By |

As we continue to mark our label’s 30th anniversary throughout 2026, we revisit a project whose origins date back to our earliest days in the late 1990’s with this new video release.

Underground Cartel was an international hip hop collaboration spearheaded by Belles in Monica producer Kruze, which initially owed its existence to the relationships built with independent artists from around the world by our then fledgling in house promotional division UrbanElite PR.    

Those connections provided the opportunity to develop a concept where male and female rappers from all over Europe, Canada, Africa and the United States could stand shoulder to shoulder performing in their native languages as a representation of the progression and unifying impact hip hop had made on a global scale.  In essence, a celebration of a shared culture. 

Following the debut taster “Dropzone EP”, released on CD and vinyl in 2004, recording began on “Sapientia” in 2005 with a broader reach of artists and territories.  Various circumstances dictated that completion would be delayed for some considerable time, but was eventually released in digital format in 2019.

Taken from it is this new visual representation of “U Owe It 2 Yourself”, a recently edited version of the original.  It features Boston’s The Yukonn MC who together with Oak Lonetree formed the group My Mans N’ Them.  His appearance is due in no small way to the connection he built with another of the featured artists, Swiss Precise. 

For some time previously, the Long Beach rapper introduced a host of releases from the West Coast underground scene to UEP, familiarising them with names such as Halfway House MCees, 8th & Dawson Records and Blown Celeb with Dizzy Dustin. As a graffiti artist affiliated with the KBH crew, Swiss also designed the Underground Cartel logo.

With both coasts repped, female rapper Marya brings some Italian seasoning to the mix.  Based at the time in Milan, the sister of rap artists Tormento and Esa first gained attention due to her work with Sottotono before embarking on various solo and collaborative projects over the years including the all female group Mascara.

NEW VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

Others who appear on the “Sapientia EP” include the sadly missed Primo Brown (R.I.P.) of Rome’s legendary Cor Veleno crew, El Meswy, originally of Madrid and now based in Brooklyn, Beni Blanco of Montpellier group “Originaire du Sud”, Zimbabwean Dumi Right now based in the DMV, Bleekwonder of Den Haag, Netherlands, Grizu of Augsburg Germany and Croatian Magellano.

Manchester’s Mr CRF and London’s Creamo fly the flag for England, while the States were further represented by Brandon J Atlas of Des Moins, Tone Rome of Baltimore crew Raw Dialect, Sacramento’s Crazy Ballhead aka Mr Hooper, Virginian Black Market and female rapper Lockness from New York City. 

EP ON SPOTIFY

A lil’ taste of hip hop history, but what can we say, we been around, ya heeeeard…..     

Ciao e grazie mille !

TEAM NDR

By |

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 ! 

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 |

We are pleased to announce the release of this new AA side single today, the third taken from the new album “Lead by Example” by London’s Ramson Badbonez, his debut as a producer, out on August 27th 2021.

The album features hip hop heavyweights from both sides of the Atlantic, and the new single is the latest representation of the different levels involved.

“Black Hole Cypher” is an outstanding posse cut featuring a “Who’s Who” of the UK scene. Relentless business from King Kashmere, Truemendous, MysDiggi, Micall Parknsun, Joker Starr, Gee Bag, Confucius, Jehst, Phoenix da Icefire and Ramson himself all piling in with fierce bars over a high octane beat.

Switching gears, “Rap to the Future” resonates to a classic west coast beat. Featured artists Dizzy Dustin from Long Beach (Ugly Duckling / Blown Celeb), an old friend of ours from the Underground Cartel project Mr Hooper (aka Crazyballhead) of Sacramento and Canada’s Moka Only evoke the sights and sounds of hip hop back in the day, with exquisite cuts provided by last year’s IDA scratch champion Kompoze.

Available to download and stream from all major digital platforms including APPLE, TIDAL, AMAZON, SPOTIFY & BANDCAMP

All press, media and radio DJ enquiries about the single and album can be addressed to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR

You can connect with Ramson on his new official Twitter account @Ramson_Badbonez and on Instagram @OscarSlouch

Thanks again to everyone who has supported us with this and previous project releases, it’s very much appreciated.

TEAM NDR

www.newdawnrecs.com

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 |

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