I’ve been a Janet Jackson fan my entire life and, while I understand her bowing out, I was sad about her absence at the DStv Delicious International Food & Music Festival Powered by LottoStar festival. That said, the festival team managed the impossible. They not only replaced Ms. Jackson with hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes and musical TikToker, Jason Derulo, but they also ensured that the two gave a fiery and incredible show — on a freezing Johannesburg day.
A Saturday Day Out at DSTV Delicious 2024
Climate change is real, and waking up to the news of snowfall in South Africa in September is all the encouragement I need to get all forms of plastic out of my life. Coupled with Janet Jackson’s absence, I did have second thoughts about attending the DSTV Delicious Festival. Yet, a climate anomaly would not deter me from watching the likes of Busta Rhymes and Boom Shaka take the stage.
Whether it was the cold, the unfortunate last-minute headline change, or maybe an improvement in logistics following past festival disasters, making our way to the Delicious Fest at Kyalami Grand Prix in Midrand was smooth and effortless. There was no traffic, an abundance of traffic marshals directing cars on where to park, and we also got a special van that drove us to the main entrance.
The only hiccup was that, upon arrival, we had to wait an extra 10 minutes to receive our VIP bands as they had run out (more on that later.)
The VIP Experience Hits a Snag
A VIP ticket is all about convenience and considering the weather, the Savanna Delicious Lounge was exactly that, what with it being a beautifully furnished, air-conditioned lounge, featuring private restrooms, and a clear viewing area.
Unfortunately, as noted by the lack of VIP bands upon arrival, the area was packed, and we struggled to find food, courtesy of LaParada. They had stopped serving food at 14:00 and would only resume at 18:00. As such, we only got the chance to enjoy a cheesecake dessert (which was okay, because I’m not a fan of cheesecake) and juicy pork rib lets.
Also, why did we have a cash bar in VIP when tickets retailed for R3250.00? R30 for a can of soda?
Goodness gracious.
Queued Up
Due to our declining blood sugar levels and the many hours before 18:00, my friend and I sought food, which was fairly easy considering that we were at a food and music festival. We settled on a gourmet burger and gourmet hot dog from The Filthy Moustache, and I can tell you now that we had no complaints — one of the best burgers I’ve ever had.
Also, of all the festivals I’ve been to, the DSTV Delicious festival is one of the few that are very generous with their portions, so much so that you forget how much you’re shelling out for a meal.
Regarding the queues, the only ones that we had to endure were of the two food stalls in the entire festival that were selling hot beverages — guess the owners of the other food stalls don’t get weather updates on their phones?
Aside from the food stalls, we also managed to keep ourselves entertained thanks to the various activations featured around the festival.
For instance, we got a chance to find our foundation shade at an Estée Lauder activation and subsequent free samples, and my friend also got a free tasting at a Savanna activation.
It’s About Time… For 30 Years of Creative Freedom
Unfortunately, as we got there at 14:00, we missed Thandiswa Mazwai’s performance, which was a huge surprise because we expected her slot to be before the international acts. I hope that the decision to perform at 14:00 was her own, because if not, then it’s disrespectful to the legend that she is.
Following Mazwai’s performance was the 30 Years of Creative Freedom Tribute Show presented by the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture. The section honoured iconic South African musicians whose contributions to the arts have shaped South Africa’s soundscape.
Up first were Boom Shaka with the trio belting out their classic hits, with Thembi Seete proving that she will never age. The group was electrifying on stage, and you could sense that Lebo Mathose’s spirit was dancing right along with them, so much so that Thembi was visibly emotional.
In continuing to honour those who set the trend and are no longer with us, Robot Boi and Okmalumkoolkat honoured the legacy of the late Riky Rick by performing his biggest hits, including Boss Zonke.
That wasn’t all, as Morafe and Cassper Nyovest took the stage with their renditions of HHP’s most beloved and popular tracks. That said, there were moments in the set where I felt like Cassper had missed rehearsals, as he didn’t seem in sync with Khuli Chana and the others on stage. Nonetheless, Cassper is a performer, and he still gave an amazing show.
Busta Rhymes Brought the Fire, and Jason Derulo Closed the Night with Style
It’s no easy feat replacing Janet Jackson a few days before an international music festival, but if he was nervous, Busta Rhymes certainly didn’t show it.
Taking the stage with energy reminiscent of when he first hit the scene, alongside his best friend, cousin and right-hand man Spliff Star, Busta Rhymes gave an incredible performance.
Rapping his biggest hits, including Touch It, Break Ya Neck and Ante Up, at an average of 143 words a minute and calling us mother[explicit] every few seconds (sidenote: I am a princess, not a mother[explicit]), Rhymes engaged the crowd, kept us laughing and reminded us that the term motherland is not extinct in the American lexicon.
It’s hard to follow a remarkable set like Busta Rhymes, but Jason Derulo did so effortlessly. Admittedly, I was a bit confused when I found out that he, instead of Busta, was closing out the show, but this soon passed once I heard the first notes of Watcha Say.
Despite comments about his personality, you cannot take away from Jason Derulo’s ability to hold a tune, dance and look good doing so.
There were moments where I felt like he couldn’t hear himself (the sound was spotty at times throughout the day), but forever the professional, Derulo put on an incredible and engaging show that reminded us why he donned our teenage bedroom walls growing up.
All in all, it was an unbelievable experience and I give credit to the DSTV Delicious team for turning what could have been a festival disaster, into a memorable one for the books.
See you all next year!
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