Red Bull Crowns Four 64 Bars Booth Winners
Emerging hip-hop artists from across South Africa secure a recording opportunity following a national talent search.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Hip-Hop and Rap
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Red Bull crowned four winners of the 2026 64 Bars Booth Tour competition, selecting artists for their originality and distinctive flows. The victors performed their tracks at the Back to the City event.
Why it matters
The competition format expanded to four winners this year to provide greater opportunities for emerging hip-hop artists to showcase their talent. This expansion aims to highlight individual identity and unique style within the national scene.
The competition required participants to record 64 bars over a single beat without hooks or choruses. The winners, ranging in age from 21 to 28, were chosen for their technical precision and original flows.
The players
Uncle D
A 21-year-old artist based in Johannesburg who emerged as the local winner of the competition.
Aquarius13
A 28-year-old rapper representing Durban who was selected for his distinctive flow and originality.
J-STYLE
A 22-year-old artist from Pretoria who earned a spot in the winners' circle.
Kimo Savage
A 21-year-old hip-hop talent from Cape Town who secured his victory through the 64-bar format.
Shaney Jay
A producer who will collaborate with the four winners on their upcoming season EP.
The details
The selection process focused on identifying artists who possess a strong individual identity, choosing one representative from each of four major cities. Following their successful performances at the Back to the City event, the group will move into the next phase of the programme.
Timeline
The Red Bull 64 Bars Booth Tour competition occurred throughout 2026.
The four winners will record their season EP later in 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This talent search aligns with the ongoing growth of the South African hip-hop industry, which increasingly leverages established festival circuits to launch new artists. By partnering with the Back to the City event, the tour reinforces the connection between competitive performance and mainstream industry recognition.
Fans can look forward to the release of a new collaborative EP featuring the four winners, which will be available later this year. The success of these artists provides listeners with a direct entry point into the next wave of regional hip-hop talent.
The takeaway
The move to crown four winners signifies a shift towards supporting a more diverse roster of emerging voices rather than focusing on a single champion. Listeners should look for the upcoming EP as a benchmark for the current technical standards of the 64-bar format in South Africa.
What happens next
The four winners are scheduled to record a collaborative 2026 Season EP with producers Shaney Jay and Herc Cut The Lights later this year.
Further reading
Discover more emerging talent and regional developments in the Hip-Hop and Rap section.
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