The new episode of Focus Beats was broadcast on BBC Radio 6 at the weekend, and is due to be repeated on BBC Radio 1 this Wednesday.

Produced for the BBC by Reform Radio, the programme features a mix of instrumental lofi hip hop chilled beats, ambient electronica and other soothing sounds designed to assist students focusing on study and also provide a generally relaxing backdrop through the night. The concept will be well known to those familiar with several Youtube and Spotify playlists also designed for that exact purpose.

The programme is also available on BBC Sounds for approximately 6 weeks after first broadcast, so you can listen back to it HERE

Included in this week’s playlist are instrumental versions of tracks by De La Soul, Method Man, Aretha Franklyn and three separate artists with albums either already released or set for release later this year by New Dawn Records

BRELSTAFF “FINE LINE [Instrumental]” Taken from the album “Urban Testimony (The Instrumentals) released in the Spring, the full vocal version of the album, a collaboration with Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC, drops November 3rd

Instrumental album on Spotify (also available on Bandcamp, Apple, Deezer, Amazon & Tidal)

Full vocal album video trailler on Youtube

FROST GAMBLE “LONG RIDE [Instrumental]”. This is the instrumental version of a track which will appear on the album “Cautionary Tales” out on October 20th. Another collaborative project between veteran producer Frost Gamble and upcoming award winning upstate NY rapper Anthony Kannon.

The first single “Pitfalls” released in June with the new single “Make It Rain” due out on July 18th

Pitfalls on Spotify (also available on Bandcamp, Apple, Tidal, Deezer & Amazon)

Album video trailer on Youtube

HUSKY BROWN “VEGANITE [Instrumental]” This is the instrumental version of the track which appeared on the album “Panacea”, another joint venture with London rapper Phoenix da Icefire, and which was nominated for ‘Best Independent Album’ at the AIM Awards 2020

“Panacea” on Spotify (also available on Bandcamp, Apple, Deezer, Tidal & Apple)

“Veganite” on Youtube

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

All written media and radio DJ enquiries about the label’s releases can be sent to ourselves, their in house promotional division. Contact details available HERE

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Omerta-TheRealHipHop

A few weeks back, Baltimore rapper M.I. from Constant Deviants sat down with Sherron Shabazz from The Real Hip Hop in the lead up to the release of the new album “Omerta”.

The group’s fifth full length studio release has a theme running throughout, and the interview begins by discussing the meaning of the title and why it was used before moving on to the concepts behind specific tracks such as “So Underrated” and “DeLorean”.

M.I. has also made a significant move into the world of film making in recent times as an actor, writer and producer. With a new movie “Six2Six” co:starring Treach, Syleena Johnson and Chief Rocker Busy Bee set to be screened at Ralph McDaniels’ Hip Hop Film Festival in NYC next month, the pair talk about how he first became involved in this new venture and the comparisons between the two art forms.

READ THE FULL FEATURE HERE

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“Omerta” released on June 28th and can be bought in digital format direct from Six2Six Records BANDCAMP.

CD and vinyl versions are being distributed worldwide through Fatbeats from Friday July 15th, so check local specialist stores for availability.

Look out for further media coverage together with new audio and video releases shortly. You can keep up to date with Constant Deviants on Facebook on Twitter and on Instagram, M.I. & DJ Cutt.

Meanwhile, check out the album stream

All press, media and radio station Dj enquiries and requests regarding Constant Deviants can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR, our contact details are HERE

UrbanElite PR
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T : @urbanelitepr

Omerta-TheWordisBond

Broadcast originally last week on Canada’s CHRW 94.9FM and CFMU 93.3FM, you can now listen back to MC M.I.from Constant Deviants interview with Chase March for The Word is Bond Rap Radio Show…and the sound quality is top drawer !

In the interview, M.I. explains the thinking behind the new album title “Omerta” and the reasons for the theme running throughout. They speak on dumbing down lyrically, and how he experienced this during his time signed to Arista, but how his creative artistic instinct compelled him to return to the independent sector and set up Six2Six Records.

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Given the support the group’s enjoyed for years from radio djs, regularly topping the college radio charts, M.I. speaks openly about his appreciation he’s always had for the DJ and the role they continue to play in giving artists exposure. The discussion sedgeways onto the use of Serrato, and as Six2Six label co:owner with a policy of releasing on vinyl, he outlines the time and financial implications of continuing to do so.

