Mr Bully Tour shows South African hip hop still has plenty to say

More than a conventional live show, the event offered a glimpse into the resilience of a genre that has faced considerable challenges in recent years. The atmosphere was lively, with audiences turning up not only to hear the music but also to reconnect with a culture that continues to evolve.

Media personality Phindi Black was among those in attendance and welcomed the continued appetite for live hip-hop.

“The vibe so far seems pretty good. So far, so good. I absolutely appreciate that people can still come out for hip hop,” she said.

Her comments captured one of the evening’s defining impressions: despite the changing music landscape, there remains an audience willing to support South African hip-hop when given a reason to gather.

Phindi also reflected on the genre’s ability to survive and reinvent itself, particularly following the deaths of influential artists such as AKA.

“I’m so glad that AKA didn’t die with hip-hop. We only multiply. Listen to what Mr Bully has put out. It’s Lapisa season. We’re out here,” she said.

The reference points to a broader reality within South African hip-hop. While established stars have left a significant legacy, younger artists continue to find new ways of extending the culture rather than simply replicating what came before.

For Phindi, that commitment to creativity extends beyond her work as a media personality. Describing herself as “a kasi girl with international dreams”, she works across broadcasting, presenting, DJing, MCing and events, while also contributing to the marketing team behind Braam Culture Fest.

That festival collective was instrumental in bringing the Mr Bully Tour to Braamfontein. Its approach extends beyond music, seeking to bring together different elements of the creative economy, including fashion, art and entertainment.

DJ Sbosh, who is involved with the initiative, explained the thinking behind Braam Culture Fest.

“Braam Culture Fest is something that we came up with last year. We’re trying to plug into the culture, bringing everyone together through music, art, fashion, everything. Everything to evolve the culture, that’s us.”

DJ Sbosh’s own career spans several areas of entertainment and business. While he is associated with DJing and sports entertainment, he said his interests have increasingly expanded into event production and other creative ventures.

“I do a lot of things. I’m a sports DJ, I create events, I’m a former DJ, I’m a business person right now. But most importantly, I love the music. I love the arts, everything about it.”

That enthusiasm was reflected in the event itself. The Mr Bully Tour felt less like an isolated concert and more like a gathering around a shared cultural identity. The significance of such events lies partly in their ability to provide a physical space where artists, audiences and other creatives can interact outside the usual digital channels.

Braamfontein has long occupied an important place in Johannesburg’s creative landscape, and events such as this reinforce its role as a meeting point for music, fashion, art and youth culture.

The Mr Bully Tour also offered a reminder that the health of a music genre cannot be measured solely by chart positions or streaming figures. It can also be seen in whether audiences continue to show up, whether new artists have spaces to perform and whether communities remain invested in the culture.

On that measure, South African hip-hop appears far from finished. Its sound and personalities may continue to change, but the appetite for the culture remains. In Braamfontein, at least, the message from the crowd was clear: the genre still has a place, and its next chapter is already being written.