Rock the Bells, We Miss You

It’s that time of the year again when the hip-hop stars align for musical bliss. Since its inception in 2004 Rock the Bells has grown from a small concert in Southern California to a world renowned hip-hop festival. The seventh installment of the Rock the Bells tour will be making only four stops starting this weekend.

* August 21 – LA – NOS Event Center
* August 22 – SF – Shoreline Amphitheatre
* August 28 – NY – Governors Island
* August 29 – DC – Merriweather

What makes this year’s performances more anticipated than usual is the prowess and material planned by the festival artists. Snoop Dogg will be performing Doggystyle in its entirety with Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound, Lady of Rage and RBX. In 1993 Doggystyle hit quadruple platinum as Snoop’s solo debut. It’s will be good to hear that lazy drawl and witty lyricism we all love. Now where can I get some gin and juice?  A Tribe Called Quest will come together at Rock the Bells to perform their third record Midnight Marauders, which achieved them massive mainstream success catapulting them to their first Top Ten hit. Bring on the electric relaxation! Wu-Tang Clan will also grace attendees with a full album: Enter the 36 Chambers. The group will be present in its entirety with all original members and Boy Jones ODB’s first born son. RIP ODB. It’s said that more important hip-hop players were introduced on the Wu’s debut album than on any other single disc in history. So, bring da ruckus and chime in with your opinion on that. Rakim will perform Paid In Full sadly without Eric B. Which begs the question: What will happen during “Eric B. is President”? Either way it will be good to relive hip-hop’s so-called “golden age”.  Criminal Minded will be performed in its entirety by KRS-One sans DJ Scott La Rock who originally recorded the debut album and was killed shortly after. We’ll be sure to hold our beers in the air (or other things…) for ODB and La Rock. And lastly on the unprecedented list of full album performances comes Slick Rick with The Greatest Adventures of. The master storyteller himself with his distinctive rapping style and smooth yet enunciated flow will take us back to the day we awaited his debut album after all his work alongside beatboxer Doug E. Fresh. Lets reminisce of teenage love and Pop Rocks in the summer.

As if all the full album sets weren’t enough the bill also includes additional heavy weights that are sure to bring the house down. You may need a breather after that trip down hip-hop history lane. *Jeopardy Theme*

And we’re back… The stage will also host DJ Premiere, Street Sweeper Social Club, Murs & 9th Wonder, Wiz Khalifa, Immortal Technique, Brother Ali, Jedi Mind Tricks, Supernatural, DJ Muggs w/ Ill Bill, DJ Rocky Rock, Big Sean, Yelawolf and very special guest Lauryn Hill. The surprise of Ms. Hill being added to the show after a swirl of rumors makes her rare appearance highly anticipated. She apparently has a set in store prepared exclusively for Rock the Bells including tracks from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and key songs from her career including her work with The Fugees.

In Miami it’s tough to hear about incredible shows like this being that we’ve only had the honor of hosting two Rock the Bells festivals. We speculate that in addition to abysmal ticket sales the evolution of the festival in today’s economy is about taking the show to the crowds who will travel long and far for the love of music. Traversing the state of Florida from anywhere is quite the daunting task! Our city’s truly passionate are a select few. Antisteez readers… obviously. Something needs to be said about the fact that a lot of shows lately have been in Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm. Although, we’re hoping Grand Central takes off into it’s own venue stardom. The true hip-hop shows are few and far between. I’m not talking about sunglasses-at-night “performances” at South Beach clubs where we barely catch sight of artists sitting in VIP with a mic in their hands. I’m talking about true hip-hop shows where the feeling of music engulfs the room and we’re all mesmerized by the lyrics in unison. While most of us will be rocking RTB playlists at home or in the car people on either coast will be putting on their favorite kicks to enjoy some incredible live music. Yeah, Rock the Bells we miss you. Big time. Feel free to write to them and demand some reform. Sign some petitions people! But most of all support local artists, hit plenty of shows and learn all about it on Antisteez.com
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Enjoy some photos from Rock the Bells in Miami. Have some pictures of your own? Post them on the Antisteez Facebook page. If we can’t be there in person, we’ll be there in spirit.

Courtesy of Jose Joaquin