Back to the City Festival celebrates 20 years in Newtown

Newtown will come alive on Saturday, 10 October, as the Back to the City Festival celebrates 20 years of hip-hop, music and street culture at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg. This year's edition also forms part of the City's 140th anniversary celebrations and commemorates 50 years since the 1976 youth uprising.

For festival founder Osmic Menoe, Back to the City is part of a much bigger Johannesburg story. Reflecting on Newtown’s history and the evolution of hip-hop, Menoe argues that the culture has continually adapted to the changing times and environments. For a festival now in its 20th year, that adaptability is also part of what has allowed Back to the City to endure, even as hip-hop has repeatedly been declared dead.

“This culture called hip-hop has evolved. Hip-hop is a virus which enables itself to attach to a host or look like its host. Hip-hop will never die,” Menoe said, pointing to the culture’s ability to absorb new sounds and influences, including amapiano, while adapting to its changing environment.

International and local stars

The 2026 Back to the City lineup features international hip-hop acts from the United States, including Ab-Soul, Slum Village and Blu & Exile.

They will share the stage with leading South African artists including Cassper Nyovest, Emtee, Blxckie, Stogie T, Reason, Tuks, Touchline and Trompies, alongside a wide range of established and emerging artists.

More than music

Back to the City celebrates the different elements that make up hip-hop culture.

The festival programme includes:

MC battles
DJ battles
Graffiti and street art
Skateboarding
Basketball
Gaming
Fashion and clothing
Food
DJ performances
Heritage and legends celebrations
Producer and other creative platforms

The festival's programme features 100 artists, 40 graffiti artists, producers, clothing and food stalls, activation zones, gaming and sports activities.

The festival's Hip Hop Summit also explores issues affecting today's creative industry, including streaming, publishing, artificial intelligence, ownership, entrepreneurship and opportunities for artists.

01/10/2026

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