Back to the City turned 20, and Stogie T used the occasion to say more than “thank you.” The South African hip-hop veteran paid tribute to the culture and to two lost members of its community. He also reminded fans that hip-hop, for all it has given him, cannot save anyone.
A weekend 15,000 people sang through the rain
Stogie T called the anniversary weekend amazing, remembering about 15,000 people singing along in the rain. For him, it showed how far South African hip-hop has come since the days of performing under bridges. He called it “a testament to the resilience of hip hop.”
He also noted what the festival means to artists at every stage, from newcomers hoping to earn a spot on the lineup to veterans whose work deserves recognition. He gave the organising team credit for turning Back to the City into a lasting fixture on the local calendar.
Remembering Maria McCloy and Liam Lynch
The anniversary was personal too. Stogie T noted that his brother Stu’s debut solo album is also 20 years old, especially the song “Maria.” That led him to honour the late Maria McCloy, a beloved figure in Johannesburg’s cultural community who died earlier this year, and the influence she had on the city’s creative landscape.
The weekend also brought news of the death of photographer Liam Lynch. Stogie T said Lynch gave the scene far more than photographs, describing him as a supporter of the art whose Instagram feed “reads like a museum of South African music.” He sent condolences to Lynch’s family, friends and colleagues.
“The culture is not God”
Then Stogie T turned from the celebration to a message beyond hip-hop. Grateful for the opportunities and friendships the culture has given him, he warned against treating artistic success as the measure of a life. “Art is a gift, and the culture is not God,” he said, adding that it “will not save you.”
His point was that loving the culture and the people who built it should sit alongside the knowledge that some things matter more than fame, talent and professional achievement. He urged people to care more about eternity than applause, noting that talent fades with the body while the soul’s resting place does not.
His closing words
Stogie T thanked everyone who has supported the culture over the past two decades. He ended with a blessing and a prayer that people would start caring about “the things that last.”
