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.
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COMMENTS
damn i wish they had concerts like this in PHX, AZ
for real, i went to the show in boston and last year was much betta. meth didnt even show up, plus it woulda been ill to see jay-z and slick rick. nas ripped it both years tho
I Know That Shyt Musta Been A Banga!!!!!! Sounded Like IT Was A Great Nite To Be In Tha NY...Scream At Me,1..
damn i know that shit was crazy when jay and nas got on stage...then busta came in and hyped it up even more...shit i wish i was out there
yo i went to this shit i missed most off the the meth and red part... ironiclly i was smokin... but that shit was fire.. def the best part was hov comin out i didnt see that comin
that show sounded dope as hell.
DAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNN!
I can't believe I missed that shit!
I would've paid pretty much any amount of money to see a show like that!!!!
That's exactly what hip-hop needs!
Good Shit!
~Be Eazy!
That was crazy. My cousin was there. He said it was one of the best shows ever. The only thing missing was DMX.
too bad alot of people now dont know them ... they are all too old for this new generation..except a few
I really was trying to go to that concert this year in Miami or New York but I wasnt able to...next year i really want to go bc all the greats in hip hop are there...you wont find anyone walking it out or shoulder leaning there hah
damn nas and jay? people got their moneys worth
Finally some positive news...
Now this is a good look for Hip Hop. All these artist able to come under one roof and put it down OG style.
ARGHHHHHHHH I'm mad I missed that!!!!! I slept hard on this concert, lol! My cousins sent me some pix from the show though. Thats what I get...... smh. This joint was hot! Shout out to hip hop
damn shit like this is why i wish i lived in NY, that is some king of fucking all star lineup right there
Wow. That's a show!
old school rappers know how to put on a performers, u gotta luv it, holla at ya boy
damn, thats what i call a concert
Why the FUCK I did not go! Shit sound like it was off the hook and niggas got their monies worth !
Another thing...
Its great to see all these artist together that actually care about the art form. I just checked out some YouTube footage from the concert. And you can just feel the energy. Nas & Jay-Z truly are our faces for Hip Hop.
I'm 19 years old...but by no means a dumbed down fan like most others around my age.
Don't watch TV, don't listen to radio. Really couldn't tell you who half of the rappers are. At times I wanna just say fuck Rap. The shit is disappointing.
Thank God, I had the courage to look up on some REAL Hip Hop artists. And when I see Mos def, M.O.P., Tribe called Quest, Talib, Slick Rick, Red & Meth, Nas & Jay.
I remember why I still believe.
Peace!
Chaos96, I am in my thirties and I like to see young niggas give respect to the older generations.
im with you on that man fuck that trendy radio rap shit. rock the bells holds it down for true artists and fans.
Sounds like it was an amazing show. They were on their New York shit I see.
I can't believe I missed this show. Me & my boy were talking about going but it was about 2 hours away on Long Island...I thought Immortal Technique was in the lineup too? Busta my favorite & Nas/Jay-Z would have been ill. I'm so mad @ myself now...
NOW THIS IS HIP HOP. WITHOUT THE MODERN DAY JUNKIES.
i hope i can see footage of this on YouTube. Classic Hip-Hop
Now thats real shit hear
You aint NEVER gonna see Wayne at one of these
REAL HIP HOP NEVER DIES
sounds like it was nice...
Q-tip look like a old ass man in that pic though...lol
much respect tho, I fuck with him don't get me wrong....lol
I'm jus saying...
i wish all of these artists were traveling the country in a tour bus because i would see these cats in a heartbeat even though i would be one of the ONLY young'ins in the crowd of the grown folks i wouldn't give a damn.
K, so they had Ghostface, Raekwon, Jay, Nas, Slick Rick, Method Man and Busta. Not to metion all the lesser known cats (shout to Jeru the Damaja) and Primo. DAAAAMN
Where is Gangstarr, Cool G Rap, BD Kane, Afrikkaa Bambatta, etc... Man, this is classic hip-hop and a must see for all the up and coming hip-hop heads. We need something like this in the south. 2-Live Crew, Luke, Dis n Dat, Poison Clan, Out-Kast, Ghetto boys, ALL of 3-6 mafia, MC Shy D etc.. Pipe dream but man to see all these cats at a show and the diversity the brought to rap would be great.
ROFL!!! That shit we be banging dawg. Talk about a gang of hoes....
wish i was there
that is tha show of a life time....all they need to do now i ressurect tha niggas thats gone
yo not gonna lie that show sounds sick but last year was even sicker. mos and talib were there but they also had jedi mind, immortal technique, public enemy and cypress hill rockin out. not too mention the wu-tang clan in full, minus ODB(RIP), redman, and rage against the machine. if the tribe was there last year i think it mighta been the best show hip hop's ever seen.
that shit sounded classic