Hip Hop Stokvel unites collectives for powerful return of Dark City Sessions
After a strategic pause following its fourth anniversary, the grassroots hip-hop movement from Alexandra township is back with a fresh collaborative format inspired by the traditional stokvel.
Dark City Sessions, a community-driven hip-hop platform from Alexandra township, is set for its comeback with Hip Hop Stokvel.
The event, on May 3, will be held at Workshop at 13, from 12:00 to 22:00, featuring stalls and an open mic, along with live performances, cyphers, DJ sets, and interactive experiences.
Director Sipho (Tjipo Malankane) Ntjie, who also leads Komtseng Visual Magazine, shared his excitement about returning. “I’m genuinely pleased to be returning to what I love through Dark City Sessions. The strategic pause came at the right time. It allowed me to recover physically from my leg injury and also reset mentally.”
Read more: Dark City Sessions marks four years with epic milestone celebration
Ntjie highlighted the event’s collaborative spirit. “Bringing together 10 plus collectives on one stage is powerful, not just for the event, but for the culture. It reflects exactly where Dark City Sessions is headed, towards unity, shared ownership, and building something bigger than any single organisation.”
He also discussed the stokvel concept, inspired by the community savings systems. “There’s something special about how the organisers themselves are collaborating, sharing responsibilities, ideas, and vision. That energy extends to the artists too, as they represent not just themselves but the collectives they come from. It’s about testing how strong we are together and laying the foundation for something even bigger. A future Dark City Sessions festival.”
Also read: Dark City Sessions presses pause to rebuild and grow
The main host of the event, That Loud Guy, emphasised the community roots. “It’s always been a community-focused event. The community of Alex started it, and they kept it going. Now, we’re involving other communities.”
He shared his excitement about hosting. “I’m just crazy excited to be part of this history. For me, it’s a matter of energies managing to gel and flow.”
DJ Hihats, known for his Friday morning mixes, described the event as timely. “Coming off the Friday Morning Mixes, I’m in a very locked-in and intentional space right now.”
He also highlighted the unity among collectives. “There’s a strong sense of brotherhood, and I plan to keep that energy flowing. This stokvel-inspired return shows we’re building something sustainable that feeds into the culture and the people involved.”
Ntjie hopes attendees leave inspired, believing in hip-hop’s power to grow. “I want the crowd to feel belief that underground hip hop can rise and shape the mainstream if we move as one.”
The event continues Dark City Sessions’ tradition of authentic township hip-hop, emphasising unity and sustainability.
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