It’s wild to think that kids who once threw parties in the backyards of their parents’ homes in the south of Johannesburg have journeyed so far that they’re now among Mzansi’s biggest exports, connecting the dots across Europe. Solo and his collective, Backyard, didn’t just throw parties—they built a community.

I’ve always jokingly called Solo a “serious party analyst” or a “knower of a good time.” But there’s real science behind turning a party into a brand, and that’s a conversation I’ve always found fascinating.

In this interview, Solo shares his journey through the streets of Joburg, the evolution of the Backyard brand, and the lessons learned along the way.