By |

We are very proud to announce the release today of yet another superb album, this time by Justo the MC and Edinburgh lofi hip hop producer Brelstaff.

In the true traditions of the art of storytelling, “Urban Testimony” depicts events before, during and after the Brooklyn rapper’s curtailed and troubled time studying at Clark Atlanta University some years ago. Documented in a deeply personal narrative, details unfold of a conflicted mind on a potential escape route to academia straying rapidly on a hedonistic path and the consequences incurred.

While regrets are clear, the spirit of resilience prevails. Emerging scathed but undaunted and emboldened by second chances, the final scenes present a renewed sense of optimism for the future with lessons duly learned.

A fascinating and brutally honest account is relayed through trademark slick rhymes and deft lyricism, the art of storytelling set to a suitably atmospheric soundtrack provided by Brelstaff’s blend of soulful chilled lofi hip hop beats and ambient electronica.

It is a remarkable piece of work by two masters of their craft which we are extremely pleased to share with you now on APPLE/iTunes, AMAZON, TIDAL and below on BANDCAMP & SPOTIFY.

    There are also official videos for every track which you can watch on the album’s playlist published on our Youtube channel.

    Of course earlier this year we released the instrumental version of the album, and several tracks were broadcast by BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 on their Focus Beats programme.

    It also has a full video playlist on our Youtube Channel and can be streamed on Spotify

    Justo will be performing tracks from “Urban Testimony” when he travels to upstate New York on Saturday November 18th as a special guest of Anthony Kannon and Frost Gamble for their ‘Cautionary Tales’ album launch party at Deep Dive in Ithaca.

    For more information about Justo and Brelstaff including all their social media details, visit their ARTIST PAGE on this site.

    For all media, press, audio & video podcats and radio station DJ inquiries about the release, please contact the official publicist, our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR HERE  

    As ever, enjoy the music and as always we thank everyone for their support.

    TEAM NDR

    By |

    Releasing on October 20th 2023, “Cautionary Tales” by upstate New York rapper Anthony Kannon and producer Frost Gamble is now available to pre-order for downloading and streaming pre-save. You can do so on Apple Music and Spotify via the multi store link HERE

    By doing so, all four singles will be made available to you immediately. “Pitfalls” and “Make It Rain” which have already been released, plus “Second Floor” and “Cold Start” due out in August and September respectively.

    The album, just as with all singles on release, will also be available on a much wider selection of online stores and streaming platforms including Bandcamp and Tidal.

    The singles have enjoyed extensive online coverage and airplay on stations worldwide, including a special feature by Public Enemy’s legendary Chuck D on his Rapstation show. In addition, the instrumental version of album track “Long Ride” was aired by Focus Beats this month which is broadcast on the world renowned BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6.

    With much more to come leading up to release, Anthony and Frost have been busy arranging two separate album launch events due to take place in Canada and Ithaca in October and November. We will have further news regarding those dates shortly.

    Meantime, you can check out the videos for “Pitfalls” and “Make It Rain” on Youtube

    For more information about the artists, including all their social media platforms, visit their specially designated artist page provided on this site HERE

    For all media and DJ enquiries regarding any of our releases, contact our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR HERE

    As ever, all the support received has been greatly appreciated.

    1

    TEAM NDR

    By |

    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!

    Justo on Twitter @MC_Justo IG @JustoTheMC FB @JustoTheMC

    Brelstaff on Twitter @BrelstaffMusic IG @BrelstaffMusic FB @BrelstaffMusic

    Thanks again to everyone for supporting not just what we do, but more importantly, what these talented artists do.

    1

    TEAM NDR

    By |

    New Dawn Records are proud to announce another addition to the label roster by way of NY State rapper Anthony Kannon and producer Frost Gamble with the release of their new album “Cautionary Tales” on October 20th 2023.

    Recipient of the title “Best Rapper” at the Ithaca Music Awards in 2019, the young lyricist draws on his own real life battles and traumatic episodes, conveying a wide range of subject matter represented throughout the aptly titled release.  It is a remarkable journey encapsulated in a series of biographical depictions, all with an underlying theme of survival, escape, progression and transformation.

