Hip-hop and rap music festivals have become an integral part of the music scene in the United States. From the Tycoon Comedy Music Festival in Atlanta to the Wine and Hip-Hop Festival in New York, there is no shortage of events that celebrate this vibrant and exciting genre. This year is no exception, with a plethora of top-notch hip-hop concerts and festivals taking place across the country.
In this article, we will explore the top 25 rap and hip-hop festivals in the USA for 2023, including the biggest hip-hop festival, the upcoming rap festivals, and the top 3 rappers in America. Whether you’re a fan of R&B music festivals or rapper music festivals, there is sure to be an event that piques your interest.
So, let’s dive in and discover what’s in store for hip-hop festivals in 2023, including the highly anticipated Rock the Bells Festival 2023 and the KC R&B Music Festival in Missouri.
1. ROLLING LOUD CALIFORNIA 2023
When: March 3-5, 2023
Where: Hollywood Park Grounds, California
The largest Hip-Hop festival in the world, Rolling Loud Festival is a 3-day music event that started in Miami. It is a musical festival that features a lineup of popular hip-hop artists and takes place in California, USA. The festival has been held annually since 2017 and has become known for its high-energy performances and large crowds.
Rolling Loud California typically takes place over a weekend in the fall and offers multiple stages and other attractions such as food vendors, merchandise booths, and art installations. The festival has become a major event in the music industry and draws fans from all over the world.
In the past, Rolling Loud California has featured headlining acts such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Travis Scott, Future, Lil Wayne, Post Malone, and Cardi B. The festival also showcases up-and-coming artists and offers a platform for them to perform in front of a large audience.
2. ROCK THE BELLS CRUISE
When: November 13-17, 2023
Where: Miami, Florida – Bahamas
Rock the Bells Cruise is a music festival that takes place on a cruise ship. This year this ship is setting sail from Miami to the Bahamas on November 13-17, 2023. The cruise is designed to offer a complete vacation experience, combining the excitement of a music festival with the relaxation and luxury of a cruise.
In addition to the musical performances, the cruise also offers amenities such as swimming pools, spas, fitness centres, and gourmet dining options. It typically features multiple stages and performances by a variety of hip-hop artists, as well as DJ sets, dance parties, and other special events.
3. BROCCOLI CITY FESTIVAL 2023
When: July 15-16, 2023
Where: Washington DC
First held in 2013, Broccoli City Festival is an annual music festival of hip-hop and R&B that takes place in Washington D.C., USA. The festival is known for its commitment to sustainability and social justice, with a focus on environmental activism and community engagement.
The 2018 festival sold out to a crowd of 35,000 across two stages and featured some of today’s most talented artists including Migos, Cardi B, Nipsey Hussle, Snoh Aalegra, and more. Additionally, this festival hosts a variety of community events and initiatives throughout the year, including a youth entrepreneurship program and a community garden project.
4. DREAMVILLE FESTIVAL
When: April 1-2, 2023
Where: Raleigh, North California
Dreamville Music Festival is held annually each spring in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. The festival is organized by Dreamville Records, which was founded by rapper J. Cole and his team. Other popular performers who have played at Dreamville Music Festival in the past include Kendrick Lamar, 21 Savage, SZA, and Nelly.
Incredible music performances are held in one of America’s most beautiful and historic public parks, Dorothea Dix Park – Raleigh’s largest city park with over 300 acres of sprawling greenspace.
5. SOMETHING IN THE WATER FESTIVAL
When: April 28-30, 2023
Where: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Something in the Water Festival is curated by musician and producer Pharrell Williams. It is held in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA featuring hip-hop, R&B, and pop artists.
The festival was first held in 2019 and has since become a highly anticipated event in the music industry. Some of the headlining acts who have performed at Something in the Water Festival in the past include Pharrell Williams himself, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Missy Elliott, Janelle Monáe, Tyler, The Creator and more.
6. DAYS OF SUMMER CRUISE HIP-HOP FESTIVAL
When: July 2-5, 2023
Where: Miami, Florida – Bahamas
Days of Summer Cruise Fest is an annual hip-hop music cruise sailing to various Caribbean islands from the port of Miami Florida. Days of Summer Cruise Fest will be sailing out of Miami, Florida to a Private Island and Nassau, Bahamas for 4 day and 3 nights cruise onboard the Carnival Victory.
2023 they’re making a big return for a hip-hop party at sea, with Da Baby & FUTURE, with many more to be announced!
7. BREAKAWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: August 2023
Where: Multi-City Festival
Breakaway is the fastest-growing multi-city hip-hop music festival with events in the mid-west including Ohio, Michigan, The Carolinas and Tennessee. The festival will take place in Uptown Charlotte at the Avidxchange Music Factory,
Breakaway also throws in some top electronic and pop acts for good measure. Young Thug, Wiz Khalifa, Future, and Travis Scott are some known names in this festival.
8. COACHELLA
When: April 14th-16th, 2023 & 21st-23rd, 2023
Where: Indio, California
Coachella is a massive zeitgeist-chasing music festival in Indio, California. It is one of the biggest musical celebrations in the world. Coachella has hosted some of the most historic sets in festival history, with Beyoncé, Daft Punk, Prince, Radiohead, and Bob Dylan.
The fest is to be held over two weekends in the middle of April. While not a purely hip-hop music festival, Coachella’s sheer number of top hip-hop acts puts it on the list of the best in the USA.
9. ROOTS PICNIC HIP-HOP FESTIVAL
When: June 2023 (TBC)
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Roots Picnic is a day of incredible hip-hop and R&B music festival in Philadelphia. Lil Uzi Vert, Dirty Projectors, and The Diplomats will be seen here this season.
Podcasts such as Drink Champs, On One with Angela Rye, and Questlove Supreme will be featured in addition to the fest.
10. HIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: June 9-10, 2023
Hive Music Festival is all about hip-hop. The festival takes place in Downtown Salt Lake. As there is no campaigning, patrons are asked to find local accommodation and attend the shows between 11 am and 11 pm each day of the festival.
The festival is officially for all ages and for evolving artists an amazing platform.
11. LOLLAPALOOZA 2023
When: August 3-6, 2023
Where: Grant Park, Chicago
Not a hip-hop festival strictly but brings a ton of hip-hop artists on stage, Lollapalooza is a massive festival on the list.
It’s one of the iconic US Festivals and the longest running bringing in a lot for rap and hip-hop lovers.
12. MADE IN AMERICA FESTIVAL
When: September 3-4, 2023
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Made in America music festival is held in Benjamin Franklin Parkway each Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia. This two-day event is curated by Jay-Z with dozens of top performers and multiple stages.
Every year, Jay-Z hand-picks a lineup of both established and up-and-coming musicians to perform throughout the weekend — and sometimes, you can even find Jay-Z singing along in the crowd.
13. OUTSIDE LANDS
When: August 11-13, 2022
Where: San Francisco, California
The Outside Lands Festival is a three-day music festival annually held in San Francisco, California, at Golden Gate Park. The festival is produced by Another Planet Entertainment, Superfly Presents, and Starr Hill Presents.
In 2019, it was one of the world’s highest revenue-collecting festivals with almost $30 million.
14. Flyover KC Hip Hop Festival
When: May (Date is to be announced)
Where: Azura Amphitheater, Kansas
Grammy-winning star CARDI was the headline act at Flyover KC Hip Hop Festival in 2019. The date announcement is to be held shortly. It is a live concert series that features the top names in the hip-hop genre.
Other past line-ups include Atlanta rap stars 21 Savage and Lil Baby, G Herbo of Chicago, Lil Mosey, YBN Cordae, Splurge and Blaatina & Yusee, as well as K-pop star Tobi Lou.
15. CALI VIBES FEST
When: February 17-19, 2023
Where: Marina Green Park, Long Beach
Organized by Golden Voice (the production team behind Coachella and dozens of other festivals), Call Vibes was hosted in Long Beach, CA. This music festival calls for tasty food, and all the CA vibes, in addition to the great music.
If you are a Snoop Dogg fan, rap and hip-hop icon, it is a dream come true to watch him perform live here.
16. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
When: September 22-24, 2023
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
Life is Beautiful Festival is a three-day, pop music festival in Las Vegas, USA. As its name suggests, Life is Beautiful is all about creating an enriching and life-affirming experience of music, art, comedy, workshops, and cultural exchanges.
Taking over 18 blocks of downtown Las Vegas, the festival draws in the world’s biggest names in the pop, hip hop and alternative spectrum! After a wildly successful return in 2021 & 2022, Life Is Beautiful 2023 is guaranteed to be one of the best festivals for hip-hop fans!
17. JMBLYA
When: May & October 2023 (Dates to be announced)
Where: Rogers, Arkansas – Various cities, Texas
JMBLYA is a music festival that takes place in various cities throughout Texas, including Austin, Dallas, and Houston. The festival features popular hip-hop and rap artists, both established and in-making. JMBLYA was first held in 2013 and has since become a popular event for fans of hip-hop music in Texas and beyond.
The festival is known for its high-energy performances and lively atmosphere and has featured artists such as Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Migos, and Post Malone.
