The KZN Youth Hip Hop Festival made a triumphant return this year with a sensational event. Held on Saturday, June 8th, at the Muni’s Hockey Club next to the Botanical Gardens in Durban, it was a celebration of the vibrant hip hop culture that pulses through the veins of KZN.

The crowd started trickling in slowly as the gates opened, with an electric atmosphere in the air. This year’s festival marked the revival of the My Connect program, designed to give emerging artists the chance to perform on real stages before live audiences. If you were there, you would have had the pleasure of witnessing some of the hottest hip hop acts, including Sazified, Ayonn September, Pretty Majola, Emdeeyou, and the man himself, Celestial Mic.

A standout moment was the performance by New Kids on the Block, Tony Dayimani and uSimamane. It was thrilling to see these rising stars command the stage, translating their streaming success into live energy. The crowd was so captivated by uSimamane’s hit "Cheque" that they demanded an encore, going wild for the song a second time.

The festival also attracted out-of-town love, with Maglera Doe Boy delivering a stellar performance in his signature stage suit. It was heartwarming to see the local Zulu crowd embrace his act with open arms. Heavy hitters like OK MalumKoolkat, Blxckie, and Sjava kept the party alive, with Lord Script closing the night with his electrifying hits.

While some social media debates questioned the festival's impact on the hip hop community, it's crucial to highlight the importance of such events. It’s easy to criticize but harder to create. There are few events of this caliber designed for and by the KZN audience. Fans and critics alike should appreciate this and recognize the festival's potential to build a thriving industry.

Kudos to Richie R Productions, his team, and DJ Lab, who worked tirelessly on the ground, despite looking a mix of happy, grumpy, and exhausted throughout the day. Their efforts paid off in a big way, delivering an unforgettable experience for all who attended.