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With 2026 being our 30th anniversary as a label, we’ve been taking occasional leisurely strolls down memory lane, re-visiting some of our catalogue from more recent years and highlighting them on our social media platforms.

We now go much further back in time, to a track we released exactly 24 years to the day on May 6th 2002. “Meltdown” by hip hop group Belles in Monica was the second lifted from their only album release ‘Resistance is Futile’. The 12″ vinyl and CD formats included remixes by Phi Life Cypher’s DJ Nappa, scratch turntablist and DMC finalist Krash Slaughta (Monkey Mafia / II Tone Committee) and Manchester producer Gripper. Alongside previous single “Y’All Under Surveillance” it became one of the crew’s most recognizable tracks.

It also became one of their most contentious cuts in relation to its actual lyrical meaning, causing some consternation and hand wringing in certain quarters, mainly those of an eternally confused nature…..despite the clue being in the name and self evident to most at the time…..

Nevertheless, with all of the various historic interpretations, we felt the time had come to explain this once and for all through the medium of filmic references which will either finally bring clarity, or confuse further…..and both’s fine by us……

So without further ado, as we help ourselves to another slic of birthday cake – and very tasty it is too – may we present “the Box Office smash of 2026 just waiting to happen“, 24 YEARS LATER – BELLES IN MONICA “MELTDOWN” [Decoded] on Youtube

Formed a long time ago in a land time forgot, Belles in Monica went through many personnel line ups before settling on the trio of Kruze, Red and DJ Dema. Their first airplay came about in appropriately bizarre fashion in the Spring of 1994, when the then presenter of BBC Radio 1’s flagship breakfast show, the late Steve Wright, asked for demos to be sent in for possible broadcast. A demo was duly dispatched, and not thinking it had a hope in Hell of being played, they went on vacation….only to be told on their return by many who had heard the show that it had indeed been selected, played and received props from the presenters. All of which they’d missed…….

Seven years later having signed with New Dawn, they again enjoyed Radio 1 airplay as their aforementioned singles received strong support from Steve Lamacq, host of the renowned Evening Sessions show. Steve had form as a champion of UK hip hop at the time, something that’s not been forgotten. This was just before the BBC decided to launch its 1Xtra station specifically for this genre, the impression given at the time it “wasn’t quite right” for Radio 1 listeners….how times have changed. We remember George Ergatoudis, head of the new channel, contacting us and other labels at the time for vinyl to play and help kick start the new programming…..how times have changed. We also realise that for current generations this news post will have received a TL;DR after the first sentence…..how times have changed…..

All fun in the sun though. We released Belles in Monica’s catalogue in digital format for the first time in 2019, combining their first two singles in the “Y’All in Meltdown EP” It’s on Bandcamp and Spotify among others.

The full version of “Meltdown” is on Youtube

We hope you’ve enjoyed this little journey down Amnesia Alley. Must dash, the nurse says it’s custard and rhubarb on the menu tonight but it’s first come, first served and you know what him two rooms down’s like….

Returning to the original point momentarily though, it’s all in the mind……

Peace in the valley

TEAM NDR

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New Dawn Records are pleased to announce the release today of the new AA side single “Respectfully” by New Jersey rapper Tru Trilla, which also marks our first with new distribution partner Xelon Digital.

Featuring Brooklyn’s Justo the MC and Floridian NapsNdreds, the original version produced by Frost Gamble first appeared on Tru’s album “XVI : Return of the Gods” last year. This earned a front page Spotligh Feature on Bandcamp, in no small way due to the kind of bullish bars and beats present throughout further enhanced by a heavyweight line up of guest featured artists and producers.

Those include Reks, Lakim Shabazz, Skyzoo, Ruste Juxx, N.B.S., Guilty Simpson, Julius Luciano of Shoe Gang, Recognize Ali, Juxx Diamondz, Tone Spliff, Jamal Nueve, LG Roc, and many more.

The latest cut is a further testament to the levels, with the narraitive reinforced by the brand new “Qataban Remix” courtesy of label affiliate Shahin, flipping the script with an intense fusion of strings, breaks and sub Saharan flavas.

Available to stream and download on multiple digital stores and platforms including APPLE MUSIC / iTUNES, AMAZON, TIDAL MUSIC and below on BANDCAMP & SPOTIFY.

