Pioneer Unit

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!!

Our very own Ben Sharpa represented Pioneer Unit to the fullest in the Channel O Sprite Emcee Africa Battle competition.

Sprite Emcee Africa is a reality based talent search show that travels to Accra (Ghana), Lagos (Nigeria), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Nairobi (Kenya), Luanda (Angola), and Johannesburg (South Africa) with the mission to crown the King or Queen of Africa’s lyrical freestyle arena.

Ben made it through the preliminary qualification round with a dope freestyle on the topic ‘whips’. Proverb (one of the judges) asked Ben to play with both meanings of the word. Ben somehow managed to get cars and sadomasochists into his rhymes! Crazy!

The South African finalists were Adamiz, Ben Sharpa, Heavy G, Projektah, Qaz, Slege, Steezy Stylish and Snazz the Dictator.

Sharpa got elimated by Adamiz in the semi-final, but there’s no shame in that - Adamiz is a vicious battle specialist who really knows how to turn on the aggression, intimidate his opponents and work the crowd.

The final was contested between Snazz and Adamiz. Snazz came out victorious because he managed to stay cool under pressure and stayed on point with his rhymes. Snazz clinched it when he started breaking down Adamiz’s style, telling him he should rap on the beat and mocking his crazy angry flow. Snazz was a well-deserved winner because he was one of the very few rappers (in the whole series) who consistently took what the opponent said and used it in rhyming couplets (that actually rhymed) against them.

The overall standard of the show throughout the various countries was very poor indeed - maybe it’s a bit unfair that the battle had to be in English (even if it understandable).

Having said that, I’d like to see Sprite and Channel O continuing with the show so that our local MCs step up their freestyle game. When you see Wordsworth spit off the dome it’s effortless. That should be the entry level for anyone who even thinks about being crowned as the ‘Best in Africa’.

Despite going out, you can still vote for Ben Sharpa to be a WildCard entry in the final. Show your support for Ben by going to the Channel O website and casting your vote.

Anyway, BIG UPS to Snazz… check out some photos of the event…

Sprite EMCEE Africa! (click for larger image).

Sharpa qualifies (click for larger image).

Sharpa takes out Slege (click for larger image).

Adamiz destroys Steezy Stylish (click for larger image).

Adamiz takes on Sharpa (click for larger image).

Sharpa give it to Adamiz (click for larger image).

Adamiz looks vexed! (click for larger image).

Mizi gives his verdict - Adamiz wins (click for larger image).

Snazz schools Adamiz (click for larger image).

Lee congratulates Snazz (click for larger image).

View the full set of photos on Flickr

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrroll!!

On Sunday Pioneer Unit was in full effect at the Design Indaba Expo. One Small Seed had a stand where they were promoting One Small Seed TV so they invited us to come along to be interviewed.

Giuseppe, Annelie and Amelia were the perfect hosts, making sure we were fully refreshed at all times. One Small Seed is sponsored by Campari which I’ve never had before. I have to admit that at first I thought it was bitter and disgusting, but after a few glasses it started to grow on me. Strange how that happens.

On set were myself, Ben Sharpa, Rattex and The Realist talking about our future projects and what we’re up to right now. The interviews were really good and, like everything One Small Seed do, they looked great too.

Stay tuned for more info about One Small Seed TV in the near future.

Giuseppe and Annelie Interviewing The Realist (click for larger image).

Greg ‘pon di mic (click for larger image).

It’s real (click for larger image).

Superstar on set (click for larger image).

Rah breaks it down (click for larger image).

Cheers! (click for larger image).

Sharpa What! (click for larger image).

Check out the full set of photos on Flickr

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Yes yes. P-Unit in effect once again! New signings Rattex and The Realist flexed their skills alongside Ready D on Channel O’s Mzanzi Ridez.

Catch Mzanzi Ridez every Thursday at 6pm.

Ready D introduces Rah (click for larger image).

