Entertainment

A genre-fusing night saw Gunna, Majid Jordan, and Odeal share the stage with SA’s finest, creating a seamless sonic journey that spans continents

Diana Kinyanjui January 9, 2026 8 minutes read

If the first year was about introduction, the second year was about validation. Last night, Milk + Cookies officially wrapped the Cape Town leg of its Music Week with a packed-out festival show at Kenilworth Racecourse featuring Gunna, Majid Jordan, Odeal, and some of South Africa’s most celebrated talent – confirming that the bridge between Atlanta and South Africa has evolved from a concept into the cornerstone of the global music culture.

With over 12,000 fans in attendance, the energy has shifted from ‘new arrival’ to ‘established partner.’ The show wasn’t just a commercial win, but proof that a festival can balance global scale with local authenticity. By integrating a full week of community and industry programming before the gates even opened, Milk + Cookies demonstrated that it is building an ecosystem for creative exchange, not just another stop on the summer festival circuit.

A Sonic Journey: Gunna, Majid Jordan, and Odeal

While US superstar Gunna anchored the lineup, the night was defined by a lineup where international stars and local icons stood on equal ground. The sequencing was intentional, moving seamlessly between global and local sounds without missing a beat.

The evening kicked off with a mix of textures, as Canadian star Bella Worldwide set the tone before Cape Town’s own YoungstaCPT commanded the home crowd. UK artist Odeal switched up the vibe with his alt-soul set, followed by the high-energy duo Banques & Venom, who kept the momentum climbing. As the sun set, Canadian duo Majid Jordan took over, delivering a moody R&B masterclass just as the lights went down.

The intensity ramped up as Rarri primed the crowd for SA hip-hop giant Nasty C, who set a high bar right before the headliner. When Gunna finally touched the stage, he delivered an electrifying, high-energy performance that had the crowd reciting every word of his chart-topping hits. But in a move that defines the Milk + Cookies experience, the night didn’t end with the international act. After the headline set, the festival turned the focus back to the host nation. Amapiano star Vigro Deep controlled the final hour, ensuring Milk + Cookies Music Week ended exactly how it started: with South Africa in control.

Adjacent to the main action, the Move Mzansi Stage – powered by Extreme – delivered a high-octane “festival within a festival.” Dedicated to South Africa’s alternative electronic underground, it offered a raw counterpoint to the main stage. With tastemakers like Que DJ, Shamiso, and deep house maestro Pierre Johnson behind the decks, the stage captured the unfiltered pulse of the streets, keeping the energy going from start to finish.

Beyond the Stage: Investing in Cultural Exchange

What separates Milk + Cookies from the typical festival circuit is the “Music Week” component – the unglamorous but essential work that happens off-stage. The team spent the weeks leading up to the show investing in the infrastructure of the culture, creating rooms where business gets done and community is supported.

“Milk + Cookies started in Atlanta as a community idea – not just ‘let’s throw an event,’ but ‘let’s build something people actually want to be part of,’” says Chase Freeman, Co-Founder and Head of Marketing. “Coming back to South Africa for a second year wasn’t about chasing a market, it was about honoring a relationship. We saw last year how naturally Atlanta’s hustle blends with SA’s culture. This year is about reinforcing that connection. It’s not us coming in to build something new; it’s us collaborating with what’s already here and putting more resources behind it.”

That collaborative spirit was visible in Milk + Cookies Music Week’s five core pillars:

Commerce (Out The Oven): Kicking off the festivities on December 17, Milk + Cookies partnered with Socioculture for Out The Oven at One Park. This retail pop-up experience served as a collaborative merchandise showcase, designed to celebrate South African designers and the unique aesthetic of local streetwear. The activation provided the brand with a major platform for visibility, placing their work center-stage alongside the festival’s official merch.
Community (Special Delivery): On Christmas Eve (December 24), the heartbeat of the festival shifted from the stage to the streets of Thembisa Ratanga. The team hosted “Father Christmas” – donating toys and gifts to underprivileged youth, turning a holiday often marked by scarcity into a celebration of joy and dignity. This wasn’t a PR drop-in; it was a genuine moment of connection, reinforcing that the festival’s relationship with the city is rooted in reciprocity – meeting the community where they are, with presence and care.
Connection (Christmas Night): In collaboration with Edition Events on December 25, a warehouse was transformed into a glowing Christmas haven, filled with lights, a massive tree, and open hearts. For adults without family nearby, or those who joined after their lunches, this became a shared holiday moment – a reminder that “chosen family” is just as powerful as the one we are born into.
Education (The Dot Connector): On December 29, Milk + Cookies partnered with Rap Plug to host the Dot Connector panel. Recognizing that talent is abundant but strategy is often scarce, this day-long symposium put aspiring creatives in the room with global executives to bridge the gap between North American and South African industry insights, discussing the real mechanics of building a career in the digital era.
Creative Development (Writing Camps): On December 28, the festival convened a curated Writing Camp, uniting artists, producers, and songwriters from across the diaspora. Designed to move beyond “exposure” toward tangible career advancement, the camp facilitated deep collaboration, allowing local talent to work side-by-side with international counterparts to craft original records.

