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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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Out today through recently relaunched label New Dawn Records, the new single “Smoke Filled Rooms” b/w “Skitzophonetic” by hip hop crew Belles in Monica.

Already on international rotation, “Smoke Filled  Rooms” mixes electronica, turntablism and South Asian flavas to journey into the dark underbelly of the inner city with rhymes depicting a vision of drug squalor hell, while the booming kicks and soaring strings of “Skitzophonetic” provides the dramatic backdrop for a verbal tirade against generic conformity.  Bonus cut “That All U Got?” invokes the spirit of Ali & Foreman leaving industry machinations slumped in the corner, towel thrown.  The art of storytelling has returned on a release spanning all eras.

Taken from the “Natsukashii EP” out June 7th, the second in their ‘Lazarus’ series following April’s “Y’All in Meltdown EP”.

Available to download and stream on various online platforms and stores including SOUNDCLOUD  AMAZON  DEEZER  APPLE & SPOTIFY

More news about New Dawn Records is available from their official website www.newdawnrecs.com and via their new official social media platforms on twitter @newdawnrecs IG @realnewdawnrecs & FB @OfficialNewDawnRecords

All media and DJ enquiries regarding this release and New Dawn Records more generally can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR, our contact details are available HERE

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LazarusVol1PreOrder

The first of four specially commissioned EP’s to mark the re-launch of New Dawn Records after a 15 year hiatus, hip hop crew Belles in Monica release “Y’All in Meltdown – Lazarus EP Volume 1” on April 26th.

It can now be pre-ordered, pre-saved and pre-added on Spotify, Apple, iTunes and Deezer HERE

A combination of their classic singles “Y’All Under Surveillance” and “Meltdown” made available for the first time in digital format including remixes by legendary DMC finalist DJ Krash Slaughta and Phi Life Cypher beatmeister DJ Nappa with further contributions by producers G-Sharp, Gripper and London turntablist DJ Mr Thing.

There are also never before released instrumentals and re-worked “18 Edits” of the originals.  Hear the EP’s audio stream teaser for a flavour

The first single releases April 12th. Radio & clubs are now being serviced.  If you’re a DJ looking for full quality mp3s, contact us with your details

 

The next two EP’s in the series will follow hard on the heels of “Y’All in Meltdown

“Sapientia EP” by Underground Cartel is an international hip hop collaborative project spearheaded by producer Kruze and featuring male & female rappers from the USA, UK, Europe and Africa. Included in the line up are from the States, Swiss Precise (KBH), Black Market and The Yukonn MC, the UK’s Rapstation host Mr. CRF, Beni Blanco from French crew Originaire du Sud, Madrid’s El Meswy, and the late, great, Primo Brown from Italy’s Cor Veleno.

Out May 17th, check out the audio teaser stream

On June 7th, Belles in Monica return with “Natsukashii – Lazarus EP Volume 2” filled with hard hitting uncompromising rhymes and powerful beats, here’s the new audio teaser

Currently working on additions to the label’s roster, keep up to date with all of New Dawn Records news and releases at their various official online platforms

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SoulOnFire-Echoescolumn
Echoes Magazine is one of the longest established publications in the UK covering hip hop, rap, jazz, r&b, soul with news, reviews, features produced in both physical and online format

The current September 2013 issue has the usual wide spread of genre coverage, and in Sunil Chauhan’s regular hip hop page he covers news on Ishmael Butler (Digable Planets / Shabazz Palaces) moving to Sub Pop, Kanye West & Rhymefest new non profit organization Donda’s House, Belafonte / Jay Z, Mobb Deep’s Prodigy and his new publishing imprint Infamous Books and Just Blaze providing the soundtrack for the video game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Included in the column is a new interview with Los Angeles (by way of Greensboro NC) emcee, and one half of Veteran Assassins, EtheMadAssassin. His new solo album “Soul on Fire” releases on 17th September, and the interview addresses his reflection on the 80’s & 90’s Golden Era of hip hop – the time which marks his early beginnings in the game – his tag as a gangsta rapper & why this isn’t a description he recognizes, the rap scene in North Carolina and his time working for Elektra Records.

UK readers can pick the magazine up from stores now, and international readers will have the opportunity to read the whole magazine in 2 weeks when the new website www.echoesmagazine.co.uk is relaunched and will include a page by page flick through.

