June 23rd 2023

Hip Hop label New Dawn Records have today announced the signing of Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC and Edinburgh based producer Brelstaff for the release of their new album “Urban Testimony” on November 3rd 2023.

Justo has been a regular fixture in the eastcoast underground scene for many years, first emerging 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 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 “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.       

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 the label’s official Youtube channel @newdawnrecords where you can now watch the album video trailer.

All international written media and DJ enquiries regarding the album can be addressed to ourselves, the label’s in house promotional division. Our contact details are HERE while the full album press release can be read HERE

All information about the label is available at their official website www.newdawnrecs.com

Meanwhile, connect with the artists on Social Media 

Justo on Twitter @MC_Justo IG @JustoTheMC & FB @JustoTheMC

Brelstaff on Twitter @BrelstaffMusic IG @BrelstaffMusic & FB @BrelstaffMusic

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Originally established in 1996 and relaunched in 2019, hip hop label New Dawn Records have packed a lot into the past 12 months.

The most recent development announced today is the launch of their new Bandcamp platform where, to begin with, their entire digital catalogue has just been made available to download.

Included are “Panacea” by London’s Phoenix da Icefire & Husky Brown, nominated for “Best Independent Album” at this year’s AIM Awards, “God of Barz” & “The Seymour Chronicles” by New Jersey’s lyrical marksman Tru Trilla with production by Spain’s Sumerio Square, the UK’s Chat One, Chicago’s DNA Beatz and LA’s Clinton Place aka Jamal Nueve, and “Dopeliss” by rapper / producer Az Izz of legendary New Jersey group The Outsidaz featuring Pacewon, D.U. and Drift.

Some of the label’s classic original releases made available in digital format for the first time more recently can also now be downloaded including joints “Y’All Under Surveillance”, “Meltdown” and “Skitzophonetic” by hip hop crew Belles in Monica, together with DMC finalist and turntablist supreme DJ Krash Slaughta’s remixes of the groups tracks via the “18 Showdown EP”

In addition, the extremely rare and unique international project “Sapientia” by Underground Cartel has been made available. A collaboration of artists from around the world including El Meswy (Spain), Swiss Precise (KBH, Blown Celeb, Long Beach), the late Primo Brown of Cor Veleno (Italy), Rapstation presenter Mr CRF (UK), Beni Blanco of French crew Originaire du Sud, Zimbabwe’s Dumi Right, Bleek Wonder (Holland), female rappers MC’s Marya (Italy) and Lockness (NYC) plus many more came together to represent the four corners of the hip hop world on the one record.

Old to new flavas, it’s a veritable feast of rhymes, beats and turntablism you can check out in full HERE

For more information about New Dawn Records, head over to their OFFICIAL WEBSITE. All press & media inquiries regarding New Dawn Records’ releases can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact information is available HERE

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Released today through New Dawn Records, the new album “Dopeliss” by rapper and producer Az Izz of legendary New Jersey group The Outsidaz.

Together with Pace Won, Young Zee, Rah Digga and D.U., the Brick City crew were noted for their work with The Fugees, Wu Tang and a new emerging force from Detroit, D12.  More recently pursuing a career in tv, film and sports music production, Az has returned to the hip hop fold with his first major solo album in several years.  Largely self produced with additional contributions by Qua Z Mo, DJ 3rdRell and DJ Profluent, the guest featured artists include several of his fellow former group members and further luminaries from the local independent scene including Drift, Rube the Difference and Jaja Kenyatta.

From boom bap to hard driving electronic beats, the production maps the evolution of the east coast sound underpinned lyrically by the traditional art of storytelling, street life, aspirations and struggles.  Back in the game with another flag planted for the Garden State, essential listening.

TRACKLIST

1 Let Me Get That ft Slang Ton, Pace Won & D.U. (produced by Az Izz)

2 Crazy ft D.U. (produced by Az Izz)

3 Gunz n Dice Games (produced by Az Izz)

4 Ghetto (produced by Az Izz)

5 Trouble (produced by 3rdRell)

6 Gettin’ It ft Drift (produced by Az Izz)

7 You Know (produced by Az Izz)

8 Nunya (produced by Qua Z Mo)

9 Interstate ft Nam & D.U. (produced by DJ Profluent)

10 Itz da $$ ft Equip, Rube the Difference & Jaja Kenyatta (produced by Az Izz)

Available to stream and download from all major digital platforms and stores including APPLE, TIDAL & AMAZON Also on Spotify and Soundcloud

Connect with Az Izz on twitter @TheRealAzizz and Instagram @RealAzIzz

For all information about New Dawn Records and their releases, visit the official website www.newdawnrecs.com

All media, press and radio DJ enquiries about any of New Dawn Records’ releases can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact information is HERE

UrbanElite PR

www.urbanelitepr.com