Ryan Swano
On Sunday 15 June 2025 from 3pm till Late, The Best of Ekapa Hip Hop presents a celebration of Hip Hop Culture and Reggae Vibes aimed at shifting paradigms while offering high levels of entertainment.
The venue, Royal Ras Centre in Athlone is Perfect for this collaboration between The Best of Ekapa Hip Hop & Reggae Afrika Sound System in a Celebration of Hip Hop and Reggae showcasing how the cultures behind the two genres are very much intertwined in Cape Town.
Celebrating Cuture & Building an Economy
This is not the first iteration of Back2Basics and the formula is very much the same as the last Back2Basics held in Langa a few years ago.
The Best of Ekapa Hop Hop chairperson, Rozzano Davids, says that Back2Basics centres around Live Music, DJs and Stalls promoting Local Economic Development by Selling Clothes, Food and 420 Paraphernalia. Some of the artists will also have their Brand Merchandise on sale.
“The event is aimed at practitioners as well as fans of the Hip Hop and the Reggae Community as well as promoting and developing a sustainable local Hip Hop and Reggae Industry. Most importantly uniting the huge hip hop & reggae community dispersed around the Western Cape and to satisfy the music lover’s thirst for Authentic Local Hip Hop, R&B, Neo-Soul, Reggae and House Music.”
“The Back2Basics Event Mission is to Unite, Network, Develop & Build”
Live Performances, DJs, Dancers & an Album Launh
With Best of Ekapa Hip Hop having well over a decade long history of putting up some of the best Hip Hop Live Shows in Cape Town, you can expect nothing short of an Awesome Lineup of Live Performing Artists, Entertaining Dancers and Dope DJ’s.
Performing Live at Back2Basics will be Diva T, Zanzolo, El Phoenix, King Size feat Holy Gokez, Gakez aka DJ Gakkie & Plofstof.
Check out Details further Below of an Album Launch happening at Back3Basics.
Diva T Bring Superb Rap Flow
Diva T is an artist from Eerste River, Cape Town, she has been in love with music since a very young age. As a teenager Diva T was writing her own lyrics and joined a rap crew that used rap to express themselves, tell stories and address social issues. Later Diva became a solo act, noted for her raw style, versatility and bilingualism. Collaborations have included a track with Jitsvinger and Lukey Luxman. Diva T released her very first single “In the Act” in 2023 and has since then been making waves on the local Hip Hop circuit, rocking crowds with her energy and a superb rap flow.
DIVA T won Female Rapper of the Year at the Public Health Award Show in 2023
Award-Winning Zanzolo Kwantu to Rock Back2Basis
Zanzolo is a Rapper, Hip Hop Cultural Activist and Event Organiser from Khayelitsha, Zanzolo raps in his mother tongue isiXhosa, using the microphone to spread positive messages to his community and has been performing on Hip Hop stages nationwide. Zan has also been part of organizing the annual Mayibuye Hip Hop Festival, the Hip Hop Caravan World Tour has been part of the Toyi Toyi Hip Hop Movement. In 2013 he won the Vukani Spoken Word competition as well as “best Group” (Uzwikantu) at the Cape Town Hip Hop Kaslam Awards Show, also “Best Producer” at the Queenstown Music Awards.
El Phoenix Fully Back in His Element
El Phoenix is determined to tell his truth in Afrikaans. El Phoenix came up as part of a crew called Rapbels, alongside longtime friends and collaborators Terror MC and Cream Machine. They started rhyming together in school, laying the foundation for what would become their signature sound. But El Phoenix’s journey took a sharp turn when he got caught up in gang life, stepping away from music for 5 years. In 2023, he made a hard-hitting return with the single Hollowz, complete with a music video. He followed that up with a debut EP later that year and dropped his full-length album in 2024. Now, with a new project in the works for 2025, El Phoenix is fully back in his element. His music is grimey, street rooted, and unfiltered—boombap hip hop at its core, but fearless in modern styles.
King Size Crew Repping Ocean View Launches New Album at Back3Basics
King Size is a Hip Hop group from Ocean View, Cape Town and consists of DJ Gakkie, King David and Holy Gokez. King Size is known for their lyrical skills, catchy beats and energetic performances, the group raps about life in Ocean View, social issues and personal experiences, offering a unique perspective on the world. The trio also gives back to the community; they love hosting park jams and events to entertain the youth. King Size will be launching their new album “Blaas Op” at Back2Basics,
DJs & Dance Crew Integral to The Back3Basics Formula
From Hip Hop, to Dance Hall, Reggae Dub to Neo Soul and House Music, what the DJs bring to move the crowd in between and after the Live Performances is integral to the Back2Basics formula.
The DJs on the lineup are each in their own right no strangers to the Hip Hop Scene, Reggae Dub Sessions and House Jams.
C4, Raiko, Danamite, Leslie, Gakkie & realROZZANO will all be sharing deck duty at The Best of Ekapa Hip Hop Back2Basics and to round up the entertainment on Sunday 15 June at Royal Ras Centre in Athlone will be the highly entertaining BBoy Dance Crew Alpha Culture.
Your Hosts WIth The Most and the Masters of Ceremonies will be DJ realROZZANO & Maam Madamme.
Venue: Royal Ras Centre
Address 5 Noll Ave, Hatton Est, Athlone
Date: 15th June 2025
Time: 3pm till late
Entry Fee R50 cc & R40 Corkage
Follow The Best of Ekapa Hip Hop on Social Media:
Instagram: @bestofekapahiphop
Facebook: Best of Ekapa Hip Hop
Gmail: bestofekapahiphop@gmail.com
