Lowfeye has shared the moment he realised his music career was beginning to reach new heights, crediting his first major performance at CottonFest Durban 2023 as a defining experience.
Speaking on a recent episode of Culture’s Biggest, the artist looked back on the journey that led him to one of the biggest stages of his career. He recalled being invited by Sjava, whom he referred to as “OG,” to join him on the road alongside LaCabra, affectionately known as “Laqasha.”
According to Lowfeye, Sjava took them on the road and everything about the trip felt different from what he had experienced before.
“Our first big performance was with OG in Durban at CottonFest. It was the first time for me and Laqasha to experience that kind of lifestyle. We arrived with a driver waiting for us, someone picked us up, carried our bags and I was just thinking, ‘What’s going on?’ I couldn’t believe it,” he recalled.
While travelling to Durban, Sjava was not in the same vehicle as the two artists. During the journey, he sent them his vocals for the song Bonga Njalo, giving Lowfeye and LaCabra the opportunity to complete their contributions before the performance.
“OG sent us his vocals for Bonga Njalo while we were on the road. LaCabra and I wrote our verses in the car, finished everything when we arrived and then recorded the song with in Durban,” he said.
That same weekend also included CottonFest Durban 2023, which Lowfeye described as the biggest audience he had ever performed in front of. “CottonFest had the biggest crowd I had ever seen,” he said.
He explained that the performances started with appearances alongside Dr Pepper and Usimamane before Sjava’s prime-time set on the main stage. “We first performed with Dr Pepper, then with Usimamane. After that, OG had the prime-time slot. He did his set and then told the crowd he wasn’t alone before bringing us on stage,” Lowfeye said.
He added that LaCabra entered first before he followed, with the pair performing Inamanje to an enthusiastic response from the audience. After leaving the stage, Lowfeye said another unforgettable moment awaited backstage.
“After getting off stage with OG, the whole South African hip hop scene was backstage – A-Reece, Emtee, Jay Jody, Blxckie and many others. In my head I was thinking, ‘I grew up listening to these guys, and now they’re all here.’ I couldn’t stop smiling,” he said.
For Lowfeye, the weekend marked a major milestone, combining a breakthrough festival performance, the opportunity to share the stage with Sjava, and a chance to stand alongside some of the country’s biggest names in hip hop.
