Freedom Day of autumn 2020 will bring in the 14th annual youth festival “Back to the City” taking place at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg. Featuring artists representing the pinnacle of artistic expression from South Africa and abroad, this unique annual youth event has grown into the largest public display of both commercial and underground Hip Hop in Africa, presenting a day of live music, street art, break-dancing, art installation, skateboarding, film, street fashion, gaming, speakers and panel discussions. From the daytime events to the nightly performances, this is one time that the inner city comes alive with true freedom of expression providing a destination for hip hop fans, artists and industry related individuals to converge and celebrate the experience of hip hop and youth culture.
The day begins with an educational Hip Hop Summit offering an exchange of knowledge from industry gurus working within the media, advertising and music business arenas. The aim of these workshops was to effectively empower the artist with as much knowledge to enable her/him to efficiently administrate their career and brand growth. We wanted to utilise the culture as a tool to encourage critical thinking, social change and unity while empowering communities through media, arts, education and independent initiatives.
Topics such as Publishing, Distribution, Recording, Independent versus Mainstream, Funding, and Entrepreneurship are openly discussed allowing audience members a chance to actively engage speakers, facilitating access to resources as well as empowering the youth with valuable knowledge.
Live performances and DJs entertain throughout the day while graffiti artists utilise the surrounding street walls as their canvasses, creating colourful masterpieces in the city. The Second stage is reserved for competitions for rappers, beatmakers, dancers, and alternative Hip Hop performances.
ATTENDANCE YEARLY:
2007=3 500 People
2008=4 500 People
2009=8 000 People
2010=9 000 People
2011=11500 People
2012=15000 People
2013=17000 People
2014=21000 People
2015=23000 People
2016= 25000 People
2017 = 25000 People
2018 = 25000 People
2019= 25000 People
The day begins with an educational Hip Hop Summit offering an exchange of knowledge from industry gurus working within the media, advertising and music business arenas. The aim of these workshops was to effectively empower the artist with as much knowledge to enable her/him to efficiently administrate their career and brand growth. We wanted to utilise the culture as a tool to encourage critical thinking, social change and unity while empowering communities through media, arts, education and independent initiatives.
Topics such as Publishing, Distribution, Recording, Independent versus Mainstream, Funding, and Entrepreneurship are openly discussed allowing audience members a chance to actively engage speakers, facilitating access to resources as well as empowering the youth with valuable knowledge.
Live performances and DJs entertain throughout the day while graffiti artists utilise the surrounding street walls as their canvasses, creating colourful masterpieces in the city. The Second stage is reserved for competitions for rappers, beatmakers, dancers, and alternative Hip Hop performances.
ATTENDANCE YEARLY:
2007=3 500 People
2008=4 500 People
2009=8 000 People
2010=9 000 People
2011=11500 People
2012=15000 People
2013=17000 People
2014=21000 People
2015=23000 People
2016= 25000 People
2017 = 25000 People
2018 = 25000 People
2019= 25000 People