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Hip-hop is in a constant state of metamorphosis, finding new ways to reinvent itself with each passing era. However, there’s no denying the golden age from the mid ’80s to late ’90s that helped solidify rap as the most lucrative genre in music today.

That legacy was honored to the highest degree in New York City this past Saturday (Aug 6) as rap legend LL Cool J officially revived the long-running Rock The Bells Festival in his hometown of Queens with help from a handful of other masters behind the mic that assisted in making hip-hop history once again.

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While it definitely occurred on one of the hottest days the Big Apple has seen this summer, RTB Fest 2022 proved to be worth the new tan lines and never ending beads of sweat produced by everyone who packed out the 13,000 capacity venue. From attendees getting their grub on in the hip-hop-themed Trill Mealz Food Court hosted by Southern rap king Bun B — his Trill Burgers were amazing! — to VIPs keeping it cool in lounge areas with a nonstop flow of alkaline water and games of cornhole, overall the stadium was filled with smiles of all ages from left to right.

That’s not even considering the actual performances!

 

Each act that touched the big stage at Forest Hills Stadium on Saturday performed like they knew it was for a special occasion. DJ Mister Cee assisted Queens native Large Professor in opening up the festivities, which was followed by back-to-back stage-rocking sets from the likes of Digable Planets, Onyx and Havoc with help from DJ Scratch, Rick Ross, Dipset’s own Cam’Ron, Juelz Santana and Jim Jones, Jadakiss alongside The LOX, N.O.R.E. with an assist from DJ Butchrock and his War Report partner Capone, Fat Joe and Remy Ma killing it side-by-side, Lil Kim looking phenomenal and bringing out the bro Lil Cease, Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star with easily the most eclectic set of the night and Ice Cube putting a stamp on his GOAT status all before an unforgettable headlining set from LL Cool J.

Getting help on the turntables from longtime associate DJ Z-Trip, the Mr. Smith emcee came out the gate with theatrics by literally rising from the floor only to be surrounded by pyrotechnics and visuals that lit up a still-packed stadium going into midnight. His set included a few surprises, from hosting a “live mixtape” that featured fellow early rap pioneers like Kool G Rap to a special “appearance” by pop diva Jennifer Lopez via a pre-recorded video of her singing their 2002 chart-topper “All I Have.”

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Overall, Rock The Bells Festival 2022 was one for the books that gave a reminder of where hip-hop is from and why you simply can’t forget the classics. We certainly won’t be forgetting this epic night in rap history any time soon, and absolutely can’t wait to do it all again. Until next year!

Take a look below at our exclusive view from Rock the Bells Festival 2022:

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1. Rick Ross

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media | Shot by Keenan "HIGz" Higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media Source:other

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

2. Rock The Bells 2022 Attendees At Forest Hills Stadium

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media | Shot by Keenan "HIGz" Higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media Source:other

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

3. Roxanne Shanté

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media | Shot by Keenan "HIGz" Higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media Source:other

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

4. Dipset Performing At Rock The Bells 2022

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media | Shot by Keenan "HIGz" Higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media Source:other

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

5. Jim Jones

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media | Shot by Keenan "HIGz" Higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media Source:other

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

6. Juelz Santana and Jim Jones

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Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media

7. Cam’ron

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

8. Juelz Santana

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media | Shot by Keenan "HIGz" Higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media Source:other

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

9. LL Cool J Receives A Key To The City Of Queens, New York

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

10. LL Cool J Receives The Key To Queens, New York

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

11. LL Cool J Awarded At Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo By Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

12. Cam’ron

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Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media

13. Jadakiss

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

14. Jadakiss Gives Fellow LOX Members Styles P and Sheek Louch Their Flowers

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media | Shot by Keenan "HIGz" Higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media Source:other

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

15. The LOX Salutes The Crowd At Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

16. Sheek Louch and Styles P

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Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media

17. Noreaga

Rock the Bells LL Cool J Source:General

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

18. Capone Joins Noreaga At Rock The Bells 2022

Rock the Bells LL Cool J Source:General

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

19. Fat Joe and Remy Ma

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

20. Remy Ma

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

21. Remy Ma Performing At Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

22. Trina

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media | Shot by Keenan "HIGz" Higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media Source:other

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

23. Fat Joe

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Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media

24. Trill Mealz Food Court

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media | Shot by Keenan "HIGz" Higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media Source:other

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

25. Trill Mealz Food Court

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

26. Rock The Bells 2022 Lineup

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

27. Scarface

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Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media

28. Lil Kim Performs At Rock The Bells 2022

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media | Shot by Keenan "HIGz" Higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media | shot by keenan "higz" higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media Source:other

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

29. Lil Kim and Lil Cease

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

30. Lil Kim And Havoc Of Mobb Deep

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

31. Lil Kim And Lil Cease of Junior M.A.F.I.A.

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media Source:other

Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media

32. DJ Kid Capri

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

33. Busta Rhymes

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

34. Spliff Star and Busta Rhymes

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

35. Spliff Star and Busta Rhymes Perform at Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

36. Busta Rhymes Pays Tribute To The Notorious B.I.G. At Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

37. The Crowd Still Going Wild Well Into Midnight At Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

38. Rock The Bells 2022 At Forest Hills Stadium

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39. Ice Cube

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

40. Ice Cube Performing at Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

41. Ice Cube Co-Headlining At Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

42. DJ Z-Trip

Rock The Bells 2022 Recap Photos Reach Media | Shot by Keenan "HIGz" Higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media | shot by keenan "higz" higgins rock the bells 2022 recap photos reach media Source:other

Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

43. LL Cool J And DJ Z-Trip

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

44. LL Cool J Arrives From The Stage At Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

45. LL Cool J

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46. LL Cool J Headlining Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

47. LL Cool J Live From Queens, New York At Rock The Bells 2022

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48. LL Cool J On Stage At Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

49. LL Cool J Performs With Jennifer Lopez Virtually At Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Keenan “HIGz” Higgins | Reach Media

50. Rock The Bells 2022

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Photo Credit: Zion Reid | Reach Media