It will soon be a year since the tragic loss of rap superstar Riky “Rikhado Makhado” Rick, who many consider a pioneer within the local hip-hop industry. This past weekend, die-hard fans came out in droves to celebrate the life of the late rapper at Cotton Fest, filling up Newtown’s concert event hotspot The Station.
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The Cotton Fest team worked tirelessly to pull off a rather spectacular festival with a jam-packed line-up, multiple concession stands and amusing brand activations for attendees to win free goodies and merchandise.
With a musical line-up featuring over 160 artists, three stages were put in place to accommodate multiple genres spanning across trap, R&B, amapiano and dance music. Chart-topping artists Nasty C, Cassper Nyovest, A-Reece, Blxckie, DBN Gogo, DJ Maphorisa, Musa Keys, Sjava, Uncle Waffles, Young Stunna, K.O., Nadia Nakai and Elaine took to the main stage. The Bunker Stage brought out the best rising trap and R&B artists including Money Badoo, Lucas Raps, PatricKxxLee, Kash CPT, K Keed, Tyson Sybateli and Costa Titch, who brought out the surprise international Akon, who took fans on a trip down memory lane with old classics.
The Lot Stage, curated by Amapiano connect Thulaniway, was taken over by popular amapiano, gqom and house DJs including Felo Le Tee, Zuma, Gaba Cannal, Tyler ICU, Sam Deep and Macho, Mello and Sleezy, Mas Musiq, Rea Sa Soul and Distruction Boyz.
In a bid to be inclusive of a cross pollination of genres, the festival highlighted the musical diversity of the local soundscape. In a climate where many consider dance music and hip-hop to be fierce competitors, it was impressive to see multiple genres coexisting at an originally “hip-hop” festival.
In addition to the fashion, music and food on offer, NBA Africa brought the action to Cottonfest. The NBA Africa Village was a hive of activity with some thrilling 3-on-3 basketball action to entertain the youthful crowds in attendance.
The list of celebrities who took part included Karabo Poppy, Tshego Koke, Marcus Harvey and Major Steeze. It was Team Karabo Poppy that took the honours with a victory in the final.
This year, the Cotton Fest team also launched the Cotton Fest Creative Programme, founded by the late Riky Rick, to give back to the students in the community while creating various outlets to empower young creatives to succeed in their studies and careers.