Photo by Maggie West

Sub Pop announced today that surrealist South African rapper/DJ Spoek Mathambo has signed to the label. The 25-year-old, who told us that his music is less about his country of origin than how his country makes him feel, caught the label’s attention with his 2011 debut LP, Mshini Wam. For his first piece of output on his new label, Mathambo will release a new EP in late July. Called Put Some Red On It, the EP touches on themes relevant to Spoek’s native roots with a futuristic sound that he created in collaboration with Copenhagen dub artist, Chllngr.


The EP’s title track, “Put Some Red On It,” is an undulating, bass-heavy joint that loosely sketches images of political conflict and blood diamonds. Download the track—which features guest vocals from Spoek’s spouse, Ana Rab—see the tracklist for Put Some Red On It and check out Spoek Mathambo’s tour dates below.



Tracklist For Put Some Red On It [EP]
01. Intro
02. Put Some Red On It
03. Put Some Red On It (Shabazz Palaces Remix)
04. Put Some Red On It (Machinedrum Remix)
05. Dog To Bone (Telepathe Remix)
06. Dog To Bone (Rashad Remix)
07. Outro


Tour Dates For Spoek Mathambo
06/24 – London, UK – Victoria and Albert Museum
06/26 – Glastonbury, UK – Glastonbury Festival
07/07 – Lisbon, PT – Optimus Alive Festival
08/06 – Ledbury, UK – Big Chill Festival
08/07 – New York, NY – Out Of Doors Festival
08/27 – Katowice, PO – Nowa Muzyka Festival