Hip-hop is in a constant state of metamorphosis, finding new ways to reinvent itself with each passing era. However, there’s no denying the golden age from the mid-’80s to late ’90s that helped solidify rap as the most lucrative genre in music today.
That legacy was honored to the highest degree in New York City this past Saturday (Aug 6) as rap legend LL Cool J officially revived the long-running Rock The Bells Festival in his hometown of Queens with help from a handful of other masters behind the mic that assisted in making hip-hop history once again.
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While it definitely occurred on one of the hottest days the Big Apple has seen this summer, RTB Fest 2022 proved to be worth the new tan lines and never-ending beads of sweat produced by everyone who packed out the 13,000-capacity venue. From attendees getting their grub on in the hip-hop-themed Trill Mealz Food Court hosted by Southern rap king Bun B — his Trill Burgers were amazing! — to VIPs keeping it cool in lounge areas with a nonstop flow of alkaline water and games of cornhole, overall the stadium was filled with smiles of all ages from left to right.
That’s not even considering the actual performances!
Each act that touched the big stage at Forest Hills Stadium on Saturday performed like they knew it was for a special occasion. DJ Mister Cee assisted Queens native Large Professor in opening up the festivities, which was followed by back-to-back stage-rocking sets from the likes of Digable Planets, Onyx, and Havoc with help from DJ Scratch, Rick Ross, Dipset’s own Cam’Ron, Juelz Santana and Jim Jones, Jadakiss alongside The LOX, N.O.R.E. with an assist from DJ Butchrock and his War Report partner Capone, Fat Joe and Remy Ma killing it side-by-side, Lil Kim looking phenomenal and bringing out the bro Lil Cease, Busta Rhymes, and Spliff Star with easily the most eclectic set of the night and Ice Cube putting a stamp on his GOAT status all before an unforgettable headlining set from LL Cool J.
Getting help on the turntables from longtime associate DJ Z-Trip, the Mr. Smith emcee came out the gate with theatrics by literally rising from the floor only to be surrounded by pyrotechnics and visuals that lit up a still-packed stadium going into midnight. His set included a few surprises, from hosting a “live mixtape” that featured fellow early rap pioneers like Kool G Rap to a special “appearance” by pop diva Jennifer Lopez via a pre-recorded video of her singing their 2002 chart-topper “All I Have.”
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Overall, Rock The Bells Festival 2022 was one for the books that gave a reminder of where hip-hop is from and why you simply can’t forget the classics. We certainly won’t be forgetting this epic night in rap history any time soon, and absolutely can’t wait to do it all again. Until next year!
Take a look below at our exclusive view from Rock the Bells Festival 2022:
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Recap: LL Cool J Revives Rock The Bells Festival In NYC With A Star-Studded Lineup Of Rap Legends was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
1. Rick Ross
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
2. Rock The Bells 2022 Attendees At Forest Hills Stadium
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
3. Roxanne Shanté
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
4. Dipset Performing At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
5. Jim Jones
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
6. Juelz Santana and Jim Jones
Source:Zion Reid | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media
7. Cam’ron
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
8. Juelz Santana
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
9. LL Cool J Receives A Key To The City Of Queens, New York
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
10. LL Cool J Receives The Key To Queens, New York
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
11. LL Cool J Awarded At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo By Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
12. Cam’ron
Source:other
Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media
13. Jadakiss
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
14. Jadakiss Gives Fellow LOX Members Styles P and Sheek Louch Their Flowers
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
15. The LOX Salutes The Crowd At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
16. Sheek Louch and Styles P
Source:Zion Reid | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media
17. Noreaga
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
18. Capone Joins Noreaga At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
19. Fat Joe and Remy Ma
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
20. Remy Ma
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
21. Remy Ma Performing At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
22. Trina
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
23. Fat Joe
Source:Zion Reid | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media
24. Trill Mealz Food Court
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
25. Trill Mealz Food Court
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
26. Rock The Bells 2022 Lineup
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
27. Scarface
Source:Zion Reid | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media
28. Lil Kim Performs At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
29. Lil Kim and Lil Cease
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
30. Lil Kim And Havoc Of Mobb Deep
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
31. Lil Kim And Lil Cease of Junior M.A.F.I.A.
Source:Zion Reid | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media
32. DJ Kid Capri
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
33. Busta Rhymes
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
34. Spliff Star and Busta Rhymes
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
35. Spliff Star and Busta Rhymes Perform at Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
36. Busta Rhymes Pays Tribute To The Notorious B.I.G. At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
37. The Crowd Still Going Wild Well Into Midnight At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
38. Rock The Bells 2022 At Forest Hills Stadium
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
39. Ice Cube
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
40. Ice Cube Performing at Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
41. Ice Cube Co-Headlining At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
42. DJ Z-Trip
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
43. LL Cool J And DJ Z-Trip
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
44. LL Cool J Arrives From The Stage At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
45. LL Cool J
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
46. LL Cool J Headlining Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
47. LL Cool J Live From Queens, New York At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
48. LL Cool J On Stage At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
49. LL Cool J Performs With Jennifer Lopez Virtually At Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Keenan "HIGz" Higgins | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media
50. Rock The Bells 2022
Source:Zion Reid | Reach Media
Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media
