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

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

I believe in always representing the reality of life in South Africa. 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 I get down in Khaltsha (click photo for larger version)


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!!

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!!

Last week your boy Ratteezy recorded an episode of SABC 2's youth edutainment show, Keeping It Real. The issue being discussed was urban poetry and hip hop. Rah and Blaq Pearl dropped some verses and shared their experiences of being performance artists in Cape Town.

The show is due to be aired later this year. Keep it locked to PioneerUnit.com for more info. 

In the mean time, check out some behind the scenes photos...


Baby got back (click for larger image).


Rah waiting backstage (click for larger image).


The host introducing Rattex (click for larger image).


Rah keeping it real (click for larger image).


Rah on screen (click for larger image).


Rah serenading Blaq Pearl (click for larger image).


Chillin' after the show (click for larger image).

Check out the full set of photos (24) on Flickr

That's how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Last weekend in Cape Town, cellular service provider, MTN, officially launched their mobile digital music download platform MTN Xploaded. The launch was a 3 day event that started with a press preview at the Radisson hotel on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday there were live performances at the Waterfront Amphitheater. Needless to say, Rah, Kritsi and Vux rocked the spot on all three days.

Tracks from Rattex's debut album Bread and Butter are currently available for download either online or directly from your cellphone via MTN Xploaded. Check it out!


Rah and Kritsi rock the press (click for larger image).


The Scooter Dance (click for larger image).


Get down (click for larger image).


Rockin' the Waterfront (click for larger image).


Hold up (click for larger image).


Rah and Kritsi (click for larger image).


Throw your hands in the air (click for larger image).


Crowd getting down (click for larger image).


Kritsi and Rah having fun (click for larger image).


Spaza rock star (click for larger image).

Check out the full set of photos (29) on Flickr

That's how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

Check out your boy Rattex in the latest edition of Obrigado magazine, which is available free of charge at any Vida e Caffe coffee shop.

Rah brought his unique brand of kasi swag to the 'zoo' theme of the feature where he appears as a,,, rat!

"One listen to D's Molotov cocktail of boom-bap beats and grimy digitalia and you'll hear just why Rattex was inspired to write some of the most poisonously real tales to come out of the Cape since Prophets of da City."

- Miles Keylock.

Visuals courtesy of Obrigado magazine. Creative Director: Georgia Gardner / Photographer: Xander Ferreira

Check out the behind the scenes photos here

That's how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

What's up people.

Have you all heard of Twitter.com? Everyone from Kanye West to Xzibit to Puff Daddy to South African cats like Proverb and Imbube are using Twitter.

Naturally Pioneer Unit has been on Twitter for a while now too.

It's basically a web-based service that works like the status update on Facebook, or in their words...

"Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?"

We'd like our friends and fans to start following us on Twitter because it's a really cool way for you to keep up to date with what we're doing.

What you'll get:
- Updates about live events
- Tour information
- News from the studio
- Behind the scenes updates
- Album release news
- Links to free MP3s
- Links to latest videos
- Random stuff about what we're currently doing

What you won't get:
- An inbox full of junk promo mail

To help sweeten the deal, we will be giving away Pioneer Unit hampers (signed CDs/ stickers/ badges) to every 100th follower we get on Twitter. Every 1000th follower will get a hamper plus a cash prize of R500*.

To follow Pioneer Unit on Twitter:

1. Go to http://www.twitter.com and create and account - it's easy, quick and free.

2. Go to http://www.twitter.com/pioneerunit and click 'follow'.

3. Encourage all your friends to follow us.

That's it.

See you on Twitter!

*South Africa residents only

Check out my brand new video for Welcome to Khaltsha. The video was directed and edited by Anne-Sophie Leens for Apartment Studios.

You can read about the shoot and check out some behind the scenes photos here.



That's how we rrrrrrrrrroll!!

Our sister company and renowned Amsterdam-based fashion photographers, Petrovsky & Ramone (P&R) came to Cape Town earlier this week to shoot a variety of commercial projects. While they were down here, they also took the opportunity to do an haute couture (that's 'high fashion' to you and me) photo shoot in Khayelitsha which featured your boy Rah as well as other members of the Pi-Unit, including myself.

P&R brought their team which included Venus (stylist), Simone (model) a make-up artist and an assistant - and a car-load of clothes. It was one of the hottest days we've had in Cape Town in a while, with temperatures reaching 36C. Despite the conditions Simone somehow managed not to pass out despite being heavily made-up, often wearing many layers of clothing and having 'mud' and newspaper stuck to her hair.

We helped P&R find five locations to shoot. Everywhere we stopped, crowds of people gathered round to stare (and often laugh) in amazement. After seeing Simone one young boy asked, "Is it a girl?", wondering whether she was real or a mannequin.

Venus (the stylist) said that she was inspired by the way women in Khayelitsha put their clothes together. She wanted to mirror that in a couture way with her styling of Simone. P&R asked some of these ladies to appear in the photos, which they were happy to do despite being a little embarrassed by all the attention.

We all had a great day and the photographs look amazing. Check out some behind the scenes photos...


The team arrives in Khayelitsha (click for larger image).


Rah, Kritsi and Vux (click for larger image).


Last-minute make-up (click for larger image).


The bed shot (click for larger image).


Watch out for traffic (click for larger image).


Chillin' at Soso's while the model changes clothes (click for larger image).


Mini shoot (click for larger image).


Change clothes (click for larger image).


Rah gets his fashion swag on (click for larger image).


Work it! (click for larger image).


Khaltsha couture (click for larger image).


Khaltsha couture (click for larger image).


The last shot (click for larger image).

Check out the full set of photos (107) on Flickr

That's how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!

My album, Bread and Butter is reviewed on Ventilation.co.za...

"his album is really worth a listen but be sure to have a translator if you can’t speak the language - it’s heavy!"

Check out the full review here

Last week Rattex did an editorial photo shoot for Obrigado, the magazine of our favourite coffee shop, Vida e Caffe.

Obrigado's editorial and creative director, Georgia Gardner, told us that the theme of the shoot was 'animals'. We arrived on location (the boxing gym on Harrington Street) and Rattex was immediately interviewed by Miles Keylock. The stylists then got to work on Rah, dressing him as a couture kung-fu rat. It was crazy, but Rah pulled it off with his usually kasi swag.

We're big fans of  Obrigado magazine, the quality of the photography and overall creativity is high grade. You can check out the Rattex editorial in the April edition of Obrigado, available at all Vida e Caffes.

Check out some photos...


Harrington Street boxing gym (click photo for larger image).


Rah breaking it down for Miles Keylock (click photo for larger image).


The stylists get busy (click photo for larger image).


Harrington Street boxing gym (click photo for larger image).


Shaolin Rat (click photo for larger image).


Georgia checks the progress (click photo for larger image).


RATtex (click photo for larger image).

That's how we rrrrrrrrrrrroll!!