Backyard Group: A high calibre creative community
Image by LD (@lildiorchain)
Curfew restrictions have been lifted. Alcohol sales have returned without regulation. Theatres, restaurants, and events are back (with lighter restrictions). The country is healing - at least, this is the case where South Africa is concerned. On Friday, January 14, Backyard Group made their return to the scene with an event collaboration with Bone Soda and Heavy Rotation at Carfax in Newtown, Johannesburg.
Acts like DBN Gogo, Uncle Partytime, Omagoqa, and Blxckie performed sets to a crowd of teeming with excitement. Hosted by Uncle Vinny, event organizers drew a star studded crowd. Event goers rubbed shoulders with the who’s who of South Africa’s creative industry. From designers like Wanda Lephoto and Thebe Magugu, musicians like Una Rams, actors like Teboho Tsotetsi, and more, the cream of the South Africa’s creative crop showed out in full effect.
One particular performance highlight, however, was the reception and overall interaction with KZN-born, South African beloved, Blxckie. Before the release of his debut album, B4 Now, the “Sika” muso had endeared himself to the country during a time where the local hip-hop scene’s impact was under scrutiny. While South Africa faced heavier restrictions in comparison to its African counterparts, Blxckie established himself in other nations with shows, collaborations, and the like. Upon his return and after the release of B4 Now, he could finally launch his first tour and accept the gigs in between. All of this culminated in MTV Base’s panel for the Hottest MC of 2021 list crowning him with the number one spot over hip-hop heavyweights like Riky Rick, Nasty C, and A-Reece. If his set at Backyard Group’s event is anything to go by, Blxckie has been fully embraced by not only music lovers and aficionados, but by the creative community at large.
As scenes around the country continue to adjust, Backyard Group’s collaboration with Bone Soda and Heavy Rotation is a welcome benchmark of entertainment in the months to come. Creative community, excellent performance artistry, and star power are all elements of a great event experience, all of which were found in a place that encouraged the art of making noise instead of friends.
