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
June 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

Bertha Retreat recurring eventCorporate getaway for big and small ...

One night free at this this fully-catered retreat in Winelands

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

Woodstock BreweryBrewery with food specials (almost) ...

Daily specials on comfort meals like burgers and schnitzels

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

From famous heroes like Mandela to forgotten ones like Autshumato

The Barracks accommodation city centre Cape Town accommodation special for a ...

20% off, free breakfast, access to rooftop pool

Trail's End Bike HotelTeam building, stylish conferencing & ...

Ultimate work-play-and-stay hub, Trail’s End

shimansky rockwell 6Shimansky Diamond Experience at The ...

The diamond showroom where you can polish your own stone

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

Bertha Retreat recurring eventCorporate getaway for big and small ...

One night free at this this fully-catered retreat in Winelands

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

Woodstock BreweryBrewery with food specials (almost) ...

Daily specials on comfort meals like burgers and schnitzels

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

From famous heroes like Mandela to forgotten ones like Autshumato

The Barracks accommodation city centre Cape Town accommodation special for a ...

20% off, free breakfast, access to rooftop pool

Trail's End Bike HotelTeam building, stylish conferencing & ...

Ultimate work-play-and-stay hub, Trail’s End

shimansky rockwell 6Shimansky Diamond Experience at The ...

The diamond showroom where you can polish your own stone

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

Plett Ocean festival 2025All you need to know about the Plett ...

Unpacked: Events, must-try activities and where to stay & eat

zipzap 1Chasing Dreams, Zip Zap Circus’ ...

For R150 you’re getting theatre, acrobatics & a family experience

FYRE Dining Entrance Open fire dining in Paarl

Braaibroodjies, melktert ice cream & live music

Char'd Grill 2024One of the best steakhouses in town, ...

Unusual steaks, dry-aged to perfection, and a beer garden

XWUnpacked: Tulbagh Christmas in Winter

Where to stay, what to bring, and which tickets are best value

Youth Day 2025 LMTFJoin a host of events celebrating Youth ...

Free tours, wine festival, fun run, market in the park & more

Trail's End Bike Hotel Things to do this Father’s Day

Try a milkshake tasting, stargazing tour or an escape game

/weekend Franschhoek Literary FestivalCape Town's 7 things to do this weekend

Father’s Day market, wine tasting, Chappell Roan drag concert & more

GiveawaysTravel Tips