18. TYCOON MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: June 2023 (Dates to be announced)
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
The Tycoon Music Festival is a music event that takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. The festival typically features some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B music. Several prominent artists from the hip-hop and R&B genres, including Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, T.I., and Trey Songz are seen here.
Overall, the Tycoon Music Festival promises to be an exciting event for fans of hip-hop and R&B music. With its star-studded performances and impressive venue, it is sure to provide a memorable experience for all those who attend.
19. SOUNDSET FESTIVAL
When: May 2022 (Dates to be announced)
Where: Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
The Soundset Festival is an annual hip-hop music festival first held in Minnesota, United States. The event is organized by Rhymesayers Entertainment, a Minneapolis-based independent hip-hop record label.
In addition, to live music performances, the festival also includes a variety of activities, such as live graffiti art, B-Boy and B-Girl dance competitions, and a skateboarding demo area. The festival has been known to attract some of the biggest names in hip-hop music, including Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Nas, Atmosphere, Wu-Tang Clan, and many others.
The festival is held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in May and takes place at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Saint Paul.
20. GREATEST DAY EVER
When: July 2023 (Dates to be announced)
Where: Coney Island, New York
Greatest Day Ever is an annual two-day music festival that takes place in New York City, United States. The festival was first held in 2014 that includes popular hip-hop, electronic, and dance music artists from around the world. Past performers have included artists such as RL Grime, Travis Scott, Diplo, 6lack, and many others.
Greatest Day Ever takes place during the summer months, typically in July or August, and the venue is located at the New York Expo Center in the Bronx. The festival attracts a wide range of music lovers and partygoers from all over the United States and beyond.
21. NEON DESERT MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: May 2023 (Date to be announced)
Where: El Paso, Texas
Neon Desert Music Festival is an annual two-day music festival that takes place in El Paso, Texas, United States. The festival was first held in 2011 and has since become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the Southwest.
Artists such as Khalid, Cardi B, and Tame Impala, are involved in the list of popular performers in this event. Neon Desert Music Festival takes place during the spring months, typically in May. The festival attracts a wide range of music lovers and partygoers from all over Texas, New Mexico, and beyond.
22. HEAD IN THE CLOUDS FESTIVAL
When: October (Dates to be announced)
Where: Los Angeles, California
Head in the Clouds Festival is organized by the 88rising record label, which is known for its roster of popular Asian-American hip-hop and electronic music artists. It takes place in Los Angeles, California, United States.
Past performers have included artists such as Rich Brian, Joji, and Anderson. Paak, and many others.
23. LIL WEEZYANA FESTIVAL
When: September 2022 (TBC)
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Lil WeezyAna Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. This festival was created by Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne to celebrate the music, culture, and spirit of his hometown.
Performers’ name includes artists such as Drake, Travis Scott, 2 Chainz, and many others.
Overall, Lil WeezyAna Festival provides a unique opportunity for music fans to experience some of the best and most innovative music from the hip-hop and R&B scenes, while also celebrating the culture and spirit of New Orleans.
24. BROOKLYN HIP HOP FESTIVAL
When: July (Future Dates to be announced)
Where: Brooklyn, New York
The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is an annual event held in Brooklyn, New York, that celebrates the history, culture, and music of hip-hop. The festival typically takes place in July and features live performances, panel discussions, film screenings, art exhibits, and more.
The festival was founded in 2005 by Brooklyn Bodega, a community-based organization that aims to preserve and promote hip-hop culture. Since its inception, the festival has featured performances by some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Jay-Z, Nas, Rakim, and Q-Tip.
25. GRIZZLY FEST
When: May 2023 (Dates to be announced)
Where: Fresno, California
Grizzly Fest is an annual music festival held in Fresno, California, founded in 2014 by promoter Aren Hekimian. The festival typically takes place over the course of two days.
The list of performers includes famous names such as Snoop Dogg, Nas, Moby, and Foster the People, as well as a number of local and regional acts. Overall, Grizzly Fest is a vibrant and exciting celebration of music and culture in the heart of California’s Central Valley.
Conclusion:
The hip-hop and rap music scene in the United States is thriving, and 2023 is bringing some of the most exciting festivals and concerts ever witnessed. Whether you’re a fan of R&B music festivals or rapper music festivals, this list includes some of the biggest and most popular events in the country.
And with the Rock the Bells Festival 2023 and the KC R&B Music Festival in Missouri just around the corner, fans of hip hop and rap have plenty to look forward to in the upcoming year.
So, mark your calendars and get ready to experience some of the best live performances in the genre at these upcoming rap festivals and hip-hop festivals.