LL COOL J's Rock The Bells is back, and he recruited numerous heavy hitters to pull up to his annual music festival.
On Tuesday, April 22, Rock The Bells revealed the stacked lineup for its upcoming event. Busta Rhymes, Big Daddy Kane, Boosie Badazz, Capone-N-Noreaga, Eric B. & Rakim, Fabolous, KRS-One, Lil' Mo, Plies, Remy Ma, Roxanne Shanté, Scarface, Too $hort, State Property, and the legendary Kid Capri will bless the stage with memorable sets throughout the day. In addition, DJ Eddie F will curate the official Uptown Record celebration featuring rare performances from Al B. Sure!, Christopher Williams, Donell Jones, Mr. Cheeks, Soul For Real and more.
“Rock The Bells has always been about the elevation, preservation, and innovation of Hip-Hop,” said LL COOL J, founder of Rock The Bells. “Class of 2025: Summer’s Kool is more than a festival — it’s a cultural homecoming. We’re celebrating the artists who built the foundation and the new voices pushing it forward, all in one night. This is Hip-Hop in its full glory — past, present, and future."
Rock The Bells and the Black Promoters Collective announced the theme for this year's festival is Class of 2025: Summer’s Kool. Fans of all generations can expect a blast from the past as they're reminded of how these timeless artists impacted the culture. As part of Hip-Hop's homecoming, Philly's own Freeway, Beanie Sigel, Peedi Crakk, Oschino Vasquez, Omillio Sparks, and Young Gunz will reunite onstage while Capone and N.O.R.E. will join forces as CNN once again to deliver their classic hits. Fabolous and Lil' Mo will hit the stage together to perform their timeless collaborations. M.O.P. is also expected to come through to deliver their underground joints.
“Partnering with LL COOL J and the Rock The Bells festival is an extension of our shared commitment to celebrating Black culture through powerful live experiences,” said Shelby Joyner, President of the Black Promoters Collective. “This isn’t just an event—it’s a cultural movement. We’re proud to help bring together generations of fans and legends to honor Hip-Hop’s impact and ensure its legacy continues to thrive on the biggest stages.”
The 2025 Rock The Bells Festival is going down on June 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Pre-sale tickets for the event begin Thursday, April 24 and general sales start April 25 at 10 a.m. Find out more about ticket sales on Rock The Bells' official website.