South Africa’s Back to the City (BTTC) Festival marked its 20th anniversary on Saturday, 10 October 2026 at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg, with a programme spanning live hip-hop performances, creative competitions and street-level commerce. The milestone edition coincided with the 140th anniversary of Johannesburg and commemorations marking 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Youth Uprising.
For two decades, the square has served as a gathering point for South African hip-hop, bringing together established artists, emerging talent and audiences. Under founder Osmic Menoe, the festival has positioned hip-hop as both an artistic movement and a vehicle for youth expression and entrepreneurship. The staging in Newtown, an area associated with Johannesburg’s cultural and political history, offered a reminder of the role young people and creative expression have played in shaping South African identity.
International and local line-up#
The international programme featured United States artists Ab-Soul, Slum Village and Blu & Exile, alongside a broad selection of South African performers. The international appearances gave local audiences access to artists whose work has influenced hip-hop across generations, while the domestic bill reflected the range of sounds and styles within South Africa’s scene.
The local line-up included Cassper Nyovest, Emtee, Blxckie, Stogie T, Reason and Tuks, alongside:
- Kane Keid, Zulu Mecca, Touchline, Babylowski, Loatinover Pounds, Buzzi Lee, Frank Casino, Dee Koala, Zakwe, Maraza, Revivolution and Last Days Fam
- 9nakons, Ta Longz, Ziggy4x, Firoy, Landrose, Emdeeyou, Scar Stunner, Seag Adkins, Marley Bloo and Babygirl Zae
A Power Hour set brought together La Cabra, Just Sam, Tshego Santana and Mfana Touchline. Kwaito group Trompies performed under the festival’s Heritage theme, while Sixby9ine Presents featured Flow Jones Jr, Roiii, The Northmob and Bantu Ndts.
DJs and selectors included DJ Speedsta, Kyotic, Kenzhero, DJ Azhul, Mr X, C-Live, DJ Easy, Amu, Mac Breezy, Skywalker, Zero, Spontaneous, Speeka, U&I, Tha Cutt, Nikki Newlands, Mac Shawty, DJ Soosh and Rush-Awa. The Rare Groove section featured Nutty Nys, Kitchen Mess, Trev The Japanese, Maxx, Doda, Bubbles and Boisanza. Hosts Nomfundo Yekani, Mmambo ‘The Voice of God’, DJ Fae Fae, XXC Legacy and Xavier Thxmas guided the programme.
Rain, stage moments and security#
Heavy rain fell over Johannesburg during the evening, but the downpour did not empty the square. As Blu & Exile performed their song ‘Dancing in the Rain’, fans sang along in the rain, turning the set into a communal moment. The weather added an unexpected dimension to the set and did little to diminish the crowd’s enthusiasm.
During Ab-Soul’s performance, a spectator crossed the security barrier and ran up the steps in an apparent attempt to join the United States rapper. Security personnel intercepted the individual before he reached the performer and escorted him away. The incident was brief, and the performance continued without interruption.
Competitions and creative showcases#
Live performances were one part of the programme. Competitions in emceeing, beatmaking, DJing and graffiti placed hip-hop’s foundational practices at the centre of the festival.
The 10K Challenge brought MCs and producers into competition for a prize package that included R10,000 (South African rand) in cash, studio time at the South African Hip Hop Museum, a Studio-in-a-Box setup and an opening slot at Back to the City 2027. The opening slot offered the winner a potential step towards greater industry exposure. MC and DJ battles and graffiti showcases highlighted the skills and creative disciplines that shaped hip-hop culture. The competitions reinforced the festival’s role as a space where performers could compete, develop their craft and connect with audiences beyond the main stage.
Sport, gaming, art and commerce#
The Games Zone hosted a 3×3 street basketball tournament with R10,000 in prize money, a 1PAL street soccer tournament and a FIFA FC 26 and arcade competition with a further R10,000 prize. At the Skatepark and Live Art zone, skateboarders used custom ramps while 40 graffiti artists worked on a shared urban canvas, turning the area into an open-air display of street art. Helicopter rides offered visitors an aerial view of the festival and the surrounding Johannesburg skyline.
The festival’s commercial spaces included the First Fits fashion competition, which spotlighted streetwear and thrift culture, and more than 100 independent clothing stalls and sneaker pop-ups. Food vendors served kotas, braai, pizzas, boerewors rolls and vegan dishes. A beer garden provided a separate space for adult visitors, and amusement rides, including a Ferris wheel, added another attraction.
