Live Review and Photos by: JACOB GAITAN
Guerilla Union’s Hip hop annual festival Rock the Bells returns this summer with their 8th installment promising to be bigger and better than ever before. Freestyle rapper Supernatural appeared before dozens of media attendees as he rapped the entire festival roster. Afterward, CEO and promoter Chang Weisberg joined Supernatural accompanied by B Real from Cypress Hill, Evidence from Dialated Peoples, Souls of Mischief, Havoc from Mobb Deep, and Curren$y. Together they revealed this years lineup.
Rock the Bells heads across four markets throughout the country starting in Los Angeles, August 20th at the San Manuel Amphitheater. Ms. Lauryn Hill will be closing out the night performing “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in its entirety. Nas will perform the album “Illmatic” with AZ, Pete Rock, and DJ Premier. Rock The Bells veterans Cypress Hill return with their album “Black Sunday” being performed. Erykah Badu will make her second festival appearance. Mos Def & Talib Kweli will perform as Black Star. Raekwon & Ghostface will perform “Only Built for Cuban Linx”. Mobb Deep will perform “The Infamous”. The GZA will perform their “Liquid Swords” album. Immortal Technique returns for his fifth festival appearance. Slaughterhouse, Mac Miller and Curren$y will also participate. Souls of Mischief will perform their highly acclaimed “93 ‘til Infinity” album. Black Moon, Childish Gambino, Blu & Exile, Fashawn, Random Axe joins the cast. Masta Killah will perform “No Said Date”. Evidence, Macklemore, Freddie Gibbs and Roc Marciano complete the all-star packed summer festival.
Rock the Bells will include three main stages simultaneously. The self-titled main stage will host established acts like Nas and Cypress Hill. The “Paid Dues Stage” will include independent hip-hop acts that performed at the “Paid Dues Festival” this past April in San Bernardino, and up and coming artists. The “36 Chambers Stage” is a new installment to the festival and will be hosted by members of the Wu-Tang Clan as well as artists selected by stage curator RZA. A fourth stage titled “Grindtime Now Stage” will be included in selected markets. It will feature battle style performances from hip-hop’s best freestyle performers.
After the press conference concluded, Supernatural appeared and performed a ten-minute freestyle based off objects given from fans. Evidence and Rakaa Iriscience of Dialated Peoples also partook in a special performance, igniting the audience with energy. Mobb Deep quickly had hands bouncing in the air as they performed classic hits. Souls Of Mischief received a thunderous ovation as the four-piece group performed a few songs. The night concluded with Senn Dogg and B Real from Cypress Hill. A thick layer of smoke filled the House of Blues as spectators participated with Dr Greenthumb on stage.
Boost Mobile and Blackberry are the official sponsors for the festival. The RZA, MURS 3:16 and Supernatural will host various stages throughout the festival. The Guerilla Union pre-sale for Rock the Bells will go from June 3 at 10am PST – 10pm PST. The general on-sale starts on June 4.
ROCK THE BELLS 2011 FESTIVAL SERIES 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
Photos by: JACOB GAITAN
[album: http://www.ellenwood-ep.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/ROCK THE BELLS 2011/]
LINKS:
http://www.rockthebells.net
http://www.facebook.com/rockthebellsfestival
http://twitter.com/rockthebells
http://www.myspace.com/rockthebells