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The new “Rapture & Verse” hip hop column written by Matt Oliver for ‘Monolith Cocktail’ has just been published.

It’s a monthly bite size round up of all hip hop news items, events, and releases to look out for whether singles, EP’s or albums.

Among the many artists covered in the latest edition are Datkid, Onoe Capone, Ill Bill & Stu Bangas, Guilty Simpson, Madlib, Nottz, Black Milk, Westside Gunn, Conway, Apollo Brown, Quelle Chris.

There is also news of the new Belles in Monica EP “Natsukashii” which releases through New Dawn records on June 7th

READ THE COLUMN IN FULL HERE

Watch the trailer video for the “Natsukashii EP” on Youtube

The first single from the EP, “Smoke Filled Rooms” releases on May 24th

Having just re-launched after a 15 year hiatus, New Dawn Records released the Belles in Monica EP “Y’All in Meltdown” on April 26th and the new Underground Cartel single “Evolution” b/w “Diggin Deeper” on Friday, taken from the “Sapientia EP” out on May 17th

Underground Cartel are an international hip hop collaborative project involving artists from all over the USA, UK, Europe and Africa including Madrid’s El Meswy, Beni Blanco from French crew ‘Originaire du Sud’, Long Beach’s Swiss Precise, Virginia’s Black Market, the UK’s Rapstation host Mr CRF, Zimbabwe’s Dumi Right, the late, great Primo from legendary Italian crew Cor Veleno and many more.

All the releases to date can be heard at New Dawn Records’ Spotify Page

Currently adding to their roster, you can keep up to date with all the label’s news at their official website www.newdawnrecs.com and via their Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts

All media & radio station / club DJ enquiries regarding the label and their roster can be addressed to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact details are available HERE

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It’s been just over 12 months since “The Donald” pulled off the deal of his life and kissed the pentagram at the crossroads…”Satan, great guy, Cambions, good people, it’s gonna be beautiful…“…but despite clearly not being in the presence of a responsible adult while airing his views on social media, the planet is at least still here (at the time of writing).

2017 has been another busy one for us and the wider hip hop world. As 2018 approaches, we’ve listed below albums released this year we’d recommend for the hip hop connoisseur – a mixture of those we have promoted together with some other gems.

ZOtheJERK & FROST GAMBLE – ALBUM – “BLACK BEACH” released on May 26th

The first of several projects spearheaded this year by one of the fastest emerging names in hip hop production Frost Gamble, originally from NY State but now resident in Winnipeg. The concept is similar in approach to artists such as Constant Deviants and Run the Jewels or several collaborative releases in recent years from Apollo Brown, Statik Selektah and DJ Premier.

The album “Black Beach” with Detroit rapper ZotheJerk is rammed full of passionate conscious rhymes, a depiction of the current experience for “Black America” addressing subjects of oppression, injustices, police brutality, aspirations and the importance of positive paternal role models.

The politics are well balanced with a healthy slice of humour by the Michigan MC who appeared as an extra in “8 Mile”, worked closely with the late Proof of D12 and received a “Humanitarian of the Year” award for mentoring work in the community.

Guest featured artists include Boldy James, Sadat X, Guilty Simpson and KXNG Crooked.

Available on digital formats from Amazon, iTunes and Spotify

The exclusive deluxe edition can be bought and streamed on Bandcamp

TONE CHOP & FROST GAMBLE – ALBUM – “RESPECT IS EARNED NOT GIVEN” released on September 29th

Chop & Frost are long time sparring partners from their days together during the 90’s in Binghamton, NY, and the new album was the follow up to their debut EP release “Veteran” late in 2016.

Both devotees to the origins of the culture, ex graff artist Chop cut his teeth in the local rap battle scene and is armed with a sharp wit, fierce punchline bars and incisive metaphors. The album’s themes switch seemlessly from trademark demoltion mode to the art of storytelling throughout, aided and abetted by guest featured artists Kool G Rap, Planet Asia, rap battler DNA, Tragedy Khadafi and Canadian upcomer White Rhino.

Ex b-boy Frost again laces the release with high quality sample fuelled beats infused with soul, funk, r&b, dub and electronica, producing a rich soundscape drawn from a classic era with contemporary values.