There is also a new official video for the Qataban Remix on our Youtube channel

Original version on Youtube

All media, radio & press enquiries about our releases can be sent to our in house promotional division, UrbanElite PR. Their contact details are HERE

Our thanks to everyone again for your continued support as we edge closer to our 30th anniversary next year, it always will, and has been, appreciated.

TEAM NDR

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New Dawn Records are delighted to announce the release today of the new single “No Joking Around” by New Jersey rapper Tru Trilla featuring Boston’s Flash & V Knuckles of N.B.S. and Recognize Ali.

Coincidentally today marks our fifth anniversary since re-launching in 2019 after a 15 year hiatus, and what a journey it’s been having had the opportunity to work with so many talented artists from the USA and UK and presenting their fantastic releases to the world.

Following on from January’s “Sun Rays” featuring Reks and Lakim Shabazz, the new joint is the second to be taken from the album “XVI : Return of the Gods” out in May. On the new cut, the Brick City veteran has recruited another Garden State native in the form of Jamal Nueve, originally affiliated with the legendary Flavor Unit crew when operating as DJ Jamal #9.

The multi credited producer has delivered a funk fuelled banger which has, just like its predecessor, enjoyed extensive airplay worldwide.

Laced with ferocious bars from lyrical marksmen in the heavyweight division, Boston’s Flash and V Knuckles of N.B.S. join Tru and Recognize Ali on the rampage, exchanging punchlines like combinations thrown in a barrage of body blows to would be contenders. You’re here for it, we came back for it, it’s the real deal.

Get the heat at APPLE MUSIC, AMAZON MUSIC, TIDAL MUSIC and below on BANDCAMP and SPOTIFY

There are also official visuals just published on our Youtube channel

All press, media and radio DJ inquiries about any of our releases can be addressed to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR who have been with us since pretty much the beginning back in the 90’s, so many happy returns to them and their production team also! They can be contacted HERE

Today especially, we’d just like to convey our greatest appreciation to everyone for their support whether since 2019, or to those who remember us from way back in the day. We hope you’ve all enjoyed the ride as much as ourselves….peace.

TEAM NDR

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We are very pleased to announce the release today of the new single “Second Floor” by upstate rapper Anthony Kannon and producer Frost Gamble, the third taken from their album “Cautionary Tales” out on October 20th.

Following on from “Pitfalls” and “Make It Rain”, the new joint sees Ithaca’s finest get the gloves off in a salvo of punchlines, delivered with laser-like precision while dancing around the hustlers and title contenders. Blows traded and targets on the ropes, Frost’s powerful soundtrack is the last thing they hear before the bell. The street’s talking but only one comes out walking…..should’ve come prepared.

Meanwhile, the pair have been busy putting the final details together for two album launch events set to take place in Winnipeg and Ithaca during October and November, with an official announcement likely around the first week of September.

The new single can be streamed and downloaded on all digital platforms. Click the multi store link HERE for your preferred option. These include Bandcamp & Spotify

OFFICIAL VISUALS ON YOUTUBE

All international media and radio DJ enquiries about any of our releases and roster can be addressed to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR. Their contact information is HERE

All information about Anthony and Frost, including links to all of their Social Media platforms, is available at their designated artist page HERE

As ever, we appreciate all of your support, and enjoy the new music

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Team NDR

www.newdawnrecs.com

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New Dawn Records are pleased to announce the release today of the single “High” by prolific Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC and Edinburgh hip hop producer Brelstaff.

This is the first to be taken from their new album “Urban Testimony” out on November 3rd 2023, the entire theme of which is centred around events leading up to and including Justo’s curtailed time studying at Clark Atlanta University. It represents a fascinating insight depicted in a deeply personal narrative documenting the trials and tribulations he encountered there which ultimately led him to a turning point in life.

The instrumental version of the album was released earlier in the year, with tracks having featured recently on “Focus Beats”, broadcast by the world renowned BBC Radio 1 and Radio 6.

You can stream and download “High” on all digital platforms including APPLE, AMAZON, TIDAL and below on BANDCAMP & SPOTIFY

OFFICIAL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

You can connect with Justo and Brelstaff directly on social media, all their details are included in their specially designated artist page HERE

All press, radio DJ and multimedia enquiries regarding any of our releases can be addressed to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR. Their contact details are HERE

Thanks to everyone for your continued support

TEAM NDR

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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.

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TEAM NDR