The post BABYG!RL ZAE Praises Back to the City Festival After Landmark 20th Anniversary Celebration appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
BABYG!RL ZAE Praises Back to the City Festival After Landmark 20th Anniversary Celebration. BABYG!RL ZAE is still soaking in the magic of Back to the City Festival after the iconic hip-hop event celebrated its 20th anniversary with a massive showcase of music, street culture and heritage in Johannesburg.
The Emtee Records star took to Instagram on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, to share a heartfelt reel capturing moments from the festival, accompanied by a warm message expressing her appreciation for the experience.
“@backtothecityfestival You Were Super Amazing – Till We Meet Next Year Again !” she wrote, tagging the festival in her post. The visuals credited videographer @nsl.karmaa and photographer @katkreativewrld_.
Held on Saturday, October 10, at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg, the 20th edition of Back to the City Festival brought together hip-hop enthusiasts for a celebration themed “Against All Odds.”
The milestone event commemorated three significant occasions: 20 years of Back to the City, 50 years since the 1976 Youth Uprising and 140 years of the City of Johannesburg. True to its reputation as one of Africa’s biggest hip-hop festivals, the gathering combined live performances with graffiti, fashion, food, MC and DJ battles, skateboarding, basketball and gaming experiences.
The lineup featured international acts such as Detroit hip-hop pioneers Slum Village, Ab-Soul and the duo Blu & Exile. They shared the festival’s stages with some of South Africa’s most recognised hip-hop names, including Cassper Nyovest, Emtee, Blxckie, Stogie T, Reason, Tuks and Touchline, alongside a host of other established and emerging artists.
BABYG!RL ZAE, also billed as BABYGIRL ZAE and recognised as the First Lady of Emtee Records, was among the local artists who brought their sound to the Newtown crowd. Her appearance offered another opportunity to showcase her energetic trap style on a platform that continues to play a significant role in South African hip-hop culture.
Her appreciation post comes as the excitement surrounding this year’s festival continues to linger among performers and attendees. The anniversary edition served as a reminder of the event’s enduring influence, bringing together different generations of hip-hop artists and celebrating the culture’s growth against the odds.
For BABYG!RL ZAE, the performance adds to an eventful 2026. Following her 2025 all-female project, MATR!ARCHY, and her collaboration with Emtee on “Manje,” the rapper continued building momentum in August with the release of “Tlean,” featuring Sastii.
Her appearance at Back to the City further strengthens her presence within a new generation of South African hip-hop artists making their mark on major stages.
Her message signals a desire to return next year, and BABYG!RL ZAE has joined the many artists and festivalgoers already looking forward to the next edition. Two decades after its inception, Back to the City continues to provide a platform for hip-hop culture, bringing together music, creativity and the communities that keep it alive.
The post BABYG!RL ZAE Praises Back to the City Festival After Landmark 20th Anniversary Celebration appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
