A Celebration Of Hip-Hop History On The 2025 Rock The Bells Cruise

For over 50 years, Hip-Hop has gifted the culture as we know it with a great deal. Not only has the genre introduced us to world-class talent, often taking up space in our hearts and memories, but it’s also provided so much more. Outside of the melodic rhymes and melodies that represent some of our favorite memories or the fly styles that continue to influence the fashion industry, there’s an undercurrent of community that’s the most significant gift of all. Whether it’s creating lifelong bonds with your circle of loved ones or with the very artists who’ve immortalized the sound, community continues to be a throughline in Hip-Hop, and thanks to the 2025 Rock The Bells Cruise, attendees had the opportunity to experience both. Earlier this month, eager Hip-Hop fans had the chance to sail to the Bahamas via Norwegian Cruise Line for the third annual excursion at sea alongside veteran rappers like Da Brat, The Lox, Mia X, and many others.
The nearly week-long adventure included jaw-dropping performances from legends of Hip-Hop’s past and present, as well as panel discussions and other meet-and-greet-like activations that allowed attendees to get up close and personal. For Da Brat, it was important to celebrate the legacy of the genre while paying respect to its supporters who’ve continued to uplift it over the years.
“This kind of celebration of Hip Hop’s legacy is so important to the culture. Being able to be up close and personal with my genre and also those who paved the way for me was so empowering,” Da Brat said to ForbesBLK. “I got to watch the greats perform, take me down memory lane, and appreciate their work all over again. We need more epic events like this so we can appreciate each other while we’re still here. And at the same time, hang out with our fans who have supported us from day one. It felt like family.”
While there are other cultural happenings, such as award shows, popular conventions, etc., that routinely feature this level of megawatt star power, Rock The Bells is unique in its own way. More than an opportunity to grab quick selfies with one’s favorite artist, the cruise also leans into educational-style programming, where the veteran rappers divulged the gems they’ve learned along the way. MC Lyte, who participated in a fireside chat with MC Sha-Rock about her career, feels the secret to her longevity is her willingness to use her platform to continue inspiring others.
MORE FOR YOU
“It’s just knowing that it’s not about you. The overarching goal for me has always been ‘How do I inspire someone else?’ So that means doing well. I’ve got to do well in order for someone else to feel as though they can,” MC Lyte shared. “It’s just letting God lead the way. It’s about my will to get myself there, and he’ll meet me with all of the other miracles that need to take place in order for it to really happen.”
Aside from the concept of community, another facet that continues to strengthen this corner of music is mentorship. The Midwestern rap pioneer Twista, who recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of his fifth studio album The Day After, leans into this, particularly as it relates to passing down knowledge to the next generation of rappers poised to take the mantle.
“I want them to stay doing what they’re doing and loving what they’re doing, but I want them to be able to look into the future, see where they’re going, and not be so carefree,” the rapper said. “I think a lot of times, it’s cool to live in the moment, but I think artists need to think about the future and the longevity of their career. There are so many things I could tell them, and I think one of the most important things is that success, or what they think is success, is not something they do one time and then, ‘poof,’ they’re at the top. Success is constant pressure.”
As Rock The Bells continues to celebrate the legacy of Hip-Hop alongside the cultural stewards who breathe life into it, it’s safe to say its legacy will continue to thrive for generations to come. The Hip-Hop trailblazer Lupe Fiasco, who serves as a distinguished visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University, believes his musical imprint will open doors for his peers to expand their artistry into new lanes, namely academia.
“I think my legacy is going to be on the academic side of things, like pushing that agenda, creating spaces in the academic space for other rappers to come in and pick up opportunities at universities and institutions of higher education,” Fiasco said. “I want to open up other opportunities for other artists to come in and fill in those spaces.”