For 2012, Rock the Bells puts a spotlight on new talent in Hip Hop and honors respected veterans. This year's bill includes 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Salt-N-Pepa, Murs & Fashawn and more. Exclusive interview with GU and Rock the Bells head, Chang Weisberg included.
For 2012, Rock the Bells continues its tradition of highlighting new talent in Hip Hop while honoring revered artists of the past. Last night, the official 2012 lineup was announced, as it usually is, by Supernatural who freestyled the bill. However, this time, Supernat was accompanied by DJ Quik’s impromptu beat boxing
The lineup includes an array of Hip Hop acts from various regions and eras. Nas, 2 Chainz, Atmosphere, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Naughty By Nature and Missy Elliot and Timabaland have been added to this year’s roster, joining the likes of Kid Cudi, Salt-N-Pepa, Wiz Khalifa and Murs and Fashawn.
For the first time in its nine years, Rock the Bells will be a two-day festival. Dates are set for August 19 and 20 in San Bernardino, California. The event will then go through Mountain View, California on August 25 and 26 before heading to Holmdel, New Jersey on the 1st and 2nd of September.
Initial reports included Lupe Fiasco as a scheduled performer on the bill. However, since the announcement, Fiasco has said he will not be at Rock the Bells. Accordingto his Twitter account, Fiasco said that his inclusion on the bill was a “typo.” The full lineup is included at the end of this article.
At the announcement event, Chang Weisberg, head of Guerilla Union and Rock the Bells, spoke with HipHopDX about how this year’s festival will continue the tradition that has been integral to the franchise for nearly a decade. He explained how Rock the Bells has been able to create many connections between emcees, from notable reunions between Rage Against the Machine and A Tribe Called Quest to collaborations like Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa. He also shared much more about hologram rumors, unity within Hip Hop and discussed why he feels Rock the Bells has become similar to a church.
The lineup is listed below, along with Rock the Bells dates/locations.
ROCK THE BELLS 2012 FESTIVAL SERIES ARTISTS
2 Chainz
ASAP Rocky
Atmosphere
Big Daddy Kane
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Deltron 303
Dipset
DJ Lance Rock and Friends
DJ Quik
E-40 and Too Short
Eligh, Grouch and Zion I
Fashawn
Hit Squad Reunion
Ice Cube
Immortal Technique
J Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Kid Cudi
Mac Miller
Missy Elliott and Timbaland
Murs
Nas
Naughty By Nature
Prodigy
Redman and Method Man
Salt-N-Pepa
Schoolboy Q
Slick Rick
Supernatural
RZA
Tyga
Watsky
Wiz Khalifa
Yelawolf
Dom Kennedy
Hosted by:
RZA + Supernatural
ROCK THE BELLS 2012 FESTIVAL SERIES DATES & VENUES:
08/19 – 08/20 San Bernardino, CA – NOS Events Center
08/25 – 08/26 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
09/01 – 09/02 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Arts Center