The Pharcyde, Nas, Tribe, Mos Def head up Rock the Bells

Rock the Bells is sort of an anomaly. It’s rare to find successful hip-hop arena tours, and in 2007, Rock the Bells was the top-grossing hip-hop event in the country. Following last year’s performances by a reunited Rage Against The Machine, this summer’s Rock the Bells tour will feature performances by A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul, Rakim, Method Man & Redman, Dead Prez and a reunion of the group Pharcyde, amongst others.

Also billed to perform are a handful of emergent artists including Washington D.C.’s Wale, Flosstradamus and others from the electro-hip hop scene.

“This years line-up represents, respects and recognizes the diversity and inspirational possibilities often promised but rarely delivered in a live hip-hop experience. I am thrilled that the majority of performers on this year’s bill have new music to showcase, and we have still managed to deliver all the qualities of Rock The Bells that our fans demand year after year,” said Rock the Bells founder and organizer Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union on the festival’s website.

Indeed, most of the headliners will be performing in support of new music. Performers with new albums coming out this year include Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest with The Renaissance, Nas with Nigger, Mos Def with The Ecstactic, and more.

“They asked me, and I immediately decided to do it,” Q-Tip told Billboard. “With the amazing lineup, Rock the Bells is definitely this summer’s must see show. Plus, Rock the Bells has given me the opportunity to reunite with my legendary cohorts – Ali and Phife – and premiere my latest material from The Renaissance.”

The festival will travel to arenas in 10 major North American cities beginning July 19 in Chicago and ending on August 30 in Vancouver. This is the first year the festival will go overseas for concerts in Europe and Japan beginning in September.

Dates:

July
19 - Chicago, Ill.
20 - Toronto, Ontario
26 - Boston, Mass.
27 - New York, N.Y.

August
2 - Miami, Fla.
3 - Philadelphia, Pa.
9 - Los Angeles, Calif.
16 - San Francisco, Calif.
23 - Denver, Colo.
30 - Vancouver, B.C.