This Is What South Africa's Biggest Hip-Hop Festival Looks Like

In Photos: The 12th annual installment of South Africa's Back To The City festival.

This Is What South Africa's Biggest Hip-Hop Festival Looks Like
Emtee. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.

South Africa's biggest and most diverse hip-hop festival, Back To The City, came and satisfied hip-hop heads on the 27th of April at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg.

On the bill were both superstars and niche artists, the likes of Cassper Nyovest, K.O., Nadia Nakai, Yugen Blakrok, Rouge, OkMalumKoolKat, Assessa, who all shared the same stage and dished out energetic performances.

As usual, all elements of hip-hop were in full display—DJing, rapping, graffiti, basketball, skateboarding.


During the festival, an announcement was made that Back To The City would come to an end in 2021, in its 15th year. The organizers are keeping mum about their reasons, but when they are revealed, you will be updated.

Below are some photos from the festival:

Main Stage Performances

Patty Monroe. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.

K.O. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.

Nadia Nakai. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.

Cassper Nyovest. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Huge The Oracle. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.

Driemanskap. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Big Star. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Gigi Lamayne. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Miss Pru DJ, Londie London, LaSauce and Gigi Lamayne. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.

Pharoahe Monch. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Fifi The RaiBlaster and Yugen Blakrok. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Optical Illusion and H2O. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Ricco. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


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J. Molley. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Zoocci Coke Dope. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Kid X. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Rouge. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Pro. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


YoungstaCPT. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Emtee. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.




Stogie T and AKA. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


OkMalumKoolKat. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Zakwe and Big Zulu. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Priddy Ugly. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Shane Eagle. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.

The People



Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.

Graffiti, Basketball and Skateboarding

Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.

Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.


Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.

All photography by Sabelo Mkhabela, who's lit on Instagram: @sabzamk.

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A man stands on a stage, wearing a denim jacket and pants while holding up a hand fan.
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