Driemanskap and Planet Earth tore the house down at a special live broadcast of SABC1′s primetime music show Live in Cape Town last Friday. We shot this video ‘backstage’ in the VIP section of Trinity, where this special edition of the show was broadcast from. The sound quality isn’t great, but Driemanskap’s energy as they performed a medley of their tracks, is unmistakeable.

The show’s producer told us that there was an estimated 4-5 million viewers for this broadcast. Crazy!

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!

It’s always a tough challenge for a promoter to change the venue of a successful night. Driemanskap’s monthly spaza jam, Jukebox Sessions, had become so popular that it had outgrown the capacity of Ragazzi on Long Street – a move was necessary.

Driemanskap also had a heavy tour schedule which meant they had to postpone the re-launch at their new venue, Platinum Lounge, by a couple of months. After a reduced turn-out for the first event at the new venue, the crowd was back in full force for last Saturday’s jam that featured Ill Skills and iFani.

Ill Skills put on a tight show with a mixture of new material from Skills That Pay the Bills, as well as some crowd favourites from The Battle of Gugs compilation that had the everyone signing, “This one’s for you, and you!”. Gugs was most definitely in the building.

Driemanskap then tore up the stage with their trademark entrance of traditional chanting and foot stamping, before launching into a set that featured songs from their forthcoming album, Hlala Nam. The rowdy crowd were treated to a performance of One Day that could quite easily be the biggest hip hop track in SA in 2012. Driemanskap were then joined on stage by Macho, Kanyi, Uno, Planet Earth, Crosby and a gang of photographers to tear the roof off Platinum Lounge with an epic performance of their street hit, S’phum’eGugs. The energy was electric and the crowd went wild.

Last up was iFani who became known for his single Ewe earlier this year. He entertained the crowd with his combination of showmanship, humourous lyrics and ‘crenk’ beats.

Check out the whole set of 93 photos on Flickr or Facebook.

Follow Driemanskap on Twitter: @Driemanskap, or connect with them on their Facebook page.

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

After taking a short break whilst on tour, Driemanskap have re-launched their massively successful monthly live event, Jukebox Sessions.

The event became so popular at the previous venue, Raggazzi, that hundreds of people were left disappointed outside, unable to get in because it was so overcrowded – you could feel the floorboards creaking under the weight. Jukebox Sessions has now moved to Platinum Lounge on Shortmarket Street, which is just around the corner from the original venue.

Driemanskap started the Jukebox Sessions as a platform to showcase the best in Cape Town hip hop. It is one of the few events in Cape Town to feature Spaza (vernacular) hip hop so heavily. The event has an intimate, ‘family’ atmosphere which is partly due to Kritsi’s hosting and unscripted comedy routines, where he regularly makes fun of the performers. The event is also a platform for up and coming artists to demonstrate their skills.

The latest instalment of Jukebox Sessions, on Saturday 3rd December, will feature iFani, who has become popular for his hilarious isiXhosa lyrics and infectious beats. His breakthrough hit, Ewe, has been on heavy rotation on TV and radio stations across South Africa. This will be his first performance in Cape Town.

Alongside iFani, expect performances by Ill Skills, Uzwi Kantu, Ma-B and Driemanskap. DJ Zwai and Beatology will be providing beats. Platinum Lounge is at 88 Shortmarket Street. R30 entrance.

If you want to experience Cape Town hip hop at its most raw, exciting and fun, make sure you don’t miss the next Jukebox Session. Check out the Facebook event page for more information.

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!!

Pioneer Unit Records is proud to announce that we have signed a publishing agreement with Sheer Publishing. From now on they will be looking after all our local and international intellectual property rights.

Pioneer Unit still welcomes direct contact from anyone interested in using our music for any purpose. You can also contact our new copyright adminstrator at Sheer, Mpumi Phillips at publishing7@sheer.co.za

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Driemanskap will not longer we travelling to Washington DC to take part in the 8th Annual SA Week. Having been on standby since Sunday waiting for the promoter to finalise travel arrangements, Driemanskap finally gave up hope of making the journey yesterday when the promoter could not be contacted.

SA Week is a 7 day event held in Washington DC to celebrate South African culture and heritage through music, art, cuisine and fashion. It aims to create an opportunity for South African artists and musicians to showcase their talents. Driemanskap were due to perform at a music extravaganza on 24th September featuring Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri, Stimela, BLK JKS, Thandiswa & Nomsa Mazwai, Lorraine Klaasen and Black Coffee.

Driemanskap are bitterly disappointed to be missing out on this prestigious opportunity, but assured their fans and supporters that they will not allow this small setback to discourage them.

Ma-B posted the following message on Facebook

SAD NEWS! Some of y’all must have seen this on Dla’s status but i also owe 2 all of those who prayed & wished us a safe & a fruitful journey. Thank u but y’all deserve 2know that the USA trip is no longer happening. We found out the hard & disturbing way, but it’s only gonna make us stronger.

Redondo posted the following message on his Facebook page:

Okwenzekileyo kuyafana nokudaliweyo, kungakuninzi endikuluzileyo kukwakuninzi nendikufundileyo. 2 al dem 3manskap wellwisherz i b-live uv already heard wat happened about da u.s. trip, as much as al we r dissapointed bt only GOD knowz why. anyway life goes on nd asoze aphele amandla. aluta continua!!! nd 2 much luv 4 ur support, CAMAGU!!!

Pioneer Unit would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their messages of support. You can rest assured that there will be many other opportunities for Driemanskap to expose their talent to the rest of the world. For now, Driemanskap will continue to focus on creating more great music.

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

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!!

Ben Sharpa recently returned from Budapest where he performed at Sziget Festival with DJ Cadik. The photo above was taken on a boat on the Danube river on their way to the festival. The building behind them is the Hungarian Parliament.

Cadik is a stalwart of the Hungarian electronic underground party scene. He’s a producer, promoter, radio DJ and live performer. Ben and Cadik have been working on collaborations which should be out soon. Watch this space.

While Ben was at Sziget he also ran into Gas Lamp Killer so they got their pose on…

For more about DJ Cadik, check out his Tumblr

That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!

On Sunday 18th September Driemanskap will be joining a heavyweight delegation of some of South Africa’s finest musicians who are heading to Washington DC to take part in the 8th Annual SA Week.

SA Week is a 7 day event held in Washington DC to celebrate South African culture and heritage through music, art, cuisine and fashion. It also aims to create an opportunity for South African artists and musicians to showcase their talents. The event, now in its 8th year, is hosted by Khabo Mabe On Time, Inc., a Washington-based South African company that was set up to promote South African interests in the United States.

Driemanskap will be joining musicians, Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri, Stimela, BLK JKS, Thandiswa & Nomsa Mazwai, Lorraine Klaasen and Black Coffee, as well as a host of esteemed participants including the Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile.

The packed itinerary includes a series of daily cultural and business events, culminating in a music extravaganza on Saturday 24th.

Stay tuned to PioneerUnit.com for regular updates, photos and videos documenting Driemanskap’s trip. You can also get live updates by following @Driemanskap, @pioneerunit and @MthethoTshemese (Driemanskap’s manager) on Twitter.

Click here for more information about SA Week (including detailed itinerary)

That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!

Live:
Pure Solid
DJ Big Space
7FT Soundsystem

Selectors:
Blotchy
Fletcher

TONIGHT! 9th September
10pm-4am
Fiction (Long Street, Cape Town)
R40.

All Out Dub Facebook event page

For a taste of what you’ll be getting, check out Pure Solid live at Cold Turkey…

Pure Solid Live at Cold Turkey by PioneerUnit

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrrroll!!