Artists
including GZA, Souls of Mischief, Mos Def & Talib Kweli, Raekwon & Ghostface
and more will perform their classic albums in their entirety.
The star-studded lineup has been announced for the Rock the Bells 2011 Festival
Series. Presnted by Boost Mobile in association with Guerilla Union, the BlackBerry-powered
event will feature Ms. Lauryn Hill, Nas, Cypress Hill, Mos Def & Talib Kweli
are Black Star, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah and more.
Similar to last year, headlining acts will perform their classic albums in
their entirety. Ms. Lauryn Hill will perform The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,
while Cypress Hill will take on Black Sunday, Black Star will perform Mos Def
& Talib Kweli are Black Star, Raekwon & Ghostface will team up for Only
Built 4 Cuban Linx, Mobb Deep will tackle The Infamous, The GZA will revisit
Liquid Swords, Souls of Mischief will recap 93 ‘Til Infinity and Masta
Killa will cover No Said Date.
Additionally, Nas will perform his classic 1994 debut Illmatic alongside AZ,
DJ Premier and Pete Rock. “For years people have been asking me to do
Illmatic in so many ways, from stage plays to movies to books, but the time
wasn "t right. Where music is going now, the time is right,” said Nas in
a statement. "This will be my biggest production and it only makes sense
to do it on the best rap tour which also happens to be a brand I "ve built and
am a partner in. Can "t wait to kill it with my comrades AZ, Premo & Pete
Rock!"
The 8th annual RTB festival will also feature the Paid Dues Stage, curated
by Murs. “I am excited that I once again have the privilege of hosting
the Paid Dues Stage,” he said. “We will have the honor of showcasing
some of the best talent in independent hip hop as part of the worlds largest
and longest running hip hop festival... the Paid Dues stage is gonna be the
one to watch this year.”
A new addition to the event is the 36 Chambers Stage, which will feature members
of the Wu-Tang Clan and RZA-approved artists. The Grindtime Now Stage will also
make its debut, hosting battle-style performances.
Rock the Bells 2011, hosted by The RZA, Murs 3:16 and Supernatural, will take
over four different cities. Check below to see tour dates and the full list
of artists.
Tour Dates:
08.20 San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheater
08.27 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
09.03 New York, NY – Governor’s Island
09.10 Boston, MA
Confirmed Performers:
Ms. Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill +
Nas – Illmatic +
Cypress Hill - Black Sunday +
Erykah Badu*
Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star +
Raekwon & Ghostface - Only Built for Cuban Linx +
Mobb Deep - The Infamous +
The GZA - Liquid Swords +
Immortal Technique
Slaughterhouse
Mac Miller*
Curren$y*
Souls of Mischief - 93 ‘til Infinity +
Black Moon
Childish Gambino
Blu & Exile
Fashawn
Random Axe*
Masta Killah - No Said Date +
Evidence*
Macklemore*
Freddie Gibbs
Roc Marciano
+ notes full-album sets
* notes performance on select dates only
by STEVEN J. HOROWITZ posted May 24, 2011 hiphopdx.com
"