On Friday May 15th, we released the album “Beautiful Foundations” by New York State rapper & producer duo Tone Chop and Frost Gamble.
It is in essence a celebration of the pair’s working relationship and friendship which spans back over three decades, and in the same spirit the guest featured artists are those with whom they’ve built during that time including DJ Eclipse, The Bad Seed, Pf Cuttin, Grea8gawd, Decon Blu, Pa Pa Fresh and many more.
To mark the occasion further they have filmed a documentary about their entire time togetherwhich has just been published on Youtube today. In a highly impressive presentation, they delve deeper into their earliest days growing up in Binghamton and the impact hip hop culture had on them, and ultimately how they came to meet and work together for the first time.
They describe their initial recording sessions in Frost’s basement, referenced in the album’s title, and chart their subsequent journey including Frost’s move to Canada, reuniting several years later and building once more to become one of the most prolific partnerships in hip hop over recent years.
Industry trials and tribulations along the way are also covered and will resonate with many independent music artists from any genre, making this not only an overall fascinating insight to their own story, but will also likely hold significance for those with a particular interest in hip hop’s own progression over the years.
New Dawn Records are proud to announce the release today of the new album “Beautiful Foundations” by New York State rapper and producer duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamble.
A celebration of the pair’s working relationship and friendship spanning over 30 years, it reflects on the earliest days together in their home city of Binghamton, interrupted only for a time by Frost’s relocation to Canada, before reuniting in 2014 to become one of the most prolific partnerships in hip hop over recent years.
Dedicated to, and active in, the traditional elements of the culture from the very beginning, their music draws from the Golden Era of boom bap, turntablism and lyricism while incorporating contemporary progression. The result ia a highly impressive offering which remains fundamentally tru to its roots, delivered in a showcase of skilled wordplay, gritty rhymes and polished production.
The guest featured artists are those with whom they’ve built as part of their journey including DJ Eclipse, Grea8gawd, Pf Cuttin, The Bad Seed, Decon Blu, Pa Pa Fresh, DJ J Smooth, Fresh I.E. and more.
The album is available to stream and download at multiple digital stores including APPLE MUSIC, TIDAL and below on BANDCAMP & SPOTIFY.
All the tracks appear in the full album’s video playlist on our Youtube Channel
In line with the theme of the album, a superb filmed documentary covering Chop and Frost’s entire story will be premiered to Youtube on May 20th, while their special launch event will take place on the evening of Saturday May 30th. Entry will be free at Binghamton’s Stellar Human vintage clothes store, and will include an album listening session, artist q&a and a screening of the documentary.
It is of course a happy coincidence that we too are in celebratory mode marking our own 30th anniversary as a label, and we would wish to place on record our sincerest appreciation to our in house teams at UrbanElite Productions and UrbanElite Promotions for their incredible work both in preparing and delivering this campaign, without which much would not have been possible.
And as ever, our thanks to the public and media worldwide for the ongoing support. Enjoy this fantastic album.
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 infor 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……
New Dawn Records are pleased to present the new single “Gawdbrovas Connect” by NY State rapper and producer duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamble. Featuring fellow New York native Grea8gawd, this is the fourth from their upcoming album ‘Beautiful Foundations’ out on May 15th.
A celebration of their own partnership stretching over three decades, the album includes those with whom they’ve built over the years by way of the specially invited guest featured artists, all of whom add to a showcase of the highest caliber rhymes skills, beats and turntablism.
In line with previous singles ‘Beautiful Foundations [Single Edition]’, ‘Play No Games’ with cuts by DJ Eclipse and ‘The Smoothest’ ft Decon Blu & Pa Pa Fresh, the new cut being the latest case in point. Frost’s grimy bass laden production fuels the intensity from the outset. Gauntlet laid down, Chop and Gawd step up to the plate with the full artillery, detonating bars straight from the cerebral chamber in a fierce exchange. With targets demolished in a relentless volley of take downs, spent verbal cartridges litter the battle zone as the prize fighters leave with the spoils of war.
Available now to stream and download on all major digital platforms including APPLE / iTUNES, TIDAL MUSIC and below on BANDCAMP & SPOTIFY
Official visuals for the single have also just been published on our Youtube channel
Following the release of the album in a few weeks, the pair will be premiering a filmed documentary on Youtube which covers their entire careers from the early beginnings to the present day, much in line with the themes of the album, and will then celebrate the release at a listening party in their home city of Binghamton.
