BACK TO THE CITY 2013 - GIG REVIEW & PICTURE GALLERY

Written by Meme Mpuru
Photography by Nyiko Baloyi
Edited by Nyiko Baloyi

Back to the City 2013!!! That is all I have to say. Any head who knows his story will know that this was the biggest gathering for Hip Hop this year in Africa alone. The 7^th Annual Back to the City event took place on the 27^th of April and I can truly attest that Freedom Day has never been the same since Osmic and his crew brought this upon us. It grows every year to phenomenal heights and has thus become The Hip Hop Event to attend. Judging by the long queues by ten am(10am), there was no doubt that heads were looking forward to the event. Promising 3 stages, over 30 Mcee’s, some of which are big names in the industry, about 12 of the finest Hip Hop Deejay’s, Dance Crews, Graffiti Crews and some of the best food and clothing stalls I had ever come to see. This proved once again that the Hip Hop Culture has indeed become a force to be reckoned with.   

Hosted by etv’s Pearl Modiadi also known as the Black Pearl and actor slash Rapper, Boy Wonder, these two kept us entertained from morning to morning with their mad energy and quirk.  I think any real Dj knows that Old Skool Hip Hop Jams are a real fire-starter and this is exactly what we were treated to from the very beginning of the show. A scene that embodied some kind of unified trance as we all bumped our heads in appreciation. 

First on the main stage was the energetic Frat Pack. A movement that had all the neo-hip-hoppers in a state. Sbuda P was next and he killed the vernacular scene by far. Spitting punch-lines like his life depended on it. This kasi rapper had everyone bumping their heads to his sick beats and mad lines. I was quite blown away by the finesse and confidence of the youngest female Mc, Gigi LaMayne. This girl is truly going places and had it not been for the sound faux paus, she truly would have killed her set.

Hailing from Durban, I caught the eye of brilliance embodied in an Mc who went by the name Abdus. This young man is absolutely phenomenal to watch and oozes the charisma of a made man, definitely a star to watch out for. 

An acquaintance and I had to argue for a while to make up if who we were seeing on stage was Zuluboy. It was him indeed in all his suave glory looking quite dapper from what we are used to. He coined the term, dressed to kill. Zuluboy made sense of Freedom Day in that his performance highlighted the Freedom to be who you are as he performed with a young woman who was signing while he dropped. This was definitely breakthrough stuff and clearly showed his commitment to using Hip Hop as a tool to change perception in the world. Hip Hop continues to grow to soaring heights because of artists like him.

I took a stroll away from the main stage and was quite impressed that every part of the venue had a bit of everything to entice everyone. There was a beer garden for peeps who just wanted to chill out and enjoy their beer and company. The skaters were catered for with ramps on the street for all the daredevils. I got quite quesy just staring at them, maybe I am not so brave. The second and third stage seemed like a whole other party in itself, this was where the real party was at as I saw people getting down like there was no tomorrow. The break-dancers were a marvel to watch and like poetry, the graffiti artist’s were expressing themselves as only they knew how to, ‘bombing’ the street!

If you wanted to shop, there was a Mecca of fashion stalls, from the likes of Jozimental, Butan and others. People are mad talented out there and showing support is not a sin. Hip Hoppers are not to be messed with when it comes to fashion and have coined the term ‘Fresh to Death.’ The Street Fashion was absolutely magnificent to watch, definitely putting style to shame, that was not style that was a joyous celebration of the infinite possibilities of the unfettered imagination of a Hip Hopper. 

 

My highlight for the evening was definitely the International Act Emc (you should see my lips as I say the name, pouting for days) This hip hop crew comprising of rappers, Master Ace, Wordsworth, Punchline and Stricklin had the real heads going crazy with nostalgia. You cannot possibly be a real head without knowing this ill act, they had us heads screaming at the top of our voices to their much loved punchy anthems. My night was definitely made.

If ever there was a doubt, I attest that it has been cast out. Back to The City 2013 was proof enough that if you have a vision, live it. Osmic lived his and we as heads were invited to live it with him. Hip Hop is bigger and better than before, whatever was said or professed in the past was looked upon and we grew to monumental heights. Hip Hop was a victor on that night and shone a torch for many who were there and many who are still to come. As I recovered from my sore vocal cords and stiff muscles from every part of my body, I salute Back to the City and envision an even better Festival next year.

EMagazine First... IT'S FIRST CLASS ALL THE WAY!!!