After months of tight competition and a country-wide search, the Sprite Uncontainable Hip-Hop Talent Search has unveiled its top six finalists. Narrowed from a field of 18 who battled it out at the regional Sprite Rooftop Experiences last month, the two dancers, two emcees and two graffiti artists represent the very best of the best – the most Uncontainable hip-hop talent Mzansi has to offer.

The top six will be performing at the Sprite Hip-Hop Festival at OST on 1 September alongside Talib Kweli, American rapper and international judge for the talent search:

Graffiti:

Dokter (Durban)

Stop Dane (Durban)

Emcee:

HCL (Durban)

Aby Fab (Johannesburg)

Dance:

Costa (Nelspruit)

Sham Rock (Cape Town)

The epic regional Rooftop Experiences held in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg provided a platform for the top 18 talents to show off their Uncontainable talent on stage to the public and the judges, a last chance to convince the hip-hop community that they deserved the ultimate recognition. Based on these performances, a panel of local judges and the general public – via the website – determined the top six artists.

Those who make final selection to the top three have the promise of a trip to the birthplace of hip-hop, New York City, and a mentorship with Talib Kweli, something over which Dokter and Stop Dane are both bristling with excitement.

“New York is where hip-hop comes from!” Stop Dane declares. HCL (Hydrochloric) and Aby Fab, the two emcee finalists, also have their sights firmly set on the next round of the competition and a potential trip to the Big Apple.  “It’s where everything started. For a hip-hop lover like me, it’s like a hip-hop dream,” says HCL.

Dance finalist Costa is still in high school, but is determined to tough it out. He’ll be going up against the considerable talents of Sham Rock, the rose amongst the thorns as the only female finalists. She intends to put up a fight: “I really want this. I work hard and I believe you get what you work for”

Fans of the top six finalists still have an opportunity to vote online for their favourite talent on www.spritehiphop.co.za. Then, on 1 September, the hip-hop community can look forward to the dope Sprite Uncontainable Hip-Hop Festival in Johannesburg. American rapper Talib Kweli will be in South Africa to perform and to help select the best talent in dance, emcee and graffiti. Kweli will also be performing on 31 August in Cape Town.

Visit www.spritehiphop.co.za for more.

Meet the six finalists here.