Available on CD and digital formats from Amazon, iTunes and Spotify

It can also be bought and streamed from Bandcamp

In October, Frost followed up with another buzz release in the shape of his EP “Rare Fabric”, another collaboration this time with Tragedy Khadafi. Again available from Bandcamp

He has also released the first single from his new solo producer album “I Missed My Bus”. Due out in 2018 and including guest featured artists Rah Digga, KXNG Crooked, Skyzoo, Guilty Simpson, Ruste Juxx, Conway the Machine, Planet Asia, Sadat X and of course his Nostalgia Clic crew of Zo, Chop & White Rhino, “Effin Great” featuring Ras Kass is another available from the label 22 Entertainment’s Bandcamp

DA FLYY HOOLIGAN – ALBUM – “S.C.U.M.” released on October 27th

One of the most gifted and creative artists in the UK hip hop scene for several years, north west London rapper brought his lyrical “A” game to the table on his new album “S.C.U.M.”, the follow up to his EP “F.Y.L.P.M.” released earlier in the year.

A cathartic indulgence to liberate the soul, the suave sophistication of this latest offering addresses all things aspirational. Bullish rhymes throw off the shackles in a journey through the human condition in a series of charismatic portrayals in the pursuit of a life less ordinary.

With lavish production provided by the UK’s Agor, DFH showcases all the suprior verbal prowess in his armoury, joined by guest featured artists Hus Kingpin and new Shady signing Westside Gunn for a combination of antagonistic grimy bars and uncomprimising rhymes.

Available in CD and digital formats from Amazon, iTunes and Spotify

Buy and stream on Bandcamp

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

MELANIN 9 – ALBUM – “OLD PICTURES” Released October 27th

Another extremely gifted and highly respected lyricist from north London we’ve worked with several times in the past, not least on the critically acclaimed “Magna Carta” album of 2013.

We heard from M9 earlier in the year and were delighted to learn of his progression and tie up with a European label for the release of “Old Pictures”. An artist who meticulously takes the time to ensure everything’s ready to come to the table, but it’s always worth the wait when it does.

SHAYJTODAY – ALBUM – “val{you}” – released December

A highly talented rapper from Florida we think could have a big future.

We were introduced to the name a few weeks ago by his management team and were highly impressed by the quality of lyricism and production on this release which is very much contemporary but intelligently mixed with classic reference points.

From beginning to end it’s an extremely well constructed and thought out piece of work which in itself is rare and refreshing to hear. We understand a move to Europe is on the cards with a possible date in London pencilled in for Spring 2018

Available on iTunes and Spotify

Buy & stream on Bandcamp

HORSESHOE GANG – ALBUM – “DOPE LYRICS MATTER” – released December

Not a lot more we can say about these guys, they’re lyrically lethal !

Not that it should be a surprise given they’re the younger brothers of KXNG Crooked, we worked with them last year on their album “Anti Trap Music” and they’ve just dropped an absolute barnstormer in “Dope Lyrics Matter”.

They clearly do, just as with all the releases highlighted here today

Available from Amazon, iTunes and Spotify

Buy and stream on Bandcamp

Enjoy the dope beats & rhymes, and if you like ’em, buy ’em !

Our contact information details are available HERE should media have any enquiries regarding the artists.

UrbanElite PR would like to thank everyone for their support this year, and we wish you all the best for 2018.

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
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In May this year, ZotheJerk released his album “Black Beach” through 22 Entertainment, a collaboration with producer Frost Gamble which included guest featured artists Sadat X, Guilty Simpson, Boldy James and KXNG Crooked.

Orginally from Detroit where among other things he appeared in the film “8 Mile” and developed a working relationship with the late Proof of D12, he subsequently moved to Kansas where he recived a “Humanitarian of the Year” award for work in the community before currently settling in Ohio.

Known for a conscious rhyming approach encompassing all aspects of life, injected with passion and humour in equal measure, he described the concept of “Black Beach” as “the voice of a people who are tired and demand more, who ask what’s next, it’s the music of the current era”

He sat down recently with US online magazine Rhymebeat to discuss his earliest influences and the creative inspirations in his writing, he spoke of his time on the come up at Detroit’s renowned “Hip Hop Shop” and discussed in more detail his move to Kansas and his thoughts on the wider Midwest rap scene.

THE INTERVIEW WAS PUBLISHED YESTERDAY WHICH YOU CAN READ IN FULL HERE

“Black Beach” is available in digital formats from Amazon, Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify

From it was the single “Risk vs Reward” ft Sadat X and the lyric video “Keep Me Safe”, a message from a father dedicated to his children.

