Cotton Fest 2022: Uncle Vinny, Robot Boii, Tshego Koke & Lula Odiba to Host
Updated: September 17, 2026
Cotton Fest was set to take over The Station in Newtown, Johannesburg, on April 23 and 24, 2022, bringing together more than 130 South African artists across Hip Hop, Amapiano and other sounds from the country’s diverse music scene.
Ahead of the two-day festival, organisers confirmed the festival hosts, the daily artist splits and five official build-up events taking place across Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The 2022 edition marked Cotton Fest’s return to Johannesburg following its Covid-19-related hiatus, with the festival continuing its focus on bringing established names and emerging artists together across music, fashion, sport and youth culture. Contemporary coverage confirmed The Station as the venue and the festival’s three-stage format.
Uncle Vinny, Robot Boii, Tshego Koke & Lula Odiba Lead the Hosts
YFM’s Lula Odiba and MTV Base Culture Squad member Tshego Koke were announced as hosts of the Cotton Stage across both festival days.
The Bettr and Jägermeister stages were set to be hosted by Uncle Vinny and Robot Boii, while additional hosting duties included Zeus Omega, Christian Connor, LVee Nkosi and Dynasty.
The combination reflected Cotton Fest’s wider approach to culture — bringing music together with personalities, fashion, skateboarding, gaming and other elements of youth culture.
Five Cotton Fest Build-Up Events
The festival also announced five events leading into the main weekend.
Zanzou
Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Venue: Zanzou, Hatfield, Pretoria
Time: From 6PM
Cover: Free
Cotton Fest x PUMA Select
Date: Thursday, April 14, 2022
Venue: Dasslers, Braamfontein
Time: From 6PM
Cover: Free
Drama
Date: Friday, April 15, 2022
Venue: Drama, Braamfontein
Time: From 6PM
Cover: Free
Cotton Fest Mini Ramp / Best Trick
Hosted by professional skater Day Marumo, the event was supported by Red Bull and Oros.
Date: Saturday, April 16, 2022
Venue: Zone 7, Pimville, Soweto
Time: 11AM–5PM
Cover: Free
Era of the Yanos — Official Pre-Party
Date: Saturday, April 16, 2022
Venue: Great Dane, Braamfontein
Time: 5PM–2AM
Cover: R50–R100
What to Expect at Cotton Fest
Cotton Fest 2022 was built around three main stages:
- Cotton Stage
- Bettr Stage
- Jägermeister Stage
Beyond the music, the festival programme included a number of lifestyle and culture-focused activations.
Fashion & Customisation
The Stimorol Retail Fashion Tuckshop was set to feature Cotton Fest merchandise and limited-edition clothing.
The Cotton Fest x PUMA Customisation Station would also allow festivalgoers to customise qualifying merchandise purchased on-site.
Skateboarding
The festival’s skate area was hosted by Day Marumo, with live skating competitions and prizes planned throughout the weekend.
Basketball & Gaming
Visitors could also expect a half-court basketball area, a Cotton Fest gaming area and an MTV Base Dance Nation Station featuring dance competitions and giveaways.
Festival Services
Other activations included:
- Power Station by Adoozy, offering portable power-bank rentals
- Cotton University Cafeteria hosted by Flying Dish
- Free Wi-Fi presented by Spotify
- Food and beverage areas
- Additional gaming and entertainment activations
For people unable to attend in person, Cotton Fest also announced a livestream through its dedicated online platform.
