Maftown Heights is undoubtedly still one of South Africa's highly anticipated hip hop festivals and this past Friday, it proved it, with an electrifying full day of local performances from iconic favourites.

This year Maftown Heights made a memorable comeback, returning with a bang and giving hip hop enthusiasts an unforgettable experience.

Following the success of their short documentary debut on Channel O, “Maftown Heights Untold Stories” back in July, the episodes probed into the rich history, behind the scenes and cultural experience of the festival. From how it came about to what it has turned into.

With Amapiano taking over the world by storm, one might think and wonder if the hip hop culture in South Africa is dying. While it might not be where it once used to be, the genre is still alive and kicking.

Founded by Khuli Chana and Refiloe Ramogase in 2010 out of a desire to create a platform that will celebrate the greatness that came from the township of Mahikeng. The birthplace of the South African hip-hop sub-genre, Motswako.

Music lovers gathered at Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown for a memorable night of Motswako and NuTswako.

Setting the tone for the night were performances by the iconic Khuli Chana, coming together with Morafe for a nostalgic heated performance. The legendary Tuks Senganga also took attendees down memory lane, performing his classics.

In between the performances, IOL got to chat with the one-third of Morafe, KayGizm about how he felt about the Maftown Heights reunion and who his new school favourite artist is from the NuTswako bunch.

He reflected on the history of the Motswako culture, sharing that the late rapper HHP was the one who gathered all the Motswako guys seeing the vision of how big they can make it in Johannesburg.

“Maftown Heights 2024 is such a big event because you’ve got all the guys that have been all over the space now holding hands and coming together,” he said.

He added that the night is all about what they would be doing on stage as a collective when the lights go on, that that would be the memory that people take home with them.

When asked which NuTswako artist is his favourite, he shared that Maglera Doe Boy is his favourite and that he has been the one who carried what they taught him and is now taking it to the rest of the world.

K.O also held it down as one of the Friends of Motswako artists featured on the line-up, he was joined on stage by his former group member Ma-E. The chemistry between the artists and the crowd was electrifying, with the performances only getting better. Seemingly fusing or rather bridging the gap between the younger and older generations.

The festival certainly did not disappoint in giving a worthwhile experience. Rapper Maglera Doe Boy held it down for his NuTswako segment of the show, introducing the new kids on the block such as Lia Butler and 25K just to list a few.

Closing it off the night was Casper Nyovest who of course set the stage on fire with his energetic set.

The question of whether they will continue to keep up with the high energy they have created with this annual festival that gives South Africans an experience to remember in Hip Hop culture remains to be answered with time.

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