Entries from December 2007
31.12 by Damian Stephens · 0 Comments
It’s official (click for larger image).
We are proud to announce that we have completed a recording deal with The Realist. We believe they are one of the most talented and innovative Hip Hop acts in South Africa and we’re very excited to be working with them to release their debut album in the first quarter of 2008.
Stay tuned for more information in the new year.
Sinister Dexter, Kid Klever & TOB (click for larger image).
Signed contract (click for larger image).
That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!
Categories:
Behind the scenes
22.12 by Damian Stephens · 0 Comments
The Realist tore up the stage on a blisteringly hot evening at Summer X in Camps Bay, Cape Town yesterday. The venue, Camps Bay High School, has to be one of the most scenic venues in the world with views over Camps Bay and the 12 Apostles.
The whole event was very well organised, featuring freestyle motor cross, skateboarding, BMX, sport climbing, wakeboarding and other exhibitions. The Realist were in good company, performing on the same bill as The Dirty Skirts and Van Coke Kartel.
This was The Realist’s first big show and they demonstrated why we have so much faith in them with an intense performance. The Realist is TOB (Triplet of Belville), Kid Klever and Sinister Dexter. Their sound is a dark, textured electronica, hip hop mashup. We’re convinced that they’re going to be massive on the festival circuit in 2008 so watch this space.
The Realist on stage (click for larger image).
Kid Klever and Sinister Dexter (click for larger image).
Kid Klever rips the mic (click for larger image).
Kid Klever waves to the crowd (click for larger image).
Sinister Dexter rocks the crowd (click for larger image).
Kid Klever or Jimmy Hendrix? (click for larger image).
Double team (click for larger image).
TOB, Sinister Dexter and Kid Klever (click for larger image).
Click here for the full set of photos on Flickr.
That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!
Categories:
Live
18.12 by Damian Stephens · 0 Comments
Saturday morning was crazy. We launched the Pioneer Unit t-shirt range at Shelflife with the help of our boys, Archetypes.
Despite not having slept much, and with only a few quarts of Black to get them in the mood, Arche came through and set things off properly with an hour long jam session, much to the suprise and delight of the Saturday morning shoppers.
Having been to some great in-store promotions at Deal Real Records in London recently, we wanted to bring the same vibe back home. It certainly creates a buzz when you have dope artists performing live, up close and personal, in a shop environment.
We plan to do a series of these in-store promos at Shelflife over the coming months. We get to promote our artists and their work. The store gets to associate itself with real street culture and creates a theatrical element of excitement to draw in more customers and create a buzz.
If you don’t know Shelflife yet, where have you been?! It’s located at 119 Loop Street on the first floor. They stock the hottest, authentic streetwear from local and international designers, as well as all the paint and caps you could ever want. They also host exhibitions and put on events. They plan to start stocking an extensive collection of South African Hip Hop CDs in the new year. Go check them out.
Anyway,,, here’s some photos…
Arche performing in front of poster (click for larger image).
TOP spitting without spilling a drop (click for larger image).
Otis Larynx (click for larger image).
Arche in effect (click for larger image).
Enter the Dragon (click for larger image).
TOP off the dome (click for larger image).
Pioneer Unit t-shirts on display (click for larger image).
New Era fitteds on display (click for larger image).
Hyphen in LRG hoodie (click for larger image).
Check out the full set of photos on Flickr.
That’s how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!
Categories:
Behind the scenes
Live
13.12 by Damian Stephens · 0 Comments
We know it’s not always easy getting hold of SA’s hottest Hip Hop album of 2007, Planetary Assault, so we’ve started setting up regional Street Teams.
We’ve already got J-Sec on lock through a collaboration with Landymynz Entertainment. If you’re favourite music store doesn’t stock Planetary Assault, call deePea on 083 642 3159 or email him on deepeaster (at) gmail (dot) com.
In Durban, we’ve got two dedicated soldiers on the Street Team, Pasgenik aka Pas and Russell aka Firearms. If you’re from Durban you probably know these cats already. If not, Pasegenik is a beatboxer who won the regional African Hip Hop Indaba battle in DBN this year & represented DBN at the recent national Battle of the Year event. Firearms is a local MC who has gained a lot of respect amongst heads in DBN.
These cats have got copies of Planetary Assault and they’re waiting for your call or email:
Want to be on the Street Team?
We’re looking for heads who want to represent other provinces and be part of the tightest Street Team in SA. It’s the easiest money you’ll ever make! If you sell 10 CDs a week, you can earn R1600 cash a month!!
All you have to do deposit R400 (+ R50 for postage) into the Pioneer Unit Records CC bank account and we’ll send you 10 copies of the Planetary Assault CD the next day by registered mail. Contact us for more details.
Support your local product - the proper Hip Hop to cop!
That’s how we rrrrrrrroll!!
Categories:
Marketing
12.12 by Damian Stephens · 13 Comments
Yesterday we had the pleasure of meeting up with Ready D to record 3 different episodes of Mzansi Rides, the number 1 rated show on Channel O. I was joined by El Nino and Dla from Driemanskap, Jaak and Otis Larynx from Archetypes.
We recorded three separate interviews followed by 3 performances. Driemanskap performed Hamb’ubuza, Jaak performed Oppie Spot Rus and Otis performed Verbally Spark. They all killed it with high energy and good vibes.
It was really interesting to see behind the scenes of a slick production like Mzansi Rides. The studio was much smaller than I imagined from seeing it on tv, but tight camerawork and post production works wonders.
Big shout out to Neil Webster, the Executive Producer at Fixer Film for putting us on. Maximum respect to Ready D - he’s an inspiration to anyone trying to make a living in the Hip Hop industry in South Africa.
Keep it locked to PioneerUnit.com for info on when the shows will be broadcast.
Ready D / Dplanet (click for larger image).
Neil (Executive Producer), Lolo, Jaak, Dla, Ready D and El Nino (click for larger image).
Otis Larynx performing on the Verbally Spark beat (click for larger image).
Jaak performing Oppie Spot Rus (click for larger image).
Driemanskap performing Hamb’buza (click for larger image).
Otis Larynx being interviewed by Ready D (click for larger image).
Jaak watching a master at work (click for larger image).
El Nino breaks it down (click for larger image).
Dla reppin’ Drie (click for larger image).
Click here for full set of photos from the shoot.
That’s how we rrrrrrrroll!!
Categories:
Behind the scenes
TV Appearances
04.12 by Damian Stephens · 1 Comment
It’s been hard keeping this one to ourselves as we’ve know about it for some time, but December’s issue of Hype Magazine with Sharpa on the cover has finally hit the shops!
Hype’s editor, Mizi Mtshali, has promised that if this issue sells well, more local artists will be featured on future covers. This is good for the whole of SA Hip Hop, so support your local product and go and buy December’s edition!
Don’t buy one, buy four! (click for larger image).
Sharpa cover (click for larger image).
Double page spread (click for larger image).
Sharpa than most (click for larger image).
Reflect on shi*t (click for larger image).
Freshest sh*t (click for larger image).
Sign up to Sharpa’s fan page on Facebook.
Check out Sharpa’s Myspace page.
That’s how we rrrrrroll!!
Categories:
Press