Cotton Fest 2022 Saturday Line-Up
Saturday, April 23
25K, Abidoza, AKA, Alfa Kat, Amaroto and Beast, Aubrey Qwana, Audio Marc, Ayanda MVP, Baby Daiz, Benny Chill, Blxckie, Boity, Busta 929, Cassper Nyovest, Ch’cco, Champagne69, Christian Connor, Ciza, Cye, D Double D, Dee Koala, Distruction Boyz, DJ Kaymo, DJ Meech, Dr Peppa, Dream Team, Dynasty, Espiquet, FeloTee & Myztro, FIF_LAAA, Good Guy Styles, Horid.The.Messiah, Indigo Stella, Jazziq, Junior De Rocka, Just Mo, Jägermeister Brass Cartel, Kabza De Small, Kelvin Momo, KeyGee The Vibe, KLY, KP Illest, L-Tido & Maggz, Lady Du, Lesedi The DJ, Lula Odiba, Ma-E, Magleradoeboy, Major Steez, Marcus Harvey, Money Badoo, Msaki, Mshayi & Mr Thela, Musa Keys, Mzu M, Nadia Nakai, Nasty C, Oscar Mbo, PatrickXXLee, PH, Phantom Steeze, Priddy Ugly, Rarri, Raspy, Ricky Tyler, Robot Boii, Rouge, Sean Kross, Semi Tee, Kamu Dee & Ma Lemon, Sfarzo Rtee & Readasoul, Shishiliza, Sir Vincent & DJ Loyd, Sizwe Alakine, Sjava, Skrypt, Skwatta Kamp, Soul Nativez, Stilo Magolide, Stogie T, Supta, Tango Supreme, Thato Saul, Treehouse Reunion, Tshego, Tshego Koke, Tumi Tladi, Tyler ICU, Uncle Vinny, Venom, Willy Cardiac, YoungStacpt, Yumbs, YungKiddReezy, Zeus Omega and Zoocci Coke Dope.
Cotton Fest 2022 Sunday Line-Up
Sunday, April 24
031Choppa, 2Shoes, 808Sailie, A-Reece, Banques, Big Zulu, Buzzi Lee, Candii, Champuru Makhenso, Christian Connor, Costa Titch, Cyfred, Da Capo, Daliwonga, DJ Capital, DJ Faefae, DJ Lag, DJ Radix, DJ Sandiso & Infinix, DJ Slim BLVD, DJ Sliqe, DJ Sumbody, DJ Zan-D, Dynasty, EddieSoulWorld, Emtee, FLVME, Frank Casino, Gemini Major, Heavy K, Herc Cut The Lights, Hopemasta, J Molley, Kamo Mphela, KashCPT, Khanyisa, Jaceni, Khuli Chana, Kid X, Kiddo CSA, Kiki x Chucky, King Deetoy, Kwesta, Kweyama Brothers, Le Soul, Leehleza & Lolo, Leezy Lindokuhle, Legendary Crisp, Loki, LordKez, Lucasraps, Lula Odiba, M.J, Mas Musiq, MashBeatz, Mellow & Sleazy, Moozlie, Mr X, Ms Cosmo, Mustbedubz, No Comply, Nobantu Vilakazi, NotBenjamin, Okmalumkoolkat, Pabi Cooper, Priddy, Prince, Robot Boii, Roiii, Scumie, Shane Eagle, Shekhinah, ShouldBeYuang, Sino Msolo, Sir Trill, Sje Konka, Slade, Soa Mattrix, Sun-El Musician, TBO, The Big Hash, Themba Lunacy Toss, Tshego Koke, TXC, Uncle Party Time, Uncle Vinny, Uncle Waffles, Vino, Wobbly, WTF, Yan Solo, Yanga Chief, Young Stunna, YungSeruno, Zakes Bantwini, Zakwe & Duncan, Zeus Omega and Zingah.
The published 2022 lineup coverage confirms the two-day split and the festival’s unusually broad mix of established and emerging South African acts.
Cotton Fest 2022 Information
Date: Saturday, April 23 – Sunday, April 24, 2022
Venue: The Station, Carr Street & Nelson Mandela Bridge, Newtown, Johannesburg
Stages: Cotton Stage, Bettr Stage, Jägermeister Stage
Day Pass: R300 at the time of the announcement
Cotton Fest 2022 also operated under the Covid-19 protocols applicable at the time.
The festival’s return to The Station was particularly significant following its pandemic-related hiatus. The weekend also carried added cultural significance after the death of Cotton Fest founder Riky Rick earlier that year. During the festival, artists and fans paid tribute to the late rapper, with performances and tributes forming part of the weekend.