It takes place on the evening of Saturday May 30th at Stellar Human, 159 Washington Street. Entry is completely free with doors opening at 6pm EST, so get along and meet the artists who will also be discussing the making the of the album and showing the documentary in full.
All media, press an DJ enquiries about this or any of our releases can be directed to our official in house promotional division UrbanElite PR. Their contact details are HERE
Our appreciation as always for the support this project has received to date by the media and public worldwide. Chop and Frost spent three years putting their heart and soul into what of course is a perticularly meaningful release for them, so it means a lot to all concerned. Thank you.
New Dawn Records are pleased to announce the release today of the new single “The Smoothest” by New York State rapper and producer duo Tone Chop and Frost Gamble.
Featuring fellow upstate marksmen Decon Blu and Pa Pa Fresh, the latter also lacing the joint with additional cuts, this is the third single from the Binghamton pair’s album “Beautiful Foundations” out on May 15th.
Following on from the album’s title track released in December, and “Play No Games” featuring DJ Eclipse which dropped last month, the new cut is a tribute to the lyrical golden era of New York in a showcase of wordplay delivering a salvo of old and new school slang. Chop’s trademark bullish bars and the effortless flows of Decon Blu and Pa Pa Fresh dictate the narrative, the three re-united from their earlier Four Sportsmen project.
Driven along by Frost’s customary slick productions, it’s a classic recipe of seasoned campaigners shelling rhymes with ease over a luscious beat immersed in soulful flavas and exquisite turntablism.
Available to download and stream from all digital platforms including Apple Music, Tidal Music and below on Bandcamp and Spotify
Official visuals have also been published on Youtube
It was also confirmed recentlythat Chop & Frost will celebrate the release of the album with a special free vinyl listening event at Binghamton’s Stellar Human store on Saturday May 30th, which will include a public screening of their upcoming biographical documentary and a Question & Answer session.More details to followin the weeks ahead.
Meantime, all media enquiries about the release can be sent to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PRvia the CONTACT PAGE on their site.
Our appreciation as ever to all for your generous supportas we continue to celebrate our own 30th anniversay this year.
We are pleased to announce the first release of 2026, our 30th anniversary year.
“Play No Games” is the second single to be taken from the album “Beautiful Foundations” by New York State rapper and producer duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamble” out on May 15th, and follows the single edition of the album’s title track which dropped in December.
With additional cuts by legendary turntablist DJ Eclipse, host of the long running “Rap Is Outta Control Show” on Sirius XM channel Shade 45, this joint has all the trademark qualities displayed by the pair over many years.
Classic grimy boom bap beats the backdrop for the veteran rap battle champion’s hard bars, as Chop goes hunting for would be title contenders. Knockout punchlines, bangin beats and supreme turntablism in a heavyweight bout for the heads. Slick business from the Binghamton boys who will soon announce details of a special launch event due to take place in their home town shortly after the album’s release and the premiere of their filmed autobiographical documentary.
“Play No Games” is available to stream and download from a wide variety of digital stores and platforms including APPLE MUSIC, TIDAL MUSIC and below on Bandcamp and Spotify
The official accompanying music video, filmed by Frost himself, is also now available to watch on Youtube
All international media and DJ enquiries about this, or any of our releases, can be addressed to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR via their CONTACT PAGE
As ever, we greatly appreciate all the support we’ve had over the years, primarily as a result of the fantastic artists we’ve been fortunate enough to work with – it’s a reflection of their immense talent. The journey continues…..
Binghamton duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamblerelease their new album “Beautiful Foundations” through ourselves on May 15th this year.
The title track was released as a single in December complete with the accompanying official video, and is available on all streaming and download digital platforms including Apple Music, Bandcamp and Spotify
They have also just recorded a special freestyle specifically linked to the album where Chop includes all of the track names in his bars. He had the opportunity recently to hook up with local video producer Lil Kurby of New Wave Vizions, who also filmed the official video of the single, and they have just released the visuals of the “Beautiful Foundations Freestyle” on to Youtube
Look out for a further series of singles from the album in the coming months, beginning with “Play No Games” on February 10th which includes cuts by Sirius XM’s “Rap Is Outta Control Show” presenter DJ Eclipse who broadcasts every Sunday night on the station’s Shade 45 channel.
