See also: Our review of Rock the Bells 2011
Last night Guerilla Union announced this year's Rock the Bells 2012 dates, headliners and lineup.
Beginning in 2010, the hip-hop festival's headliners — famous acts whose first few albums often outshine their later work — have performed their classic albums from beginning to end. But to keep the attendees' average age down (let's face it, golden-age hip hop devotees are getting old), a couple supporting acts like Mac Miller have been included.
But this year, there's a surprising twist.
Seemingly taking a cue from Coachella, Rock the Bells will be held on two consecutive days in each of its three host cities. In another unexpected turn, half of the top-billed acts are newer rappers.
This year, the festival will kick off on San Bernardino August 18 and 19 before moving to Mountain View, CA, on August 25 and 26. The tour wraps September 1 and 2 in Holmdel, NJ.
The pre-sale will begin on Friday, May 18 at 10 a.m. PST — 10 p.m. PST. The general on-sale starts on Saturday, May 19 at 10 a.m. PST. More information can be found on www.rockthebells.net.
A full list of performers is below.
Hosted by RZA and Supernatural
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony performing E. 1999
Missy Elliot and Timbaland
Kid Cudi
Nas
Wiz Khalifa
J. Cole
Lupe Fiasco
Ice Cube
Mac Miller
Atmosphere
Dipset
Kendrick Lamar
Method Man and Redman performing Blackout
Deltron 3030
The Hit Squad
A$AP Rocky
Tyga
Immortal Technique
2 Chainz
E-40 and Too $hort
DJ Quik
Naughty by Nature
Big Daddy Kane
Salt-N-Pepa
Slick Rick
Prodigy
Yelawolf
DJ Lance Rock
Ab-Soul
Jay Rock
Schoolboy Q
Murs and Fashawn
Zion I and Grouch and Eligh
Dom Kennedy
Watsky
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