The 2011 Rock the Bells Festival, sponsored by Boost Mobile and Blackberry, kicked off with a bang at the House of Blues this Tuesday night. Rock the Bells founder, Chang Weisberg, welcomed veterans and newbies to the stage to announce an airtight line up that rivals last year’s stellar offering. This year’s line-up boasts Lauryn Hill (Miseducation of Lauryn Hill), Nas (Illmatic), Erykah Badu, Black Star (Black Star), Raekwon + Ghostface (Only Built For Cuban Linx),  Mobb Deep (The Infamous), GZA (Liquid Swords), Souls of Mischief (93 to Infinity), Blu & Exile, Evidence, Childish Gambino and many more!

At the House of Blues, the stage was hot and spirits were high. Even Evidence began to circulate a joint for the press to share. Artists, such as RZA, B Real, and Supernatural, expressed their respect and affinity for Rock the Bells festival, fans and founder. Others also shared their apprehensions about debuting never performed songs from classic albums. “We’ll be doing songs that we’ve never ever performed before,” Tajai from Souls of Mischief shared.  Havoc, 1/2 of Mobb Deep, divulged “there are about 4 our 5 songs that I’m a bit nervous about.” It is that same respect for the craft and dedication to the fans that Weisberg hopes that every concert-goer experiences. “At the end of the day, this is all about the fans and I make sure that I communicate that to all of our artists who perform at Rock the Bells” Weisberg exclaimed. From the passion and excitement that emanated from Tuesday’s launch party, Rock the Bells 2011 will be one for the books.

Tickets for this year’s Rock The Bells go on sale 6/3. Stay tuned to Rock The Bell’s Twitter, Facebook and Website for updates on the line-up and exclusive content.

Produced by J Dilla from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II in stores Sept. 8th, 2009

Photos by: Ace Knuckles

At Rock the Bells in San Bernadino, it was a great day to be in California. Backdropped by a characteristically Californian 86-degree sun,  hip-hop enthusiasts were blessed with performances from some of Cali’s best: La Coka Nostra, Cypress Hill, Evidence, Alchemist, and Ice Cube.  They shared stages with Nas, Damien Marley, The Roots, Reflection Eternal, Slum Village, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Murs, Pete Rock, Raekwon, RZA, and GZA among others who rocked both stages for almost 11 hours straight.

Main stage performer Tech N9ne, who is releasing his 10th studio album K.O.D. this Fall, shared what keeps his stage show kinetic. “[You have to] keep the energy up…it has to be ‘out of this world’ because ‘out of this world’ will never depreciate.”  The energy from this Rock the Bells tour has already led to a Slaughterhouse + Tech N9ne tour this October.

Ice Cube closed the show and summoned up enough West Coast love to resurrect Tupac. I knew he struck a cord when our photographer started crip-walking (no lie!). If you missed the festival, you can live vicariously through the photos after the jump

Photos by Ashley Queen

Before midnight, right after Tech N9ne’s suprise set, a guy behind me screamed “I’m loving this shit!!!” I don’t know if he was drunk or not, but I can’t blame him for not being able to contain himself. In a matter of 2 hours, fans were treated to surprise performances by Nas, Damien Marley, Raekwon, Murs,  Supernatural and Psycho Realm with a suprise appearance from B-Real and Fatlip on the tables. These artists along with Common, Reflection Eternnal, Big Boi, The Roots, RZA and Slum Village (T3, Elzhi, AND Baatin!) will be gracing the stage at this year’s Rock The Bells Festival. This year’s tour will kick off on June 27 and run on consecutive weekends in 10 cities (Toronto, Washington D.C., Boston, New York, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Vancouver) through August 9. The inauguration at the Key Club Sunset set the bar and expections high for what to expect this year. All present talent agreed that they are looking forward to sharing the stage with each other this summer. “Its a blessing to share the stage with these brothers,” Supernatural shared. Everyone will be practicing their own rituals in order to bring the heat on stage. Murs confided that he wears the same Vans and hoodie all tour, Sick Jacken of Psycho Realm only needs a bottle of whiskey and clean underwear to keep him happy and Raekwon just smokes a blunt and is “good to go.” From the energy & anticipation generated from the performances and press conference this summer is going to get a lot hotter with Rock the Bells. Relive the experience when you

Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon is no stranger to streetwear. After several successful collaboration with the likes of Supreme, Diamond Supply Co., and Alife, Rae’ is set to release his newest collab effort, this time deciding to link up with Akomplice and streetwear retailer, Tradition.

Raekwon has been staying just 20 minutes from Tradition while putting the final touches on his long anticipated “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2.”

This tee will release in 3 colors this Saturday, November 22^nd at 1:00 p.m. exclusively at Tradition. A very limited Wu-Tang yellow colorway (Only 24 pieces) will release later on that night at the Akomplice season 9 release party also at Tradition. Raekwon is set to make a guest appearance that night as well, and will perform a short set of classics for those in attendance. 

