While away for work, with only a day to myself to explore the Mother City, I decided to take a trip to award-winning rapper YoungstaCPT’s concept store Y?Gen out in Wynberg (Cape Town) - opposite the Wittebome Station, considered to be on the boarder of upper & lower Wynberg

Established in 2010 by YoungstaCPT (Riyadh Roberts) at the start of his rap career, the store is “made to house music, clothing and visuals. But also to encompass the thoughts, dreams & frustrations of the youth. Y?Gen is for the Y?outh, by the Y?oung” - as inscribed on the tag attached to every piece of clothing and accessory in the store.

As I jumped out the Uber, I entered what could only be described as a cultural corner. On the far left is a sneaker store called Unwantedkicks ZA - that not only sells exclusively available sneakers, but also offers sneaker cleaning services. To the far right is Sold Out Records Music Studio, and to the immediate right of the Y?Gen store is YoungstaCPT’s mom’s clothing store - Raffy Style Secondhand Boutique. It is at this point in my experience that I remember Hip Hop is so much more than the music we listen to - it’s the culture we live. And as KRS1 so emphatically taught us - Street Entrepreneurship is certainly a vital part of this culture we live, and love. I also couldn’t help reminisce on the similarities between YoungstaCPT’s vision and that of the late Nipsey Hussle - near the intersection of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard (Los Angeles). This store stands as a centrepiece within the community. A beacon of inspiration.

As I enter the Y?Gen store - relieved, and comforted by the sounds of YoungstaCPT’s music being played - I comment on how unexpectedly long the Uber trip was to reach this cultural oasis. And take a moment to catch my breath - soaking it all in. Again, the words of another Hip Hop and Lyrical stalwart come to mind, as I hear Saul Williams’ “There’s nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come”. And there I was standing in the centre of it.

A young man by the name of Dillan warmly welcomes me. It turns out this young man is also YoungstaCPT’s in-house designer - the mastermind behind the prints found on the clothing. After deciding to cancel any further plans of exploring Cape Town for the day, I decide to chill at the store with Dillan - before heading back to the airport to catch my flight home. YoungstaCPT describes Dillan as “a master at work, soft spoken but very talented”. From the few hours I spent with him - I couldn’t agree with YoungstaCPT more. As I sat, we spoke, and I asked him about himself, the store, and the journey it took to become what it is today. Early in our talks, Dillan’s family walk in and wish him a Happy Birthday. I look at him after they leave and say “It’s your birthday? That’s wild”.

I left having purchased a Y?Gen T-shirt and Y?Gen Tote Bag. It came to just under ZAR600 - not bad for quality crafted local pieces of art. I wanted to take a black sweater too, however all the smaller sizes were sold out - and they only had XXXL sizes left.

Leaving for the airport had it’s own challenges, after I realised my luggage (in Summerset West at the hotel) and I (in Wynberg), were equidistant to the airport, and a trip to collect my luggage back at the hotel, was going to A) Cost me three times as much, and B) Consume three hours of my time: In what felt like the most exciting mathematical equation, I then decided to leave for the airport, and requested an Uber Package for my luggage - to meet me there. Praise die Here, everything worked out well. And I was really glad I visited one of Cape Town’s hidden cultural destinations. Lord knows the sterility of Western tourism can sometimes miss me.

When in Cape Town next, I urge you to visit the store and grab yourself a souvenier. They can be found at 3 Exeter Rd, Wynberg, Cape Town, 7800.

Written By Lex LaFoy