Jay-Z led a parade of special guests Sunday (Aug. 3) during the Rock the Bells festival at Jones Beach on Long Island, N.Y., joining Nas for two songs close to the end of his set. Also making surprise appearances were Busta Rymes, EMPD, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and Slick Rick.
With a live band, Nas went to another level when Jay-Z appeared for rousing versions of “Black Republican” from the “Hip-Hop Is Dead” album and “Success” from Jay-Z’s album “American Gangster.”
A Tribe Called Quest headlined with an appearance by Busta Rhymes, who performed the “Low End Theory” showstopper “Scenario” and gave fans a short set of his own highlighted by his “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.”
Method Man and Redman delivered a great lesson in Hip-Hop 101 by bringing such guests as Slick Rick, Keith Murray and EPMD into their hour-long set. While leaving the stage, they promised not only a new duo album, “Blackout II,” but also a sequel to their 2001 stoner comedy “How High.” I, for one, can’t wait for that!
Other surprises included Monch appearing during Immortal Technique’s short, politically-charged set; De La Soul appeared celebrating 20 years of the Native Tongues movement by bringing out Dres of Black Sheep to perform “Flavor of the Month” and a hyped version of “The Choice Is Yours,” followed by an appearance of Q-Tip for a rousing run through the hit cut “Buddy”; a whole stage-load of non-performers crowding up the energetic, Ghostface and Raekwon set; and Mos Def bringing out longtime partner Talib Kweli for a memorable Black Star set and then staging a small reunion by re-inviting Monche back onstage to perform his 1999 club anthem “Simon Says.” Biz Markie also appeared during De La Soul’s set to perform his classics “Just a Friend” and “Nobody Beats the Biz,” rocking the crowd.
The only group who didn’t appear with a special guest was the reunited Pharcyde. The California-based crew is planning a new studio album, its first with all original members since 1995′s revered “Labcabincalifornia.”
Rock the Bells Festival stops next on Saturday (Aug. 9) in San Bernardino, Calif.
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