Sideways is the only big music & arts festival in the Helsinki area happening at the beginning of the Summer. Every year they present nearly 80 live acts plus entertaining sideshows from music trivia competitions to art exhibitions, 80’s arcade games to skateboarding sessions.

For 2019 they have added veteran hip-hop artist Nas as one of their main headliners. The Queen’s Bridge native has just released 3 back to back videos from his latest album, all while working on new musical projects.

Sideways Festival takes place on June 6th, 7th, and 8th at Sideways (Nordenskiöldinkatu 11, 00250) in Helsinki. Click here for tickets.

The legendary Scarface will be making a stop at one of the most popular live venue on the west coast, Yoshi’s. It’s located at 510 Embarcadero West in Oakland, California. The event, which kicks off at approximately 9:30 PM, has a door entrance ranging from $32 to $39 USD.

Click here to purchase tickets.

On Friday, February 1st, Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) will perform at O2 Forum Kentish Town (located at 9-17 Highgate Road) in London, UK. This is an 18 and older event – ID required – that will run from 7 to 11 PM (UK time).

Tickets are available online for £29.50 + tax. Click here to purchase tickets.

On Friday, January 18th, the “bigger than hip-hop” duo Dead Prez will be performing at Brighton Music Hall (158 Brighton Ave) in Allston, Massachusetts.

This is an 18 and older event and valid identification is required at the door, which opens at 8 PM. Click here to purchase tickets.

On Saturday, February 23rd, hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco will be performing songs from his popular Food & Liquor record at The Novo DTLA (the venue is located at 800 W Olympic Blvd) in Los Angeles, California.

This is an all ages event that will begin at 7 PM PST. Tickets, which starts at $32.50, can be purchased via AXS.

With the release of his new album, “Streams of Thought – Volume 2,” Black Thought and the entire Roots Crew are in high demand. Though they’re currently engaged in a mini Christmas tour, The Roots are now confirmed for back to back shows in Vegas and Colarado in the new year.

On February 22nd, they will play The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas (4555 Paradise RD). And on February 23rd, they will be at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver (1510 Clarkson). Below are ticket links to both shows.

Purchase tickets for the Las Vegas show here.

Purchase tickets for the Denver show here.

On April 14th, 2017, two of hip-hop’s most lyrical MCs, Talib Kweli & Styles P, got together and released an album titled Seven. Done on the Javotti Media and 3D label, Seven received great reviews from hip-hop critics all over the world.

A few days ago, Talib Kweli announced that Seven is now available on vinyl. The record can be purchased directly from Kweli’s digital store via the following link: https://kweliclub.com/products/talib-kweli-styles-p-the-seven-lp