“We came up through a non-traditional path, and Milk + Cookies was born from that energy – the idea that culture is something you build with people,” says Gregory K. Burton Jr., Co-Founder and Creative Director. “South Africa is leading the conversation globally right now. We don’t want this to be a one-night moment. That’s why we’re expanding into Music Week, because the long-term goal is to build a platform that creates access and opportunity, not just a stage.”

“For young South African creatives, access changes everything. Talent isn’t the gap, proximity is,” notes Jhordan Gibbs, Co-Founder and Director of Artist & Sponsor Relations. “When you’re in a room with international industry players, you learn the standards, the pace, and the language of collaboration. We’re intentional about who we bring into these camps because the goal is genuine work, not just a photo op.”

Next Stop – Jozi!

With the Cape Town chapter successfully closed, the production pivots North to Johannesburg for the final leg of Milk + Cookies Music Week. As South Africa’s undisputed creative hub, Johannesburg offers a different frequency—one defined by opportunity, scale, and a raw, high-intensity energy. The upcoming week is designed to tap directly into that pulse, bringing a refreshed lineup and deeper programming to the city.

“Johannesburg is the heartbeat of the region’s creative economy, so bringing the full Music Week infrastructure here was non-negotiable,” says Kevin Reese, Co-Founder and Director of Operations. “We are taking the momentum from Cape Town and dialing up the intensity. The energy in Jozi is unmatched, and we want to ensure our impact here is felt just as deeply—from the wellness runs to the writing camps. It’s about meeting the energy of this city with an experience that matches it.”.

The upcoming week in Johannesburg is packed with purpose:

Community (6 Jan): The week begins with a Back to School initiative at Lion of Judah, a giveback mission celebrating youth and creativity through music, games, and connection.
Education (7 Jan): A second iteration of the Dot Connector panel hits ALX, gathering global executives and innovators to empower Gauteng’s emerging talent with high-level strategy and networking.
Commerce (7 Jan): The Out The Oven pop-up takes over Neighbarhood in a major collaboration with Grade Africa. Built at the intersection of fashion, sport, and music, Grade Africa represents a “uniform for elevation”—a brand rooted in culture and community. This experience brings exclusive drops and festival energy, soundtracked by Bilal Da DJ, Franadilla and more.
Wellness (9 Jan): The Wunna Run Club 5K gives fans and creatives the rare chance to run alongside Gunna himself. This curated fitness experience blends physical challenge with cultural energy, uniting the community through movement.
The Festival Finale (10 Jan): It all culminates this Saturday at the Johannesburg Expo Centre (Nasrec). The lineup features Gunna and Majid Jordan alongside local lyrical heavyweights A-Reece and Blxckie, influential DJs Speedsta and Kent, and the South African debut of UK soul sensation Elmiene.
Connection (11 Jan): The week winds down with Milk Cookies x Soundset Sunday, marking Soundset’s first event of the new season. This day-to-night experience serves as the ultimate social finale, gathering friends in the heart of the city for refreshing drinks and the finest sounds from local DJs and musicians.
Creative Development (12-13 Jan): The tour officially concludes with two days of intensive Writing Camps, locking in the final creative exchanges between local producers and international talent.

JOHANNESBURG FESTIVAL DETAILS:

Date: Saturday, 10 January 2026
Venue: Johannesburg Expo Centre (Nasrec)
Headliners: Gunna, Majid Jordan, Elmiene
Local Heavyweights: A-Reece, Blxckie, DJ Speedsta, DJ Kent, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela, Dwson, Fiflaaa, Pona x Nkly, Jinji & more.
Tickets: Limited tickets available now via Howler.