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!!

Driemanskap premiered their latest video, Ivamna (Love Potion), on SABC’s LIVE on Friday 30th March. As always, Twitter went crazy as soon as it was shown.

The video, which was directed by Ari Kruger from Sketchbook Studios and spo0ky, shows Driemanskap’s softer side with a song dedicated to the special women in their lives. Planet Earth sets the tone with his easy, laid-back production.

Ivamna is the fourth and final video from Driemanskap’s highly-acclaimed debut album, Igqabhukil’ Inyongo. The Gugulethu-based crew are currently in the final stages of production for their second album, Hlala Nam, which is expected to drop towards the end of 2012.

Check it out…

Click here for behind the scenes with Driemanskap at the Ivamna video shoot.

To celebrate the release of the video, Driemanskap have made Ivamna available as a free MP3 download…

Click here if you prefer downloading from Twitmusic

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrroll!!

We had a great weekend shooting the video for Driemanskap’s romantic summer anthem, Ivamna (Love Potion). For this shoot we were joined by Cape Town-based filmmaker, Ari Kruger, who runs Sketchbook Studios. Ari shot and co-directed the video with spo0ky – a great combination. We were also joined by a gang of beautiful and talented ladies who performed the roles of Driemanskap’s romantic partners.

Ivamna has been getting major airplay recently and, judging by the fans’ comments on Facebook and Twitter, it was the most popular choice for Driemanskap’s fourth video from their debut album, Igqabhukil’ Inyongo.

For day one of the two day shoot we were on location in Gugulethu. For the second day we moved to town and shot at The Company’s Garden and the beautiful waterfall at Deer Park. Two perfect locations for romance.

As always, shout out to Driemanskap Family, Butan Wear and Deep Settle Movement. Massive thanks also goes out to our stylist, Nande Njanya, who made the ladies look even more beautiful.

Check out some behind the scenes photos…

El Nino gets romantic

Biker Dla with his girl

Dla’s wife

Dla with his wife and baby

Ari Kruger and spo0ky getting the shot

Hair and makeup

El Nino gets a trim at the barber shop

Ari shoots Dla going for a romantic walk

Caution! El Nino and the ladies

Ma-B and his beautiful (video) wifey

El Nino performing his verse at the waterfall

Ari shooting the picnic scene

Planet Earth and his entourage

Click here for the full set of photos (47) on Flickr

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Check out Rattex’s brand new video for Ewe Nje, from his EP, Streets, Raps & Us.

Loosely translated from isiXhosa, ‘ewe nje’ means ‘for real’. Rattex goes hard over a classic Hipe beat, attacking the music industry for not recognising real hip hop artists. Look out for cameo appearances by BraZuka and DJ Raiko, who did the cuts on the track. The video was directed and edited by the one and only spo0ky.

Here’s a loose translation of the hook…

“They can try whatever they want, but they can’t kill us. What you say?
For real! (Ewe nje!)
They can never kill the real underground cats. What you say?
For real! (Ewe nje!)
They can’t stop us! What you say?
For real! (Ewe nje!)”

Candy floss rappers fall back for real!

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!

We caught up with Dla and Redondo after a recording session at Pioneer Unit Studios in Cape Town. Dla had just finished lacing his vocals for a potential Driemanskap collaboration with legendary conscious hip hop crew Dead Prez.

Dla and Redondo broke down their forthcoming trip to Washington DC to take part in the 8th Annual SA Week…

Click here For more information about Driemanskap’s participation in SA Week

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Having created a massively successful platform for spaza hip hop in Cape Town with their Jukebox Sessions events, Driemanskap are hitting the road to give the Eastern Cape a taste of their unique kasi flavour over 3 nights in 3 different locations.

After only six editions, Jukebox Sessions has become an iconic event in Cape Town hip hop. It has become so successful that Driemanskap have been forced to look for a larger venue to accommodate the massive crowds they have attracted.

In keeping with their philosophy of creating a platform for aspiring artists, Driemanskap will be featuring local musicians on the line up at all three Jukebox Sessions: Spring Hip Hop Bash events.

Driemanskap recently came into the public eye after the SABC 1′s primetime music show, Live, showed the video for their street hit, S’phum’eGugs. This was followed by a studio appearance on Live to perform, Camagu. Since then they have released a video for, I Will Make It, which was also featured on Live.

Event #1: Friday 9th September 2011 – East London
E Lounge
Buffalo City Stadium (formerly ABSA Stadium)
East London
R30 (before 11pm)
Doors open at 8pm

Event #2: Saturday 10th September 2011 – King William’s Town
Platinum Lounge
1 Grey St
King William’s Town
R30 (before 11pm)
Doors open at 8pm

Event #3: Sunday 11th September 2011 – Mdantsane
Cappello
Mdantsane City Mall
Mdantsane
R30 (before 11pm)
Doors open at 1pm

Check out the Facebook event page

For further information call:
Xolani: 076 484 3103
Chris: 071 174 6433

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!

On Wednesday night Planet Earth and Manqoba were interviewed by DJ Eazy and the lovely Celeste on Ready D’s hip hop show on Goodhope FM.

