The 10th Annual Rhymefest LA — held at The Torch at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum — felt like a hip hop head’s version of the When We Were Young Festival: a nostalgic homage to the underground and old-school hip hop that shaped the culture.
Founded by Rafael “Scooby” Dos Santos, 2024 was a celebration of the genre’s roots, hosting an unbelievable lineup that satisfied both old and new heads alike.
Hosted by the legendary B-Real (of Cypress Hill), Rhymefest brought together some of the most iconic names in underground hip hop. Atmosphere headlined the festival with a set that brought the crowd way back, reminding everyone why Slug and Ant have remained pivotal figures in the scene for decades and the reason the crowd loves underground hip hop to this day.
The other acts — like Living Legends, Dilated Peoples, and The Alchemist — brought their own raw energy to the stage. Visionaries, Blu & Exile featuring Fashawn, Sage Francis, Planet Asia, Demrick & Dizzy Wright, and Reverie also rocked the stages leading up to the main acts.
Aside from the live music, there was a blend of live graffiti art, diverse vendors, a beer garden, and top-tier sponsorship tents. The two stages allowed for seamless transitions between acts, guaranteeing that the energy never died down. The graff art added a visual layer to the festival: another important element of hip hop culture, giving hip hop heads ambrosia for both their ears and eyes.
Rhymefest LA brought the Los Angeles hip hop community together.
For those who grew up on the beats and rhymes of the 90s and early 2000s, it was a trip down memory lane. For newer fans, it was a rare opportunity to witness the legends who paved the way for today’s hip hop artists. The fest proved, once again, that underground hip hop is far from dead; it’s thriving, evolving, and as impactful as ever.
Rhymefest 2024 recap video:
Share this article
or
Get music updates in your inbox