Defsounds

The 'Rock The Bells' show, held at Jones Beach Amphitheater in New York, proved to be one of the best shows this year. The show started out with some performances by DJ Premier, M.O.P., Jeru Da Damaja, Biz Markie, Skyzoo, Mickey Factz. The party then continued with Mos Def being joined by Talib Kweli for a series of Black Star songs including "Definition," "Respiration" and "Brown Skin Lady." The duo, who are both with Rawkus Records, then had Pharoahe Monch join them on stage for a crazy performance of "Simon Says."

Hitting the stage next was Method Man and Redman, who banged out some classic tracks together that were from their group efforts as well as solo joints. Fellow Def Jam label mate, Slick Rick then came to join them as they closed with a rendition of "La Di Da Di." Raekwon came back out after performing with Ghostface Killah earlier in the night and was followed by EPMD who went into performing "Strictly Business" and "So What Cha Saying." As they closed their set, they went into "Rapper's Delight" in which Keith Murray came out to complete the Def Squad family.

The crowd went ballistic as Nas came out to perform, telling them he needs to "breathe." As he kept repeating the word, DJ Green Lantern started to spin the instrumental to "Success." The instrumental continued playing as someone rushes out on stage with a Yankee fitted tucked low. It was none other than Jay-Z, who performed his first verse to the song. The two then went into "Black Republicans" and then Nas did his set that included a five-piece band, joined by the deejay, which interpolated compositions such as "It Ain't Hard To Tell," "New York State of Mind," and "N.I.G.G.E.R."

The night was closed out by headliners A Tribe Called Quest, who recently reunited, as they performed some of their classics along with Busta Rhymes.