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 pleased to announce the release of the new single “Pitfalls” today by New York State rapper Anthony Kannon and producer Frost Gamble.

Recipient of the title “Best Rapper” at the Ithaca Music Awards in 2019, Anthony has enjoyed a rapid rise in recognition as one of the most highly rated talents to emerge from NY State in recent years. 

The single is the first to be taken from the new album “Cautionary Tales”. Out on October 20th, it is a collaborative project by the duo, Frost originally being from nearby Binghamton and now resident in Canada.

Local NY State media outlets were quick to pick up on the story of Anthony’s signing with us for the release including a feature in The Ithaca Voice newspaper, a report aired live on tv news station WENY and an interview broadcast on local commercial radio station Z95.5 FM.

“Pitfalls” addresses Anthony’s own personal growth.  An evolution from the hustles of his younger days to more progressive paths while struggling to escape past legacies, the funk fuelled beat lending itself to the air of optimism for the future.   As with the entire album, this is the classic art of real life storytelling set to the perfect soundtrack.

Available now to stream and download on all major digital platforms including APPLE, TIDAL, AMAZON and below on Bandcamp & Spotify

OFFICIAL VISUALS ON YOUTUBE

For more information about Anthony and Frost including all their social media details, head to their ARTIST PAGE on this site

All media and radio station enquiries about the single and album can be sent to our in house promotional team UrbanElite PR. Their contact details are HERE

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 |

New Dawn Records are pleased to announce the release today of the new album “Urban Testimony [The Instrumentals]” by Edinburgh producer Brelstaff.

Ten titles fusing chilled, soulful lofi hip hop with downtempo jazz and ambient electronica in an ethereal soundtrack that rests easy on the senses. Music to soothe the soul and help focus with work and study in equal measure.

Originally operating under his born name Daryl Donald, his reputation as one of the most respected emerging beatmakers in this genre grew from 2017 through a series of projects which generated over a million streams on Spotify, and since adopting the new pseudonym has continued to flourish, most notably earlier this year with the single “Cursive” featuring renowned west coast rapper Fashawn.

The instrumental album is the pre-cursor to the full vocal version which we will release later in the year.  A collaborative project with Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC which acts as a narrative documenting his curtailed and turbulent time at Clark Atlanta University, including a fascinating insight and depiction of the trials and tribulations of student life he witnessed there which ultimately led to the crossroads of his life. 

Now available to stream and download at APPLE, AMAZON & TIDAL

Also on Bandcamp & Spotify

In addition there is a full video playlist for every track now on our official Youtube channel.

All media enquiries can be directed to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR, contact details HERE

You can connect with Brelstaff on Twitter @BrelstaffMusic and Instagram @BrelstaffMusic

As ever we appreciate the support and enjoy the music !

TEAM NDR

By |

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 will appear 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

You can connect with Brelstaff on his social media platforms. Twitter @BrelstaffMusic Instagram @BrelstaffMusic and Facebook @BrelstaffMusic

Our thanks again to everyone for your support, enjoy !

TEAM NDR

By |

We are pleased to announce the release today of the new album “Lead by Example [The Instrumentals]” by London hip hop producer Ramson Badbonez.

Handpicked by the man himself, there are eight instrumentals taken from the original version of “Lead by Example” which dropped last year again through ourselves, and represented his debut release as a producer.

In what was one of the most impressive introductions to the production world witnessed for many years,  influences of original funk, soul, rare groove and jazz are clear and fused together into a soundtrack which draws on both the classic and modern eras. 

A powerful combination of eclectic beats originally complimented by the highest calibre lyricism from a trans-Atlantic line up of guest featured artists rarely seen standing shoulder to shoulder together on the one record.  A stellar billing which included Reks, Skyzoo, the late Blacastan, Recognize Ali, Moka Only, Ruste Juxx, Dizzy Dustin, Johaz (Dag Savage), Sleep Sinatra, Tru Trilla, Juxx Diamondz, Justo the MC and British heavyweights Jehst, Micall Parknsun, Joker Starr, Truemendous, MysDiggi, Cyclonious, Phoenix da Icefire, King Kashmere all unleashing their full verbal artillery, with Ramson still showcasing his own lyrical prowess on selected tracks.

