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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

TEAM UEP

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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

TEAM UEP

T @urbanelitepr IG @urbanelitepr

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We’ve created a new playlist on both Spotify & Soundcloud of some joints we hope will help take the edge off from time to time, whether you’re looking to just chill or have a little something in the background as you focus on work or study.

Whatever the reason, you can stream it now on Spotify & Soundcloud

All these tracks were released through New Dawn Records and there are also audio and video versions playing on the label’s Youtube channel, such as this most recent release “Anuket” by Shahin

On the flip side, if you’re looking for some motivational energy, you can check out our Hip Hop Bangerz playlist on both Spotify & Soundcloud. All thrillers, no fillers !

Enjoy

Team UEP

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The new album “Black Beach” by Detroit rapper ZotheJerk and NY state producer Frost Gamble, now resident in Winnipeg Canada, releases on Friday May 26th through 22 Entertainment.

It represents Zo’s social commentary on the experience for many in today’s Black America, politically charged it strikes an intelligent balance of addressing a number of very real issues while still offering positive solutions. The musical backdrop provided by Frost mixes soul and edgier hip hop beats to catch the mood swings perfectly, adding to his reputation as one of the fastest emerging producers in the genre.

US online magazine Pop Break picks up on these nuances in their review of the album just published, describing it as “one of the best examples of ‘Grown Man Rap’ we’ve heard in a while”. Affording the release an 8/10 rating, you can read their full appraisal HERE

Featuring Slaughterhouse frontman KXNG Crooked, Random Axe’s Guilty Simpson, Brand Nubian Sadat X, and Boldy James, “Black Beach” will be available from all digital stores including Spotify and iTunes, while a special Deluxe edition including bonus cuts and instrumentals will be available exclusively from Bandcamp.

The first single to be released from the album was “Risk vs Reward” ft Sadat X. Check out the stream on Soundcloud

Look out for more reviews and interviews relating to “Black Beach” in international publications in the weeks ahead, including the renowned MOJO Magazine.

Meantime, stay up to date with Zo and Frost on social media via twitter @TheJerkNation & @FrostGamble, on Instagram @ZotheJerk & @Frost.Gamble and over on their joint Facebook Page

All press, media and radio station DJ inquiries and requests regarding ZotheJerk and Frost Gamble can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. All our contact information is available HERE

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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NY State rapper and producer combo, Tone Chop & Frost Gamble, go all the way back to their days as rap battle rivals during the late 90’s before Frost re-located to Winnpeg, Canada and focused solely on beatmaking.

They released their first official collaborative project on November 18th last year, the “Veteran” EP being a warm up for their plans in 2017.

Binghamton’s DJ Gee Swift has just produced this banging remix of the entire EP and uploaded it to Mixcloud in the past couple of days. Check it out

The original version of the “Veteran” EP is available on iTunes and included the single “Leave It Alone”, a tribute to the late Sean Price featuring Ruste Juxx and Nobi. Here is the full tracklist

1 – Dedication
2 – Back in the Days
3 – Other Shit ft Awful P
4 – Better with Time ft DJ Waxamillion & S.One
5 – One Two
6 – Leave it Alone ft Ruste Juxx & Nobi
7 – Step Up

The pair will be releasing a new album “Respect is Earned Not Given” on September 1st and includes featured artists Tragedy Khadafi, Kool G Rap, Planet Asia and the current most viewed online rap battler, D.N.A.

Meanwhile, Frost’s album “Black Beach” with Detroit rapper ZotheJerk is set to release soon on May 26th. Featuring Guilty Simpson, KXNG Crooked, Sadat X and Boldy James, it will be available from most digital stores including Spotify & iTunes, while a Deluxe edition including bonus cuts and instrumentals will release exclusively on Bandcamp

Stay connected with the artists on social media, via twitter @FrostGamble @ToneChop @TheJerkNation and over on the joint Facebook pages, Tone & Frost and Zo & Frost

All international media, press and radio station DJ inquiries regarding all of these releases can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact information is available HERE

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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Detroit rapper ZotheJerk and producer Frost Gamble release their new album “Black Beach” through 22 Entertainment on May 26th.

It will be available on all digital stores worldwide including iTunes and Spotify, and includes guest featured artists Boldy James, Slaughterhouse frontman KXNG Crooked, Brand Nubian’s Sadat X and legendary Random Axe member Guilty Simpson.

The rapidly expanding Miami based label have now added their presence to digital store Bandcamp. Initial additions include releases by Horseshoe Gang, Crooked I aka KXNG Crooked and Kid Vishis. They have now made the new album “Black Beach” available for pre-order as a deluxe edition exclusive to Bandcamp which includes bonus cuts and instrumentals.

Click the link to see what’s available BLACK BEACH DELUXE EDITION

The duo have already released two singles from the album, “Risk vs Reward” ft Sadat X and “My Negus” ft Guilty Simpson. Check the audio streams on Soundcloud

Look out for interviews and reviews relating to the release appearing in international press during the weeks ahead, including a feature on the album in renowned print publication MOJO Magazine at the end of this month.

Connect with Zo & Frost on social media via Twitter @TheJerkNation & @FrostGamble, on Instagram @ZotheJerk & @Frost.Gamble and over on their joint Facebook Page

All media, press and radio station DJ inquiries regarding the album “Black Beach” can be sent to us at UrbanElite PR. Our contact information is available HERE

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr

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ColoursCover

London’s Melanin 9 is releasing his EP “High Fidelity” on 31st May on his own Red Snow label

This is in fact drawn from the Triple Darkness member’s 2007 mixtape of the same name, a limited edition of original tracks available for the first time in vinyl format with instrumentals, new artwork and a brand new bonus cut “Colours”.

“High Fidelity” EP tracklist

HighFidelityEP

A – SIDE

1. 4 Souls [Produced By Beat Butcha]
2. Silent Weaponz featuring Triple Darkness [Produced By Chemo]
3. Cold featuring Skriblah Dan Gogh [Produced By Chemo]
4. Colours Bonus* [Produced By Loop Holes]

B – SIDE

Instrumentals

He has just launched his new video for “Colours” today which also features a cameo appearance by fellow Triple Darkness member Iron Braydz who of course released his on Verbal sWARdz EP recently. Shot on location in east London recently, Melanin 9 also edited the video. Check it out on Youtube

The EP will be available from http://redsnowrecords.squarespace.com and you can also connect with him on twitter @Melanin_9

Any DJ’s looking for the full quality (320) clean radio edit mp3 of “Colours” can request it from UrbanElite PR HERE

UrbanElite PR
www.urbanelitepr.com
T : @urbanelitepr