He also appears on the first single to be taken from Frost Gamble’s new solo producer album “I Missed My Bus” due out in 2018. “Effin Great” is available now from Bandcamp and also features Ras Kass

Connect with ZotheJerk on social media via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

All media & press enquiries regarding the artists and releases mentioned can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact information details are available HERE

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Eastcoast rapper / producer duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamble released their album “Respect Is Earned Not Given” in September, a follow up to last year’s “Veteran EP”.

Featuring Kool G Rap, Planet Asia, rap battler DNA, Canadian White Rhino, Tragedy Khadafi and Bigga Haitian, they again received worldwide media coverage for the release with multiple reviews and interviews published over the past few months.

The latest sees them appear as “Featured Artists of the Day” in US online ‘Love This Track’ which you can read HERE

Released by Miami based label 22 Entertainment, “Respect Is Earned Not Given” is available on both CD and digital formats from multiple online stores worldwide including Amazon, Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify

You can also hear the album stream on Soundcloud

Chop also appears as a featured artist alongside Conway the Machine, Rah Digga, KXNG Crooked, Planet Asia, Guilty Simpson, Ras Kass, Skyzoo, Ruste Juxx, Sadat X and more on Frost Gamble’s new solo producer album “I Missed My Bus” due out around Spring 2018.

An early teaser from it has already been released in the shape of the first single, “Effin’ Great”. Check it out

Connect with Tone Chop & Frost Gamble on social media via twitter @ToneChop & @FrostGamble, on instagram @ToneChop & @Frost.Gamble and via their joint Facebook Page [you can pick up on their individual ones from there]

All international press, media and radio station enquiries about Tone Chop, Frost Gamble and their various releases can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact information details are available HERE

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
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DJ Toshi is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his Classic Storm Radio Show by throwing on this must see event for all hip hop heads in New York City, tomorrow night, Saturday November 25th 2017.

He’s brought together a seriously impressive line up which will include live performances by The Beatnuts, Planet Asia, Ruste Juxx, Illa Ghee, Mr Complex, C-Rayz Walz and El Gant.

There will be a special DJ set by D.I.T.C.’s Lord Finesse with further sets by Toshi, Street Vision’s DJ Ready Cee and DJ Mixx. The night will be hosted by Classic Storm’s Sunez, Bodega Cold Kutz’ Doc AHK and local emcee Mic Handz

THE VENUE IS MERCURY LOUNGE, 217 EAST HOUSTON STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10002

Doors open at 10.30pm with the show starting at 11pm. This is a 21 and over event so bring ID if you think it may be required. Price on the door is $20, although there are still some discount priced tickets available in advance from TICKETFLY

There is more information about the show at the Facebook Event Page

In August, Toshi had producer Frost Gamble and Detroit rapper ZotheJerk as guests on the show. The pair released the album “Black Beach” in May.

Frost was in town to finish the recording of his “Rare Fabric” EP with Tragedy Khadafi, released in October, and to help promote his album “Respect Is Earned Not Given” with NY state rapper Tone Chop which released in September and featured Kool G Rap, Planet Asia and rap battler DNA

In early 2018 he will be releasing his solo producer album “I Missed My Bus” which includes featured artists KXNG Crooked, Ruste Juxx, Ras Kass, Skyzoo, Conway, Rah Digga, Guilty Simpson and many more.

Listen back to the show first broadcast on August 8th

All media & press enquiries about ZotheJerk, Tone Chop & Frost Gamble can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact information details are available HERE

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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Eastcoast rapper & producer duo Tone Chop and Frost Gamble were in NYC last month promoting their new album “Respect Is Earned Not Given” which released on September 29th through Miami label 22 Entertainment.

Featuring Kool G Rap, Planet Asia, rap battler DNA and Tragedy Khadafi, it is available on CD and digital formats from online stores worldwide including Amazon, Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify

They appeared as guests on DJ Eclipse’s Rap Is Outta Control show which as usual ends with a freestyle session. Chop, being the seasoned veteran he is dating back to his days starting out in street corner rap battles in upstate NY, brought the full armoury to the table on this one.

FIRST BROADCAST LIVE, OCTOBER 16TH ON SIRIUS XM HIP HOP NATION, CHECK OUT THE AUDIO STREAM

Rap Is Outta Control is now broadcast every Thursday from 10pm – 12pm EST on Sirius XM Channel 44.

Chop & Frost will be releasing a brand new special cut on November 22nd – look out for that one!

