Yunique D.

ARTIST OVERVIEW:

Born in 1978 just outside Cape Town in sunny South Africa. Yunique is a talented, artists characterised by his provocative and consciousness style. His music is a mixture of rock, funk, jazz, pop, soul, ragga & traditional electronic music with energetic lyrics in Afrikaans & English that unifies his polyphonic grooves of his music. This creates a distinctive mark of his density of emotional lyrics, energetic body movements that takes the audience on a spiritual elevation and journey It all started in 1996 but this poet, performer, sound engineer, producer, presenter and activist started writing rhymes at the age of 12. He met up with Mizchif, his friend, mentor and ex- manager (famous for his song "Place for a wife" featuring the late TK) in 1997, the same year he joined a community radio station as a presenter/ Dj. In 1998 he started a hip- hop crew called Diziplez of Stone with his friend Miztah Naztaljah. Joined by four mcz, Mastylez, Bra Bizza (that passed away in 2005), Gedo and Joey. In that same year he had an opportunity to perform alongside Lauryn Hill, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, etc. at the "Black August" concert at the Jam in Cape Town. He then went to study Sales & Marketing Management as well as Sound Engineering, Station Management & Technical Production and Voice- Artistry. Yunique took part in a competition in the South African Music Week and his crew won the opportunity to record their album at Tin Pan Alley/ Cape Audio College with Gee. Their song "Stone Anthem" was included on the "Ek sê mamela! It's our music." Compilation. In the following year he performed alongside Black Noise at a concert organised by him and then at the African Hip Hop Indaba at Beach Road Studios/ SABC. He had numerous performances with D- Form (ex- Moodphase 5 member), Blaq Pearl (the late Devious sister), Isaac Mutant, Afro- Z, Mafikizola, Freshlyground, Georgia Me (Tamika Harper - Atlanta, United States of America), Outspoken just to name a few. In 2005 he released his first album entitled "Bhind Enah-Me Linez" independently that sold over a 1000 copies just in his area. In that same year of 2005, was he joined by D.J. Jai Be Int. (International) that is responsible for the blend of his music with his phenomenal scratching ability & beat- productions. From numerous collaborations, 5 star reviews by MtaaFM, Nr.2 chart rankings of his song "Siyeza" on this radio station in Philadelphia, being featured on a documentary that was broadcasted in Belgium and his song "Swaar Raak" that is featured on MtaaFM's "African Syndicate" compilation, is he focussed on releasing his 3rd album for a cross to the mainstream market, where he is said to deliver deep rooted thought provoking songs to club banging party tracks. He is also the presenter of "Word on da Street" on Hip Hop TV Cape Town and is always striving to explore and evolve his music and lyrics. His music equally binds together urban rhythms, technology, power of real life ordeals and a return to roots a true cultural melting pot.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Yunique won the “Ek sê mamela! It’s our music.” Compilation competition in 2001. He received a Medal of appreciation for his performance at 16th of June 2000 hosted by Koinonia Community Centre at New Oleans High School sports field. He performed at the African Hip Hop Indaba 2002 hosted by Black Noise at Beach Road studios, S.A.B.C. Yunique is featured in a documentary that was broadcasted in Belgium in 2005/ 6 and released his debut solo album in 2005 entitled Bhind Enah-Me Linez that sold independently. His song "Siyeza" on his debut album reached nr.2 on MtaaFM, an Internet radio station from Philadelphia He received a 5 star review by an American Internet radio station, MtaaFM, from Philadelphia where his songs have been play listed. Yunique hosts a television show entitled "Word on the Street" on Hip Hop TV Cape Town. His song "Swaar Raak (Jy maak my kwaad)" is on MtaaFM's "African Syndicate Compilation". He shared the stage with well-known performing- and recording artists in his country and abroad, e.g. Mizchif, Black Noise, Plain Madness, Mfanekiso, Georgia Me (Tamika Harper - Atlanta, United States of America), Outspoken (Zimbabwe), Jake-Shun a.k.a. Jaak, D-Form the lead rapper from Moodphase 5, Blaq Pearl (the late Devious sister), Afro- Z etc.

MUSICAL INFLUENCESS:

Yunique’s music is influenced by Life, Nasir Jones a.k.a. Nas, Tupac Amaru Shakur, Ice Cube, Dead Prez, The Roots, Cypress Hill, Wu Tang Clan, Ludacris, Eazy E, Xzibit, Dr. Dre, Freddo Starr, Sticky Fingers, Linkin Park, Rage against the machine, Run DMC, Common, Jay Z, KRS One, Bone Thugs & Harmony, D.j. Kool Herc, Arrested Development, N.W.A., African Bambataa, Mos Def, Immortal Technique, Talib Kweli, Cashless Society, Mizchif, Fort Minor, Method Man, Redman, Qugan, Megan, GOD, my family, people and last but not the least, YOU!

Music/ Entertainment Societies:

Yunique is a member of the South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), Western Cape Music Association (WCMA) & the Association of Independent Record Companies South Africa (AIRCOSA).

DISCOGRAPHY:

Bhind Enah-Me Linez Vol1: In the line of Duty (2004/5 – Stone Rekordz Entertainment)
"Perspektief" (2008 - Get2Dream Entertainment)

REVIEWS:

“Paarl Hip Hop is moving…” – Die Paarl Post, Susan Botha

"Hip Hop Leef in die Paarl: Hulle is onbeskaamd Suid- Afrikaans, entoesiasties oor die Paarl an Hip- Hop kunstenaars van formaat…" – Die Paarl Post, Susan Botha (1 September 2005)

"Straight up fire!! The flow is impeccable and the punch lines are on point…"
– Mtaafm.com, Sim

CONTACT DETAILS:

Fan mail: yunique@poetic.com

Website:

http://www.myspace.com/yuniquerap
http://www.mtaafm.com/Yunique
http://www.indabamusic.com/people/yunique
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=752995465&ref=name

Bookings: http://www.thatgig.com

(click on the hip hop/ rap tag. You will find my profile picture and then click on book artist)