LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells has formally introduced the lineup for its 2025 pageant. In partnership with the Black Promoters Collective, the pageant will make its New Jersey debut at Newark’s Prudential Heart on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
This 12 months’s theme, Class of 2025: Summer season’s Kool, units the tone for a standout celebration of musical legends, cultural trailblazers, and the lasting influence of Hip-Hop. The night will carry the vitality of a Hip-Hop homecoming — the place iconic voices throughout the style come collectively to rejoice the sound, the type, and the spirit of the tradition.
This 12 months’s lineup spans generations and genres, bringing collectively hitmakers and cultural torchbearers, together with Busta Rhymes, Redman, Eric B. & Rakim, Remy Ma, Too $hort, Scarface, Plies, Boosie, Fabolous, Lil’ Mo, and extra. Hosted by the primary woman of rap, Roxanne Shante, and soundtracked by the legendary Child Capri, the night time guarantees to be a masterclass in Hip-Hop and artistry. Paying homage to probably the most influential labels in Black music historical past, the Uptown Data Celebration—curated by DJ Eddie F—will function performances by Al B. Positive!, Donell Jones, Christopher Williams, Soul For Actual, and others, delivering a set filled with songs the tradition is aware of and loves.
Earlier than being supplied to most people, the Rock the Bells Competition goes on presale from Tuesday, April 23, at 10:00 AM EST to Thursday, April 25, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The native, venue, and promoter presale begins on Thursday, April 24, at 10:00 a.m. EST and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST. Tickets will go on sale to most people on Friday, April 25, at 10:00 AM EST at Ticketmaster.
“Rock The Bells has at all times been concerning the elevation, preservation, and innovation of Hip-Hop,” mentioned LL COOL J, Founding father of Rock The Bells. “Class of 2025: Summer season’s Kool is greater than a pageant — it’s a cultural homecoming. We’re celebrating the artists who constructed the inspiration and the brand new voices pushing it ahead, multi function night time. That is Hip-Hop in its full glory — previous, current, and future.”
From long-awaited reunions to uncommon appearances, the 2025 Rock The Bells Competition brings collectively the artists who formed Hip-Hop throughout generations and geographies:
- East Coast Icons: Busta Rhymes and Redman will ship their signature, high-energy performances and lyrical hearth, whereas Philly legends State Property return as a full squad, able to deliver the bars and stress that outlined a technology. The unstoppable lyrical powerhouse and one in all Hip-Hop’s most formidable voices, Remy Ma, with a triumphant efficiency – joined by East Coast originations KRS-One and Large Daddy Kane, delivering the golden-era weight, knowledge, and presence solely they’ll deliver. As well as, Fabolous, recognized for his clean supply and intelligent phrase play will grace the stage together with powerhouse R&B sensation, Lil Mo, who will ship a soulful, uncooked and unforgettable set.
- West Coast and Southern Legends: Too $hort, a real pioneer of West Coast rap, joins Houston legend Scarface, recognized for his soulful storytelling. The South’s obtained one thing to say — fan favorites Boosie and Plies will add their very own uncooked and unapologetic aptitude to the lineup.
- Sonic Trailblazers: Eric B. & Rakim, two of essentially the most influential figures in Hip-Hop, reunite for a uncommon, must-see efficiency, whereas Capone-N-Noreaga, the duo that outlined late ’90s East Coast rap, is reuniting on stage as properly with their gritty lyricism and avenue anthems.
Further performances embody the underground anthem kings M.O.P. and Coast Contra, who characterize the brand new technology of lyricists as they make waves in Hip-Hop with their intricate, explosive supply.
EDDIE F. PRESENTS – UPTOWN RECORDS & UNTOUCHABLES FAMILY CELEBRATION
For the primary time, the pageant will host a historic Uptown Data celebration, curated by Uptown alum, Untouchables Leisure Group Founder, and multi-platinum producer DJ Eddie F. This landmark second brings collectively the legendary voices that outlined Uptown’s signature sound and reunites the artists whose music helped form an period of music and tradition.
The lineup will embody:
Al B. Positive! · Christopher Williams · Soul For Actual · Jeff Redd · Donell Jones · Horace Brown · Monifah · Intro · Mr. Cheeks · CL Clean · Father MC ·
“Partnering with LL COOL J and the Rock The Bells pageant is an extension of our shared dedication to celebrating Black tradition by way of highly effective dwell experiences,” mentioned Shelby Joyner, President of the Black Promoters Collective. “This isn’t simply an occasion—it’s a cultural motion. We’re proud to assist deliver collectively generations of followers and legends to honor Hip-Hop’s influence and guarantee its legacy continues to thrive on the largest levels.”
It’s concerning the bars that taught us. The beats that moved us. The tradition that formed us. Class of 2025: Summer season’s Kool isn’t a reunion — it’s a reminder.