Planet Earth is an elusive man and is rarely seen in front on camera, so this is rare chance to check out the man behind Driemanskap’s hits, S’phum’eGugs and I Will Make It.

Manqoba is promoting his debut EP, The Winner, and is about to take part in the The King of Street Rap Championship, hosted by KOL and Slaghuis.

Check out the interview and leave a comment…

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!

Check out the brand new video for I Will Make It by Driemanskap featuring Siya.

I Will Make It is the third video from Driemanskap’s highly-acclaimed debut album, Igqabhukil’ Inyongo. The video is dedicated to everyone struggling to make ends meet.

Directed by: spo0ky
Story by: Driemanskap
Cinematography: spo0ky
Editor: spo0ky
Colour: spo0ky
Production Assistants: ‘Madodana-Mnqarhwane Madira Mgcuwe, Mvuyisi Rosewood Dlakavu, Xolani Emvie Matomane, Dplanet
Styling / Wardrobe: Athena Lamberis at Wardrobe Wearhouse
Wardrobe by: Butanwear
Wardrobe by: Deep Settle Movement
Track produced by: Planet Earth

Cast (in order of appearance):
Main Character: Shaun ‘Kritsi’ Jonas
Street Gang: ii-Rote zase Kak Yard (KYD Rats)
Sister: Ntombi Thembela
Mama: Ms Mavis Jonas
Sister’s Client: Bongile ‘Maxhoseni’ Pateni
Shop owner 1 (‘No Job’): Mvuyisi Rosewood Dlakavu ‘Cheese’
Shebeen Drinker 1: Vezi ‘Vesaji’ Malusi
Shebeen Drinker 2: Nkosinathi Bhele ‘Blacks’ aka ‘Ndabani’
Shop owner 2: Zoro Gasela
Car Wash Owner: Xolisa ‘Styoks’ Gabavana
Hobo: Siyabonga ‘Ntshontsho’ Damane
Sign Holder 1 (Black child it’s possible): Lulamile ‘Ill-Verse Versatality’ Senteni
Sign Holder 2 (Stay Positive): Madodana-Mnqarhwane ‘Madira’ Mgcuwe
Sign Holder 3 (One day is one day): Sibusiso ‘Bawo’ aka ‘Katarina’ Sityo
Sign Holder 4 (Never give up): Sonwabo ‘S’thule’ Selana
Sign Holder 5 (Driemanskap will make it): Thabo Sikhweza
Sign Holder 6 (I Will Make It): Bulelani ‘Planet Earth’ Racaza

Special thanks to: Siya Soga, Anton Visser, Emma Carpenter, David Loisel, Evan Mathis, Luvuyo ‘Hamlila’ aka ‘Dada’ Ndandani, Crosby, Lava Magwaca, Chumani Mfumbe “Rajesh Naidoo, Siyabonga Mpofu, Vincent Ntunja, Driemanskap family, the people of Gugulethu.

Check out the lyrics to I Will Make It

Download Igqabhukil’ Inyongo at our online store

Shot entirely on location in Gululethu, South Africa.

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

We are proud to announce that Cream (aka The Cream Machine) has signed with Pioneer Unit. We are excited to be working with this extremely talented Afrikaans rapper from Kuils River, Cape Town. Cream first came to our attention as half of a two-man crew called Bruinstormaz. His effortless flow, melodic hooks, clever wordplay and hard hitting street style sets him apart.

Cream has been working closely with Pioneer Unit producer Hipe for the past year. The result is a 16 track album called Bruinbrood (‘Brown Bread’ or ‘Brain Food’) which we hope to release around September this year.

Here’s a taste of what to expect – check out Stamina (prod. Hipe)…

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Cream artist page on Facebook

Cream artist page on Pioneer Unit

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That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

We spent this weekend shooting a new video for Driemanskap’s I Will Make It from their debut album Igqabhukil’ Inyongo.

As always we had a lot of fun but we also got some serious work done. The video tells a rags to riches story of a man who is down on his luck. He goes through a series of trials and tribulations before getting his life back on track. Shaun ‘Kritsi’ Jonas plays the main character and he did an amazing job.

Driemanskap Family came through in numbers to help us out with everything from production assistance to playing extras. You won’t see a more authentic hip hop video coming out of SA any time soon.

We still have a couple more shots to complete but editing will start this week. Hopefully you’ll get to see this video sometime in June. For now, check out some behind the scenes video and photos…

Video

Photos

I’m so hood! (click image for larger version).

Driemanskap represent! (click image for larger version).

Kritsi shooting at the shebeen (click image for larger version).

Kritsi got big boy swag (click image for larger version).

Checking the footage (click image for larger version).

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

Crowd scene for the chorus (click image for larger version).

Dla shooting his verse (click image for larger version).

El Nino and Kanyi (click image for larger version).

The Director happy after a long weekend of shooting (click image for larger version).

Kritsi: from rags to riches (click image for larger version).

Click here for the full set of photos (30) on Flickr

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!