Sweet Video Hits MK

The video for Sweet by Jaak is hitting MK (Channel 324 on DSTV), premiering this Wednesday on Kraakvars between 20:00 & 21:00.

Jaak is an Afrikaans rapper from Paarl. He signed to Pioneer Unit Records in 2009 and featured on the 2007 compilation, Planetary Assault. He released his debut solo album, Flêtse Maniere at the end of 2009. Jaak recently featured in character as ‘gangsta rapper’, Jaak Paarl, on Die Antwoord’s internet smash hit album, $0$, which is due out on Interscope in the near future.

Rather than hype up Sweet, I’ll let Hakesy say it…

“This video below is called Sweet (it’s Afrikaans for sweat/persperation for my non-cape flats readers) produced by HIPE who is the best producer in the land. THE BEST VIDEO MADE IN SOUTH AFRICA!!!!!! This video is far beyond international standard…its of an intergalactic quality and can be enjoyed even if you dont understand the language.”

I think that just about covers it. Check out the video and tune into MK starting this Wednesday.

That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!

Rattex European Tour Video Diary on Vuzu.tv

Rattex has been on tour in Europe with Swiss dub electro band Filewile for over a month now.

Nokia very kindly gave us a lovely X6 so that Rattex could record a video diary while he’s away.

Check out Rattex’s tour video diary on Vuzu.tv

Check out Rattex performing with Filewile at the Woodrock Festival…

That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!

Manqoba Recording with Driemanskap at Red Bull Studios

As you may know if you’re a regular reader of this blog, we recently celebrated our 3rd birthday by hosting a series of open mic competitions with Kool Out Entertainment and Red Bull. If you didn’t know, you can read all about it here.

The winner of the competition was a young emcee from Khayelitsha, Cape Town, called Manqoba. His prize was a recording session at Red Bull Studios where he made an EP that will be digitally released by Pioneer Unit.

We spent 3 days with Steve Elsworth, the head engineer at Red Bull Studios, recording 5 great tracks. 4 of the tracks were solo joints with Hipe on production. For the fifth track Driemanskap came through with an El Nino beat and recorded a collaboration.

We’re extremely happy with the work everyone put in and the quality of the music that was created. We have always believed that there is a huge amount of unrecognised and untapped talent in Cape Town. There’s always a concern that a dope street emcee may not have the necessary skills for a professional recording environment, but Manqoba was a pleasure to work with. He came well-prepared, his delivery was on point and most importantly, his attitude was great.

We hope to have Manqoba’s EP, Khaltsha Stand Up, ready for release by September 2010. Watch this space for more information.

Check out some photos and video of the recording session…

Steve sets up the mic (click image for larger version).

Manqoba on the mic (click image for larger version).

Manqoba spittin’ heat (click image for larger version).

Manqoba and his boys (click image for larger version).

Manqoba and Redondo (click image for larger version).

El Nino rehearses his verse (click image for larger version).

El Nino gives Manqoba some advice (click image for larger version).

Manqoba in the booth with Driemanskap (click image for larger version).

Check out some video courtesy of So Real TV.com

Check out the full set of photos (24) on Flickr

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Pioneer Unit Creates Soundtrack for Mario and the Rude Boys Documentary

About 2 years ago AfricaSoccer asked us if we had any tracks that might be appropriate for a documentary about an ex-gangster who has dedicated his life to offering young gangsters an alternative to gang life by getting them involved in football.

We loved the project so we submitted some tracks. After some discussion, our very own Pioneer Unit super-producer Hipe was invited to create the sound track for the whole documentary.

Documentaries like this are a labour of love that have to be put together on virtually no budget. Mario is doing fantastic work on the Cape Flats and we believe that this documentary will give some much needed attention to his cause.

In the words of the producers,

“When we met a man called Mario, and heard how in 10 years hitting the streets, he’s already rescued 1,000 kids from the clutches of gangs, drugs & violent crime we were impressed. When he told us he did it through Soccer we were spell bound. When we met the boys and young men that had been changed by him & heard their stories we were humbled and felt that we had no choice but to help.”

