Arguably the world’s premier festival for hip hop, Rock The Bells returns to South California this August with a truly formidable line-up. Headlining the event is A Tribe Called Quest, with Nas, Mos Def, Method Man and Redman and De La Soul just some of the homegrown talent filling out the ranks. Perhaps the most enviable booking, though, is ‘special guest’ The Pharcyde in “an exclusive festival performance featuring all original members”.

While there’s a heavy focus on backpacker veterans (and who’s complaining?), the likes of Spank Rock, Amanda Blank, Santogold and The Cool Kids are also there to represent the new guard. This year Rock The Bells will hit the road around America, although California remains the flagship event. 2007’s installment was the top-grossing hip hop event in the US last year, no doubt aided by Rage Against The Machine’s headline slot.

Rock The Bells touches down at the Glen Helen Pavilion in San Bernardino, California, on 9 August. Check the full line-up (and weep) below.

A Tribe Called Quest
The Pharcyde
Nas
Mos Def
De La Soul
Rakim
Method Man & Redman
Raekwon & Ghostface (Cuban Linx)
Immortal Technique
Dead Prez
MF Doom
Sage Francis
Blue Scholars
Afrika Bambaataa
The Dirty Heads
Murs
Kidz In The Hall
Spank Rock
Santogold
Kid Sister
Wale
Amanda Blank
Flosstradamus
Jay Electronica
The Cool Kids

Hosted By:

B-Real of Cypress Hill
Supernatural
DJ Green Lantern
Just Blaze
Scratch
Black Violin