Class Is In Session: Rock The Bells Returns With Legend-Studded ‘Summer’s Kool’ Festival
Hip-Hop’s most iconic voices are about to reunite for one unforgettable night at Newark’s Prudential Center this Summer. The Rock The Bells Festival, founded by Hip-Hop royalty LL COOL J is bringing the heat to New Jersey on June 28 with “Class of 2025: Summer’s Kool” featuring a legendary lineup of past and present greats who are and have shaped the game. This time around, “the bars are the lesson, the beats are the test” and the “fans will give the grades.”
The “Summer’s Kool” edition promises to be a Hip-Hop homecoming like no other, with a star-studded lineup that spans generations and coasts. Whether you’re a fan of the East Coast’s lyricism or the West Coast’s raw energy, there will be something for everyone that night. This year’s “class” includes Busta Rhymes, Redman, Eric B & Rakim, Too $hort, Scarface, Fabolous and Lil Mo, Plies, Boosie, M.O.P, Remy Ma, Capone-N-Noreaga, Big Daddy Kane, Coast Contra, State Property: Beanie Sigel and Freeway, Peedi Crark and Chris & Neef, with the “teacher” KRS-One.
Celebrating Uptown Records this year with “class president” DJ Eddie F, fans will also get to witness performances by Mr. Cheeks of The Lost Boyz, Cl Smooth and Father MC, with R&B “Honor Roll students” Al. B. Sure!, Christopher Williams, Soul For Real, Jeff Redd, Donell Jones, Horace Brown, Monifah and Intro. The show will also be hosted by “Dean of Ceremonies” Roxanne Shante and musically curated by the night’s “Professor of Sound” DJ Kid Capri.
Tickets for the Rock The Bells Festival will go on presale beginning Wednesday (April 23) with general sales starting Friday (April 25) at 10AM EST via Ticketmaster.
LL COOL J himself spoke about the significance of this year’s festival, stating in a press release: “Class of 2025: Summer’s Kool is more than a festival — it’s a cultural homecoming. We’re celebrating the artists who built the foundation and the new voices pushing it forward, all in one night. This is Hip-Hop in its full glory — past, present, and future.”
Rock The Bells is also headed out to the Bahamas this October with its Hip-Hop Experience cruise. The line up includes The Lox, Da Brat, GZA, Juvenile, Lupe Fiasco, MC Lyte, Fabolous, Xzibit and more with DJs: Jazzy Jeff, Mannie fresh, DJ Paul, DJ Scratch and others. Adding another layer of entertainment, attendees will also be treated to comedy sets by famed comedians Affion Crockett, Guy Torry, Tony Roberts and Lance Woods.
To wrap up the entire week, wellness coaches Big Lez and Shelby Adina will be onboard offering tips and workshops on how to reset the mind and body. Get tickets here.
