Maftown Heights takes the game to the next level with the release of a documentary around the annual festival showing on television tonight (Friday 29 January 2016).
The Maftown Heights Special scheduled to air on Channel O tells the story of how the event went from humble beginnings in 2010‚ with just 900 people in attendance‚ to being one of the most anticipated hip hop gigs on the calendar‚ drawing in a roughly 10‚000 strong crowd.
Founded by Mahikeng-born rapper Khuli Chana‚ whose real name is Khulane Morule‚ and Dream Team SA Director Refiloe Ramogase‚ the initial purpose of the gig was to solidify the status of the so-called Motswako genre of music – a mix of Setswana and English — in the local hip hop scene.
According to Ramogase‚ filming for the documentary began in 2014 and aims to tell the retrospective story of the festival and some of its performers as well as to look forward at what can be expected from the festival in years to come.
“It’s a very fascinating story of a festival that began humbly in a time where hip hop was looked at as guys trying to be American‚ and seeing that change to being a mainstream part of the music conversation‚” he says.
“We [through the festival] were also looking for a way to keep a genre like Motswako alive.
“People can look forward to seeing that story being told from a doccie perspective‚” added Ramogase.
Alongside narrations of the documentary from both founders‚ viewers can also look forward to a number of artists who have taken the Maftown Heights stage giving their stance on the festival and the impact of that on their careers.
Over the years‚ the festival has hosted Motswako greats such as HHP‚ Tuks‚ Mo Molemi‚ Fifi Cooper‚ Cassper Nyovest and many more.
While the Motswako movement was what initially drove the festival‚ Ramogase says that the incorporation of every form of hip hop was important‚ hence the inclusion of the Friends of Motswako which saw the likes of AKA‚ TKZee‚ Reason and Cashtime Fam‚ to name a few‚ also being included in the festival.
“We came to the realization that together we will grow‚ divided we will fall‚” said Ramogase.
Catch the Maftown Heights Special documentary tonight on Channel O‚ DSTV channel 320‚ at 17:00 with a repeat scheduled for Sunday‚ January 31‚ at 13:00.
TV doccie shows Maftown Heights festival's role in hip hop's evolution
Maftown Heights takes the game to the next level with the release of a documentary around the annual festival showing on television tonight (Friday 29 January 2016).
The Maftown Heights Special scheduled to air on Channel O tells the story of how the event went from humble beginnings in 2010‚ with just 900 people in attendance‚ to being one of the most anticipated hip hop gigs on the calendar‚ drawing in a roughly 10‚000 strong crowd.
Founded by Mahikeng-born rapper Khuli Chana‚ whose real name is Khulane Morule‚ and Dream Team SA Director Refiloe Ramogase‚ the initial purpose of the gig was to solidify the status of the so-called Motswako genre of music – a mix of Setswana and English — in the local hip hop scene.
According to Ramogase‚ filming for the documentary began in 2014 and aims to tell the retrospective story of the festival and some of its performers as well as to look forward at what can be expected from the festival in years to come.
“It’s a very fascinating story of a festival that began humbly in a time where hip hop was looked at as guys trying to be American‚ and seeing that change to being a mainstream part of the music conversation‚” he says.
“We [through the festival] were also looking for a way to keep a genre like Motswako alive.
“People can look forward to seeing that story being told from a doccie perspective‚” added Ramogase.
Alongside narrations of the documentary from both founders‚ viewers can also look forward to a number of artists who have taken the Maftown Heights stage giving their stance on the festival and the impact of that on their careers.
Over the years‚ the festival has hosted Motswako greats such as HHP‚ Tuks‚ Mo Molemi‚ Fifi Cooper‚ Cassper Nyovest and many more.
While the Motswako movement was what initially drove the festival‚ Ramogase says that the incorporation of every form of hip hop was important‚ hence the inclusion of the Friends of Motswako which saw the likes of AKA‚ TKZee‚ Reason and Cashtime Fam‚ to name a few‚ also being included in the festival.
“We came to the realization that together we will grow‚ divided we will fall‚” said Ramogase.
Catch the Maftown Heights Special documentary tonight on Channel O‚ DSTV channel 320‚ at 17:00 with a repeat scheduled for Sunday‚ January 31‚ at 13:00.
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