African Hip-Hop Indaba

Rappers, dancers, B-Boys and more battle it out at Iconic Bar and the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town!


Hip-hoppers and beat-droppers, listen up aight! We’ve got the 411 on what’s poppin’, lockin’ and showstoppin’ in the Mother City this August. That’s right folks, Heal the Hood, in conjunction with Sprite, is calling on Mzansi’s freestylers, poppers, lockers, B-Boys and fly girls to indulge in all things rap and battle each other at the 2014 African Hip Hop Indaba (AHHI) at the Good Hope Centre on Friday, 29 and Saturday, 30 August 2014.

Anyone and everyone involved in the culture built around the rhythm and rhymes genre, from rappers and beat-makers to dancers and graffiti artists, are invited to take part in what is billed as the biggest event on the South African hip-hop calendar.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 2014 AFRICAN HIP-HOP INDABA

HIP-HOP LECTURE SERIES: A first for the annual music conference, the AHHI lecture series is a free-to-attend two-day event, and aims to address the ‘Fifth Element of Hip-hop: Knowledge of Self’. Taking place at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the workshops will be presented by Dr Quentin Emmanuel Williams (UWC), Dr Adam Haupt (UCT), Emile YX? (Heal the Hood) and spoken word performer Adrian ‘Different’ Van Wyk. Attendees can expect to be immersed in the world of rap music with two jam-packed days of talks, documentary screenings, showcases and panel discussions. The conference will take place at UWC’s Centre for Performing Arts and each day will run from 8am to 5pm. Admission to the event is FREE and lunch and tea will be provided. If you’re interested in attending, email emileyx@gmail.com to confirm your RSVP.

B-BOY & MC BATTLES: On Friday, 29 August 2014, the indaba kicks off at Iconic Bar in Long Street with DJs, emcees, beatboxers and B-boys, who are set to blaze up the dance floor. The night-time showcase features past competitors in the turntablist category dropping 10-minute sets while MCs and B-Boys will compete for in one-on-one knock-out clashes; this contest will serve as a qualifying round for a chance to participate in the UK B-boy Championships in October 2014.

DANCERS’ SHOWCASE: Saturday’s 14-hour line-up of events kicks off with solo poppers and krumpers followed by kwaito and house dancers taking the stage. Then, it’s time for the B-girls and juniors (under 16s) to battle it out on the dance floor before the B-boy crews show off their fierce moves and compete for titles and bragging rights. Each of the battles and showcases in the various categories will be judged on genre-specific criteria as well as the overall synchronicity, stage presence, choreography, theme and music.

AN ALL-ELEMENT HIP-HOP AFFAIR: Aside from the competitive showcasing of local talent, the indaba also features a variety of elements geared towards the ever-expanding community of hip-hop heads, including streetwear brand exhibitions, hip-hop theatre, documentary screenings and market stalls.

TICKETS FOR 2014 AFRICAN HIP-HOP INDABA

Tickets for the African Hip-Hop Indaba cost R80p/p per day and are available via Computicket.com and at Computicket outlets; tickets for the Friday night event can also be purchased at the door. Passes are only valid for one night. Doors open at 8pm on Friday and at 10:30am on Saturday.

---

Cape Flats hip hop pioneer launches new books at Afrocation Tour.

Take a look at our overview of annual August events to find out about more hot happenings taking place during the month.
---
Check out our events section for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter.

Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, connect with us on LinkedIn, check out our photos on Instagram and follow our Pinterest boards for updates on what’s happening in and around the Mother City!

Cape Town Events Calendar
December 2025
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31

visit knysna 5Knysna, but not the Knysna you think

Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and more

Drumstruck 2025 Cape Town’s top African drumming ...

A layered story of South Africa’s musical traditions

Table Mountain 2025 photoshopWhat locals don’t know about Table ...

Cape Town’s highest bar (no ticket needed), free tours + more

Harringtons Cocktail Lounge District SixFridays at East City's Harrington Street

Bar hop in one building, from happy hour to live music

Spier 21 reasons 1Things to do at Spier Wine Farm in ...

Everything you never knew about Spier unpacked by us

DJazz nights at Dutchies by Grotto Beach

6pm to 8pm every last Friday of the month

Char'd tasting 2025Rum, brandy & gin tastings with your ...

Unusual cuts prepped in-house and a curious gin atomiser

norval foundation 11Norval Foundation, the art museum with ...

