GIG OF THE WEEK
THE fifth annual Maftown Heights festival returns to Jozi tonight at the Newtown Park, (opposite Bassline, 10 Henry Nxumalo St).
Maftown Heights is one of the biggest festivals in the country that promotes local hip hop. It pays homage to the Motswako genre – predominantly Tswana and Sotho hip hop – and is believed to have its roots in Mafikeng, known to the cool kids as Maftown. This is where rappers like HHP and Tuks hail from.
New kid on the block, Cassper Nyovest, also from the area, will perform tonight. With hits like Phumakim’, Gusheshe and Doc Shebeleza, it’s probable that he will close the show.
But, that might not be the case because there’s also Khuli Chana, who is the rapper in the latest KFC advert. Chana has brought us hot tracks like Freshe and Mnatebewen’ which are club bangers. Although it was an unfortunate incident, he is probably the only rapper in South Africa to have been shot by the police in a mistaken identity situation, giving him enough street cred to stand next to the likes of 50 Cent and Tupac.
The rest of the Motswako crew on the line-up includes Tuks, Molemi, Lection, Towdee Mac, Notshi, Chazz Le Hippie, Fifi Cooper, Ginger Breadman and A-Reece.
But seeing that not every South African rapper is a Motswako disciple, Maftown has the “friends of Motswako” bracket, which will take care of fans with other hip hop tastes. On the line-up expect Reason, Tumi Molekane, AKA, Pro, Blaklez, N’Veigh, P.Dot, Muzart, Gigi Lamanye, Nadia Nakai, Swatta Kamp, Magesh, Ma-E, Kid X and KO, Thebe and Riky Rick.
As if that’s not enough, a couple of DJs will spice things up and they include Major League DJz, Speedsta, Zan-D, Dimplez, Lemonka, Mpako, Phat K and Coco.
There will be a surprise act courtesy of Channel O. Maftown Heights 2014 will be supported by Castle Lite, Channel O, YFM, Red Bull, Vodacom, KFC and Hype Magazine.
General admission with valid student card: R150, without student card: R170; general admission at the door (limited): R200; Golden Circle with valid student card: R230, without student card: R250; Golden Circle at the door (limited): R300.