Riky Rick.
Cotton Eater is a name created by rapper Riky Rick for those with an appetite for consuming new fashion as they believe that “drip” is the ultimate representation of who they are.
“Drip” refers to one’s style as first used by rap trio, Migos.
Both these terms speak to a new generation of music lovers whose tastes predominantly favour hip-hop music and these are exactly the kind of people one will find at Riky Rick’s upcoming second annual Cotton Fest.
Cotton Fest is a music festival founded in 2018 with the aim of catering to the young, creative and fashionable generation – the “Cotton Eaters”.
“Cotton Fest was really started out of the need to have a platform that we could be ourselves, that we weren’t restricted by security or restricted by rules, where we could create our own rules,” said Riky.
One of the event’s biggest drawcards is its massive and unique lineup of local and international artists that is curated annually by the rapper whom fans affectionately call King Kotini (a play on cotton and how certain South Africans pronounce the word).
Cotton Fest 2020. Picture: Supplied
“Through music and fashion, the platform not only creates a great party in a controlled environment for young adults, but it’s really more about nurturing and developing young artists.
“We are all aligned in our visions to grow the culture and a movement to expand the pool of talent in our country,” he added.
The first ever Cotton Fest took place early this year and the second will be taking place next February backed by media giants MTV Base and YFM with one of the biggest lineups the country has ever seen.
“I was just trying to make something simple and these guys came through and created their own party. “It was really just supposed to be a bowling situation,” said Riky.
“This is all just pure energy, it’s not a certain age, it’s not a certain style.
“I don’t know how, in a room, we can have MaEzee Does It, AKA and Uncle Vinny at the same time. I don’t know how that’s possible. The only explanation I have is pure energy.”
Cotton Fest 2020. Picture: Jonx Pillemer
The rapper, who is fond of bringing new-school rappers out onstage with him wherever he performs, has been heralded for being one of the few rappers who gives upcoming musicians a helping hand.
“It’s very important because everyone needs an opportunity to shine. Whether you’re new or just coming in, everyone needs an opportunity to be right next to the big guys that you can learn something from.”
Perhaps that is why there are a whopping number of artists on the lineup for Cotton Fest 2020 – over 100 acts to be exact.
“Merging both well-known and young emerging South African artists, Cotton Fest showcases the diversities in hip-hop, while fusing the gaps within the different local movements,” said the organisers in a statement.
Acts such as AKA, Ayanda MVP, Black Motion, Boity, Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa make up a few of the confirmed acts on the lineup. They will be joined by stars such as Rouge, Sho Madjozi, Manu Worldwide and social media sensation Kamo Mphela.
Cotton Fest 2020 will take place on February 1 at the Old Park Station in Newtown, Johannesburg. Tickets are currently on sale at Webtickets and Pick n Pay outlets nationwide.
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