We hit up last night's Rock The Bells 2009 press conference / sneak-peek performance at the Key Club in Los Angeles, and the atmosphere was more than a little surreal. Where else can you find surprise appearances by Nas and B-Real, or KRS-1 and Chali 2na walking around, hugging people & handing out flyers?
As is custom, Supernatural rapped the lineup in a blistering freestyle that left jaws on the floor. It was truly amazing - some of the hottest freestyling I've ever witnessed.
After the press conference, the big names on hand headed downstairs for 1-on-1 Q&A's with the press. A short time later, the crowd was treated to surprise performances from Supernatural, B-Real, Nas & Damien Marley (who's collaboration album is bound to be a highlight this summer) and more. If this was just the announcement for the tour, imagine what the real show's gonna be like!
Without further ado, here's the Rock The Bells 2009 lineup:
- Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley
- The Roots
- Common
- Big Boi (Outkast)
- KRS-One
- House of Pain reunion
- Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli + Hi Tek)
- Tech N9ne
- RZA (Wu-Tang)
- Raekwon
- Sage Francis
- Slaughterhouse (Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5′9,” Crooked I)
- M.O.P.
- Chali 2na (Jurassic 5)
- Necro
- Eyedea & Abilities
- Evidence
- Psycho Realm
- Mystic Journeymen (Sunspot Jonez + Lucky I Am)
- Mickey Factz
- Tabi Bonney
Hosted by: KRS-One, Supernatural, Murs and Pete Rock.
The festival will take place in Toronto, Washington D.C., Boston, New York, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and Vancouver. Each stop will feature 25 acts on two stages, a vendor village, surprise performances and more.
So what do you think? Personally, House of Pain joining the tour sounds a bit ridiculous, but we'll reserve judgement until the shenanigans begin.
Check out some kick-ass live video footage of Nas & Damien Marley, Supernatural's lineup freestyle & more at www.antiquiet.com