After 2 years of hard work Mario and the Rude Boys is almost complete, but still needs some funding to pay for a few final expenses (entries to film festivals, marketing, titling, final post-production etc). The producers have created a page on indiegogo where you can help contribute to the completion of the project. They also have a Facebook fan page.

Take a look a short trailer for the Mario and the Rude Boys…

Mario and the Rude Boys on Indiegogo

Become a fan of Mario and the Rude Boys on Facebook

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!

Driemanskap’s Next Video: Have Your Say!

We’re about to shoot a new video for Driemanskap. We’d like to give you, the fans, the chance to have your voice heard. What’s your favourite track from Igqabhukil’ Inyongo? Which track would you like to see on TV?

If you haven’t got the album yet, you can listen to it at our online store.

Take the poll and have your say!…

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!

Rattex at Red Bull Studios Recording New EP

This week we’re at the Red Bull Studios in Cape Town recording Rattex’s new 6 track EP. Today we smashed out two spaza bangers with ill beats courtesy of Hipe. Brazuka killed a feature verse on one of the tracks and obviously Rah spat his usual brand of kasi fire.

The EP doesn’t have a name yet, but Rattex is definitely back with a vengeance with his first offering since the release of his debut solo album, Bread and Butter. Keep it locked to PioneerUnit.com for release details and more photos and video from our recording sessions.

Check out some photos and video from our first session…

The dream team – Hipe and Rattex (click photo for larger version)

Red Bull’s resident engineer Steve at the controls (click photo for larger version)

PU in effect (click photo for larger version)

Rattex on the mic (click photo for larger version)

Rah Spittin’ fire (click photo for larger version)

Steve giving advice with Hipe in attendance (click photo for larger version)

Rattex listening to the new track (click photo for larger version)

This is hip hop! (click photo for larger version)

That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!

Ben Sharpa + DJ Raiko Live in Paris (Video)

Ben and Raiko are still killing shows on their European tour. Check out videos of live performances of Callin’ It Quits, The Disclosure and Critical Mass…

That’s how we rrrrrrrroll!!

Ben Sharpa / K-the-I??? / R;Zatz – Vagina Rush Teaser (Video)

Check out this video teaser of Ben, DJ Raiko, K-the-I??? and R;Zatz preparing for the Vagina Rush Tour in France…

Teaser Vagina Rush tour : Rzatz meets Ben Sharpa & K-The-I ??? from Jarring Effects on Vimeo

… And check out the live performance of My Brain Doesn’t Work in Paris…

That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!

Ben Sharpa Shoutout from Lyon, France

Ben Sharpa and DJ Raiko are currently on a two month tour of Europe. Right now, they’re chillin’ in Lyon, France at the headquarters of Jarring Effects. Check out the first in a series of video diaries…

Follow Ben Sharpa on Twitter
Follow DJ Raiko on Twitter
Follow Pioneer Unit on Twitter

That’s how we rrrrrrrroll!!

New Video: Sweet by Jaak

Check out the brand new video for Sweet by Jaak. ‘Sweet’ (‘sweat’ in Afrikaans) is the first single from Jaak’s debut solo album, Fletse Maniere. With Hipe on production, the video was directed, shot and edited by Christian Denslow & Garth von Glehn for Greenhaus Productions.

Sweet is a track about the everyday struggles of the people of the Fletse (the ghetto housing projects of the Cape Flats) – from the mundane, like remembering to buy safety pins for the baby’s nappy, to the the more substantial, like poor service delivery and crime. All these struggles make the people sweat to make ends meet whilst striving to make their dreams come true.

Links

Listen to, and download, Fletse Maniere at our online store
Jaak on Myspace
Follow Jaak on Twitter
Check out Jaak’s lyrics

In related news, Jaak also appears as Jaak Paarl on Die Antwoord’s new album, $0$. If you have managed to miss the massive international buzz this album has generated, just Google ‘Die Antwoord’. Jaak features on the track, Wie Maak Die Jol Vol, alongside Isaac Mutant, Knoffel Bruin and Scallywag. Listen to $0$ by Die Antwoord here.

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!