Biography


Biography
The Back To The City Youth Festival

Freedom day of autumn 2016 will bring in the 10th annual youth festival “Back to the City” taking place outside Ritual Stores Newtown, Johannesburg. Featuring artists representing the pinnacle of artistic expression from South Africa, this unique youth event has grown into the largest public display of both commercial and underground hip hop in South 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 began with an educational 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 utilize 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 were openly discussed allowing audience members the chance to actively engage speakers, facilitating access to resources as well as empowering the youth with valuable knowledge. These sessions took place at OST.
Live performances and dj’s entertained throughout the day while graffiti artists utilized the surrounding street walls as their canvasses, creating colorful masterpieces in the city. The Second stage facilitated b-boying/dance workshops and showcases throughout the day while skateboarders were also present showing off their street skills.


ATTANDANCE 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

100% annual increase

DATE:27 APRIL 2017 WILL SEE YOU THERE!!!!!!
Email:ritualstores@gmail.com for more info
Facebook: Back to the city festival
Addres: Corner Bree and Henry Nxumalo
Newtown
111 Ritual store