KINGS OF THE MIC TOUR
LL COOL J with Ice Cube,
Public Enemy and De La Soul
FRIDAY, MAY 24 AT 8:30PM
Tickets on-sale Friday at 10am!
Two-time Grammy®-winning recording artist, LL COOL J featuring DJ Z-Trip, will headline the “Kings Of The Mic” Tour, which will prove to be this summer’s ultimate Hip-Hop music experience. Joined by legendary artists Ice Cube, Public Enemy and De La Soul, the tour will come to The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Friday, May 24. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am.
This tour underscores what true authentic Hip-Hop music is based on, with these groundbreaking artists bringing their music to fans across generations. “The Kings Of The Mic” tour will be a great way for hip-hop fans to kick off Memorial Day Weekend in Las Vegas.
The tour will come on the heels of the release of LL’s 14th new studio album, Authentic, on April 30, 2013 on 429 Records/The Savoy Label Group. The multi-platinum artist returned to the studio and kicked the volume up to create a powerful album that came from his true passion for music and would speak to his fans. Celebrating his 30th year in music, Authentic features the iconic rapper in his element. The Album is anchored by LL’s expressive attitude where his sensitive side is as present as his slicing lyrical switchblades. Authentic comes to life with crazy club jams, tender tracks, personal tributes, and hard-hitting commentary addressing the current hip-hop climate.
First introduced to the world in 1984 as a Def Jam Records flagship artist, LL is the first rap artist to amass ten consecutive platinum-plus selling albums. The multi-platinum artist and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee is currently tied for third place for most Billboard chart debuts by a rapper. For three decades, LL has continued to influence hip-hop with rap ballads that captivate generations of audiences. Since then, the veteran rapper has evolved his scope of work across entertainment appearing in numerous television and film roles, among many other projects. LL currently stars on one of the consistently highest rated shows on television, the CBS hit primetime drama series, “NCIS: LOS ANGELES.” His performance on the show has garnered him a NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series” three years in a row (2011 – 2013).
As much as technology, business and society have changed since the 1980s, one thing has remained constant: Ice Cube has been a premier cultural watchdog, astutely commenting on, examining and detailing the breadth of the American experience in uncompromising terms with an unflinching honesty and a sobering perspective, as well as a deft comedic touch that has endeared him to several generations of fans. After penning the most memorable lyrics on N.W.A’s groundbreaking songs, including “Straight Outta Compton,” Ice Cube left the group at the peak of its popularity – a move that led him to one of the most successful careers in music history. As a solo recording artist, Ice Cube has sold more than 10 million albums while remaining one of rap’s most respected and influential artists. In addition to a successful solo career in music, Ice Cube is also an accomplished as writer, director, actor and producer in cinema who’s credits include ‘Boyz In The Hood,’ the ‘Friday,’ ‘Barbershop’ and ‘Are We There Yet’ franchises, and most recently ’21 Jump Street.’ Cube is gearing up for several film releases this year as well as his 10th solo album release, ‘Everythang’s Corrupt.’
In early 2012, Public Enemy kicked off their 25th anniversary by staging a free concert in downtown Los Angeles’ notorious Skid Row. Just a few blocks away at the Grammy Museum, a special exhibit was being installed in their honor. No other group could possibly mark a career milestone quite like this. Every bit as compelling as their startling first single, “Public Enemy #1,” when it was released in 1987, Public Enemy have never stopped urging to fight the power as their artistry meets with unwavering critical acclaim and legions of worldwide fans. Fans that drove their single, “Harder Than You Think,” into the UK’s Top 5 last summer and prompted the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to induct the group in 2013 – their first year of eligibility.
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres. With its playful wordplay, innovative sampling, and witty skits, the band’s debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, has been called “a hip hop masterpiece.” It is the band’s biggest commercial success to date, with their subsequent albums selling progressively less, despite receiving high praise from critics. A measure of 3 Feet High and Rising’s cross-over appeal was the fact that it was voted Album of the Year by NME, a title better known for its taste in guitar-based music. In 2006, the group won a Grammy for their collaboration with Gorillaz on the single “Feel Good Inc.”
For more info visit:
www.LLCOOLJ.com
www.IceCube.com
www.PublicEnemy.com
http://wearedelasoul.tumblr.com
Tickets, starting at $49.50 (plus applicable service fees), go on sale Friday at 10am at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000.
About The Joint
The Joint is a 4,000-person capacity venue that serves as a sophisticated, intimate and unparalleled entertainment destination. The Joint features seven Luxury Suites, a VIP Studio Level, state-of-the-art sound system, superior video system and a production package tailor-made for artist comfort. It has received numerous accolades including “Best Concert Venue” in Las Vegas Review – Journal’s “Best of Las Vegas” awards 2010 – 2012, “Best Music Venue” in 2012 Las Vegas Weekly Awards, “No. 1 Hottest Club in America” award by Billboard Magazine in 2011, “Best Live Music Venue in Las Vegas” by MetroWize.com in 2011, “Best New Major Concert Venue” at the 2010 Pollstar Awards, and “Best Live Music Venue” in AOL City’s Best 2010 awards. The Joint delivers unforgettable live music experiences with performances by both legendary and ground-breaking artists including Paul McCartney, The Killers, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Arcade Fire, Avenged Sevenfold, Rise Against, Paramore, Muse, Drake and No Doubt. The venue created the successful concept of rock ‘n’ roll residencies with Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits, Mötley Crüe in Sin City, Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Democracy and Def Leppard VIVA Hysteria! as well as Tiësto In Concert, featuring the world’s No. 1 electronic DJ and producer Tiësto. For additional information, visit www.thejointlasvegas.com or call 702.693.5583 or 702.693.5000.
About AEG Live
AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance. AEG Live is comprised of touring, festival, exhibition, broadcast, merchandise and special event divisions, fifteen regional offices and owns, operates or exclusively books thirty-five state-of-the-art venues. The current and recent concert tour roster includes artists such as Taylor Swift, The Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Justin Bieber, Leonard Cohen, Wisin & Yandel, Kenny Chesney, P!nk, Enrique Iglesias and Paul McCartney. The company is also currently producing residency shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas including Celine Dion, Rod Stewart and Shania Twain and is the exclusive promoter at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. AEG’s exhibition portfolio boasts the most successful exhibition of all time, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, which has attracted more than 8 million visitors since 2005. AEG Live is also the largest producer of music festivals in North America from the critically acclaimed Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival to Stagecoach Country Music Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. www.aeglive.com