, check it out for yourself on Bandcamp, Spotify andf the full video playlist on Youtube.

TRU TRILLA – XVI : RETURN OF THE GODS

Finally, earlier this month we announced we would be releasing the new album “XVI : Return of the Gods” by New Jersey rapper Tru Trilla on May 31st 2024, this being the follow up to his album “God of Barz” which we also released in 2020.

Over two years in the making, a magnificent mix of hard bars, highest quality lyricism, beats and turntablism includes a stellar cast of producers and guest featured artists including Reks, Lakim Shabazz, Ruste Juxx, Recognize Ali, Skyzoo, Guilty Simpson, NapsNdreds, N.B.S., Julius of Shoe Gang and many more.

A trailer video for the album has recently been published on Youtube, and you can check out its predecessor on Spotify.

We once again thank everyone for their support since we re-launched the label in 2019, and would also like to take this opportunity of wishing you and yours the very best for the holiday season and the best of good fortune for 2024.

Welcome to the real……

TEAM NDR

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2020 – a year few of us will have witnessed before or hopefully will in the future. Tragic in so many ways, and we offer our condolences to those who have lost friends or loved ones either directly or indirectly due to the Covid-19 virus, and offer our sympathies to those whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by the impact of multiple lockdowns and restrictive measures.

Tragic also in the sense that history will not judge this well. Nations were warned 4 years ago of the impending likelihood of such a global pandemic and the relatively simple measures which would be required to mitigate the worst impact. Few heeded these warnings, prioritizing economic considerations in assessment to risk, instead of carrying out their fundamental duty of care to their citizens.

Hopefully with the roll out of vaccines and the precedents set by countries such as South Korea in how to handle such an event and avoid a catastrophe, as we move forward into 2021 lessons will have been learned and people can finally look forward to a brighter future. We wish everyone well.

The first half of the year saw the bulk of our releases, beginning with “The Seymour Chronicles” EP by New Jersey rapper Tru Trilla, a high quality offering in its own right and the warm up for the explosive album “God of Barz” which followed soon after.

With production by Barcelona’s Sumerio Square, the UK’s Chat One, Chicago’s DNA Beatz and Jamal Nueve (NJ/LA), it’s all thrillers and no fillers. Rammed full of banging beats and turntablism, featured artists Prince Ak, Middy Murdock, Confucious and Fly Kwa all bring fierce rhymes and killer bars to the table. Literally a hip hop classic.

From the album, check out the snippets of “God’s Sympathy” and “Fake Views”

Both releases available to stream on all digital platforms including Spotify, Apple and Tidal. Also available to download at Bandcamp

The term “masterpiece” is often over used, but in the case of “Panacea” by London’s rapper and producer duo Phoenix da Icefire & Husky Brown, it’s no exaggeration. Nominated for “Best Independent Album” at this year’s AIM Awards, Husky’s rare blend of hip hop, r&b, soul, electronica, dub and funk provides the backdrop for a narrative which would prove uncannily prescient for 2020. Phoenix addresses mental health, racism, well being & spirituality, climate change, knife crime, aspiration, social justice and equal opportunities with the skills of a lyricist at the height of their game, all delivered with the refreshing underlying message of hope and reconciliation.

A quite phenomenal record which will stand the test of time for years to come. From it, a snippet of the single Cosmic Soul

“Panacea” is streaming on all digital platforms, and also available to download at Bandcamp

As we reached early summer, we had great pleasure in releasing the new album “Dopeliss” by New Jersey rapper and producer Az Izz, once of the legendary group The Outsidaz. His first official album for some considerable time after time taken out to pursue other production projects for tv & film, it was a welcome return to the fold.

Encompassing hip hop sounds through the ages from boom bap to high octane electronica, a number of his fellow group members including Pace Won, D.U. and the late Slang Ton also appeared as featured guests, with further production by DJ Profluent, DJ 3rd Rell and Quazmo. An album with a narrative that mixes beefs, street tales, social justice, aspirations and humour in equal measure, and as always reppin’ Brick City.

