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Hip-hop reconciliation and reformation will be the marquee draws at this year’s Rock the Bells, the top-grossing hip-hop event in the country last year.
A year after the multi-platinum-selling rap-metal band Rage Against the Machine played on the traveling festival’s stage, two late, great rap groups that splintered in the ’90s are getting their acts together for Rock the Bells.
The Los Angeles alterna-rap quartet the Pharcyde will perform as “special guests,” while the Queens, N.Y., “abstract poetic” trio A Tribe Called Quest will come together at the festival for the second consecutive year; in 2007, the group reformed for Rock the Bells after a six-year absence.
At a news conference for the event in Claremont on Tuesday, organizer Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union promised that unlike in previous years, 85% to 90% of the headliners would perform in every city.
“Rest assured there will be surprises,” Weisberg said. “Music history could be made every night.”
Other featured headliners for the tour, which kicks off in Chicago on July 19 and reaches Los Angeles on Aug. 9, include De La Soul, Rakim, Nas, Mos Def, Murs and Raekwon from Wu-Tang Clan.
“Everybody up here is legends in their own right,” Murs said at the event. “Being part of this is awesome.”
Ali Shaheed Muhammad, A Tribe Called Quest’s DJ-producer, put into perspective how special it was to reunite with the members of De La Soul — the group’s confreres in the Native Tongues hip-hop collective, leaders of the so-called “conscious” rap movement in the ’90s.
“We haven’t been in the same room together since 1994,” Muhammad said. “I’m really amped right now. I can’t wait to get to it.”
Added the ne plus ultra freestyle MC Supernatural, another Rock the Bells headliner: “It’s going to be the best summer vacation I ever had.”
–Chris Lee
Photo of Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest by Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times
I might as well call in sick the next day. I won’t have any voice left.
if you are under the age of 20 aloft of these acts are going to be new for you. Come enjoy and prepare to be amazed.
i went last year (2007). the entire thing as amazing. except nas didnt show up for his slot and did a couple of songs with the roots instead, which was cool too but still… but every single act just completely killed it. by the time rage was on i dont know how the hell i was still able to shout. highhhyyyy highhhhyyy recommended. this year might be just as good even though the acts are a lot more chilled out than last years acts. still pharcyde, tribe, its going to kill.
Chris kids can go to concerts as well I brought my 14 yr old cousin 2 a ghostface show last yr but regardless this concert series seems to slowly bring back hip hop every year not to its 1990’s state but a new age based around what hip hop should be and not abused by fame/money happy rappers… Last yrs show on sunday at randalls island was awesome weather wasnt close to as great as the atmosphere or slug for that matter and Mrs. Badu did not show but overall what more can a hip-hop fan ask for, any music fan for that matter… I love hiphop but my favorite performance by far was rage lets hope they stick together now
last years line up was down right ridiculous but when i found out tribe pharcyde and dela were gonna be there i was amazed. its deffinately gonna ressurect actual music. ps. if mf doom doesnt show up thats gonna kill me.
that would be tight,if busta rhymes could do a surprise performance on august 9th.being that hes gonna be in town. he’s performing the next day at verizon wireless amphitheater on august 10th.