Back to the City International Festival has officially revealed its full line-up for 2026, bringing together two decades of hip-hop culture in one landmark celebration at Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, Johannesburg, on 10 October 2026.
Marking 20 years of Back to the City, this year’s festival brings together international hip-hop heavyweights, South African legends, established favourites and the new generation of artists continuing to shape the culture. Representing the United States, critically acclaimed rapper Ab-Soul, legendary Detroit collective Slum Village, and acclaimed hip-hop duo Blu & Exile will join the festival line-up, bringing their distinctive sounds and global influence to the Back to the City stage.
They will be joined by an extensive roster of South African talent, including Cassper Nyovest, Emtee, Blxckie, Stogie T, Reason, Tuks, Touchline and Trompies, alongside many more artists who represent the depth, evolution and diversity of South African hip-hop. For 20 years, Back to the City has stood as a platform for hip-hop culture — creating a space where the pioneers who laid the foundations of the movement can share the stage with the artists redefining its future.
“This is not just a line-up. This is 20 years of culture.”
From the legends who built the foundation to the voices of a new generation, Back to the City 2026 brings every era of the culture into one city, on one stage, for one unforgettable celebration. The significance of this year’s festival extends beyond music. Taking place during a landmark year for Johannesburg, the festival also forms part of the city’s 140-year anniversary celebrations, creating a powerful convergence of music, heritage, identity and urban culture.
Back to the City 2026 is more than a festival. It is a reflection of where hip-hop has been, where it is now and where it is going next. With a line-up spanning generations and continents, the message to Johannesburg is simple: Are you in the City — or are you hearing about it after?
Back to the City International Festival 2026 takes place on Saturday, 10 October 2026 at Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, Johannesburg. Proudly sponsored by: City of Joburg, Hennessy, SABC 1, Redbull, Stylin’ Dredz, Butan, Gauteng Tourism Authority, and Gauteng Provincial Government Tickets are available via Webtickets and Pick n Pay.
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