Hip-Hop enthusiasts ready to Rock The Bells
Photo courtesy Guerilla Union. Nas embodies much of the thinking behind original rap not necessarily made for clubs or radio.
To hip-hop enthusiasts in Calgary, who stood idly by while all the country and alternative acts made their way through the city, your turn has finally come. Rock the Bells is set to visit Cowtown Sunday, August 2 with an all-star line up headlined by the likes of Nas, Damien Marley, and Cypress Hill.
The all-ages event will take place at Shaw Millennium Park, as Calgary justifies being one of the 11 North American cities chosen to host the annual hip-hop festival. Let us take a moment and preview some of the more notable performances to look out for.
Nas
Born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, the 35-year-old rap-artist/actor from Queensbridge, New York City will showcase his unique style of lyrical composition, not only accompanied by articulate rhyme, but also a fluent blend with the rhythm of the beat — see “N.Y State of Mind,” Track 2 on the album Illmatic. In 2006, Nas released his 8th studio album, Hip Hop Is Dead, whose title generated much controversy.
Although there are those who agree and who disagree that hip-hop as a whole is on the decline, what’s undeniable is how Nas’ music defined what rap was once all about. If you’re looking for music that is not just about going out to the club, and a digression from the “crunk” genre, then look no further. Nas is sure to leave the crowd wanting more.
Cypress Hill
Unlike other songs whose underlying message can often be open to interpretation, chances are you won’t need click here to look up what “Hits From The Bong” is all about. In addition to this self-explanatory
Photo courtesy Guerilla Union. After 22 years, Cypress Hill has quite a repertoire of songs to choose from.
song title, Cypress Hill is set to perform chart-topping singles from their 22-year career. Having sold more than 18 million albums worldwide with tracks such as, “Insane in the Brain,” “I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That,” and “Rock Superstar,” the California-based hip-hop group will have the crowd singing in unison.
Damian Marley
Grammy award winning artist Damian Marley caps off our 2009 Rock the Bells artist preview. Following in the footsteps of his father, the late Bob Marley, Damian certainly made his mark on the reggae scene with the release of his most successful album, “Welcome to Jamrock.” One single on the album, “Road to Zion” features rap artist, and co-headliner Nas. Together with Nas, Marley is putting the finishing touches on his fourth studio album, “Distant Relatives” set to be released August 2009. The two maintain a strong relationship so it should come to no surprise that both Nas and Marley will collaborate on stage for the final portion of Rock the Bells to give a performance the city of Calgary will never forget.
Other acts slated to perform include Big Boi from Outkast, RZA, Reflection Eternal, Tech N9ne, Slaughterhouse, Slum Village, The Knux, and Dragon Fli Empire.
You are not going to want to miss out on this rare event that provides Calgary – a city not so much known for its rap antics – a taste of the hip-hop and urban lifestyle.
For more information, click here
Doors open at 12:00 p.m., with the festival running all the way through 9:30 p.m.