Frost, who has emerged in the past year as one of the hottest hip hop producers on the scene, is also finishing his new solo album “I Missed My Bus” due out in the first half of 2018 which will include guest featured artists Conway, Rah Digga, Crooked I, Skyzoo, Ruste Juxx, Rass Kas, Guilty Simpson and many more.

He released his “Rare Fabric” EP with Tragedy Khadafi on October 20th and remixed the Kid Vishis & Royce da 5’9″ joint “Go Off“.

Connect with the pair on social media via Twitter @ToneChop & @FrostGamble, on Instagram @ToneChop & @Frost.Gamble and over on their joint Facebook Page

All media, press and radio station DJ enquiries and requests regarding Tone Chop, Frost Gamble and their new album can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. All of our contact information details are available HERE

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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Eastcoast rapper & producer duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamble released their new album “Respect Is Earned Not Given” through Miami label 22 Entertainment on September 29th.

Featuring Kool G Rap, Planet Asia, DNA, White Rhino & Tragedy Khadafi it’s available to buy on CD and digital formats from multiple online stores worldwide including Amazon, Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify.

The pair were in New York a few weeks back promoting the album and were guests on DJ Eclipse’s Rap Is Outta Control show, broadcast now on their new slot every Thursday from 10pm – 12pm EST on Sirius XM’s “Hip Hop Nation” Channel 44.

As is customary, the show ends with a freestyle filmed by Bryan from The Beeshine TV. First broadcast live on air October 16th, the footage of Tone Chop & the show’s other guest Passport Gift has just been uploaded to Youtube. Check it out

Chop & Frost will be releasing a brand new track on November 22nd. Meantime check out the album stream on Soundcloud.

Stay connected with Chop & Frost on social media via twitter @ToneChop & @FrostGamble, on IG @ToneChop & @Frost.Gamble and via their joint Facebook Page

Frost has also just released his EP “Rare Fabric” with Tragedy Khadafi and is finishing his new solo album “I Missed My Bus” which includes guest featured artists Conway, Rah Digga, Crooked I, Ruste Juxx, Skyzoo, Ras Kass, Guilty Simpson and many more. Look out for that around the first half of 2018.

All international press, media and radio station DJ enquiries regarding Tone Chop, Frost Gamble and the album “Respect Is Earned Not Given” can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. All our contact details are available HERE

UrbanElite PR
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It’s been a remarkable year for NY State producer Frost Gamble, currently resident in Winnipeg, Canada.

Since signing with Miami label 22 Entertainment early in 2016, he has seen his star rise rapidly through a series of releases, and with 2018 looking set to be yet another major step forward in his career, he took time out recently to speak with DJ Lady Su, editor of French magazine “Hip Hop Breath”

Having just returned from NYC where he was with Tone Chop promoting their new album “Respect Is Earned Not Given”, including a guest appearance on DJ Eclipse’s Sirius XM ‘Rap Is Outta Control Show’, he reflects on the past 12 months which included the release of the pair’s “Veteran” EP, the album “Black Beach” with Detroit’s ZotheJerk and the EP “Rare Fabric” with Tragedy Khadafi out this Friday, October 20th.

He discusses his current work with Royce da 5’9″ and Horseshoe Gang and his new album “I Missed My Bus” due out next year which includes luminaries such as Crooked I, Rah Digga, Conway, Skyzoo, Ras Kass, Sadat X, Ruste Juxx, Guilty Simpson and many more.

His deal with 22 Ent has been the catalyst for his upward trajectory, and he outlines the nature of their working relationship and benefits this has brought. The one time b-boy and rap battler also gives his views on contemporary hip hop culture and the political situation in the USA seen from the standpoint of an American native now based north of the border.

READ THE ARTICLE IN FULL HERE

All of his releases are available from 22 Ent’s BANDCAMP store and as the label are districuted worldwide by The Orchard, you will also find them from Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and many more

As examples of Frost’s prowess on the boards, check out these bangers

LEAVE IT ALONE (Tribute to Sean P) ft Ruste Juxx & Nobi (from Veteran EP with Tone Chop)

RISK VS REWARD ft Sadat X (from Black Beach album with ZotheJerk)

WALK THE WALK ft Kool G Rap (from Respect Is Earned Not Given album with Tone Chop)

THAT’S STREET (from Rare Fabric EP with Tragedy Khadafi)

Look out for more press coverage on Frost Gamble shortly and connect with him on social media – he’s very sociable on there – via Twitter, IG and Facebook

All media, press and radio station DJ enquiries regarding Frost Gamble and all of his releases, including requests for interviews and full quality airplay standard mp3s, can be emailed to us at UrbanElite PR – contact information available HERE

UrbanElite PR
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NY State rapper Tone Chop & producer Frost Gamble have been in NYC these past two days promoting their new album “Respect Is Earned Not Given” which released through 22 Entertainment on September 29th and includes featured artists Kool G Rap, Planet Asia, rap battler DNA, Canadian upcomer White Rhino & Tragedy Khadafi.

