Rapper Kwesta has been named as one of the acts to take part in the second annual Youth Hip Hop Festival, which will take place this weekend at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“I am humbled by the powers that be who thought that I was good enough to be part of this showcase. It is a great platform for hip hop and I was there last year, so being called again is such a huge honour for me. I get to showcase among my peers,” said Kwesta.
The hip hop sensation has positive memories of the inaugural experience.
“Last year was the first festival and we did not think it would be big, but people really came through to support it. There wasn’t even an international act, yet we had so much fun. Now this year, with the inclusion of Rick Ross on the line-up, it is definitely going to be bigger and better,” he said.
Since he will be performing and given that he is working on new material, Kwesta hinted that we might get a taste of his new songs.
“I have new stuff from my upcoming album. It is going to be an energetic performance and very rap-based. I want to do a mixture of a lyrical performance and a bit less of the turn-up music. I think since it is a hip hop festival then it is only right to have lyrical-based performance,” he said.
But what is the Youth Hip Hop Festival about and why is it set in Durban?
“I think Durban has been big on kwaito and house so this is about highlighting hip hop to the youth there. I’m not saying Durban isn’t aware of hip hop, but Joburg has annual events like Back to the City and Maftown Heights, so it is important for the youngsters in KZN to have a hip hop festival of their own. We also hope to inspire some people to try hip hop as a career,” explained the rapper.
While there are various South African rappers on the line-up, this year will see US star Ross join the roster.
“I think Rick Ross is a global star who has managed to make music in genres other than hip hop. That will add a lot of weight to this festival. I love his music and bump a Rick Ross joint here or there. He already has a following here and, together with the local artists, it will be a great show. His last album alone was really successful so it’s not like we are getting a washed up artist. It’s been a great year for hip hop in South Africa and a lot of hip hop cats will be there.”
While it is great that we have international artists on the line-up, there are always concerns that local artists will be sidelined.
“I do feel like we get pushed to the side and attention goes to the international acts. For example, they get press conferences and we don’t. Even with the stage performances the sound gets changed when international acts come on and they sound much better.
“I think it’s a matter of changing the perceptions of the people where we still think that what’s out there is better. Promoters only follow what people seem to want, but if we change the perceptions of people then all artists can be treated as equal,” he said.
• The Youth Hip Hop Festival, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Saturday from 4pm. Book at Computicket. For information, visit www.yhhf.co.za, or follow @youthhiphop fest on Twitter and Instagram.