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Hennessy Elevates African Hip-Hop Culture at Back to the City 2025

Rain poured on Mary Fitzgerald Square, but nobody left. Not me, not the thousands of fans, and definitely not the artists because Back to the City 2025, powered by Hennessy, was electric. From the jump, it was clear: this wasn’t just a festival, it was a Hennessy moment.

The Hennessy PVA was alive, fans vibing, signature cocktails in hand, dodging raindrops but locked in on every performance. Up-and-coming artists got their shot on stage, showing hunger and skill, and the crowd matched their energy every step of the way.

N’veigh commanded the main stage during the 20 Years of PTA celebration, pulling everyone in, even non-fans couldn’t help but watch. Maglera Doe Boy then set the square on fire with “Let Me Cook” and “Ntja’ka”, the rain doing nothing to slow down the crowd’s hype.

For me, the true highlight was Tuks Senganga. That Motswako nostalgia hit deep with “Monate Thwa” , “525 600 Minutes,”and “Bona Fela,” all while legendary producer Tasman backed him. The rain faded into the background as the square sang along, caught up in the magic.

But the night truly reached its peak when Lupe Fiasco hit the stage. He started with a smooth build-up, mixing newer tracks with fan favourites, taking the crowd on a journey through his discography. From “Hip Hop Saved My Life”, “Dumb It Down”, “Deliver”, “Kick Push”, “Might Just Be Ok”, “Hurt Me Soul”, to “Touch the Sky”, every verse landed with precision. For the ladies, he delivered “Paris, Tokyo” and “Outta My Head”, while fan favourites like “Touch the Sky”, and “Superstar” had the entire square singing along.

He even played with his iconic Go Go Gadget Flow, twisting it into Jo Jo Jo Gadget Flow — a clever nod to Johannesburg that had fans hyped and cheering like it was their first time at a Lupe Fiasco show. That performance wasn’t just a set, it was the cultural moment of the night, the pinnacle of what Back to the City and Hennessy represent: global hip-hop energy meeting African streets.

Through it all, Hennessy wasn’t just a sponsor, it was the vibe. From the PVA to the VIP deck, the brand brought people together, gave artists a stage to shine, and reminded everyone why it’s part of the culture. Rain, cold, or chaos, nothing could stop the energy

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