Add them to your Spotify playlists, and you can also download the album at Bandcamp

In the past few months we’ve been heavily involved in the developing of a new producer album featuring hip hop heavyweights from the USA, UK and Canada in what will be a unique and exceptional release. With the hardships everyone has shared worldwide in 2020, it’s just our own way of giving the global hip hop community something a little more positive and special to share in 2021. Expect an announcement in the not too distant future.

Meantime, as ever, we thank everyone for their continued support over the past year and wish everyone the best of health and success in 2021.

Team NDR

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New Dawn Records are very proud to present the explosive new album by Brick City rapper Tru Trilla, available on all major streaming platforms and digital stores today.

Together with his “Seymour Chronicles EP” we released in March, both products were over a year in the making, but the wait has been definitely worth it.

Just as with the Phoenix da Icefire and Husky Brown album “Panacea” we released earlier this month, it is music of this caliber that played a major role in our decision to re-launch the label last year, and in Tru’s case not only does he plant a flag for the Garden State but also for the classic sound of eastcoast hip hop.

Unsurprisingly, his singles “Word of God”, “God’s Sympathy” and “God’s Mercy” enjoyed a fantastic reception by onlines and radio DJ’s worldwide, appreciative of the quality of lyricism and production on offer, a throwback to the days when hip hop really did bring the noise and had something to say.

On the album, Newark natives Middy Murdock, Fly Kwa, Confucious and fellow 050 Boyz group member Prince Ak intensify the energy with their own gritty rhymes. The production brings extra layers and dynamics courtesy of Chicago’s DNA Beatz, Barcelona’s Sumerio Square, the UK’s Chat One and award winning Clinton Place (aka Jamal Nueve), originally of New Jersey and now resident in Los Angeles.

This one really is for the heads, the hip hop connoisseurs. It’s not designed to be faux stylistic background music, it’s there to give your neck muscles one helluva workout and consume your soul. This is the real deal, set the dial to full volume and enjoy the ride.

Now on Apple / iTunes, Amazon, Deezer, Napster and Tidal. Also on Spotify and Soundcloud

You can connect with Tru Trilla on Twitter @Egofree2_050 and Instagram @Trilla050 All media, press and DJ enquiries about the release can be sent to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR, their contact details are available HERE

We thank everyone again for their support of everything we’ve done over the past year, we hope you are all safe and well in these troubled times and that you enjoy the album.

Peace

Team NDR

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New Dawn Records are very pleased to announce that we will be releasing the new album “God of Barz” by New Jersey rapper Tru Trilla on May 29th 2020.

This of course is the follow up to “The Seymour Chronicles EP” which dropped only last week, and is available from all major online streaming platforms and digital stores. Distributed by Ingrooves / Universal.

Production on the album is courtesy of Newark native now resident in Los Angeles Clinton Place, Chicago’s DNA Beatz, Barcelona’s Sumerio Square and the UK’s Chat One. Fellow 050 Boyz group member Prince Ak is included in the Brick City contingent of featured artists together with Middy Murdock, Fly Kwa and Confucious.

This one’s for the true hip hop heads, the real deal. Get ready to crank it all the way up and give those neck muscles a serious workout !!

Singles “Word of God”, “God’s Sympathy” and God’s Mercy” will release over March, April and May. Meantime, we’ve just released an audio teaser and video trailer of the album on Soundcloud and Youtube for a little early flavour

Connect with Tru Trilla on his socials, Twitter @Egofree2_050 Instagram @Trilla050 and his official Facebook Page

As ever, all international media and Dj inquiries regarding the album and affiliated singles can be sent to our in house promotional team UrbanElite PR. Their contact details are available HERE

Again, we thank all the public and media who have supported us since our re-launch just over a year ago.

We also understand these have been testing times for all our friends around the world, with the COVID-19 outbreak disrupting life and plans. Stay calm, stay focused, adapt and apply common sense to your circumstances. You already know what to do. In the short term this will be frustrating but it will be over in the fullness of time. Continue to live your lives & our best wishes to all of you and yours.

Team NDR