At the recent Street Fest, artists WORDZ and MashBeatz shared insights on the festival’s role within South Africa’s music culture, their future plans as collaborators, and their reflections on the closing of CottonFest. Speaking during an exclusive interview at the event, both artists highlighted the importance of platforms that support emerging talent while contributing to the broader cultural landscape.
MashBeatz described Street Fest as a festival that has consistently maintained a focus on cultural development. “I feel like Street Fest has been for the culture since day one, and always trying to involve the underground and all the others that are up and coming,” he said. His comments positioned the festival as a space that prioritises inclusion and exposure for artists who may not yet have mainstream recognition.
WORDZ echoed this view, noting the value of diversity within the festival’s programming. He explained that events such as Street Fest allow audiences to engage with music beyond their usual listening habits. “Fests like Street Fest create a platform where you can come and experience different type of music that you don’t find on your basis,” he said. According to WORDZ, this approach contributes to the growth of listeners and artists alike by encouraging exploration across genres and sounds.
The conversation also turned to what supporters can expect from WORDZ and MashBeatz moving forward. Addressing future plans, WORDZ spoke about continued growth and development in their work. “What you can expect from us in 2026 is us elevating this thing that we’re doing,” he said. While no specific projects were announced, the statement suggested an ongoing focus on expansion and progression in their creative output.
Reflecting on the closure of CottonFest, MashBeatz expressed the significance of the festival to the cultural space. “I just hope they find a way to bring it back, or bring something like that back, we need it for the culture,” he said. His remarks pointed to the role CottonFest played in bringing people together through music and lifestyle experiences.
WORDZ expanded on this reflection by highlighting the personal and collective impact of the festival. “For me personally, it’s heartbreaking, it was one of those days where people would take time to come out with the flashes, we used to do some other things with the CottonFest,” he said. He added that the festival extended beyond music, stating that it “played a crucial role in the culture as a whole, not just music.”
The discussion at Street Fest placed emphasis on the importance of sustainable cultural platforms. Through their comments, WORDZ and MashBeatz outlined how festivals such as Street Fest and CottonFest have contributed to artist development, audience engagement, and the broader creative ecosystem.