Frost’s new collaborative EP with Tragedy Khadafi, “Rare Fabric”, releases this Friday, October 20th again through 22 Ent, and is also currently working on new projects with Royce da 5’9″, Horseshoe Gang, and a new album “I Missed My Bus” due out in 2018 featuring Crooked I, Skyzoo, Rah Digga, Conway, Ras Kass, Sadat X, Ruste Juxx, Guilty Simpson & many more.

Last night the pair were guests on DJ Eclipse’s Sirius XM “Rap Is Outta Control Show”, and tonight they’ll be in the Bronx, live in the studio with Fred Ones & DJ Rhinoceros Funk for the Guerrilla Grooves Radio Show. It’ll likely be worth tuning in just to hear Chop’s views on everything alone !!

Listen online from 7pm – 10pm EST via www.guerrillagroovesradio.com / MyRadioStream

Just as with their “Veteran” EP last year, the new album has received extensive international media coverage, a vindication of the quality rhymes, beats and turntablism they consistently deliver. Here’s a couple examples

LEAVE IT ALONE (Tribute to Sean P) ft Ruste Juxx & Nobi

WALK THE WALK ft Kool G Rap

“Respect Is Earned Not Given” is available on CD, digital and streaming formats from Amazon, Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify

Connect with them on social media – they’ll holla back for sure – on twitter @ToneChop & @FrostGamble, IG @ToneChop & @Frost.Gamble & via their Joint Facebook Page

All media, press and radio station DJ inquiries regarding Tone Chop, Frost Gamble and their new album camn be directed to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact information details are available HERE

UrbanElite PR
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The past 12 months has seen NY State hip hop producer Frost Gamble emerge as one of the fastest rising names in the game.

Now relocated to Winnipeg, Canada, he signed with Miami’s 22 Entertainment on the back of his track “Honey” with Detroit rapper ZotheJerk being included in the label’s “God Bless Dope Rappers” compilation which included Royce da 5’9″, Crooked I, Kid Vishis and Horseshoe Gang in January 2016.

In November last year, he released the “Veteran” EP with long time affiliate Tone Chop, and the pair have just released the subsequent album “Respect Is Earned Not Given” on September 29th which features Kool G Rap, Planet Asia, rap battler DNA and Tragedy Khadafi. In May, he released the album “Black Beach” with ZotheJerk and his collaborative EP with Tragedy Khadafi “Rare Fabric” drops October 20th

Currently working on remix projects for Royce da 5’9″ and Horseshoe Gang, his new solo album “I Missed My Bus” which includes guest artists KXNG Crooked, Rah Digga, Skyzoo, Ruste Juxx, Guilty Simpson, Ras Kass and many more is due out in the first half of 2018.

Online publication Nine5 Four Magazine who haver a focus on both Canada and the States have just published a new in-depth feature on Frost. In “flip-through” format, the article appears on page 36 and can be read HERE

All of his releases with 22 Entertainment are available from the label’s BANDCAMP store. “Respect Is Earned Not Given” is also available from Amazon, iTunes and Spotify on CD, digital mp3 and streaming formats.

ALBUM STREAM ON SOUNDCLOUD

Chop & Frost release a new animated video for the album track “Bing Stories” next week and are then in New York City October 16th & 17th meeting with media including a guest appearance with DJ Eclipse on his Sirius XM “Rap Is Outta Control Show”.

Connect with Frost, Chop, Zo and the label on social media via Twitter @FrostGamble, @ToneChop, @TheJerkNation & @22Entertainmen, on IG @Frost.Gamble, @ToneChop & @ZotheJerk and via two joint Facebook Pages – Frost & Zo and Frost and Chop

All press, media and radio station inquiries regarding Frost Gamble, Tone Chop, ZotheJerk and the album releases, including requests to interview Chop & Frost in NYC on October 16th & 17th, can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. Click the link for our Contact Details

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