The countdown to the Red Bull Music Festival has begun and South African music heavyweights say they are ready to the rock the crowds.
The festival which set to take place from April 3 – 8 will feature over 80 acts including artists such as AKA, Angel-Ho, Sjava, K-$, Da Capo and DJ Lag. The 6 day long festival will invade Johannesburg in various venues, and various themes will be explored.
Wednesday kicks off the fest with a round-robin format of freestyle Jazz night at the The Orbit, in Braamfontein.
The evening will host artists such as Luyanda Madope, Benjamin Jephta, Sphelelo Mazibuko, Tlale Makhene and Keorapetse Kolwane, among others while some top selectors and vinyl collectors including DJ Okapi & Zara Julius will be behind the decks.
Thursday Ragga Nights, hosted by African Storm Sound System, is aimed at proving that roots-reggae, dancehall and ragga make up a culture deeply entrenched in Johannesburg's identity. The fiesta will hit Newtown Music Factory and will feature Mad Mugo, the Dancehall Queens & Dj Radix.
MTV Base is partnering with @RedBullZA to bring you an unforgettable 6 days of music! #redbullmusicfestivaljhb pic.twitter.com/vJ326HOTpB
— MTV Base South (@MTVBaseSouth) March 7, 2018
On Friday, four different venues will be immersed with different vibes. At Republic Of 94 the festival is taking us way back to the days when we asked ‘Waar was jy?’, commemorating South Africa's power genre, Kwaito.
Heavyweights such as DJ Tira, Oskido & Trompies among others will dish out music that connects the dots between the slowed-down house sounds, the mega-crews who championed the early days and its transition into a fast Afro-house sound.
Speaking to Trompies, the group are excited to grace the stage once again: “We can't wait to do 1994 again, it's going to be exciting to see people dressed up for kwaito night. We are especially looking forward to seeing Moozlie perform, she has been dubbed the next Brenda Fassie/Lebo Maths,” they said.
The other, Kitcheners, will be an exploration of the South African millennial party music. The day will feature a handful of the freshest up-and-coming artists in SA, exploring genres such as gqom, hip-hop, electronica, bass music and future beats. The lineup includes ANG, Audioboyz, Stiff Pap, Angel-Ho & DJ Lag.
The Great Dane will be supercharged with turn-up hip-hop, future bounce and old-school party music. The venue features Moozlie, Sean Munnick, Tha Cutt, Rouge, K-$ & Uncle Partytime, among many.
Hosted at And Club, one of Joburg's leading club nights, Toy Toy presents an array of the best underground techno: The Hacker, a DJ and producer whose contribution to electronic dance music spans several decades.
The Red Bull Music Festival main event on Saturday Fox Junction hosting the legendary South African band 340million, sharing the stage with the trailblazing youngsters such as Langa Mavuso and Gina Jeanz.
The second floor will see some of the best local DJs alongside global electronic music pioneers Egyptian Lover and DJ Stingray.
The six day long music celebration will culminate in Soweto at the popping Zone 6 - The Venue, bringing together the beloved sounds of deep-house, hip-hop, gqom and even maskandi music. Distraction Boyz, Moonchild Sanelly, AKA, Da Capo, Sho Madjozi, Jullian Gomes & Sjava will grace the all-day party.
Omunye hitmakers say, "Grateful to would Red Bull SA for allowing us to be part of this global event. We feel very excited to be part of this event, never in our wildest dreams did we think we would play such a big stage with so many established artists.”
The duo also say that fans can expect a banger performance. “We plan to raise the roof in JHB," he adds.
DJ Tira says Afrotainment is going to come hard as usual. “We're going to give the people Durban on other level, he says. "Tira also says he is looking forward to seeing AKA , describing Supa Mega as someone who doesn't try too hard, and makes the craft look effortless.