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Now with a new significant move into the world of film making as an actor, writer and producer, he explains more about establishing Six2Six Films and his new film “Six2Six The Movie”. Starring Treach, Syleena Johnson and Chief Rocker Busy Bee, it will be be screened at NYC’s The Hip Hop Film Festival in August.

On learning he is currently filming a new comedy movie “Can’t Live Without My Radio”, Chase takes the discussion onto the wider subject of hip hop films such as “Straight Outta Compton” and the increase in new independent films emerging.

The interview includes some of M.I.’s solo tracks and a selection from previous album “Avant Garde” together with the new release “Omerta”

LISTEN BACK – THE INTERVIEW BEGINS AN HOUR INTO THE SHOW

Catch Constant Deviants performing live this Saturday, June 25th at Castaways Baltimore

They spend all of next week in NYC appearing as guests on a variety of radio shows – details coming shortly.

Keep up to date with their news on twitter @Cnstnt_Dvnts @Six2SixShift and on their Facebook Page Meanwhile, check out their new single “DeLorean”

All press, media and DJ enquiries regarding Constant Deviants, including requests to interview the group or to receive mp3s or their tracks for airplay can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR – all our contact details are HERE

UrbanElite PR
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T : @urbanelitepr

ATM-TheRealHipHop

Little while back, Chicago journalist Sherron Shabazz, owner of the online The Real Hip Hop jumped on Skype with Long Beach group Horseshoe Gang shortly after the relase of their album “Anti-Trap Music”

They spoke at length about a variety of subjects beginning with the meaning behind the album title and the concept that large areas of hip hop today has moved away from carrying any real message of note.

The discussion moved on to their song “Shoe-icide Squad”, quoted by some as a modern day “Fuck The Police”, and the incident involving Chicago’s Laquan McDonald who was shot and killed by police is debated in the context of their single. The subject then moves to the years they’ve operated as a group, comparing that to most others who inevitably break up as the urge to fly solo becomes too strong, whereas the four brothers see their future as a unit.

The feature also sees them outline the knowledge passed down to them by their elder brother Crooked I while they go into some of the finer detail behind their well documented rap battle with Hopsin’s Funk Volume.

READ THE FULL FEATURE HERE

HorseshoeGang

You’ll be able to hear Horseshoe Gang live in the Homegrown Radio studio with DJ Hed and Chuck Dizzle on Thursday July 21st, broadcasting on Real 92.3 FM LA.

Meanwhile, check out the aforementioned single “Shoe-icide Squad” produced by Tabu

The album was released through Seven 13 Music & Entertainment and is available on iTunes and Amazon

Keep up to date with them on twitter @HorseshoeGang and on their Facebook Page

Any members of the press or media with enquiries or requests regarding Horseshoe Gang can send them to us at UrbanElite PR, our contact details are HERE

UrbanElite PR
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T : @urbanelitepr

VerbalSwardz-Clash

Once again, Matt Oliver has delivered his monthly round up of news and releases from the world of hip hop in his Rapture & Verse column which appears in the long established British physical and online publication Clash Magazine.

In what is always an information packed look back at the month just passed, the current edition includes The Stonesthrow Documentary launch in Brixton, and further upcoming UK visits by Talib Kweli, Jazzy Jeff, Blu & Exile, Bishop Nehru & De La Soul.

Among the releases covered are those by Chuck English, Freddie Gibbs, Willie the Kid, Pharoahe Monch, Blanco & The Jacka, J Cole and the new EP by north London’s Iron Braydz “Verbal sWARdz” which releases on 14th April

The piece reads “The robust scriptures of Iron Braydz map out the path from Shaolin to North London and flip soul samples and voodoo fumes into street-spattered brain matter on ‘Verbal sWARdz’. The Triple Darkness delegate has his bare knuckle dawn raids viewing reality wide-eyed supported by an impressive pack of Phoenix Da Icefire, Prince Po, Kyza, Sean Price and Phat Kat. Bruising.

The column is always a good read, and worth checking it out HERE

Accompanying the article was also the latest video from Iron Braydz “Dredd”. Check it out :

There’s been a high level of international media interest in this release already, so look out for much more coverage in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile keep up to date with Iron Braydz via twitter @Braydz and on Facebook “HollaAtBraydz” You can also reach the magazine via @Clash_Music

All press & media enquiries about Iron Braydz EP “Verbal sWARdz”, requests for promotional copies to review or requests to interview Iron Braydz, can be sent to UrbanElite PR HERE

UrbanElite PR
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