Fashioning Modern Africanism

Organisers of the highly anticipated entertainment and lifestyle experience today announced the return of Cotton Fest Cape Town, set to take place at the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday, 25th November 2023.  Back for the second edition in Cape Town later this year, Cotton Fest celebrates the new wave of talent through music, fashion and lifestyle. More than just a music festival, this multi-layered youth culture experience will once again include 2 concert stages, limited curated clothing and other  merchandise, a selection of food stalls and an interactive sports area. Known for merging both established and upcoming South African talent, Cotton Fest also showcases the diversities in music while fusing the gaps within the different local current movements.  Cotton Fest Cape Town will feature some of South Africa’s finest talent performing over 2 stages.  THE FESTIVAL - The COTTON STAGE will feature headline artists from across the country while the second STAGE will fea

After winning our hearts for decades, on 23 February 2022, Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado, an icon, rapper, producer, and hip-hop artist, lost his battle with mental illness.   WATCH HERE   LISTEN HERE AT MIDNIGHT        Before he passed, he tweeted his final tweet; “I’ll return a stronger man”. One year later, during youth month, his track ‘Stronger’ will be dropped.  The newly formed Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Artivism is behind the release of the track. The foundation aims to bring attention to the issue of deteriorating mental health and well-being, as well as raise funds to support the efforts of individuals and organisations who promote mental well-being.   In collaboration with a range of partners, including TBWA\ Hunt Lascaris, and Sony Music Africa, the foundation has created a place to respond to Riky’s rallying call to care for young people. “Please believe in young people. Give them as many opportunities as they need to prove themselves. At any cost”, Riky tweet

Cotton Fest , the popular music and youth culture festival, is set to make its debut in Durban this year. The festival, which started in Joburg in 2019 by the late global music and fashion icon Riky Rick, has grown to become one of the most anticipated events on the South African entertainment calendar. Landing on the shores of KZN for the first time on Sunday, 2nd July 2023 at Kings Park Stadium - Outer Field in Durban, this youth culture experience has become known for its diverse lineup and energetic atmosphere, with previous editions featuring performances from the hottest talent in all the land. Cotton Fest is also a celebration of South African street culture, with not just good music, but also showcases fashion, popular sport, art, food, and so much more. Performing across two stages, the lineup featuring some of the hottest SA talent is being kept under wraps for now, with the team promising that fans won't be disappointed as with the Joburg and Cape Town editions.        

  UNIVERSITY OF COTTON FEST OFFICIALLY HITS THE MOTHER CITY One of SA’s biggest culture gatherings, Cotton Fest is coming to Cape Town this summer break. Announced by festival organizers today, the first Cotton Fest Cape Town will take place at the Paarden Eiland Park on Saturday, 10th December 2022.   Created by global music and fashion icon Riky Rick, the festival exploded in popularity back in 2019 featuring over 150 artists. More than just a festival, this youth culture gathering celebrates the new wave of music, fashion and lifestyle. Mainly known for merging both established and upcoming South African talent, Cotton Fest also showcases the diversities in music while fusing the gaps within the different local current movements. Bringing the same authentic vibe to the mother city, Cotton Fest Cape Town will feature some of South Africa’s finest talent performing over 2 stages. This action packed festival will not only showcase the diversities in the different popular music genres,

                  PUMA with the Cotton Fest team today announces the launch of the new PUMA x Cotton Fest F.C. collection set to drop next Thursday, 22 September.   Designed in collaboration with fashion savvy, rap artist Riky Rick and inspired by the sport aspect of the festival’s “University of Cotton Fest” collegiate theme, the collection’s DNA is rooted in 90’s football jerseys that have become iconic and revered fashion statement pieces.   The collection includes a T7 tracksuit top, soccer shorts, football top, and soccer balls designed by the late Riky Rick himself.   “We are very privileged to be able to bring what turned out to be Riky’s final collection to the market. As with everything Riky did, he was hands on with this collection and  its Cotton Fest F.C. aesthetic ,”  said Hayden Manuel, PUMA South Africa Sportstyle Marketing Manager.   As part of the launch, PUMA has committed to a R100 000 bursary for final year AFDA students to cover shortfalls on their fees and assist

  TWO DAY FESTIVAL CELEBRATING POPULAR SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC & FASHION PHASE TWO TICKETS GO ON SALE ON FRIDAY Having recently announced the postponement of the third annual Cotton Fest taking place over two days in Johannesburg next month, organisers of the highly anticipated festival, today confirmed the full weekend line-up. Known for showcasing the diversities in various music genres with the aim of fusing the gaps within the different local movements, this sold out weekend urban music and fashion explosion, will feature over 130 of South Africa’s finest musical talent. Taking place in central Johannesburg on the 23rd and 24th April, the festival will merge both well-known and young emerging South African artists over three ‘killer’ stages. The confirmed weekend line-up (in alphabetical order) is as follows : 031 CHOPPA 2SHOES 25K A- REECE ABIDOZA AKA AMAROTO AND BEAST BANQUES BENNY CHILL BIG ZULU BLXCKIE BOITY BUSTA 929 CANDII CASSPER NYOVEST CHAMPAGNE69 CHAMPURU MAKHENZO CH’CCO