Traditionally, NXNE has had a strong rap component. Last year alone, varied acts like Ludacris, Joey Bada$$, Smif-n-Wessun and the Underachievers came to town. But 2014’s fest has even savvier programming. With new festival director (and known hip-hop head) Christopher Roberts at the helm, this year’s lineup includes the rap game’s most stylistically intriguing newcomers alongside established acts still producing at a high level.
Toplined by resurgent Three 6 Mafia don Juicy J (Sunday, June 22, Yonge-Dundas Square), the fest also features resident A$AP Mob weirdo trapper A$AP Ferg (Friday, June 20, Tattoo), flashy and clever “coke-rap” favourite Pusha T (Thursday, June 19, Vice Island), raw and rapidly rising New York City upstarts RatKing (Saturday, June 21, Lee’s Palace Sunday, June 22, Yonge-Dundas Square) and progressive party rocker Le1F (Thursday, June 19, Vice Island Friday, June 20, Virgin Mobile Mod Club and Edward Day Gallery).
