Continuing the celebration of their 30th anniversary this year, independent hip hop label New Dawn Records have turned the clock back to their earlier days with a focus on a project we also remember well in assisting with its creation.
Underground Cartel was the brainchild of Belles in Monica producer Kruze, 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. Basically, a celebration of an internationally shared culture.
The debut taster “Dropzone EP” released on CD and vinyl in 2004, while recording began on “Sapientia” in 2005 which extended the number of artists and territories involved. Due to various circumstances, the mixing process could not be fully completed for some considerable time, but was eventually released in digital format in 2019.
Reflecting back on this time, the label have today released this new video, a visual representation of a recently edited version of one of the tracks from the EP.
“U Owe It 2 Yourself [Revelations]” features Boston’s The Yukonn MC who together with Oak Lonetree formed the group My Mans N’ Them, and who became involved in the project due to his connection 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 us, including 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.
Adding to the east and west coast flavas, female rapper Marya (aka Maria Cellamaro) brings some Italian seasoning to the mix. Based at the time in Milan, the sister of rap artists Tormento and Esa first came to light working with the group Sottotono, before embarking on series of solo and collaborative projects over the years. She is joined on the EP by another of that country’s finest, the sadly missed Primo Brown of Rome’s legendary Cor Veleno crew.
VIDEO ON YOUTUBE
Other featured artists on the “Sapientia EP” include 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, who hosted a show on Chuck D’s Rapstation for a time, and London’s Creamo fly the flag for England, while the States are further repped 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.
SAPIENTIA EP ON BANDCAMP & SPOTIFY
Coincidentally, the label are currently preparing a new collaborative project by trans Atlantic artists which is aimed for release in the early part of 2027.
Meanwhile, for all information about their entire roster and back catalogue, visit New Dawn Records’ official website at www.newdawnrecs.com For all media and radio station enquiries about the label’s releases, contact ourselves, their in house promotional division. Our details are HERE