Durban, South Africa – The Office of the Premier and the City of Durban together with Richie R Concepts in association with Kgolo Da Guru officially announced their on-going support with the 2^nd annual Youth Hip Hop Festival to a select group of media, celebs and other important stakeholders at an upmarket venue in Durban.

The 2^nd of May is the day the Durbanites finally get to witness the Maybach Music Group front-man Rick Ross grace the main stage at Moses Mabhida stadium, it is also to our understanding that he will be supported by some of South Africa’s hip hop royalty, we don’t want to call them opening acts in case it seems we are throwing shade at our very own talent and egos get bruised in the interim, so let’s keep it at supporting acts.

This year’s event promises to have a star-studded line-up outdoing the success of 2014. The first Youth Hip Hop Festival took place last year with over 15 live acts performing to over 6000 people. This year, promoter Richie R Concepts decided to spice it up a little bit and add an international act to the festivities to attract a bigger audience. Offering a wide scope of SA’s finest hip hop talent, this ‘first of its kind’ festival in South African will feature over 20 acts and personalities.

Government municipalities around the country can learn a thing or 2 from the Durban municipality who are backing this event, although Hip Hop was once viewed as a disruptive and unruly genre, the youth support it and it shows that the Durban municipality has their pulse on everything young and influential; Hip Hop is definitely the gateway to young people’s ears.

The festival also has government backing with clear messaging throughout the concert and all activation leading up to show day. The messaging ‘I DO RIGHT’ was created to encourage young people to always do the right thing, even when nobody is watching. Using music as the tool to get youth informed about their rights to build stronger leaders is a huge focus.

The festival hopes to attract over 15 000 heads this year.

 

Ethekwini Municipality mayor James Nxumalo today stated ‘Music has proved it is the best tool to reach the youth over the ages. By government supporting initiatives like the Durban Youth Hip Hop festival, we hope to educate our young people but also empower them to always make the right decision, even if nobody is watching. We look forward to an even bigger festival this year with the inclusion of the international artist’

 

Stemming from last year’s uncontested rise of the genre, we are certainly excited to find out which artists from our shores will be sharing the stage with “Rozay” , this information and the ticket sales dates will be released in the near future, it promises to be a hip hop extravaganza.