Check out this Pure Solid Remix of Niggas in Paris featuring Redondo and Manqoba. Free download. Boom!

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!

If you managed to miss all the hype, Jay-Z and Kanye West recently released a project together called Watch the Throne. Redondo from Driemanskap and Manqoba take it back to the streets with their spaza remix of Niggas in Paris, taken from that project. Download it below (click the black arrow on the right of the music player). Fiya blaze!

Niggas in Paris (Remix) – Redondo Ft. Manqoba by PioneerUnit

Pioneer Unit’s dub warriors, Pure Solid, have been busy in the lab for the past few weeks. Following the release of their double-EP, Ghetto Dubs, they have been working on their live show (live audio plus bespoke live visuals) and grinding out new riddims.

01. War Riddim: This is a remix of UK Grime artist, Lethal Bizzle’s, POW 2011 which features JME, Wiley, Chipmunk, 2Face, P Money, Ghetts and Kano.

POW 2011 (War Riddim) – Pure Solid by PioneerUnit

02: Dub Lockdown: Future dub remix of Kanye West’s, Love Lockdown, titled Dub Lockdown.

Dub Lockdown Riddim – Pure Solid by PioneerUnit

Pure Solid played their first show at Cold Turkey a few weeks ago (which you can listen to, and download below). Their dub-based sound doesn’t fit neatly into any particular category – it contains influences of roots, hip hop, grime, acid and Detroit techno – they call it Robot Army Music (RAM).

Photo courtesy of Adam Kent Wiest and Cold Turkey

Pure Solid Live at Cold Turkey by PioneerUnit

Pure Solid are waiting on the international release of their forthcoming album with Ben Sharpa called Fourth Density Light Show (4DLS). More news on that as we get it.

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!

Pure Solid is producer Dplanet and VJ spo0ky. Dplanet describes his musical style as ‘soundsytem music’, ‘robot army music (RAM)’ or ‘dark’. This sound has influences of dub, grime, Detroit techno, Chicago house, acid and hip hop. Dplanet is best known for his work with Ben Sharpa.

Pure Solid performed live at cult Cape Town bass music party Cold Turkey last Sunday. Check out their live set on the Mixcloud player below…

… or you can listen to, and download, the set on Soundcloud:

Pure Solid Live at Cold Turkey by PioneerUnit

Links
Pure Solid: The stuff soundclashes are made of… and then some (review)
Pure Solid profile
Pure Solid on Facebook
Follow Dplanet on Twitter
Follow spo0ky on Twitter
Cold Turkey on Facebook
Follow Cold Turkey on Twitter

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Ma-B has leaked the first single from his forthcoming Beats & Rhymes mixtape which is due to drop on Monday 4th July. The track is called Nabaya and features banging production by Beatology. Download it now!

If you can’t see the music player above, click here to go to the Soundcloud download page.

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Tumi aka T from the V aka Tumi from the Volume aka The Poet MC and Dplanet go H.A.M. on this heavyweight street banger. The track features hard, warped synths, window-shaking bass and Tumi’s vicious vocals.

“I’m on my J.O., flow fresh not a day old, you can see me in The Star tonight – Galileo.”

To download the track, click the small black arrow on the right hand side of the music player below: Dplan – Tumi by PioneerUnit

Catch Tumi and the Volume on Saturday night (18th June) at The Assembly in Cape Town. Click here to buy tickets.

Follow Tumi on Twitter: @tumifromthev

Follow Dplanet on Twitter: @Dplanet

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

I first heard Itsho Into in 2005. It still remains one of my favourite hip hop tracks of all time. El Nino, Redondo and Ma-B (Dla hadn’t joined the crew yet) spit righteous flames on the Lungelo-produced anthem.

When the organ starts and El Nino says, “Rest in peace to the Gugulethu 7, Bantu Biko, Chris Hani! Driemanskap!” and Redondo shouts, “Fire burn!”, it gives me chills every time. The original separates for Itsho Into have long been lost and the only remaining recording is a bit rough, but the passion in the words still burns through.

Driemanskap have re-released Itsho Into to commemorate the Soweto Uprising, which took place on this day in 1976. On that day, 35 years ago, a student leader called Tsietsi Mashinini organised a mass-demonstration, taking a stand against the Apartheid regime. Many young people lost their lives that day but it was a turning point in the liberation struggle.

Today in South Africa June 16th is a public holiday called Youth Day. It is important to remember what this day actually commemorates so that it doesn’t just become a day off or another excuse to party.

You can download Itsho Into by clicking the black arrow on the right side of the music player below…

Itsho Into – Driemanskap by PioneerUnit

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Due to popular demand, Driemanskap have re-released a re-mastered version of their underground hit Snakes and Fakes. This El Nino-produced track first appeared shortly before the 2009 release of Driemanskap’s debut album, Igqabhukil’ Inyongo.

The track warns of the dangers of snakes who come in human form. You know the type, right?

Download the high quality MP3 by clicking on the black arrow on the right hand side of the music player below…

Snakes and Fakes – Driemanskap by PioneerUnit

You can check out the video too. Apologies for the poor quality – we uploaded in the days before we had unlimited bandwidth!

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

With South African local government elections tomorrow, we decided to liberate a track that is just as relevant today as the day it came out 3 years ago. On The Government, Rattex and Ben Sharpa break down the government’s failure to deliver on its promises, especially those made around election time.

The Government is another Planet Earth banger. In case you’ve been on holiday in a different universe, Planet Earth is the Guguletu-based producer now famous for creating Driemanskap’s breakthrough hit S’phum’eGugs (We’re from Gugs).

The Government is yours to download for FREE – just click the small black arrow on the right of the music player widget below.

The Government – Rattex Ft. Ben Sharpa by PioneerUnit

Use your vote wisely!

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Pure Solid have released a remix of Redondo’s classic Sphithiphithi, one of the darkest, most gritty tales of ghetto life ever released in South Africa. Driemanskap member Redondo has been through a lot in the last 10 years, and he pours every bit of his pain and frustration into the lyrics of this haunting track.

The original track was produced by Planet Earth, now famous for creating Driemanskap’s breakthrough hit S’phum’eGugs (We’re from Gugs). Sphithiphithi appeared on Driemanskap’s debut release Igqabhukil’ Inyongo.

This is Pure Solid’s first release since their debut double EP, Ghetto Dubs. In keeping with their style, the remix features head knocking drums, darkly warped electronic bass and hypnotic synths – strictly for spazatronic soldiers. The remix is yours to download for FREE – just click the small black arrow on the right of the music player widget below.

Sphithiphithi Spazatronic Remix – Pure Solid Ft. Redondo by PioneerUnit