Johannesburg - It has been two decades since the iconic Channel O hit out TV screens.
To commemorate the journey, a concert was held in Newtown with a host of legendary acts on the line-up.
The vibe was ambient, although there weren’t many people there.
Newtown Park is rather small; you would think that a celebration of an institution like this channel would draw enough people to be held at Mary Fitzgerald Square.
The show kicked off with Nonhle Thema and pastor Pushie Watson, who took the crowd back to when the pair travelled the globe to bring the hottest entertainment to the channel.
The idea was a party, positioned as a “festival/awards show” which honoured artists from the past two decades, beginning with sets from Ready D, DJ Shimza, PH and DJ Sandiso.
The performances were arranged to reflect music from the various Channel O eras.
First up was a “throwback” session, which saw Skwatta Kamp minus Slikour, a pregnant Busiswa, Riky Rick and the always entertaining HHP.
The second era was basically kwaito, as Trompies, TKZee and Thebe lit things up.
The third segment was a tribute to fallen champions of local music. Songs by Brenda Fassie, Flabba, Mandoza, Lebo Mathosa and many others were covered by artists in the set.
The final era was the least interesting, though Nasty C, AKA and even his long-lost partner in entertainment, Cassper Nyovest, nearly got burnt as the pyrotechnics were positioned very close to the performance area.
It was an enjoyable evening, but perhaps a little understated and rushed in execution.
For its next milestone, we hope Channel O will go all out.