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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

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Out today through New Dawn Records, the special single edition cut of “Don’t Need Gimmicks” by New York State rapper and producer duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamble, the original having appeared on their album ‘Beautiful Foundations’ released on May 15th.

Fresh from premiering a new filmed documentary about their three decades working together, marked by the celebratory nature of the album itself, the pair lace us with this gritty gem.   For the latest soundclash of bangin’ grimy beats and turntablism, Frost lets Pa Pa Fresh loose on the cuts, while Chop loads the verbal chambers alongside Brooklyn’s The Bad Seed.

In with both barrels, an onslaught of punchline bars and precision flows land heavily on their targets with no quarter given. With the swagger of seasoned vets in full effect, an uncompromising display of robust rhymes hit hard in a barrage of blows. Smoke cleared and cartridges spent, they leave the scene with all the bragging rights.

Certified heat, the real deal available now on APPLE MUSIC, TIDAL and below on BANDCAMP & SPOTIFY.

OFFICIAL VISUALS ON YOUTUBE

For more information about the album, or New Dawn Records’ entire roster and catalogue, visit their official website www.newdawnrecs.com

For all media and DJ enquiries or requests regarding any of New Dawn Records’ releases, contact ourselves, the label’s in house promotional division. You can get in touch HERE

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New video released today, “Enough” appears on the alnum ‘Beautiful Foundations’ by New York State rapper & producer duo Tone Chop and Frost Gamble, released through New Dawn Records on May 15th.

Featuring fellow Binghamton native Doc Holiday, it’s a sobering account of an all too familiar issue experienced in most towns and cities. The lyricism is on point as Chop reflects on the devastating effects Class A addiction has had on his community, and particularly as a father himself, the young lives left in ruins.

The rage against heroin, meth and those who peddle for profit is a measured retaliation against the destruction caused by the few, yet felt by the many. Impeccable social commentary from the veteran wordsmith, the video also ends with a helpline to call for anyone affected by the issues addressed.

Watch it now on Youtube

Also featuring Grea8gawd, The Bad Seed, DJ Eclipse, PF Cuttin, Decon Blu and Pa Pa Fresh, the album is available on Bandcamp and Spotify, plus there is an official playlist on Youtube which includes visuals for the singles released ahead of the album.

A landmark release for the pair marking their working together for over three decades, they continue the celebrations this coming Saturday May 30th with their special album launch event.

It takes place at The Stellar Human vintage clothing store situated at 159 Washington Street, Binghamton. Beginning at 6pm, entry is free and will include an album listening session, artist discussion on making the album with q&a, and a screening of their autobiographical documentary which was first premiered on Youtube last week.

All are invited to drop by in what will be a relaxed and informal environment to join in with the celebrations. Chill vibes, good company and dope music. Enjoy !

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New Dawn Records have announced today the release 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 being an eclectic and highly impressive offering which remains fundamentally true 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.

Distributed worldwide by Xelon Entertainment, the album is available to download and stream at all major digital platforms and stores including APPLE, TIDAL and below on BANDCAMP & SPOTIFY

The album has also been published in full on the label’s Youtube channel, including official visuals at the following playlist.

On Wednesday May 20th a filmed documentary about the artists’ entire career together will be premiered on Youtube, a full account of their earliest days and the journey they subsequently went on culminating in the release of this album. A fascinating insight that will be sure to resonate with independent artists of any genre.

All media, press and DJ enquiries about New Dawn Records’ releases can be forwarded to ourselves, their official in house promotional division. Our contact details are HERE

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Independent hip hop label New Dawn Records are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. In doing so, they’ve been revisiting selected tracks from their back catalogue, mainly their most recent releases in the past decade.

Today they mark the anniversary of one of their earliest singles by the group Belles in Monica, “Meltdown” having dropped on 12″ vinyl and CD formats on May 6th 2002. With remixes by DJ Nappa [Phi Life Cypher] and DMC finalist Krash Slaughta [Monkey Mafia & II Tone Committee] it was the second of three singles lifted from their album “Resistance is Futile” which dropped in October that year.

Following on from the single “Y’All Under Surveillance” and preceding “What D’Ya Need” it became one of the crew’s most recognizable joints.

It also became one of their most contentious cuts, with various interpretations as to the actual lyrical meaning leading to various conclusions. The least accurate of those caused the most consternation, including among a small select number of media at the time, while the title and concept was self evident to most. Not that this or just about anything else troubled the trio on the basis that “there’s no accounting for intelligence….“

Nevertheless, to mark the occasion the label have just released a new video using filmic reference points, the underlying themes of which metaphorically align to the general subject matter….of course you’d need to be familiar with the films in question in the first place, but that’s neither here nor there……

So for the benefit of the bewildered, on Youtube, New Dawn Records presents “24 YEARS LATER – BELLES IN MONICA ‘MELTDOWN’ [DECODED]” to either help explain, or add to to the confusion further…..either’s fine…..

Their final release before disbanding to live in the tranquil surroundings of remote mountain tops and wooded clearings for a life of quiet contemplation came in the form of the single “Smoke Filled Rooms” in the autumn of 2003. Never to be seen or heard of again….until in 2019 the label re-mastered most of their catalogue and released it for the first time in digital formats.

FULL VERSION OF MELTDOWN ON YOUTUBE

VARIOUS ON SPOTIFY

And there we have it, Belles in Monica, an enigma wrapped in a puzzle. Hear their feint echoes of caution from the past, tread carefully all ye entering the music industry, because yes, you too could end up like this….a timely lesson from history, not least for the confused… it’s all in the mind kiddos, it’s all in the mind…..

