Ben Sharpa is due to release his second full length solo album in May through French label, Jarring Effects. The project is called 4th Density Light Show or 4DLS for short – it sees him collaborate with audio visual electro-dub crew Pure Solid, both in studio and live. Check out the album artwork…

Ben Sharpa and Pure Solid kick off their first international tour together by opening for Roots Manuva in Tourcoing (France) on 23rd April. The final date is at IOMMA Festival in Reunion Island on 30th May. Stay tuned for full tour details.

Before the release of 4DLS, Ben Sharpa will be dropping an 8 track EP called The Transition. It features John Robinson, Siete Nueve, Gin-i Grindith, Snazz the Dictator, Ootz tha Afronaut and Tebz. Production by Beatology, Hipe, Kanife and Dplanet.

That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!

Driemanskap member Ma-B has announced that his mixtape Beats & Rhymes will be dropping on Monday 4th July 2011. The mixtape features Kanyi (now famous for her verse on Driemanskap’s hit S’phum’eGugs), Korianda, Uno from Ill Skills, Nahum and Dejavu. Production credits include Planet Earth, Beatology, El Nino (Driemanskap) and Mashonisa (Backyard).

Ma-B is launching Beats & Rhymes at a special edition of Jukebox Sessions at Ragazzi on Saturday 2nd July in Cape Town. The last Jukebox Sessions was INSANE so make sure you get there early or you might not get in – you’ve been warned! Check out the Facebook event page for further details.

Beats & Rhymes is going to be a free download but you will be able to buy copies of the CD at the event and through our online store for R50 (plus R25 for delivery anywhere in South Africa).

Beats & Rhymes Track List

01 Intro Ft. Redondo (02’08)
(S. Kambi / B. Nompetsheni)
Prod. Planet Earth
Recorded by Planet Earth at Planetarium Studios
Mixed by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town

02 Interview Ft. Dla & Mashonisa (03’15)
(S. Kambi / D. Mancunga / M. Citashe)
Prod. Mashonisa
Additional Prod. Dplanet
Recorded by Mashonisa at Backyard Studios
Mixed by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town

03 Nabaya (03’45)
(S. Kambi)
Prod. Beatology
Recorded by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town
Mixed by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town

04 Days of Our Lives Ft. Dejavu (04’08)
(S. Kambi / V. Ngemntu)
Prod. Beatology
Recorded by El Nino at Jah Bless Studios
Mixed by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town

05 This Is Why I’m Hot (Skit) (01’28)
(S. Kambi)
Prod. The Blackout Movement
Recorded by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town
Vocals mixed by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town

06 Abakwazi Abakwenzayo (03’58)
(S. Kambi)
Prod. El Nino
Additional Prod. Dplanet
Recorded by El Nino at Jah Bless Studios
Mixed by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town

07 Survival Ft. Uno, Korianda & Nahum (05’43)
(S. Kambi / U. July / P. Cuba / T. Deke)
Prod. El Nino
Additional Prod. Dplanet
Recorded by El Nino at Jah Bless Studios
Mixed by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town

08 Forever (Skit) (01’37)
(S. Kambi)
Prod. Boi-1da
Recorded by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town
Vocals mixed by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town

09 Hands to the Sky (04’24)
(S. Kambi)
Prod. Planet Earth
Recorded by Planet Earth at Planetarium Studios
Mixed by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town

10 This Is Wrong Ft. Kanyi (03’18)
(S. Kambi / K. Mavi)
Prod. Kanye West
Vocals Recorded by El Nino at Jah Bless Studios
Mixed by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios, Cape Town

11. Outro (05’26)
(S. Kambi)
Prod. Mashonisa
Recorded by Mashonisa at Backyard Studios
Mixed by Mashonisa at Backyard Studios

All tracks mastered by Dplanet at Pioneer Unit Studios

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

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Here’s a sneak preview of the beautiful artwork for Rattex’s forthcoming EP, Streets, Raps & Us. As always, concept and design by spo0ky.

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Anne-Sophie Leens aka spo0ky created a set of images to illustrate the concept of a track Rattex made for the Nike IAM1 campaign called, AirMaxin’. The track is about Rattex’s desire to succeed, despite the limiting expectations some township people try to force upon him.

Rattex uses his new Nikes as a metaphor for ‘making it’ – they are a symbol of success, but they also represent the daily hustle to survive and escape the forces that are trying to hold him back.

‘Movement’ is an essential part of any journey. spo0ky’s images show Rattex in series of dynamic situations which are distilled metaphors for overcoming the negative aspects of his environment that are trying to hold him back – there are always obstacles in his path, but by making the right choices with constant purpose, he stay on the right path.

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spo0ky for NIKE IAM1 on Nikesportswear.com

Rattex for NIKE IAM1 on Nikesportswear.com

spo0ky IAM1 interview on Mahala.co.za

Download Airmaxin’ by Rattex – MP3 – 8.69 MB

That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!

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Check out the artwork for Flêtse Maniere by Jaak. The artwork was conceived and designed by Scott Williams. Scott has also taken a series of beautiful photos that will be made into an e-book to accompany the release.

We’re just sorting out a bit of last minute business before we announce the release date. Hold tight.

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That’s how we rrrrrrroll!!