With a lineup that reads like a who’s who of hot newcomers and a mix of heavyweight veterans, Rock the Bells 2012 is sure to be the highlight of any rap fan’s summer. And this year, there’s been a slight change: this traveling music festival has taken a page out of Coachella’s book and opted to spend two consecutive days in each of its three host cities.
The party starts in San Bernardino this Saturday and Sunday before making its way to Mountain View, Calif. and Holmdel, N.J on Aug. 25-26 and Sept. 1-2, respectively.
This year we can expect to see the likes of Tyga, 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar all sharing the stage with hip-hop giants Nas, Ice Cube, Slick Rick, Salt-N-Pepa and Big Daddy Kane. And Missy Elliott is set to take the stage, making a comeback after health concerns kept her out of the limelight for a number of years. Longtime collaborator Timbaland will join Elliot during her performances. We weren’t kidding about this being a who’s-who of hip-hop superstars.
Started in 2004, the festival immediately gained notoriety as a place where hip-hop fans could see their favorite artists growing up right alongside popular up-and-comers. Generations of fans come together in one place to enjoy music that seeming spans the ages – and learn something about the growth and evolution of hip-hop in the process. Listeners who love old school hip-hop will get a taste of the new school and vice versa, bridging an ever-widening gap. The festival starts this weekend, but it’s not too late to get your tickets.
For music tastes that are a bit more edgy, the Sunset Strip Music Festival in West Hollywood will be more to your liking. There are zero artistic overlaps between these two festivals. You’ll find the generational mix very similar to that that is to be expected at Rock the Bells, but with heavyweights like Marilyn Manson, Steve Aoki and De La Soul set to take the stage. Hard rock and dance music spanning three days may leave you a little worn out, but it’d definitely worth it.
The Sunset Strip Business Association started this festival in 2008 as a way to preserve and promote the music scene on the Sunset Strip. These days, it’s grown from performances in indoor venues to all-day street festivals and outdoor performances featuring more than 70 artists. This one is set for this weekend too, so you better move fast if you want tickets.
If you’re in the mood to celebrate the past, present and future of music then one of these music fests is the best place to do it.
(Images: Bob B. Brown, poopenheim, nadiakovacs)