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Just ahead of the release of their new album ‘Beautiful Foundations’ on May 15th, Upstate NY rapper and producer duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamble deliver the fourth single “Gawdbrovas Connect”. 

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 rhyme skills, beats and turntablism.

The latest cut being a case in point where the pair are joined by fellow New York native Grea8gawd.  Frost’s grimy bass laden production fuels the intensity from the outset, kicks like tremors firing aftershocks through the grit.  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.  Straight heat for the street, out today through New Dawn Records.

Look out for a filmed documentary about Chop and Frost’s entire careers from the early beginnings to the present day premiering on Youtube shortly after the album release.

Available to stream and download on APPLE MUSIC, TIDAL MUSIC and below on Bandcamp & Spotify

Official visuals have also been published on Youtube

For further information about all of New Dawn Records’ releases, visit their official website www.newdawnrecs.com

All media, press & DJ enquiries regarding any of New Dawn Records’ releases can be addressed to ourselves UrbanElite PR, the official in house promotional division of the label. Our contact information is HERE

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Released today, veteran Binghamton duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamble return with the third single from their highly anticipated new album “Beautiful Foundations”, a celebration of their partnership stretching back over 30 years, which drops on May 15th 2026 through New Dawn Records.

It’s all in the name with “The Smoothest” catching the vibe.  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 fellow Upstate marksmen Decon Blu and Pa Pa Fresh dictate the narrative, the three re-united from their earlier Four Sportsmen project.

Driven along by the customary slick productions with Frost at the wheel, it’s a classic recipe.  Seasoned campaigners shelling rhymes with ease over a luscious beat immersed in soulful flavas and exquisite turntablism.  Done and dusted, the bragging rights are well earned.

Available to stream and download from all digital platforms including APPLE MUSIC, TIDAL MUSIC and below on BANDCAMP and SPOTIFY

 

Official visuals have also just been published on Youtube

More information about all of New Dawn Records’ releases is available at their OFFICIAL WEBSITE

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Released today, “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 and Frost Gamble, out through New Dawn Records on May 15th.

Layers of classic boom bap hip hop beats underpin hard bars as the veteran rap battle champion goes on the hunt with a verbal salvo aimed at upcoming title contenders. Joining them on the mission is legendary turntablist DJ Eclipse, renowned for his work with Non Phixion, Ill Bill and ongoing Fat Beats ambassador. Still flying the flag high and representing the dopest new underground bangers with his Rap Is Outta Control Show on Shade 45, the cutting skills on this joint are typically off the scale, stoking the fires further in a fusion of gritty authentic heat.

Knockout punchlines in a heavyweight bout for the heads, this also marks the label’s first release during their 30th anniversary year.   Slick business from the Binghamton boys, dial it up to the max.

Available to stream and download from a multitude of digital platforms and stores including APPLE, TIDAL and below on Bandcamp and Spotify

The official video is also now playing on Youtube

More information about the single and album release is available at the label’s official website www.newdawnrecs.com

All press, multimedia and DJ enquiries about any of New Dawn Records’ releases can be addressed to ourselves, their in house promotional division. Get in touch HERE

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Binghamton rapper and producer duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamble, the latter now based in Canada, drop their new album “Beautiful Foundations” through New Dawn Records on May 15th this year.

The title track was released last month as a single, available from all digital platforms and stores, while the official video was published on Youtube

They have just recorded a special “Beautiful Foundations Freestyle” where Chop in customary fashion gets busy on the mic with a neat twist by dropping the names of all the album tracks in his bars.

He linked up recently with local videographer Lil Kurby, who also filmed the official single video, to take to the snowbound streets of Binghamton for some new visuals which you can now watch on Youtube.

The album itself was recorded by the pair to mark their long standing friendship and working relationship together dating back three decades, and features many of those they’ve met and built with on the journey.

A landmark release, they have also filmed an accompanying documentary which details their earliest days together, maps out the trials and tribulations they encountered on the way and of course speaks on the new project. It’s a must watch for all interested in hip hop’s history and culture, and will resonate with independent artists everywhere. Look out for this dropping shortly after the album.

Plans are also underway for a special launch event to take place in their hometown, with details due to be announced in the coming months.

The next single will be “Play No Games” on February 10th with features cuts by DJ Eclipse [Shade 45 / Sirius XM – Rap Is Outta Control Show]. You can hear a snippet of it as part of the Official Album Video Trailer which was released late last year.

For further information about the release and all of New Dawn Records’ roster and catalogue, visit their official website www.newdawnrecs.com

For all media, press & radio DJ enquiries regarding any of the label’s releases, feel free to get in touch with ourselves, NDR’s official in house promotional division. Our contact information is available HERE

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New York State rapper & producer duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamble celebrate their three decades of working together with the release of the new album “Beautiful Foundations” on May 15th 2026 through New Dawn Records.

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.

Released today, the first offering is the single edition of the title track featuring another native of “The Bing” Will K.  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 on Apple Music / iTunes, Tidal Music and below on Bandcamp and Spotify

The official video is playing on New Dawn Records’ Youtube channel

More information about the single and album is available at the label’s official website NEWDAWNRECS.COM where there are also dedicated pages for the artists and their releases.

As the label’s in house promotional division, all worldwide media, press, radio & tv enquiries about this release can be sent to us via our CONTACT page

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