August is the official birthday month of hip hop as the music genre celebrates 50 years on August 11. Back in 1973, a then 18-year-old Clive Campbell—better known as DJ Kool Herc—and his younger sister Cindy threw a neighborhood party where he unleashed breakbeat, the syncopated bass sound that forms the basis of hip hop music.
Hip hop celebrations are poppin’ off all this month, so hook up your tickets and see your favorite hip hop stars, from the pioneers to emergings DJ and emcees, at these best hip hop festivals across the nation.
LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Lil Kim, Rick Ross—Rock The Bells Festival (August 5)
The Rock The Bells Festival, a day-long celebration, will fill its stage in Queens, New York, with more than 20 legendary hip hop artists on August 5. Along with classic performances from the likes of De La Soul, MC Lyte, Slick Rick and more, the day will feature interactive experiences and art exhibits pertaining to the genre.
21 Savage, Kid Cudi, Ludacris—Hard Summit Music Festival (August 5-6)
Rapper 21 Savage is the special guest at the Hard Summit Music Festival in Los Angeles, which will present performances by Kid Cudi, Ludacris, Fat Joe and more, along with the sounds from South African DJ Black Coffee.
DJ Kool Herc—Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium (August 11)
The man who gave birth to hip hop takes the stage the queens of hip hop like Eve, Lil Kim, Remy Ma and Trina. The stellar line-up will also serve up performances from T.I., Fat Joe, Common, A$AP Ferg, EPMD, Gostface Killah and more.
The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Z-Trip—The F.O.R.C.E Live (August 12)
LL Cool J strikes again, this time headlining Rock the Bells and Live Urban Nation Presents “The F.O.R.C.E (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) Live,” with collaborative live performances from The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip. The production also features special appearances from hip hop greats Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Method Man & Redman and more in certain cities. The tour hits Cleveland, Ohio, on August 12 and ends on September 9 in Los Angeles.
Ice Cube and The Sugar Hill Gang—Evolution Festival (August 26-27)
The inaugural Evolution Festival plans for an unforgettable weekend with the best in live music, which includes sets by Ice Cube and The incomparable Sugar Hill Gang, as they take the stage for the two-day celebration in St. Louis, Missouri.
Waka Flocka, French Montana, Metro Boomin—Brightside Music Festival (September 1-2)
This Labor Day weekend, catch hip hop royalty Waka Flocka and French Montana at the Brightside Music Festival in El Paso, Texas. More than 20 featured artists will take to the stage starting September 1, including fellow hip hop artists Sheck Wes and DJ/producer Metro Boomin, for the two-day festival.