Now the backdrop’s been made available for the first time, feast your ears to these straight bangerz. 

Available to stream & download on all digital platforms including APPLE, AMAZON, TIDAL, BANDCAMP & SPOTIFY

There are also official videos for every track from the album playing on our Youtube channel which you can now watch on the playlist below

All media enquiries regarding any of our releases can be sent to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR who can be contacted HERE

Enjoy the new sounds & look out for more from us soon

Peace

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 |

New Dawn Records are pleased to present another new remix release this summer following on from Qadir’s re-work of “Bismillah” ft Justo the MC, Johaz & Sleep Sinatra in July.

“Lame Duck” originally appeared on London producer Ramson Badbonez’ album ‘Lead by Example’ which dropped in August 2021, and our affiliate Shahin’s new interpretation mixing classic funky drum and & bass loops underpins rugged and raw rhymes from New Jersey trio Tru Trilla, Fly Kwa and Prince Ak. Trading fierce bars and punchlines, an onslaught of potent hooks and jabs from the Brick City verbal marksmen are delivered to their targets in a series of lyrical body blows that leave contenders on the canvas.

Available to stream & download on all major digital platforms including APPLE, AMAZON, TIDAL

BANDCAMP

SPOTIFY

OFFICIAL VISUALS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Our thanks to Okan of street crew TwoBC for the single cover artwork

Tru Trilla is currently recording a new album, the follow up to “God of Barz” which we released in 2020. We will be bringing you news of that in the months ahead but can tell you there is already an outstanding line up of producers and featured artists appearing on the new record. It will most definitely be worth the wait !

All international media enquiries about any of our releases can be directed to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR, their contact information is HERE

Again, thanks to everyone for their support as we continue our journey since re-launching in 2019, it’s very much appreciated.

Team NDR

By |

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.

Available to stream & download on APPLE, AMAZON & TIDAL

SPOTIFY

BANDCAMP

OFFICIAL VISUALS ON YOUTUBE

Thanks also to Sezen of TwoBC for the cover artwork

Enjoy & be on the lookout for more from us in August

Peace

Team NDR

By |

In May 2020 we brought you “Panacea” by London rapper Phoenix da Icefire and producer Husky Brown, nominated for “Best Independent Album” at last year’s AIM Awards.  Postponed due to the pandemic, the rescheduled launch event takes place at Brixton Jamm on Friday November 12th as a joint headline with fellow London rapper and producer Ramson Badbonez who will be showcasing tracks from his album “Lead by Example” which we released recently in August. 

Tickets and details for the show are available directly at www.gigs.hiphop

This new AA side single by the duo has been made available today to mark the event.  The Schifrin-esque soundtrack of “Shake Things Up” fuels a barrage of high octane bars unleashed from a fully loaded verbal armoury, while a sublime blend of choice beats and turntablism laces the specially commissioned remix of “Dark Rainbow Light” courtesy of prolific US producer and DJ Tone Spliff whose multiple credits include work with Recognize Ali, King Magnetic, Ruste Juxx, Melly-Mel, Vic Monroe and many more.

You can download and stream the release at all major digital platforms including APPLE, TIDAL, AMAZON, Bandcamp & Spotify

There is also a “concept” video playing on our Youtube channel

This is our last official release of 2021 and we thank everyone, whether in media or the general public for your ongoing support, it’s very much appreciated. We are working currently on new projects targeted for release in 2022 which we look forward to announcing in the near future.

Meantime, if you are in the area, try to get down to the show at Brixton Jamm next week, it’s sure to be a night of top quality hip hop. Enjoy !

Team NDR