Sinister Dexter and TOB on set (click for larger image).

The big intro (click for larger image).

It’s about to get Real up in this (click for larger image).

Kid Klever breaks it down (click for larger image).

Rattex rips bars on Township Storm (click for larger image).

Sinister Dexter and Kid Klever (click for larger image).

Kid Klever spits venom (click for larger image).

Check the full set of photos on Flickr

That’s how we rrrrrrrrroll!!

Here’s some screen captures of Driemanskap appearing on Mzanzi Ridez hosted by the legendary Ready D.

We recorded the show in December, but it just aired on Channel O this week. You can check out the behind the scenes photos here.

Anyway, check the photos - you can click on them to see the larger versions on Flickr…

Driemanskap (click for larger image).

Ready D Introduces Drie (click for larger image).

Dla and El Nino wildin’ out (click for larger image).

El Nino breaks it down (click for larger image).

Dla freakin’ it (click for larger image).

Drie representing (click for larger image).

That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrroll!!

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!!

Check out channel 89 on your nearest DSTV-enable TV this Saturday at 7pm for an interview and live performance by one of the hottest new artists coming out of the Cape Flats, the one and only Terror MC.

Terror MC is featured on Planetary Assault so you know he’s an artist to keep an eye out for.

Stiek uit!

That’s how we rrrrrrrroll!!

Showbiz Report titles.

Showbiz Report’s lovely presenter Sara Chitambo.

Me being interviewed at the Planetary Assault launch party.

Archetypes’ Hyphen performing at the Planetary Assault launch party.

Driemanskap performing at the Planetary Assault launch party.

Anne-Sophie talking about directing the video for How We Roll.

KONFAB & Jaak in the How We Roll video.

KONFAB & Jaak in the How We Roll video.

That’s how we rrrrrrroll!!

Check out Showbiz Report on ETV this coming Saturday (3rd Nov) for a feature on the Planetary Assault launch party.

That’s how we rrrrrroll!!

Big thanks to DJ Eazy for organising a nice little interview with Contro’Versy, the host of MK89’s Hip Hop show. The crew came through to the Planetary Assault launch party to see how we get down and talk to us about what we’re planning for the future. The interview aired last night on DSTV’s MK89.

They also showed the video for ‘How We Roll’ by KONFAB, featuring Jaak, which is the first single from Planetary Assault.

Don’t worry if you missed it - you can catch repeats of the show throughout the week…

Tuesday:

15:00

21:32

Thurs

01:30 (that’s like late wednesday night)

13:30

Check out the photos…

Me talking to Contro’Versy

Me talking some more

Jaak talking to Contro’Versy

Jaak breaking it down

‘How We Roll’ video

That’s how we rrrrrrroll!!

Check out footage of the Planetary Assault launch party and artist interviews on the Hip Hop show on MK89, between 7.00pm-7.30pm on Saturday 15th September (that’s tomorrow).

MK89 is channel 89 on DSTV. If you don’t have DSTV, get yourself round to someone who does!

That’s how we rrrrrrroll!!

Check out the video for Go Againt Us by Trusenz - exclusive to MTV Base - starting at 15:00 CAT on Wednesday 16th May.

It’s gonna be on heavy rotation for at least two weeks before all the other networks start showing it so you won’t miss it. Look out for cameos by Wanda, Lungelo and of course yours truly sporting the Arsenal shirt.

That is definitely how we rrrrrroll!!!!!

Ben Sharpa appeared on Channel O’s Mzansi Ridez tonight. Here’s the host Reddy D asking him about the ‘B. Sharpa’ album.

5ive Fingers on Mzansi Ridez…

Watch the 5ive Fingers video here

Our very own ‘King of Spaza’ Middle Finga appeared on SABC1’s Street Journal last night. He shared his thoughts on the Spaza movement and his future plans.

Expect to see and hear a lot more of Middle Finga in the near future. His album ‘Spaza’ will be out in the next couple of months.