DJ Speedsta Cheers Resistance Festival As Hip-Hop Finds A New Pulse Beyond Back To The City. South Africa’s hip-hop scene never really sleeps, and DJ Speedsta knows it better than most. With the culture constantly moving, waiting for a once-a-year moment no longer feels enough. That is why the launch of the Resistance Festival has landed with such impact, earning strong support from the influential DJ.
Speaking to Raptype Mag, Speedsta shared his excitement about the new event and what it represents for the culture.
“I am really happy that Back To The City has created something new,” he said. “We cannot just wait until October every year. I am happy there is a stage, I am happy there is hip-hop, and I am happy people showed up. That is what matters to me.”
His words arrive at a time when the team behind Back To The City, Africa’s biggest hip-hop festival, is expanding its footprint. Traditionally held every October in Newtown, the event has built a legacy over nearly two decades. Now, with Resistance Festival, they are adding a fresh chapter to that story.
Hosted at Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg, the new festival brings hip-hop back into the spotlight between major festival dates. It is a space where the music, the art, and the community can continue to thrive without interruption. The goal is simple yet powerful. Keep the culture alive and active all year long.
Back To The City has long been a cornerstone of the scene. It draws massive crowds, featuring performances by top artists alongside graffiti showcases, DJ battles, skate culture, and street fashion. Yet as Speedsta pointed out, one annual gathering cannot fully satisfy a scene as dynamic as Johannesburg’s.
Resistance Festival steps in to fill that gap. It focuses on creative freedom, highlights both rising and established voices, and opens doors for workshops and exhibitions. The April edition delivered exactly that, with a strong lineup that included Speedsta, SixbyNine, Switch, Fiflaaa, and more. For a moment, Constitutional Hill transformed into a vibrant hub of beats, movement, and expression
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