Ben Sharpa and DJ Raiko are about to embark on a huge European tour organised by our partners in France, Jarring Effects. Ben and Raiko will be heating up stages across Europe alongside Bronx, NYC born-and-raised Oddateee.

The Hip Hop Collision Tour will be taking in 16 cities in 8 countries around Europe. Don't miss your chance for a heavy dose of rugged left-field lyricism!

Check out our gig page for full details.

That's how we rrrrrrrrroll!!

Hype cover (click photo for larger version)


Driemanskap review (click photo for larger version)

Driemanskap's debut album release, Igqabhukil' Inyongo is reviewed in the August / September issue of Hype magazine. Without wishing to give too much away, the Hype review rated the album as 4.5 out of 5.

"You must be deaf and dumb not to be moved by this masterpiece. You don't even have to understand Xhosa to know how dope this album is."

Support your local product - go and buy Hype magazine, and of course, go and buy yourself a copy of Igqabhukil' Inyongo. It's available throughout South Africa at Look & Listen, Musica and Reliable. If you're in Cape Town, you can get it at the African Music Store - 134 Long St., Cape Town. (021) 426 0857. If you're in J-Section, you can get it at Ozmic’s Ritual Store in Newtown. International digital downloads will be available for purchase in a month or so - keep it locked for more details.

That's how we rrrrrrroll!!

Another weekend, another video shoot! This weekend we shot a video for Streets by Rattex with our new partners in crime, Greenhouse Productions.

As the name suggests, Streets is about life on the streets of Rattex's hood, Khayelitsha. Don't get it twisted though, this Nyambz-produced track is dedicated to everyone in every hood living the street life.

Rattex believes in representing the reality of life in South Africa and that's why the people love him. Naturally we shot the video entirely on location on the streets of Khayelitsha. Check out some behind the scenes photos...


It's a road block every time Rah gets down in Khaltsha (click photo for larger version)


Rah representing (click photo for larger version)


Shooting between the shacks (click photo for larger version)


Writing lyrics (click photo for larger version)


The boxing gym shot (click photo for larger version)


Watching the streets (click photo for larger version)


The production truck (click photo for larger version)


Kids watching the shoot (click photo for larger version)


The rooftop shot under the moon (click photo for larger version)

Check out the full set of photos (56) on Flickr

That's how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Your boy Ben Sharpa is doing it big once again with a feature in Europe's biggest hip hop publication, Juice.

Ben will be doing an extensive tour of Europe in September and October, taking in around 15 dates. Watch this space for the full tour schedule.


Front cover of Juice mag (Click photo for larger version)


Ben Sharpa feature (Click photo for larger version)

That's how we rrrrrrroll!!

Rattex and Kritsi brought straight spaza fire to the Urban Streetstyle Convention at the Goodhope Centre in Cape Town a few weeks ago.

Check out some photos...


The Goodhope centre fills up (Click photo for larger version)


The 5-a-side tournament (Click photo for larger version)


The Pioneer Unit stand (Click photo for larger version)


B Boys on stage (Click photo for larger version)


Rah centre stage (Click photo for larger version)


Rah gets down on the big screen (Click photo for larger version)


The crowd goes wild (Click photo for larger version)


Throw ya hands in the air (Click photo for larger version)

Click here for full set (16) of photos on Flickr

That's how we rrrrrrroll!!

We just got back from a nice session at Hipe's studio in Ravensmead. DJ Raiko was laying down cuts for Jaak's forthcoming album, Hipe Presents: Flêtse Maniere.

The album is currently in the final stages of post-production and will showcase the talent of one of South Africa's most lyrical Afrikaans emcees alongside one of South Africa's dopest producers.

We'll update you with release dates as soon as we have them fixed. Keep it locked!


Jaak and Hipe (Click photo for larger version)


The Unit at work (Click photo for larger version)


Hipe vinyl (Click photo for larger version)


Jaak, Hipe and Raiko (Click photo for larger version)


Jaak and Da Bo$$ share a joke (Click photo for larger version)


Raiko in the cut (Click photo for larger version)

Click here for full set (8) of photos on Flickr

That's how we rrrrrrroll!!

