COTTON FEST 2022 WITHOUT RICKY RICK
By: Sylvester Raraza
Email: sylvesterraraza@gmail.com
Twitter: @Sylvester_tut
The stage was set, and all systems were a go for the biggest two-day music, fashion and art event in South Africa. The occasion, held on the 23rd and 24th of April, saw a line-up of more than 100 musicians whom Ricky Rick had worked and collaborated with throughout his career. Some of the biggest names on the line-up were rappers AKA, A-REECE, Cassper Nyovest and the popular Amapiano duo Amaroto, Gqom pioneers Destruction Boyz, legendary muso and Osama hitmaker Zakes Bantwini among others.
Ricky Rick successfully started Cotton Fest in 2019 and the recent one was no different, its production and sound was well put together and event organisers did justice to the man’s legacy. The concert convened at The Station on Mandela Bridge in Newtown, Johannesburg. Concertgoers were visibly excited as they were walking into the venue, most of them dressed in style (eating cotton as Ricky would say), a young woman entered the venue dressed in orange wide-leg high-waisted sweater leggings, a black sleeveless bodysuit, an open black coat with a pleather collar, a variety of coloured sneakers, a bucket hat, and jewellery. She was burning hot and had her face beat (fully made up). She also applied orange lipstick for a splash of colour.
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| #CottonFest2022 Picture: cottonfestjhb via Instagram |
Creativity was at its highest, the main stage was massive and complemented by the stalls. Everything looked well organized and there was an atmosphere of happiness from the crowd as the performances were starting. It is worth noting that the event is not only about music, but it also includes activities like skating, playing arcade games, shooting hoops, taking snaps, getting a haircut, pop-up art galleries, watching people posing for pictures and mingling with A-list celebrities and much, much more.
The concert had more than three stages erected, and one that particularly stood out was the RedBull stage, it had flashing and colorful lights, three DJ booths, massive built-in speakers and that is where Amapiano and House Music artists graced the crowd. Logistically, the event was difficult to put together but fortunately for the event organizers, the experience they had in putting together to previous Cotton Fests came in handy this year. The event wouldn’t have been possible without the sponsorships of companies like Mtv Base South Africa, Puma South Africa, Flying Fish and radio station Yfm.
One of the most notable concert’s high and outstanding performance came from rapper AKA, who performed his hit songs like ‘All Eyes on Me’, ‘The World Is Yours’ and ‘Run Jozi’, the crowd erupted but what got everyone talking is the moment AKA revealed his longtime friend and collaborator DaLes as a surprise act. It stunned everyone because the two men had had a falling out, not speaking to each other for years and they did not do songs together – AKA and DaLes had beef. They decided to work things out, sort out their issues and work together again for the sake of Ricky Rick, whom they both respect, and for the sake of peace for themselves. It seems their bromance is back on track.
The attendees of the concert started complaining about long ques to buy food, and in some instances, people would stand long hours just to buy food while the shows continued. Food sellers were extremely low in numbers, compared to the large and hungry crowds. Event planners failed the crowd in that regard, some people did not enjoy the show because they were hungry and low on energy. Those who were able to buy food, complained that some of the food was not well cooked. Others were in arguing over who was first in line, and who was ordering first – that’s how bad it was.
We spoke to those who arrived on time, and they complimented the food stall they had bought food from, they had: the meatiest pizza at the venue, coupled with milkshakes and chicken wings. While others had a mouth-watering Kota with cranberry juice, and ice-cream for dessert. Some just had regular burgers and orange juice.
The fresh Prince of Pretoria, A-Reece, performed a couple of songs before his time was up. The crowd started booing and other fans were livid, as he was leaving the stage. Event organizers said his time had run out and other acts had to perform. Therefore, artists should arrive on time, because if they don’t, it negatively impacts on their performances and it makes their audiences get mad. Do better, South African artists, do better!
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| Reaction to A-Reece performance being cut short. |
Those who were not able to
buy food, were able to make up for it by purchasing Cotton Fest merchandise,
for example, t-shirts with cotton fest art on it, trackpants and bucket hats
and fanny packs. An announcement at the show was made by one of the event
directors, Alain Ferrier who co-founded
cotton fest with Ricky Rick, he informed the ecstatic crowd that Cotton Fest
would be hosted in other cities in South Africa, cities like Cape Town, in the
Western Cape and Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal.
Emotions and sadness came down on the crowd when, on the big screen, they
played a video of a singing choir. The choir sang verse from his ‘Family Values’ album
titled ‘Sondela’, which
was accompanied by a video he posted on his IG of him singing the gold winning
Amapiano version while dancing with his wife, Bianca, and kissing her. Some
amongst the crowd were too emotional to hold back the dripping tears. It was
sad to see.
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| Some of the activities at #CottonFest2022. Picture: cottonfestjhb via Instagram |
The cotton fest event was
inspiring to see, encouraging for the creatives (lovers of music and fashion)
industry in South Africa, and ultimately, the best tribute concert for Ricky
Rick. #CottonFest2022 expressed unconditional love for the fallen artist and entrepreneur,
it expressed how much he meant to the culture. What a legacy! Legends never
die. “We don’t die, we multiply.”
Note: Videos used are those of Twitter handles @bantu_bhungane @SaHipHop_Wave in the order they have been inserted.
Great piece bro🙏🏿🔥🔥
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