They say when it rains it pours, and when the heavens opened at the seventh annual Maftown Heights last night hundreds of spectators flooded out of the venue as a severe thunderstorm swept across the Johannesburg CBD. Fortunately, the star-studded line up came to the fore and responded to the dreary weather with some blazing hot performances.
AKA danced, interacted with his incredible band and brought out Anatii and Ma-E; KO performed his smash hit, Don Dada, alongside Okmalumkoolkat; Emtee dabbed (as only he can) and performed with his entire Ambitiouz Entertainment clique; and Riky Rick, ever the live wire, got the place jumping when he threw his Gucci shoes into the crowd during his performance.
Typically one of the more lively and high spirited events on the calendar, this year’s Maftown Heights ultimately provided a mixed bag: the stage was great, but the sound was sketchy and, although the show gained momentum after the thunderstorm cleared, the police came at around 2:30 and shut the show down 10 minutes into Cassper Nyovest’s closing set.
All in all, despite the little snags here and there, it was another special evening in SA hip hop.