The traveling Rock the Bells festival will once again present an eclectic mix of hip-hop acts in various markets across the country. Last year’s inaugural Rock the Bells was the top-grossing hip-hop event in the country thanks to performances by a reunited Rage Against the Machine, the Wu Tang Clan and Public Enemy, among others. The festival’s 2008 offering will feature performances by A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul, Rakim, Method Man & Redman, Raekwon & Ghostface (Cuban Linx), Immortal Technique, Dead Prez, Murs and Kidz In The Hall and the reunited The Pharcyde.

In addition to more traditional hip-hop, Rock the Bells will also present a number of acts from the emerging electro-hip hop scene, including Spank Rock, Santogold, Kid Sister, Wale, Flosstradamus, Jay Electronica and The Cool Kids. Cypress Hill’s B-Real will host the event’s electro-hip hop festivities.

“This year’s line-up represents, respects and recognizes the diversity and inspirational possibilities often promised, but rarely delivered in a live hip-hop experience,” says Chang Weisberg, of event organizers Guerilla Union. “We really feel that this year’s group of artists define our platform and further galvanize the legacy that Rock The Bells has earned through the years. Guerilla Union constantly strives to curate shows that house those once-in-a-lifetime performance experiences that our fans have come to expect.  I am thrilled that the majority of performers on this year’s bill have new music to showcase, and we have still managed to deliver all the qualities of Rock The Bells that our fans demand year after year.”

Rock the Bells will kick off in Chicago on July 19, before hitting nine more North American cities on seven consecutive weekends, wrapping up in Vancouver at the end of August.  2008 also marks the first year that Rock the Bells will go global with four stops in Europe and one in Japan. Highlights of the series include first time dates in Toronto, Vancouver and Philadelphia, plus a return to the Glen Helen Pavilion in San Bernardino, CA where last year’s show sold out with a capacity crowd of 45,000 people.