One Love Skate Expo

GIG REVIEW: MORE LIFE PRESENTS ONE LOVE SKATE EXPO

Photography by Nyiko Baloyi and Kagiso Phiri

Written by Mendisa Ngalo and Miehleketo Maluleke

Edited by Nyiko Baloyi

EMagazine First is known to get down to a lot of things up in the city. This time “MORE LIFE” invited us to the 18^th and 19^th floor of the LISTER BUILDING for a heaven of a “one love skate expo” which included a whole day of skating for anyone who wanted to as well as the illest dancehall and dub step selectors to spice things up as the day proceeded.

The venue was amazing, the breeze of the city pricked skins and provided a cool environment to be social and to just enjoy being young! The One Love Skate Expo presented by More Life breathed fire into those who were at the event with the Reggae Dancehall DJ’s such as Tandaring Dwata, G Dread, Coppashot, Malcom X, Rhaa Rhaa Rhaa and Las Bon Shatta really burning the place up. 

On the dancehall floor- selekta’s were blazing up the decks to a full moon, clear sky, a sick view of the city and a whole lot of peeps getting down to the “dance” in dancehall. Sherpard Stulla and LasBon Shatta were our designated emcee’s keeping the crowd on their toes while pimpin tattoos out to the lady that could upstage her competition on the dance floor. I think the plan was to play dancehall and dub step but the “hip hop head” in LasBon pulled an unpredictable stunt and made the real hip hopers feel at home with a MAD boom bap set that reminded us that “it’s bigger than hip hop” and that “you can hate us but we won’t stop”. That certainly spiced things up in a very good way-adding a bit of flavour to your typical dancehall night.

 The dubstep floor was vacant at the beginning of the gig but when it picked up, man it was crazy! The dance floor was packed with lots of moves and movers. Epic! Thanks to the Dubstep DJ’s, they brought the fire! Shout out to all DJ’s that played, your magical hands shot waves of proper entertainment. Keep spinning. The exhibition of the local brands and artists showcased some quality fashion and art, great support of these is essential because that is how the urban life/culture can be kept alive, big up to the hustlers.

I have got to give love to the skaters for the passion they have for their craft. There were skaters of all sizes, beginners and the ones who just made the whole thing look too easy! However I was a bit disappointed that there were no skater girls, I would have loved to see some sisters gliding through the sweat-drenched brothers out there. Nonetheless it was mind blowing watching the stunts and tricks pulled by the adrenalin magicians. The indoor skate park was cool, loved the graffiti!

 As the night went along we had Malcom X a.k.a “dj take your girl away” doing his thing killing it like its standard mandate. Fanta and Pepe showed up a bit later on to do what they do best. Rhaa Rha Rhaa was there representing for the female dj’s with an outstanding set. The skaters were falling and getting up countless times, lost in their own world and the joys of landing a trick they’ve been trying the whole day. It was the “one love skate expo’’ after all and trust the skaters were doing what they love and loving what they do.

The fun that was thrown around was endless, the way people danced and enjoyed themselves was just fulfilling. The crowd went crazy when Las Bon played hip hop, heads were jumping up and down. I swear that place felt like heaven at some point, it was pure bliss!

I can go on and on about how great the night was but I’m afraid you would have had to be there to know what I mean. 

Mendisa Ngalo (@Isah_Armed): "Props to More Life for hosting such a spectacular event, I hope more of these gatherings are being cooked up because clearly the hunger felt for life was satisfied! Keep on doing what you doing! More life to you!"

Miehleketo Maluleke: "Large up MORE LIFE for hooking up an ill ass event at a sick venue with a concept as original as they come. Large up all the selectors who blessed us behind the decks- all the masses who came through to skate or to just have fun. It was yet another epic night for the EMagazine First crew."