With less than two weeks away from one of the country’s biggest music festival the Cotton Fest Johannesburg edition is all systems go with a jam packed line-up. The University of Cotton founded by the South African rapper Rikhado Makhado, popularly known as Riky Rick launched the festival in 2019 to bring together established and upcoming South African talent.
It was in 2021 that the annual festival was put on hold due to Covid-19 restrictions, returning last year. Pre-Covid, the festival saw more than 80 local hip-hop and amapiano artists take the stage. In 2022 after a successful festival in Johannesburg featuring more than 50 of the country’s hottest known artists such as Sjava, Cassper Nyovest, Uncle Waffles, Khuli Chana, Daliwonga and Zakes Bantwini. The festival later expanded to Cape Town early December. According to Cotton Fest head of communications Melanie Ramjee says it was Riky vision to expand it to other parts of the country.
“Cotton Fest is bigger than just being a music festival. It is a culture and a movement. After Riky’s passing in February 2022, all the Cotton Fest plans were put on hold for a bit. Later, in March, we regrouped and focused on going ahead with the festival in Joburg. But it can’t just be about Johannesburg, we need to grow Riky’s legacy,” says Ramjee.
Returning to Johannesburg this year, Cotton Fest confirmed this years’ line-up with some of the country’s favorites hip hop and amapiano artists.
https://twitter.com/CottonFestJHB/status/1617145805378576391
Apart from music the festival also aimed at promoting fashion and sports which were some of Riky Rick’s favourite interests.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE FESTIVAL
- The Tuckshop – Retail Fashion Store
- Unconventional Sports Area – Live Skateboard Competition
- University Cafeteria – Food Court
- Customisation Station
- Half-court Basketball Court
- Live Art Installation
The 2023 edition of Cotton Fest is powered by Puma, Jagermeister, Stimorol, Vuse, Oros, Red Bull, Adoozy, Spotify, Klipdrift, Count Pushkin, 4th Street Wine, Hunters, NBA Africa and exclusive broadcasting partners YFM and Trace Urban.
Limited phase 2 tickets are available via Webtickets and Pick ‘n Pay outlets nationwide.
The festival will this year also see an expansion of its footprint, with a new space inside the festival space known as The Lot, via a partnership between Cotton Fest and JHC Housing.
For more information follow social media handles:
INSTAGRAM @CottonFestJHB
TWITTER @CottonFestJHB
FACEBOOK @CottonFest
COTTON FEST INFORMATION
DATE: 4th February 2022
VENUE: The Station (Carr Street & Nelson Mandela Bridge, Newtown, JHB)
#Amapiano
Cotton Fest
COTTON STAGE
PUMA x Cotton Fest F.C.
Riky Rick
The University of COTTON FEST
Zakes Bantwini
