Summer Smash weekend is finally just around the corner! As an avid hip-hop lover, this 3-day festival presented by Lyrical Lemonade and SPKRBX is undoubtedly my most anticipated fest of the year, besides maybe Rolling Loud or ARC Music Festival. It’s been a pleasure to watch this festival grow from a one-night, six-act show at Portage Theater in 2016 to one of the largest hip-hop festivals in the world.
If you plan on attending this weekend’s fest in Bridgeview, stay hydrated and safe! If you’re looking for some artists to check out before the headliners take the stage each day, keep reading…
Here are our top 12 most anticipated acts performing at this year’s Summer Smash!
Bktherula – Following her immaculate tour run alongside PinkPantheress on the ‘Capable of Love’ Tour, Bk is back and ready to rock out on her solo tour. The ‘I Just Wanna Be Me’ Tour is kicking off at Summer Smash and I can guarantee her set isn’t one you should plan on missing. Bk has turned into a Summer Smash staple and deserves every minute she gets on stage. Check out “Tweakin’ Together”, “IDK WHAT TO TELL YOU”, and “Santanny”.
Famous Dex – Chicago-born Famous Dex is set to make his return to the Summer Smash stage this Friday and honestly, I’ll never shy away from a Dexter set. His infectious energy makes every one of his sets a communal party and I’m excited to see how well the Chicago crowd responds to this SoundCloud legend. Keep an eye out for some special guests throughout this set in particular. Check out “On My Waist” (feat. Warhol.Ss), “Geek On A B****” (Remix)(feat. Playboi Carti), and “2016”.
Kami – Another Chicago legend in Kami will be repping SAVEMONEY and Leather Corduroys this weekend and I wouldn’t be surprised if we were blessed with some dope guests within this set, as well. North Coast 2018, before they evolved into an exclusively EDM festival, was the last time I saw Kami perform live; his unmatched confidence during the set and utter friendliness post-set made me a lifelong fan. Hoping we hear some brand-new Kami tunes during this early afternoon set! Check out “Sayless”, “CHO TALK”, and “Pack”.
Kodak Black – To the best of my knowledge, I believe it has been several years since Kodak Black has performed in Chicago and I’m sincerely looking forward to his return. Although I’ve heard he might not be the most spectacular performer, his deep discography paired with a perfect sunset timeslot should make for an undeniably fun set on Saturday. His set will be full of Carti-campers as it’s the last set of the day before Playboi’s headlining slot, so be prepared for a rowdy bunch if you decide to hop in the pits for Kodak’s set. Check out “Walk”, “Like Dat”, and “Love & War”.
Lucki – Tuneskiiiii is releasing his newest full-length at midnight this Thursday and I’m ecstatic to see a good portion of this project live two days after it hits DSPs. Lucki is truly a hometown legend as his slow but steady growth to stardom should inspire anyone in Chicago to hustle toward a seemingly unattainable goal. Lucki is holding a near-sold-out album release party this Thursday but if you missed out on tickets for that event, be sure to camp out at the SPKRBX Stage once Lil Skies wraps up at 7:10. Check out “Dirty Demons”, “Go Away!!”, “Don’t You Love Me”.
Mick Jenkins – This is set to be my performance of the weekend as the unbelievably talented Mick Jenkins is set to perform The Water(S), one of my all-time favorite projects, in its entirety on Saturday. It was a much simpler time in 2014 when this immaculate project was released and I’m excited to teleport back to that time through a 30-minute live performance. Lots of Chicago legends are set to take the stage this weekend but Mick is truly one-of-a-kind. Don’t miss this one! Check out “Jazz”, “The Waters”, and “Gwendolynn’s Apprehension”
Freddy got magic – Freddy got magic, FKA Supa Bwe, is set to return to Chicago for another electrifying hometown performance. Freddy has been LA-based for quite some time now, so whenever he returns to the city for a fest I can guarantee he throws down. Check out “Stolen Hearts (Thanos)”, “Entropy” (feat. Dounia), and “The Moon” (Run It Up).
Ken Carson – Ken Carson won me over at the final Douglas Park Summer Smash in 2022. His electric performance at Lenny’s Tent Stage introduced me to the high octane rapper that left no doubt in my mind that I was witnessing a soon-to-be star. Ken’s most recent performance in Poland at the Orange Warsaw Festival was a perfect representation of how crazy his sets go every time. Be sure to drink plenty of water before this set if you plan on hopping into the pits, it’ll be a party, no doubt. Check out “Rock N Roll”, “Yale”, and “Run + Ran”.
Anycia – I’d have to consider Anycia as Atlanta’s queen artist right now and I’m excited to both watch her perform and watch her career take off as she undoubtedly has what it takes to blow up. I was first introduced to both Anycia as well as Concrete Boys’ Karrahbooo through their late 2023 collaboration “SPLASH BROTHERS” and got hooked on my first listen. I’ve heard Anycia compared to Veeze and I can completely see the similarity between the Detroit and Atlanta rappers. This should be a thoroughly enjoyable set that I’m personally very excited for. Check out “BRB”, “SPLASH BROTHERS”, and “HOMEWRECKER”.
Bashfortheworld – I’ve loved what I’ve heard from Bashfortheworld but I’m going into his performance relatively blind… if I had to take a gamble on one of the best afternoon sets to enjoy this weekend, it’d be this one on Sunday afternoon before a wild run leading up to Chief Keef. His consistently dope production choices will make for a stoner-friendly set to enjoy on a predicted heater of a final day. Check out “Mundo” and “Third World”.
Robb Bank$ – Robb Bank$ is another SoundCloud legend that’ll put on a veteran performance to open up the Lyrical Lemonade Stage on Saturday following after DJ Preme warms the speaker system up. By the way, he posted about wanting a Pizza Puff so if you’re looking for a few minutes on stage this weekend, I’d recommend grabbing a Pizza Puff on your way out to Bridgeview and hanging on Robb’s rail until he sees you… good luck… Bank$ has been releasing music since 2011 so expect a wide ranging setlist filled with throwbacks and newer previews. Check out “Anything” (feat. wifisfuneral) and “Broken Promethes”.
Chief Keef – Do I really have to say anything? This will be a legendary performance that I’m truly excited and honored to witness.
