Hot 97 Summer Jam 2014 Lineup, Tickets (#SJ2014)

Say what you will about New York’s Hot 97, but they do orchestrate the region’s biggest annual hip hop and R&B concert event, and 2014 is shaping up to be no different.

Usually pulling A-list current mainstream celebs (although this year’s lineup is, so far, a bit less packed, even if the top names are significant), New York’s hip hop radio juggernaut actually holds two concerts, the main event being preceded by the Hot 97 Summer Jam Festival Stage, a smaller area, typically reserved for up-and-comers.

In 2013, in a part to combat the criticism often leveled against them, Hot 97 experimented with an all-New York artist festival stage, touting it as an example of how much they support New York artists (even though many of the participants were artists the station had some sort of business affiliation with, and hardly represented the true depth of New York’s varied and thriving independent hip hop scene). In any case, it seems as if that pseudo-campaign ended before it began, as this year’s festival stage is populated with much less homegrown talent.

Atop the main event is where Hot 97 does pull its weight, satisfying both hip hop locavores and those disappointed by the station’s playlist is recent years. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his seminal album Illmatic, Nas is perched at the pinnacle. Also appearing, for the first time in over a decade, the recently-turned-independent artist 50 Cent, who has been gearing up something of a comeback, or, to be kinder, at least a resurgence.

Joining these two veteran heavyweights, The Roots, who have evolved from perennial hip hop favorites to figures of modern Americana thanks to their involvement in The Tonight Show.The Black Thought-fronted, Questlove-backed collective will assuredly flex considerable musical and lyrical muscle for the New York/New Jersey crowd.

After her much-discussed rebuffing of the station’s event back in 2012 due to comments made by resident rap historian/underground advocate/backpacker Peter Rosenberg, Nicki Minaj (curiously billed along “with YMCMB”) is scheduled to make her return as a headlining act at this year’s concert.

Joining these iconic figures, the main stage rounds out with a mildly-but-not-mindblowing lineup of Wiz Khalifa, YG, Ty Dolla $ign & DJ Mustard and Kid Ink as well as New Yorkers Action Bronson and Troy Ave.

Representing for the R&B set, crooner Trey Songz and chanteuse Sevyn Streeter, best known for “It Won’t Stop,” her sugary duo with not-so-sweet Chris Brown.

Trinidadian Bunji Garlin, who had a solid hit with “Differentology,” will represent for the reggae side of things.

The festival stage will feature a couple of well-known acts, including Childish Gambino and Jhene Aiko, Staten Island songsmith Mack Wilds, Chinx, Nipsey Hussle, Iggy Azalea and August Alsina.

As always, the lineup is expected to change, as new artists are added, surprise guests will appear, and you never know who Rosenberg might chase off the stage this year.

The 2014 Hot 97 Summer Jam takes place June 1 at METLIFE Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Tickets are on sale now.