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You might not have realised it, but today (11 August) is International Hip Hop Day!
Step aside RayGun, because Durban is going to show you how it’s done (okay, anyone could probably show Raygun how it’s done, but she is getting her own Netflix doccie, so at least she’s got that).
Hip hop vs breaking: what's the difference?
These two are often confused, for good reason. Technically (according to this Red Bull article) hip hop refers to a cultural movement consisting of four traditional elements:
- Breaking (widely known as breakdance)
- Writing (graffiti)
- MCing (rap)
- DJing
Generally speaking, b-boys and b-girls (breaking) do a lot more acrobatics because the main part of the dancing is on the floor, while hip-hop dancers are mostly on top.
However, nowadays hip-hop dancers are doing a lot of moves on the floor that can't easily be distinguished from breaking material – especially in competitions.
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Meet one of Durban's hip hop pioneers
Durban’s hip hop community is taking one of the city’s most beloved dance traditions from the streets and studios to the stage.
Among them is Farren Lee Hutchinson (36), one of the pioneers of Durban’s hip hop and breaking scene, who will return to the Playhouse Opera this September as part of the annual Shall We Dance spectacular.
Farren and his Creative HeArts troupe recently took to Florida Road for their publicity shoot, posing in front of the striking mural by local artist That Damn Vandal.
It's a suitably Durban backdrop for a crew representing a dance culture that has grown from street corners and community spaces into a serious professional art form.
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Farren has spent years immersed in the street dance and professional dance worlds, earning multiple competitive breaking titles, choreographing and performing for well-known South African musical artists, and working both on stage and behind the camera.
He says hip hop is an art form with its own culture, language, and lineage…something Durban has developed its own distinctive community within that global movement.
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From the streets to the Playhouse
The group's return to Shall We Dance follows a positive response to their debut last year.
“This will be the second year we return after a good response last year, so this time we plan to deliver an even better performance,” says Farren.
The annual production brings together more than 10 dance styles, with more than 100 amateur dancers from around Durban joining professional and international performers for a colourful celebration of movement.
Creative HeArts will perform two numbers during this year's Shall We Dance, taking audiences on two very different musical journeys.
“One number is titled Millennial Mixtape, which is a mashup of 90s/Y2K era music to bring a fun nostalgic vibe for the audience,” explains Farren.
“The other is called Funkedelic Odyssey — which is a collection of upbeat funk/electrofunk music that really connects with all crowds and brings that feel-good, joyous energy.”
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What you need to know
- Venue: The Playhouse Opera, Durban
- Dates: 11–13 September 2026
- Show times: Friday 11 September – 7pm | Saturday 12 September – 1pm and 5pm | Sunday 13 September – 11am and 3pm
- Tickets: R150–R200 | Sunday 11am show: R150 throughout the house through Webtickets
Celebrate this global dance culture – with a particularly Durban flavour – by catching the show in September!
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