A film documentary about Chop & Frost’s careers together will also be released shortly after the album in May, and plans are also underway for a special launch event to take place in Binghamton around that time.
Meantime, as 2026 represents our own 30th anniversary, we’ll be taking a little trip down memory lane over the next 12 months, dust off a few crates and highlight some choice gems by the brilliant artists we’ve been fortunate enough to work with over the decades.
All involved with New Dawn Records would like to take the opportunity to wish you and yoursthe very best for the new year ahead, and again thank everyone for the support we’ve had from the very beginning. It’s very much appreciated.
We are pleased to announce the release today of the new single “Beautiful Foundations” by New York State rapper and producer duo Tone Chop and Frost Gamble.
Featuring fellow Binghamton native Will K, this is the single edition of the title track from the forthcoming albumwhich releases on May 15th 2026, and the first to be taken from it with more to follow in the months ahead.
The album “Beautiful Foundations” itself took several years in the making, masterfully crafted as a celebration of the pair’s friendship and working relationship spreading back over 30 years.
From the early days of recording demos in their Binghamton basement to becoming one of the most prolific partnerships in recent years with a quite phenomenal back catalogue of singles and EP’s in their armoury, the landmark release documents their journey and pays homage to the close bond built between the pair.
Immersed in hip hop culture from their teenage years, the album reflects their dedication to the true essence while embracing evolution. Chop’s trademark hard bars, a legacy of his rap battle days, and Frost’s dynamic range of beats are bolstered throughout by a generous helping of turntablism courtesy of DJ Eclipse, Pa Pa Fresh and DJ J Smooth. Space is reserved for friends and allies by way of the special guest featured artists including The Bad Seed, Pf Cuttin, Decon Blu, Grea8gawd and Fresh I.E.
In this first offering, Chop sets the agenda reflecting on those first times working together as young and passionate kids still learning the ropes, sowing seeds for the future set to a potent soundtrack marinated with soul. It’s something you live…
Available to stream and download on a wide range of digital platforms including APPLE / iTUNES, AMAZON, TIDAL and below on Bandcamp and Spotify
The official video, filmed around Binghamton, is also playing on our Youtube channel
All media, press & radio Dj enquiries regarding this, or any of our releases, can be sent to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PRHERE
We very much look forward to bringing you more from this fantastic album as we head towards 2026, which itself is our own 30th anniversary as a label.
Meantime we thank everyone for the continued support and wish you all the very best for the new year.
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.
New Dawn Records are pleased to announce a new partnership with Australian Independent Digital Distribution company Xelon Entertainment.
This marks an exciting new chapter in our journey since re-launching in 2019 after a fifteen year hiatus in which time we’ve had the privilege of working with fantastic hip hop artists from both sides of the Atlantic. We would also like to place on record our appreciation for all the assistance and logistical support provided by the staff based at Ingrooves’ London office in helping our development over the past few years which proved to be invaluable on many occasions.
After a chance discussion with a long time industry friend and associate, who also happens to be Xelon’s Global Operations Manager, the decision was taken to progress down this new avenue and we are very much looking forward to working with them in the coming years.
A number of future projects are currently in the works and we will provide further updates shortly, but meantime you can find out more about Xelon at their official website www.xelondigital.com and of course still dig through our digital crates of back catalogue – here’s a little selection to get you started
TRU TRILLA “XVI : RETURN OF THE GODS” ALBUM
RAMSON BADBONEZ “LEAD BY EXAMPLE” ALBUM
JUSTO THE MC & BRELSTAFF “URBAN TESTIMONY” ALBUM
ANTHONY KANNON & FROST GAMBLE “CAUTIONARY TALES” ALBUM
PHOENIX DA ICEFIRE & HUSKY BROWN “PANACEA” ALBUM
You can also check out a selection of videos on our official Youtube Channel HERE
In addition, all of our releases are available from our official Bandcamp Page HERE
We thank everyone for your support over the past 6 years and look forward to connecting again soon….the beat goes on !
