This past Saturday, Rock The Bells Festival made its long-awaited New Jersey debut, delivering an electrifying celebration of Hip-Hop culture with Class of 2025: Summer’s Kool. Held in Newark at Prudential Center, the one-night-only event united pioneering legends and next-gen voices for an unforgettable tribute to Hip-Hop’s legacy, evolution, and future.

From surprise collaborations to heartfelt tributes, the festival was filled with show-stopping moments and cultural pride. Hosted by the iconic Roxanne Shante, the night reaffirmed why Hip-Hop remains a global cultural force. As fans old and new came together, one message rang loud and clear: Hip-Hop is forever.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• The festival kicked off with Lil Mo, Fabolous, and Kid Capri igniting the crowd, spinning and singing through timeless classics and street anthems that set the tone for the night
• LL COOL J surprised fans with the trailer for his upcoming docuseries Hip Hop Was Born Here, co-produced with Peyton Manning, premiering on July 22nd on Paramount+, after a powerful performance of “Rock The Bells.”

Photo Credit: Raymond Alston

• State Property reunited for a rare, high-energy set featuring Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk, and Young Gunz. They had the crowd roaring with era-defining hits like “What We Do,” “Rock the Mic,” and “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop.”
• Rakim and Big Daddy Kane delivered a lyrical masterclass, trading bars with precision and finesse while commanding both ends of the stage. Mid-set, a surprise appearance by Grandmaster Flash reignited the crowd with a nod to hip-hop’s foundational DNA.
• Memphis Bleek teamed up with Capone and N.O.R.E. for a surprise set full of gritty street anthems and Queens-bred classics, keeping the energy high and the vibes authentic.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Rock The Bells

• Kid Capri returned to the stage alongside Remy Ma, who captivated the audience with a commanding performance and razor-sharp delivery, backed by Capri’s crowd-moving spins.
• A special Uptown tribute, presented by Eddie F. and DJ Premier, paid homage to the influence and legacy of Uptown Records, reminding the crowd of the region’s outsized impact on hip-hop’s evolution.
• Representing Brick City, Redman, Erik Sermon (EPMD), and K-Solo brought gritty East Coast energy and unfiltered lyricism, cementing their places as raw, relentless performers.
• To close the night, Busta Rhymes joined by Rah Digga, Papoose, and Spliff Star tore down the stage. A futuristic, AI-driven visual sequence led into “Touch It,” followed by surprise video cameos from Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson, synced perfectly to “I Know What You Want” and “What’s It Gonna Be.”

FULL 2025 LINEUP:

Busta Rhymes, Redman, Eric B. & Rakim, Too Short, Scarface, Fabolous, Lil Mo, Plies, Boosie, KRS-One, M.O.P., Remy Ma, Capone-N-Noreaga, Big Daddy Kane, Coast Contra, State Property (Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk, Chris & Neef), Grandmaster Flash, DJ Premier, Mr. Cheeks (The Lost Boyz), CL Smooth, Father MC, Al B. Sure!, Christopher Williams, Soul for Real, Jeff Redd, Donell Jones, Horace Brown, Monifah, Intro, Kid Capri, Roxanne Shante