More images after the jump.

Tradition is hosting the Akomplice Season 9 release party this Saturday, November 22nd. They pulled out the big guns for this event, and aside from an Akomplice pop-up shop, drinks, and a DJ, Tradition enlisted Raekwon, legendary member of the Wu-Tang Clan to do a special performance! To make things even crazier, they will be releasing a limited Raekwon X Tradition X Akomplice tee the day of the event, with a super limited colorway available only that night! Capacity is limited, and early arrival is suggested. Be sure to RSVP to info@shoptradition.com.

Looks like they might have to rename Westlake Village Wu-Lake Village, if only for the night!

Photos by Ashley Queen & Maury Phillips

The Honey Collective and Hennessey threw the perfect party this past Wednesday (10/29) at Vanguard in Hollywood. The theme was: 1988, The Golden era of Hip-Hop. Early on, the World Famous Dance Crew brought the energy and set the mood with impromptu dance routines in front of a Ghettoblaster backdrop and a bodyrocking-friendly dancefloor. Partygoers and celebs alike stayed true to the 88′ theme. If you were there, you might have brushed elbows with Prince, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, MC Lyte, D Nice, Yo-Yo, DJ Quik, Raekwon, Tony Rock, and Dee Barnes who were peppered in the crowd and not locked off in a VIP area most times. Hennessy made sure everyone was nice and wet providing an all-access open bar all night with (EFFECTIVE) cocktails like the Hennessy Ginger. That drink made me reconsider my ban on dark liquor. There were girls walking around the club offering hor d’oeuvres and Hennessy cocktails. By the time D-NICE (emphasis on NICE) got on the 1s & 2s, everyone had a nice little buzz going. He span a flawless set while, The Greatest Entertainer Alive, Doug E. Fresh, kept the energy up by calling on MC Lyte, DJ Quik and Slick Rick reinforcment. I can die a happy woman now that I’ve heard “Children’s Story” live. If you weren’t there, you really missed out out. I only hope that these photos can mend your wounds. You’ll find them after the jump.

Hello my name is…
Rob Wonder.

AKA…
Dick McWhoady.

I was raised in…
Southeast sector of the USA. Atlanta, GA to be exact.

The reason that you’re reading about me is…
I’ve been running things under the radar in Atlanta for the last 12 years. I’ve played a key role in solidifying ATL as an institution—as a DJ, club owner, promoter, radio and television personality, record store proprietor, innovator, accelerator, king maker, and room shaker. I’ve left no musical stones unturned. And I also stay up late as fuck, which is why no one knows who I am. I sleep most of the day so people don’t know what I really look like. I’ve deejayed with Raekwon in Paris and I’ve cut on Bubba Sparxxx’s album. I am one of the founders of the late great record store More Dusty Than Digital, and the party in the basement known as El Bar. From DMC to ITF, Bonde Do Role to MSTRKRFT…I’ve dunn dunn it all, at all times of the day.

Right now I’m working on…
Opening a new bar because the one I revamped got shut down for no good reason other than it was too successful. For the next 12 months I’m working on an album with a local band called Noot D’ Noot and Sleepy Brown which will be featured on my radio show on scion.com/broadband called No Static At All. I am finishing my new CD—look for it. And you can find me every Saturday making asses shake at MJQ.

But I’d rather be…
Doing a photo shoot with Ricky Powell or starring in a Coen Brothers film.

My most prized possessions are…
Relationsips I’ve built over the years, my radio show, my record collection, my brass knuckles, and my Rane TTM57 mixer which gets the job done every fucking time.

But I’d give it all away for…
My four-month-old daughter Amalee.

The first thing I do in the morning is…
Go to sleep. When I wake up in the afternoon I take a piss, shower, cook some eggs and bacon and drink a glass of O.J.

The last thing I do at night is…
Get ready to go to work.

My mama always said…
Never judge a book by its cover. Color is only skin deep, an asshole is gonna be an asshole no matter what race, creed or color.

I love it when people…
Leave me the fuck alone when I’m not bothering them. Mind your own fucking business, people.

I can’t stand when people…
Judge me. I also can’t stand fucking requests. You want to control the music? Learn how to DJ. Then you’ll hate fucking requests, too.

I am what I drive, which is…
I am not what I drive, I drive what I can afford and what makes sense to me and my family: a Toyota 4Runner.

If you ever see me walking down the street…
Ask me if I need a ride because we don’t walk in Atlanta.

I lose control when…
Never. I’m a control freak—creative control is something I never give up.

The last time I swore I’d never drink was after a night of…
Way too many when the Falcons won the NFC Championships. I don’t remember it, but my wife got it all on tape.

Future projects and plans…
Learning how to entertain people in interviews and become more media friendly, being on the cover of Vapors, kissing my wife’s ass, opening a new club, No Static At All album project with Sleepy Brown and Noot d’ Noot, new Dick McWhoady mix CD, conquering the world through music one city at a time.