Promoted by Guerilla Union, Rock The Bells describes itself as “the only touring hip-hop festival.” The ninth annual fest has confirmed dates for two stops on the West Coast and one on the East Coast. The California events are scheduled Aug. 18-19 at San Bernardino’s National Orange Show Events Center and Aug. 25-26 at Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheatre, followed by Sept. 1-2 in Holmdel, N.J., at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
A fourth stop is planned for Miami, Fla., at the Bayfront Amphitheater. The specific date hasn’t been revealed yet but we can tell you that the fest will happen some time in December. An announcement on Rock The Bell’s website says that the event will be a special benefit show featuring artists from this year’s lineup and prior years with all proceeds donated to non-profit organization Hip Hop and Hope for Haiti.
Now that we’ve covered the dates, let’s get back to this year’s lineup. Hosted by RZA and Supernatural, the 2012 roster also includes J. Cole, Lupe Fiasco, Atmosphere, Ice Cube, Mac Miller, Dipset, Kendrick Lamar, Deltron 3030, The Hit Squad, Immortal Technique, 2 Chainz, E-40 & Too Short, DJ Quik, Naughty By Nature, Big Daddy Kane, Salt-N-Pepa, Slick Rick, Prodigy, DJ Lance Rock & Friends, Yelawolf and more. Some artists will only appear in select markets.
Rock The Bells is continuing its tradition of featuring acts performing albums in their entirety. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will perform the group’s 1995 album, E.1999 Eternal with a tribute to Eazy-E. Method Man and Redman will play their 1999 collaborative effort Blackout!
A presale for Guerilla Union subscribers begins Friday, May 18. Tickets go on sale to the general public May 19.
For more information visit RockTheBells.net