Festivals attract tons of people from all over the world, and fans from all walks of life travel from near and far just to experience their favorite artists live. If you haven’t tried to get yourself on a dope festival lineup yet, what’s stopping you? To get you started, here’s a list of the top 12 hip-hop festivals you should apply to:
Top 12 Hip-Hop Festivals You Should Apply To
[bctt tweet=”Performing at a festival is a great way to get yourself seen by thousands of fans, new and old. If you’re a hip-hop artist looking to reach a larger audience, performing at festivals can get you there.” username=”symphonicdist”]
Rolling Loud
Reining supreme as the largest hip-hop festival in the world, Rolling Loud takes over Miami, FL in March and rappers fly out from all over the country to take part in the festivities.
Some of the biggest names that have performed on the Rolling Loud stage include the likes of Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Future, Lil Wayne, A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, Young Thug, Post Malone, Migos, Kodak Black, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, and so many more.
- If you feel like you’d kill it at Rolling Loud, get in touch with them by emailing INFO@RollingLoud.com
Dreamville
Dreamville Festival will be the first event of its kind for North Carolina, because it looks to provide a thoughtfully-curated, multi-stage music event from J. Cole, who himself was raised in nearby Fayetteville, North Carolina. It takes place in April, and it has quickly become one of the most anticipated annual events in the city.
J. Cole will perform in addition to many nationally recognized artists, like 21 Savage, SZA and Big Sean. If you’re from North Carolina and are interested in playing an event like this one, you’ve got the home advantage. The goal of this festival was simple: to respect the area and give back to the community. If you think your vibe matches that of this festival, hit them up to see if you can get on the lineup!
- For more info on how you can become a part of this festival, you can contact them at info@dreamvillefest.com
Float Fest
Float Fest is an annual music festival on the Guadalupe River in Gonzales, TX., during July. This festival combines two of Texas’s favorite things, tubing and live music to create a unique festival experience that many popular artists have taken part in.
This fest is a cool combination of hip-hop, indie and edm, including artists like Gucci Mane, Major Lazer, Ice Cube, Big Gigantic, Zed’s Dead, and many more.
- Become a part of this unique experience by reaching out to booking@floatfest.net
SOL BLUME
The one issue with a lot of mainstream festivals is they’re afraid to book underground artists with the worry of a decline in attendance. At the same time, part of what appeals to so many music fans is the very fact that their favorites are not as popular in mainstream media. During April in Sacramento, Sol Blume returns to California. This festival appeals to soul, hip-hop, and R&B fans with it’s unique lineup of artists like Jhené Aiko, The Internet, Goldlink, Nao, Smino, Xavier Omär and more.
This festival attracts like minded fans to an intimate setting of smaller crowds and underground favorites. If your music falls into this vibe, this festival could be the perfect place to take part in strengthening your fan base in a more personalized way while being a part of an amazingly creative atmosphere.
- Get in touch with them by reaching out to inquiries@solblume.com
Broccoli City Festival
Looking to get involved in a festival with a cause? Broccoli City Festival is 2-day, Washington, D.C., gathering of millennials who are committed to building thriving communities that impact future generations while also enjoying they’re favorite artists. Taking place in April, musicians like Childish Gambino, Lil Wayne, 6LACK, Teyana Taylor and City Girls have all taken part in this event and support the cause.
This one is more than just a music festival. The weekend focuses on mind and body wellness and offers community volunteering events as well. If you’re someone who likes to be involved in helping communities and want to be associated in a festival with a cause, don’t hesitate to try and get involved with Broccoli City Festival.
- Contact them here: info@broccolicity.com
Camp Flog Gnaw Festival
Camp Flog Gnaw is an annual American music festival and carnival curated by Tyler, the Creator. In November, Los Angeles hosts the coveted event with artists like Tierra Whack, Flatbush Zombies, Billie Eilish, Virgil Abloh, Kids See Ghosts, Earl Sweatshirt and tons more coming together for the fun filled event. This festival is all about welcoming creativity and self expression and attracts a richly diverse audience.
Attendees flood in to see their favorite artists as well as take part in rides, games, food stalls, pop-up shops and two massive Ferris Wheels. If you get the chance to take part in this festival as an artist, it’ll open your horizons exponentially to big names with bigger connections.
- Get in touch by contacting https://campfloggnaw.com/contact
Flyover Fest
The locally produced festival returns to Providence Medical Center Amphitheater in Bonner Springs on May 4. With names like Cardi B, Kodak Black and 21 Savage, this festival is growing to be one of the festivals you don’t want to miss. Because it’s relatively new to the scene, there’s a lot of room for growth here. Imagine running into Cardi B or 21 Savage at the same stage as you.
- Put yourself out there and reach out to https://www.flyoverkc.com/booking to be considered.
Hot 97 Summer Jam
New York radio station Hot 97’s Summer Jam stadium show is arguably the biggest annual concert in hip-hop in June. Every year, the station rounds up some of the genre’s hottest names to perform at MetLife Stadium just over the river in New Jersey. Artists like Cardi B, Meek Mill, Migos, Tory Lanez, A Boogie, Rich The Kid and many more make appearances at this event.
- Get in touch with them by contacting: press@emmisny.com
JMBLA
Another great festival to keep on your radar is JMBLA. This one takes place in Dallas, Austin, and Houston, Texas during May. The fest boasts an impressive lineup of some of the greats. Figures like Kevin Gates, Migos, Cardi B and J. Cole all make an appearance.
- You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Reach out to them here: JMBLYA@scoremoreshows.com
Pot of Gold Fest
Phoenix, Arizona’s Pot of Gold Festival returns in March with one of their biggest lineups yet. Like many of the other festivals in this list, it offers rides, food, art exhibitions and more. What used to be mostly rock and indie acts has transformed and embraced hip-hop and R&B like never before.
- If you want some additional info or have any questions about possibly performing at this event, email info@potofgoldaz.com
Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival
What better place to host a huge hip-hop festival than Brooklyn, New York. As one of the largest hip-hop events in the city, Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival is a celebration of the culture of hip-hop. Come out to this festival and be a part of something that represents just how much the hip-hop community has grown and how it embraces what it means to be a part of the culture.
- Interested? Reach out here: http://www.bkhiphopfestival.com/contact/
Best Life Music Festival
Last but not least, Best Life Music Festival takes place in iconic Wynwood, Miami in September. If you’re familiar with the area, Wynwood is the place to be for you creative souls out there. Best Life represents the best in R&B culture & artform and serves as a platform to our generation’s most talented R&B singers and songwriters.
H.E.R, Ella Mai, Xavier Omar and many more artists come out to express themselves at this inclusive festival. If your music encompasses smooth, jazzy vibes, you’ll fit right in at this fest.
- Contact Info@bestlifefest.com for more info.
There are so many hip-hop festivals out there, there’s always a chance you could be accepted to perform at one of them.
Get out of your comfort zone and you never know what you could achieve!