    Authentically powerful, this is Storyville of a life less ordinary with a narrative packed full of dope rhymes and skilful wordplay set to the highest caliber soundtrack provided by Frost, originally from Binghamton NY and now resident in Canada.

    Particularly well known for his extensive catalogue with long time sparring partner Tone Chop, the prolific beatmaker has released further projects with Tragedy Khadafi, KXNG Crooked, Horseshoe Gang and Craig G while producing his “Sixteens” series of instrumentals.  Some of his earliest collaborative projects included productions for Young Bleed, Sadat X, J-Ro, Doc Ice and Tahmell, son of the legendary Rakim, while in 2013 he contributed to Fresh I.E.’s “Red Letterz 13” which duly won  “Album of the Year” at the Canadian Gospel Music Awards.

    The album, engineered by David Brown of D Brown Sounds, can be pre-ordered with effect from July 24th HERE

    A series of singles will precede the album release beginning on June 6th with “Pitfalls”.  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

    Meantime we’d encourage you to connect with the artists directly via their social media, they’ve always got interesting things going on, so drop by & wave…..they’ll wave back, all the artists we work with do ! lol

    Anthony on Twitter @AnthonyKannonn IG @AnthonyKannon FB @AnthonyKannon

    Frost on Twitter @FrostGamble IG @Frost.Gamble FB @FrostGamble

    As ever, we appreciate the support

    1

    TEAM NDR

    By |

    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.

    Peace

    Team NDR

    By |

    Just to round off the old year, we put together a special mix with some of the singles we’ve released from 2002 to 2022 by artists from the US & UK, all reppin’ the origins of dope rhymes, bangin’ beats & sick turntablism.

    All of our singles, EP and album releases are now available from our official BANDCAMP PAGE and 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.

    Peace

    Team NDR

    By |

    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)

    Mixed and mastered by Mark Fear

    Connect with Ramson Badbonez on his socials : Instagram * Facebook * Twitter

    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.

    Peace

    TEAM NDR

    By |

    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

    Connect with us on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

    By |

    We are pleased to announce that, finally, our new Bandcamp page has been launched

    Initially we have uploaded our entire digital back catalogue there, with the options of full EP, album and individual track downloads provided. Check full availability HERE

    We will broaden out the page to all formats over time, and we’d like to thank Bandcamp’s Head of Label and Artist liaison for the support provided during this process.

    In addition, at their request, we were happy to assist several artists in the design and setting up of their own new Artist Pages. Click on the artist names to go directly to their pages – TRU TRILLA, PHOENIX DA ICEFIRE, AZ IZZ

    Each allows fans to contact the artists directly and connect with them on social media via the links on the main page and by clicking the icons on their banners.

    Look out for all future releases coming to Bandcamp as well of course as continuing to be made available to stream and download at Spotify, Apple, Tidal, Amazon, Deezer, Beatport and many more.

    Meanwhile, here’s a little selection of what’s available now

    So take a look around and enjoy the sounds !

    TEAM NDR

    By |

    Shortly after releasing his new album “God of Barz”, Brick City rapper Tru Trilla spoke with Angelo Gingerelli for US online “The Pop Break” as part of their regular NJ Next interview series.

    In the feature just published this week, the Newark native discusses his early days in hip hop, the construction of the new album which includes international production, his new upcoming projects and lists his top MCs, producers and live spots in New Jersey.

    READ THE ARTICLE IN FULL HERE

    Coincidentally, Tru Trilla released the first video from the album during the week. “Real Rap”, produced by Barcelona’s Sumerio Square, also features fellow 050 Boyz group member Prince Ak and was shot in downtown Newark towards the end of 2019 and obviously prior to the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic. Check it out on Youtube

    Released through New Dawn Records on May 29th, “God of Barz” is available to stream and download from all major digital platforms and stores worldwide including APPLE, TIDAL, AMAZON and SPOTIFY

    Connect with Tru Trilla on Twitter @Egofree2_050 and Instagram @Trilla050

    All information about New Dawn Records’ releases is available at their official website www.newdawnrecs.com

    Media, press and DJ enquiries regarding Tru Trilla and New Dawn Records can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact details are available HERE

    UEP

    www.urbanelitepr.com