Bongo Riot Faces Booing at Reggae Festival: Highlights and a Heroic Save by Burning Spear

The return of Burning Spear to South Africa was a resounding success which saw multiple reggae fans flock to Emperors Palace on October 19 to witness an electrifying performance by the icon and celebrate others stars who are at the forefront of the genre in the country.

Presented by Lioness Productions SA and Sound System Club in association with Breakout Events, this is was no ordinary concert — this was the One People Africa Tour, a cultural phenomenon.

Among the stars in the line-up were artists who shut down the stage with their performances and made them the talking points of the show.

Here are some of the highlights from the festival:

Sama24-nominated Skeleton Blazer had the crowd captivated from the minute he jumped on stage. He brought out rapper Zuluboy as a surprise guest performing their hit song 420.

Gang of Instrumentals’ Bongo Riot came on stage performing his hit songs but was quickly booed off stage when he started performing for the cameras facing him, and fought on stage with an artist he had introduced. Despite being asked to wrap up his set, Bongo Riot failed to gauge the audience’s mood, sparking controversy.

The Lucky Dube Band delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late legend, with Thokozani Dube impressing with his fusion of reggae and hip-hop — which had many asking themselves whether he was a reggae or hip hop artist.

The iconic Burning Spear himself was the biggest highlight of the evening. While he might be 79, he showcased his enduring energy and talent, performing for three hours non-stop.

The One People Africa Tour solidified its reputation as a cultural phenomenon, celebrating the best of reggae in South Africa. With Burning Spear at the helm, this unforgettable concert will be etched in fans’ memories for years to come.

Watch a glimpse of the festival below:

From Bongo Riot being booed off stage to Burning Spear saving the day – Highlights from the iconic raggae festival. pic.twitter.com/tfc2iirXyx

— TshisaLIVE (@TshisaLIVE) October 22, 2024