The 2nd Annual Youth Hip Hop Festival took place and I was able to attend as to support the positive message it hopes to spread.
Durban doesn’t host a lot of major events during the year as their biggest crowds are towards the end of the year so this would be a blessing for “Durbanites” and they didn’t take it lightly as they quickly filled up the venue.
The all Hip Hop lineup was really refreshing aswell, as Durban has been known to be more Dance Music focused. The line-up included leaders off the new school sound, Duncan, Cassper Nyovest, DreamTeam and so forth. They also pulled in KO and Khuli Chana (who performed with Muzart) as they are the favourites in the industry. This plus an insane line-up of DJs including Dj Feel, Sphe & Naves would look like enough but they also pulled the international superstar Rick Ross to make sure the crowd got their monies worth.
Security was ever present, which I was glad to see was hard work because I witnessed a thief get caught. I was disappointed that Metro Police weren’t outside early on though to guide people to the appropriate parking because we honestly didn’t know where the VIP/ VVIP parking was at first glance. There was a serious lack in toilet facilities and the bars seemed under stocked, as the.popular alcohol beverages finished around 10pm. I can’t complain about sound because that seems to go unnoticed but the echo from the back wasn’t cool. I did however enjoy the usage of the visual screens, they were well utilised.
VIP and VVIP were well.located on the sides of the stage, making for a good view but easy exit but later, there seemed to be some trouble at the VVIP entrance and people weren’t able to get in.
Back to the performances now, it was really amazing to see how the crowd responded to Okmalumkoolkat and Ricky Rick, having being from Durban but only getting their big break outside of the province. Overall, I was rather impressed by the performances, I mean, nobody pulled a rabbit out of the hat as they all kept to their accepted standard on all their performances. It was rather disappointing to witness DreamTeam’s microphones being cut at the end of their performance though, this was when they really had the crowd. Rick Ross also had a good performance, of acceptable standards and everyone enjoyed it.
Look, overall, it was a good show, monies worth, there weren’t any troubles I came across, everything was great, I wouldn’t mind attending it next year. Especially because they allowed camp chairs and coolers inside also, that was a thumbs up from me.
New Flame #YHHF2015
You Gone Be My Baby pic.twitter.com/NovSStasi7
— Yule (@YuleD) May 2, 2015