This past weekend, Constitution Hill’s basement was invaded by the urban youth of Joburg. STR CRD – which is an annual event that takes place in Braamfontein – brought young creatives together for 3 days to showcase their work and have a chance to display their brands to potential clients and the general STR CRD audience.

The products on display in the pop up stores were very interesting to see because of the different themes each one had. There was a skate park outside the basement which had boarders and fans of skating spending most of their time there. Countless designers, photographers, art directors and producers made sure that they spent their day enjoying everything on offer at the street festival.

Con Hill was flooded seeing as different kinds of people came out in their numbers. A variety of cultures was brought together for weekend of business and pleasure. When the rain started pouring it was more of an advantage than a disadvantage, everyone went straight down to the basement and Redbull quickly set up the stage and it was turn up time!

A few things were cancelled on the event’s line up but the party at the end of the day more than made up for it. Yanga (who’s voice is featured on AKA’s Run Jozi hook) was one of the few guys on the line-up alongside people like Stilo Magolide – who reminded us that he wasn’t booked for this gig, as if he didn’t need the platform. New kid on the block Mashaye Buqe was the night’s highlight as he did his best to shake the crowd up with his hits African Lordz and Shandarapa.

This time around – STR CRD 2014 was not as interactive. It was more about who’s who and what’s what. People weren’t working as hard as they did last year, it seemed as though everyone just wanted to be affiliated with the who’s who as opposed to working together. Street culture has  become more of a commodity now and the “streets” are in the boardrooms and not out with the people – where they belong.

With that said, time spent at STR CRD can be very beneficial if you know what you there for. Hopefully next year’s festival will run a little smoother…

Words & Photography: @Thy_Black_Hippy x @Ric3hard