Pioneer Unit

What’s up people!

We’ve been quiet recently, but don’t think we’re sleeping! We’re working day and night to bring you two of the hottest hip hop albums ever to drop in SA, namely B. Sharpa by Ben Sharpa and Bread and Butter by Rattex.

B. Sharpa is 100% complete and is due to be on sale across South Africa by mid-October.

We’re also releasing a limited edition, 6-track 12” vinyl EP through Jarring Effects in France. The EP, Sharpaganda Theory: Lesson 1 is a preview of B. Sharpa and it includes an instrumental of Off the Rails and an a cappella of Hegemony. The vinyl is due to drop in Europe in September although we are planning to import a few copies to South Africa. We’ll post up pricing and availability nearer the release date.

We’re also in the studio putting finishing touches to Rattex’s album, Bread and Butter. Trust me, this album is crazy fresh with killer production by Hipe, Nyambz, Planet Earth and myself. Rah features the amazing vocal skills of Lungelo (who recently signed to TS Records) on two tracks. We’re also hoping to do a track with Nosisi of Kwane Experience (although this is not confirmed yet).

Expect super-fresh kasi raps, banging street anthems, jiggy club bangers, conscious flows and music from the heart. Bread and Butter is set to be an instant classic and put Rattex on the map as a major force in SA hip hop.

Today we’re going to be shooting a quick video for The Real Shit so people can get a small taste of what to expect from the album. Pre-production has also started for the video for Vova Kancane, the first single from Bread and Butter.

Keep it locked for more info!

That’s how we rrrrrroll!!

Make sure you tune into Trace Your Roots, a 13 part SABC 1 series documenting indigenous knowledge systems and African cultural practices to see how they apply to the modern African.

Produced and Directed by Isaac Chokwe aka Krook’d, with original music by Ben Sharpa, DJ Raiko and Soweto Kinch.

The first show will be airing on SABC 1 on 20th August at 18:30.

Join the Facebook group for updates and more info.

Check out this Ben Sharpa interview on One Small Seed TV.

(please be patient, it takes a while to load the player)…

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Check out this interview with your boy Rattex on One Small Seed TV.

That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!

This photo of Ben was taken by Dutch photographer, Krijn van Noordwijk, in Eindhoven at the Extrema Festival.

Krijn is working on a book called DJ that will feature portraits of various artists who have been performing on the European festival circuit.

The two sample copies of the book Krijn has made so far contain strikingly beautiful portraits that capture the personality of the artists with amazing intensity. His portrait of Chuck D is one of the best I have ever seen!

Check out Krijn’s blog here

Our very own Ben Sharpa was interviewed by Rob Boffard in the number 1 newspaper for South Africans living abroad, The South African.

Luckily for you, they have an online version so you can check out the piece. Some of you may know Rob Boffard aka Rob_one from his regular contributions to Africa’s Gateway.

Anyway…. check out The Sharpest Knife in the Drawer

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!