Whoop, Whoop, whoop – who is that? I’d like to introduce mr. ben sharpa to you, ladies and gentleman. whoever is familiar with last years Jarring Effects “capetown beats” compilation release, and the recent release of Playdoe’s first EP (which also be reviewed this week), won’t need any further introduction, but for those, who have missed that: let’s start rolling.

Important things first: When I first listened to the songs of this release, i was kindly remembering hearing dizzee rascal for the first time a couple years ago. the beats were pushing, abstract, bassy, hypnotic, mean, grimey and electronic. i really swam in them. but ben’s flow and vocals were so much more aggressive, and hard-hitting, while still remaining idiosyncratic and accessible. i also had to think of mr. oizo and all that electro cats, producing them really flat and abstract beats – and if you’d know me, then you would also know, that i love that shit.

Ben Sharpa is like the missing link between the us hip-hop ala Def Jux and the UK grime scene, with its hybrid hip hop beats, influenced by my beloved dubstep tunes, electro, detroit techno, electronica, dancehall and even idm / glitch types of music.

the sharpaganda theory

this very first vinyl release of ben sharpa features 4 original tracks, as well as an acappella and instrumental version. (remixers welcome). it will hit the streets October 2nd 2009, and also be available in digital format. the label is jarring effects.

the beats have been crafted by – oh yeah, thats gonna be nice – really dope producers, such as sibot (Playdoe, Real Estate Agents), D-Planet and my personal favourite: evil-bass-machine milanese (planet-mu, warp). that should speak for itself.

unfortunately i can not provide any tracks for you, besides this nice youtube video – but you should get the picture, just watching and, above all, listening to that – so turn up the system!!

my favourite track is “Callin’ It Quits” by the way. not only because milanese is dropping the beats, but also for the message: fuck fake people having fake activities around music. that is a concern all different kinds of music unfortunately have to face. big up for bringing that issue back to life again.

ben sharpa – quickie

Ben was Born 1977 in the slums of Soweto in South Africa. Due the brutal arpatheid regime and the revolutionary turmoil surrounding the everyday life, his father took the opportunity to move his family to chicago, illinois. Growing up in this alien culture and aware of the plight of his fellow countrymen back home, ben was inspired by the radical new voice that hip hop was giving the defranchised and oppressed. In 1993 he came back to South Africa and utilized Hip Hop and established himself as a major force in underground HipHop. now you can see what he did since then – becoming doper and doper. ha.

tracklist

1. Hegemony (sibot / b.sharpa)

Abstract Hip-Hop manifesto. Hegemony is a real bomb that is sure
to be played on many decks for a looooong time. Rude abstract
electro beats by Sibot meets hard style syncopation and flow.

2. Check the evidence (d-planet / b.sharpa)

This track is a real crossover. Somewhere between SA and Europe,
you’ll hear these fat minor pads and heavy rythms that make a per-
fect bed for Ben Sharpa’s wild flow.

3. Hegemony Acapella

4. Off the rails (d-planet / b.sharpa)

A large dose of Hip Hop with spicy Ragga and Grime flavour.This is
the real hypnotic track every dj should actually try to mixwith a
Virus Syndicate and Aesop Rock !

5. Off the rails instrumental

6. Callin’ It Quits (milanese / b.sharpa)

This has is the tuffest bass and drums around. Milanese and Ben’s
wrath against fake people having fake activities around music.
«Anyone got some beats ?»… Hold on, we have a few ones for you !

tourdates

2009-09-11 : HAMBOURG (DE) @ Hafenklang (w/ Oddateee)
2009-09-12: BERLIN (DE) @ Cassiopeia (tbc)
2009-09-13 : WROLAW (PL) @ CRK (tbc)
2009-09-14 : POZNAN (PL) @ Squat Rosbrat (tbc)
2009-09-17 : BUDAPEST (HR) @ A38 (w/ Oddateee & Bleubird)
2009-09-18 : WIEN (AU) @ FLUC (w/ Oddateee & Bleubird)
2009-09-19 : INNSBRÜCK (AU) @ PMK (w/ Oddateee & Bleubird)
2009-09-20 : LINZ (AU) @ Kapu (w/ Oddateee & Bleubird)
2009-09-21 ou 22 : LJUBLJANA (SI) @ Channel Zero
2009-09-25 : PARIS (FR) @ La Bellevilloise
2009-09-26 : RENNES (FR) @ Le Jardin Moderne (w/ Bleubird)
2009-09-02 : NEVERS (FR) @ Café Carbon (w/ Oddateee)
2009-10-03 : LYON (FR) @ Riddim Collision Festival

buy this album

Buy Ben Sharpa – Sharpaganda Theory Less 1 [Vinyl Maxi-Single]