Rain, R&B & Real History: Once Upon a Time Johannesburg

Our Experience at Once Upon a Time Johannesburg & Jermaine Dupri Spotted in Soweto, South Africa

Once Upon a Time Johannesburg proved, once again, why it has become one of the city’s most talked-about live music experiences. This time, the moment was made even bigger with the presence of Canadian R&B duo dvsn — and an unexpected cultural heavyweight sighting that had everyone talking: Jermaine Dupri in Soweto, South Africa.

We already knew dvsn was in South Africa for the Once Upon a Time Johannesburg event, but the narrative deepened when Jermaine Dupri took to social media with a post that caught many fans off guard.

“The So So Def Billboard is back up and dvsn is the first group I signed to my new deal with HYBE, live from Johannesburg South Africa,”.
he wrote — a statement that surprised many who still associated the duo with OVO

Dupri later addressed the confusion directly, explaining that after working closely with dvsn on their last album, attending their shows, witnessing the love from fans, and learning they had become free agents, he made the decision to sign them as the very first act under So So Def/Hybe. That context alone explained why a global music executive and cultural architect was not only in Johannesburg, but also visibly enjoying time in Soweto, sharing videos and images of himself immersed in local culture.

On stage, dvsn didn’t just perform — they set a mood.

As rain fell and lightly drizzled throughout the night, the duo held the crowd’s full attention, transforming the weather into part of the experience. The atmosphere felt intimate, emotional, and electric all at once. Instead of easing up, dvsn leaned in, delivering song after song with a presence that kept the audience locked in from the first note to the last.

There was a clear hunger in their performance. You could feel it in how they moved, how they spoke to the crowd, and how each record flowed seamlessly into the next. They wanted to give more — and it showed. Even as time became the only limitation, they left nothing on the table. The ladies, in particular, were fully in their element — singing, dancing, and owning the night.

Then came the defining moment.

The surprise appearance of Jermaine Dupri instantly shifted the night from memorable to historic. A true architect of R&B and hip-hop culture, his presence bridged generations in real time. From shaping timeless classics to influencing the modern sound, Dupri’s appearance was a powerful reminder that R&B continues to evolve while still honoring its roots.