Ben Sharpa and Pure Solid – ‘Heroes’ | Music Video

A lot of people on Twitter and Facebook have been asking, ‘where’s Ben Sharpa at?’. It’s been 4 years since the release of his critically acclaimed first album, ‘B. Sharpa’, so it’s a fair question. However, it would be a mistake to think that Ben has been taking it easy, or gone into early retirement. Far from it…

The last few years have seen Ben hitting the festival circuit in Europe, performing at prestigious events such as Dour (BEL), Fête de la Musique (FR), Paleo (CH), Extrema (NL), Printemps de Bourges (FR), Batou Fou (Reunion), BASS Festival (British Arts and Street Sounds) (UK), 4 Elements Festival (AUS), Electron (CH), Sziget (HUN), and Rio Loco (FR).

During his time on tour Ben has also worked on a number of collaborations including features with Thavius Beck (US), Copywrite (US), Foreign Beggars (UK), DJ Rhettmatic (US), Wordsworth (US), K-the-I??? (US), John Robinson (US), Siete Neuve (PR), Hi-Tone (FR), DJ Cadik (HU), Grosso Gadgetto (FR), IDEM (FR), Maxine Delporte (FR), Wapi-Wap (FR), Niveau Zero (FR), R-Zatz (FR), Oddateee (US), Blurum 13 (FR), Drum Master D-Kay (RUS), Walter Gross (US), Picore (FR), DTL (FR), Mode9 (NIG), Milanese (UK), Trenton and the Free Radicals (RSA), Tumi (RSA), DJ Oyo (IT) and DJ Kostia (FR).

And this brings us to the present… Ben is about to drop his second album, ’4th Density Light Show’ (4DLS), which is a collaboration with Pure Solid, an audio visual production duo comprised of Dplanet (audio) and spo0ky (visuals).

Drawing heavily on his own experience, and against the backdrop of the 2012 phenomenon – where some believe that humankind will undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation – Ben Sharpa has created a body of work that challenges the listener to transform their own lives using the power of positive thought and action. The album is set to drop on Jarring Effects in late May, 2012. Watch this space!

Check out the video for the first single, ‘Heroes’, which was shot on location in Cederberg Wilderness and Cape Town by spo0ky…

Check out the European tour dates

That’s how we rrrrrrroll!!

Ma-B – “Don’t Doubt Me | New Music

Driemanskap’s Ma-B just dropped this free-download banger on Pioneer Unit’s Soundcloud entitled “Don’t Doubt Me”. The brand new track produced by Hipe sees Ma-B follow up his recent single, “Make A Move”, where he dropped bombs on swagger emcees and challenged underground rappers to stop complaining and make a move. Naturally a few rappers caught feelings.

On “Don’t Doubt Me”, Ma-B demonstrates why he’s currently one of the hottest emcees in South Africa right now with a vicious flow and hard hitting lyrics. Enjoy…

Also, check out “Make a Move” if you don’t have it already…

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Ben Sharpa 4DLS album artwork + international tour news

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!!

Dplanet, Ben Sharpa and KONFAB feature on historic Jarring Effects release

Our friends at French independent music collective, Jarring Effects, are about to release their 100th project, FX100. Instead of releasing the usual retrospective to celebrate this symbolic event, JFX have created a 3 disc collection of exclusive tracks, unexpected collaborations and remixes that bring together the vast majority of artists who have made up the ​Jarring Effects catalogue over the years.

FX100 is a box set created in the image of Jarring Effects, consisting of meetings, ‘confrontations’ and a mixture of genres. Each of the three CDs that form this collection represents a facet of the label’s musical identity, where dub, hip-hop and music that is harder to classify meet to form a single entity.

Pioneer Unit first worked with Jarring Effects back in 2007 when they released Cape Town Beats, a compilation that featured Ben Sharpa, Kuti Kult and Rato. Since then, the label has released The Sharpaganda Theory: Lesson 1 (on vinyl) and B. Sharpa, both by Ben Sharpa.

We were extremely excited to be asked by Jarring Effects to contribute music to FX100. Ben Sharpa collaborated with Thavius Beck and Dplanet worked with K-the-I???. Dplanet also contributed a collaboration with KONFAB.

You can pre-order FX100 for just €30 (R288). The 3 CD box set comes with a 40 page booklet and a t-shirt. For serious collectors, a vinyl edition is also available.

Pre-order FX100 at Ulule now!

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Jaak’s Flêtse Maniere now available on CD

Despite the fact that most of our music is available to download on the pay what you like model, which includes not paying at all, or in other words, FREE, it seems that some of you still want to buy actual CDs.

Always keen to give the people what they want, you can now head over to the Pioneer Unit online store and order Jaak’s first album, Flêtse Maniere (which was previously only available as a digital download), in CD format.