E’s album is full of powerful lyricism, an honest take on his life journey to date, and includes some quality production throughout.

Check out the videos & audio for the soul laden track Can’t Get Enough which premiered on The Rap Up, What It’s Supposed to Be produced by Japan’s Kyo Itachi, and the Pharcyde-esque “80’s & 90’s” with beats courtesy of Edinburgh’s Sci Fi Stu

Can’t Get Enough

What It’s Supposed To Be

80’s & 90’s

Follow E on twitter @EtheMadAssassin and the magazine @EchoesMag

Look out for more coverage in the weeks ahead. Any media, press or dj inquiries about the release or requests for interviews and clean full quality mp3s of the singles can be sent to UrbanElite PR HERE

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SoulOnFire-ClashMag

The new Rapture & Verse hip hop column written by Matt Oliver is live today in the UK’s Clash Magazine

In what’s been a huge summer of record releases & tours, the column is a summary of the month’s hottest news, mixtapes, videos and albums from around the world. This month includes coverage of Nas, Drake, Riff Raff, Eminem, Earl Sweatshirt, Breaking the Illusion, Meek Mill, Dr Zygote, Cappo, G Frsh, Chaotik Stylz, Del the Funky Homosapien, Tony Touch and many more, including news on the new Soul on Fire album by Los Angeles (via North Carolina) emcee EtheMadAssassin.

Releasing on 17th September, the contemporary production combined with powerful lyricism – all still drawing from key elements of the Golden Era in which he started performing – is drawing plaudits for its style & approach

The piece is summarized:

“Carolina native Ethemadassassin spits unequivocally with gruffness reminiscent of a Rasco or Bun B. Definitely not a believer in dead air, ‘Soul On Fire’ is a belly-burning blaze needing no second invitation to be stoked. Two beats to have you picking up dumbbells, and soul samples resting easy so ETMA can sharpen his bluntness – ‘80s and ‘90s’ letting splash misty-eyed twinkles, ‘Crazy’ a cool Cadillac spin – the Veteran Assassin exudes an air that you’re gonna have to earn the right to get past him.”

Read the whole column HERE

This week he launched his new single “80’s & 90’s” produced by the UK’s SciFi Stu with whom he has recorded the future Veteran Assassins LP.

Check the video for Can’t Get Enough

Follow E on twitter @EtheMadAssassin and the magazine @Clash_Music

Any djs requiring clean / radio edit mp3s of these tracks, or any press & media with inquiries about the release, should contact UrbanElite PR HERE

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SoulOnFire-BritishHipHopsml

One of the UK’s longest running online platforms specializing in hip hop music & culture, BritishHipHop.com, are the latest to review the new album by Los Angeles based Emcee ethemadassassin “Soul on Fire”

Having spent time in North Carolina and Camden New Jersey, E moved to California in the past few years to team up with Veteran Eye to form Veteran Assassins. Both still maintain solo careers, and “Soul on Fire” is the third solo album by ethemadassassin, following on from Tomorrow Never Comes in 2008.

British journalist Andy Fletcher gives the LP a thorough examination in this.

While its fair to say he finds the inclusion of the track Young & Foolish as incredulous due to its departure in sound from the rest of the album, he then goes on to acknowledge the qualities brought to the table here :

“E’s rhyme schemes and flow are tight and hold the album’s momentum. At the start of Sparta he makes use of repetitive rhymes, presumably to maintain his rhyme scheme and flow but it comes off as a small oversight. That isn’t to say that most of his lyrics aren’t well crafted. For the most part, they are. Gratitude is a stand out track with lyrics that will force you to take them in, ‘I’m not the example of living, I’m the spectacle… my nigga Truck took a bullet to his testicles’. These sorts of lyrics pack the content thick and leave a strong, if unpleasant, aftertaste of the world that Ethemadassassin is documenting. This is really where E shines and you’ll hear some of this realist, street approach to lyricism in tracks like lead single Tiger Blade.”

Read the whole review HERE

For those unfamiliar previously with his work, here’s the video for Walk My Shoes which was playlisted on the UK’s MTV Base and Flava TV

As mentioned in the review, check out the single Tiger Blade from the current album

Look out for more coverage coming on this release shortly. All media, press and dj inquiries about the album or to receive radio / clean edits of any of the singles, contact UrbanElite PR HERE

Follow him on twitter @ethemadassassin and the website @britishhiphop

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