“This festival is my way of showing love to the community of Hip Hop and celebrating the incredible journey this culture has taken, going from DJ Kool Herc’s Sedgwick Avenue rec room, to the global phenomenon we all cherish today,” LL COOL J said of the revamped event. “Getting to bring some of the most iconic and influential Hip-Hop artists to the same stage, in my hometown and the city that started it all, is an honor and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store for them.”

As part of the first annual Rock The Bells, UGK legend Bun B is bringing his Trill Mealz Food Court to the festival grounds. Nas, E-40, Jadakiss, Styles P, Ghostface Killah and Mia X will all bring their culinary delights to the audience. Check back with HipHopDX soon for an exclusive with Bun B in which he’ll discuss his RTB festival vision and more.