Unmissable summer exhibitions, picnics amongst the sculptures, & more

Symmetry Fest Thailand's full moon party comes to ...

3 days with top DJs, laser shows, and poolside fun

Two Oceans Aquarium clean up Two Oceans Aquarium's free beach ...

Every 3rd Sat of the month in Milnerton, Muizenberg, or Blouberg

PT2The hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Inventive small plates best explored with a wine pairing

Milk on the Beach 2025Reasons to visit this beach-side family ...

DIY waffles, loaded hotdogs, poke bowls, right on the beach

LMTF Mandela and WinnieMeet 100 bronze life-size figures at ...

From famous heroes like Mandela to forgotten ones like Autshumato

shimansky rockwell 6Shimansky Diamond Experience at The ...

The diamond showroom where you can polish your own stone

cherry festival 1Everything you need to know about Ceres ...

Cherry products and picking, foam party & live music as the sun sets

fable Cocktail Bar 4Amazing cocktail & food specials at ...

Daily happy hour, free starters & welcome drinks, and more

Ficks dinners 2025 sunset Ficks, Hermanus’s tidal pool ...

Just as wonderful at night & during the cooler months

Only Specials CaféThe café creating space for ...

It’s hidden in Hermanus. Here’s how to find it

visit knysna 5Knysna, but not the Knysna you think

Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem

Drumstruck 2025 Cape Town’s top African drumming ...

A layered story of South Africa’s musical traditions

Table Mountain 2025 photoshopWhat locals don’t know about Table ...

Cape Town’s highest bar (no ticket needed), free tours + more

Spier 21 reasons 1Things to do at Spier Wine Farm in ...

Everything you never knew about Spier unpacked by us

Char'd tasting 2025Rum, brandy & gin tastings with your ...

Unusual cuts prepped in-house and a curious gin atomiser

norval foundation 11Norval Foundation, the art museum with ...

Unmissable summer exhibitions, picnics amongst the sculptures, & more

Symmetry Fest Thailand's full moon party comes to ...

3 days with top DJs, laser shows, and poolside fun

Two Oceans Aquarium clean up Two Oceans Aquarium's free beach ...

Every 3rd Sat of the month in Milnerton, Muizenberg, or Blouberg

PT2The hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Inventive small plates best explored with a wine pairing

Milk on the Beach 2025Reasons to visit this beach-side family ...

DIY waffles, loaded hotdogs, poke bowls, right on the beach

LMTF Mandela and WinnieMeet 100 bronze life-size figures at ...

From famous heroes like Mandela to forgotten ones like Autshumato

Cafe Extrablatt 2024All-you-can-eat breakfast buffet every ...

Bottomless buffet with a laidback shisha lounge & bar upstairs

Mountain MarketAffordable healthy food at this city ...

Organic fruit and veg, smoothie bowls + small-scale clothes

shimansky rockwell 6Shimansky Diamond Experience at The ...

The diamond showroom where you can polish your own stone

cherry festival 1Everything you need to know about Ceres ...

Cherry products and picking, foam party & live music as the sun sets

fable Cocktail Bar 4Amazing cocktail & food specials at ...

Daily happy hour, free starters & welcome drinks, and more

Ficks dinners 2025 sunset Ficks, Hermanus’s tidal pool ...

Just as wonderful at night & during the cooler months

Only Specials CaféThe café creating space for ...

It’s hidden in Hermanus. Here’s how to find it

Hidden Dragon Magic GardenA whimsical fairytale world made ...

Tiny towns, gnome gardens, a sleeping dragon & tours for R100

Hidden Giants 2025The captivating science-meets-music ...

Sold out 50 times in Gauteng with rave reviews. See why

visit knysna 5Knysna, but not the Knysna you think

Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem

Pink Table 2025Sought-after Brutal Fruit Spritzer’s ...

Last event sold out in just 5 minutes. See why

Mavericks celebrity skinDance and dinner theatre at Mavericks

High-end, choreographed burlesque cabaret

Kloof Street Baikt Ceramics(Re)discover the iconic Kloof Street

Voted coolest street in the world, here’s why

Woodstock Brewery 2025Where to find some of the best craft ...

Award-winning craft beers at a Bavarian beerhall or taproom

Mavericks saloon sunrise cowgirlSaddle up for a Sexy Saloon Show in the ...

Scintillating shooters and sensual shows at Mavericks every Wednesday to Friday

GiveawaysTravel Tips