There’s no better place than home — and when I say home, I’m talking about Kulcha Sundaze. I arrived early, as usual, because the daytime sessions have always been my favourite. That’s where you discover artists you won’t necessarily see on mainstream stages.
It’s actually where I was first introduced to J-STYLE three years ago when I attended with Mainstream (Swati Goddess). Fast forward to today, and J-STYLE remains one of the most polished and well-equipped MCs to come out of that space. I was even low-key frustrated that he was placed in the early session rather than the night show, but that’s a conversation for another day.
What stood out even more was the number of hip-hop commentators and supporters I know from X (formerly Twitter). It proved something important: people support hip-hop when events are well-planned and properly marketed. Honestly, this has been my best show of 2026 so far. Seeing a young, vibrant hip-hop community outside, connecting in real life, made me genuinely happy. I spotted familiar faces like Lerato Zwane, Nathan, Barlogical, Mimi, Tshiamo, Ntokozo, Eatzz, Xander, Jane, and many more. Even though FLVME wasn’t on the line-up, he showed up to support the culture. Small Babes, Teejay MrTrapstar, Rossbywaves, Mochen, MoshCar, Klein Emo and Flowaboii all delivered strong performances. Buzzi Lee also pulled through to show love. I had to leave before Mash and Wordz performed, Sunday midnight isn’t always friendly when you have a 9-to-5, but the energy was undeniable.
The night show took things even higher, with powerful performances and a crowd that truly understood the assignment. This is why we need to continue supporting grassroots hip-hop communities instead of only obsessing over big festivals that rarely pour back into the culture. Kulcha Sundaze (@Thekulcha) isn’t just an event, it’s a home for hip-hop and art. Wishing them many more years of impact, growth and love.