The video for Ben Sharpa's Milanese-produced track, Callin' It Quits (We're Here) from the B. Sharpa album has been edited and is now in post-production. Anne-Sophie is experimenting with various treatments that are looking amazing.

The video should be on Youtube early next month. Check out some visuals...


Click for larger image.


Click for larger image.

That's how we rrrrrrrroll!!

A couple of weeks ago, the third annual Hip Hop Connected took place at the Artscape theatre in Cape Town. Directed by Teba (The Original Social Worker), the event took place over two sold-out dates with performaces by Rattex, Jaak, Ill Skillz, 5th Floor, Chronic Clan, Eavesdrop (and others) with performers backed by Champions, a five-piece band featuring DJ Azhul and Grenville Williams. All 5 Pillars were represented with breakdance crew Immortal Style, a graf exhibition and education videos.

"Hip Hop Connected' takes hip hop to the theatre; introducing people who like the theatre to hip hop, and introducing hip hop to the discipline of theatre."

- Teba

My personal highlights were Rattex's live version of Welcome to Khaltsha and Jaak's soon to be released, Afrik(ans). The crowd went wild!

Hip Hop Connected is a great platform for rappers who rarely get the chance to experience such high production values when performing in South Africa. It's great to expose our local talent to a different audience in such a quality environment.

Check out some photos courtesy of your man, DJ Raiko:

Artscape Theatre, Cape Town (Click for larger photo)


Jaak came out all guns blazing (Click for larger photo)


Jaak rips the mic (Click for larger photo)


Jaak about to demonstrate the Ostrich Dance (Click for larger photo)


Rattex and Kritsi come correct (Click for larger photo)


Rattex and Kritsi Get Down (Click for larger photo)


Rah and Krits killing it (Click for larger photo)


The PU stand in the foyer (Click for larger photo)


PU represent! (Click for larger photo)

Check out the full set of photos (19) on Flickr

That's how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!

After a few delays, Milanese has finally released his highly-anticipated Lockout double-EP on Planet Mu Records.

Our very own Ben Sharpa features on 4 of the 12 massive tracks on the double-EP. Describing Milanese's style is almost impossible, but we rate him as one of the hardest, most sophisticated and most original producers in electronic music right now.

Lockout on Planet Mu
Buy Lockout at Bleep.com
Milanese on Myspace

Ben and Milanese live at Dour Festival

A few weeks ago we watched the video for Rocaflow by our friends Ill Skillz. The quality of the cinematography, art direction and editing blew us away so we tracked down the people responsible, Greenhouse Productions. After an initial meeting we decided that we had to work with them on the video for Driemanskap's first single, Camagu.

Camagu is about the importance of respecting your traditions, your culture and your elders, even if you are a young, urban hip hop head. Driemanskap wanted to shoot in a rural setting and the Director, Garth, happened to know a perfect location on a farm in Khayelitsha.

The shoot started at sunrise and went on until midnight. Despite the long hours, everyone gave 100% and judging by the footage we have seen so far, this video is going to set incredibly high standards for us and the rest of the SA hip hop industry to follow.

A massive thank you to everyone at Greenhouse Productions (Garth, Niklas, Christian, Karl, Tami, Bert and Adrian). Also, huge thanks to Sivu and Kanyi for styling, the dancers, the extras (Dre, Bizzah, Siya, Kanyi, Lulama) and everyone else who came through to support - we really couldn't do this without you!

Check out some behind the scenes photos of the shoot courtesy of Anne-Sophie Leens...


Garth directing (click for larger image).


The shed scene (click for larger image).


El Nino at sunrise (click for larger image).


Driemanskap bringing energy like only they can (click for larger image).


Redondo in the bushes (click for larger image).


Siya and Sivu work on Dla (click for larger image).


Redondo in the frame (click for larger image).


Dancers at sunset (click for larger image).


The final shot of the day (click for larger image).

Check out the full set of photos (62) on Flickr

That's how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!