If you haven’t heard Flêtse Maniere here’s what you’ve been missing out on…

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Ma-B releases Beats & Rhymes Mixtape

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Beats & Rhymes Mixtape – OUT NOW!

Beats & Rhymes is Ma-B’s first solo mixtape. He brings together a collection of 11 banging spaza hip hop tracks straight from the streets of Gugulethu.

Ma-B is one of the founder members of spaza hip hop crew, Driemanskap, who have recently forced their way into the public eye with their debut album, Igqabhukil’ Inyongo. Driemanskap have been building a hardcore following since they started rocking stages in 2001. It’s been a long, hard road but the media has finally got behind them and the four man crew is getting the wider attention they thoroughly deserve.

So has Ma-B gone solo? Hell no! He’s still representing his crew Driemanskap, as guest features by Redondo and Dla attest. El Nino also lends his production skills to the project. Other guest features include Kanyi (now famous for her blazing verse on Driemanskap’s hit S’phum’eGugs), Korianda, Uno (Ill Skills), Nahum and Dejavu. Production credits include long-time collaborator, Planet Earth (S’phum’eGugs), Beatology and Mashonisa (Backyard Crew).

The mixtape is available as a FREE digital download from the Pioneer Unit online store, or you can buy the CD for only R75 (which includes the cost of shipping to anywhere in South Africa).

7750. Driemanskap be the family!

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Listen and Buy

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For more information, check out the catalogue page for Beats & Rhymes.

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That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Ma-B unveils Beats & Rhymes cover artwork, track list and release date

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!!

Video: Kat 7 (Meerkat) Preview – Jaak

We’re in the final stages of production for Jaak’s sophomore album Galant. We’ve learned not to run our mouths about release dates but we’re hoping it will be out in before the end of June. There are lots of small bits and pieces of post-production to do, and cuts to be added by DJ Azhul.

The album is produced entirely by Jaak himself under the name Loufaai. All the samples Jaak used were taken from various Afrikaans music. We’ve always thought of Jaak as an Afrikaans Madlib with his eclectic, sample-heavy boom bap. Obviously Jaak doesn’t actually sound like Madlib but it’s a similar aesthetic.

We met last week to finalise the album art concept and spo0ky has been set an exciting and demanding challenge. While Jaak was here we decided to shoot a small teaser for Galant, so check out Kat 7 (Meerkat) and let us know what you think…

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

The Winner EP by Manqoba – OUT TODAY

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OUT TODAY!

Translated from his native isiXhosa, ‘manqoba’ means ‘the winner’. This hungry young emcee from Khayelitsha certainly lived up to his name when he cleaned up at a Pioneer Unit open mic talent search competition that was held in association with Kool Out Entertainment and Red Bull in Cape Town in 2010.

A winner was chosen from 4 regional open mic competitions by a panel of judges. The 4 winners were invited to compete at a final that was held at a KOL night in Cape Town. A final winner was chosen by crowd reaction. Manqoba set the place on fire with his punchlines and high energy performance. He emerged as the people’s champion.

Manqoba’s prize was a recording session at Red Bull Studios and a release through Pioneer Unit. This 6 track EP is the result of that prize.

With beats by Hipe, El Nino and Dplanet, The Winner is a must have for afficianados of spaza hip hop. We have also included 2 acappellas so the remixers have got something to play with.

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Listen and Buy

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For more information, check out The Winner’s permanent page.

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That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

KONFAB – The Lost Tapes – OUT TODAY

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OUT TODAY!

Recovered from the twisted wreckage of charred hard drives, scratched CD-Rs and dusty tape reels, this previously unreleased collection of KONFAB’s work has finally emerged to allow you a glimpse into the mind of one of South Africa’s most accomplished lyricists.

KONFAB describes himself as an, “anti-establishment, presently disadvantaged, previously dissed and damaged, seriously pissed-off, with anger mismanaged, half-foreign, urbanised darkie.”

This eclectic collection spans a number of years and a variety of subject matter. KONFAB is equally comfortable dissecting the politics of post-Apartheid racial inequality, the devastating effects of colonialism or the state of hip hop.

KONFAB’s quest is to stretch the barriers of language and syllabic metre to their artistic limits, whilst simultaneously delivering an impassioned message, often with a slightly crass sense of humour.

The soundscape is provided by Dplanet, Hipe, Saturn (Writers Block), Ootz the Afronaut, Brand Lelakabe, Mpumito Bomvino and DJ Raiko. There’s something for hip hop purists as well as those with more leftfield, electronic sensibilities.

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Full Album Preview

The Lost Tapes (Sampler) – KONFAB by PioneerUnit

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DOWNLOAD NOW – Name your price (including FREE)

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For more information, check out The Lost Tapes album page.

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That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!