Reggae Rise Up Arizona Festival Unites Hip-Hop and Reggae Stars for Genre-Crossing Celebration

The Reggae Rise Up Arizona festival in Tempe broke genre boundaries from April 17 to 19, welcoming hip-hop acts like Atmosphere, De La Soul, and Yelawolf alongside reggae heavyweights Stephen Marley, Steel Pulse, and Rebelution. According to High Times, festivalgoers embraced the diverse lineup, treating the cross-genre mix as an organic evolution of music culture. The event unfolded in the blistering Sonoran Desert, with performances spread across multiple stages and a haze of cannabis and cigarette smoke setting the scene

While the festival's beginnings were marked by travel mishaps and logistical hiccups—including a delayed flight and a misdirected hotel meeting—the atmosphere quickly shifted once the music began. Atmosphere, a hip-hop duo known for their energetic live shows, expressed surprise at sharing the bill with other rap acts. "We used to get clowned for that," Slug of Atmosphere remarked, referencing the past skepticism about hip-hop at reggae events. Yelawolf, another hip-hop headliner, shared that previous tours with reggae-influenced acts had taught him that "there’s a certain universal rock ‘n roll style that we have that I think bleeds into all genres."

De La Soul brought their signature D.A.I.S.Y. Age aesthetic to the festival, energizing crowds with hits like “Me Myself & I.” The festival also facilitated unique backstage moments, such as Yelawolf and Young MC discussing songwriting craft. On stage, Yelawolf paid tribute to Young MC, saying, "Writing a great song is very hard to do, especially in hip-hop I think Young MC is a genius at what he does." These interactions highlighted the event’s role as a melting pot for musical inspiration and respect across genres

Reggae Rise Up’s openness to hip-hop reflected the intertwined history of the two genres. Rebelution singer Eric Rachmany observed, "I think hip-hop has influenced reggae and reggae has influenced hip-hop, and rock has influenced reggae and reggae has influenced rock. There’s just so many crossovers and that’s so true with the Rebelution sound." Rachmany, whose band has collaborated with hip-hop collectives and producers, emphasized his deep respect for Jamaican music and the global evolution of reggae. Protoje, another festival performer, echoed this sentiment: "I grew up on hip-hop And then you have to remember the history of Jamaican culture and hip-hop culture is very intertwined, from Kool Herc to so many Jamaican influences."

Sunday’s performances by Steel Pulse, Collie Buddz, Stephen Marley, and Rebelution capped off the festival with a celebration of reggae’s roots and messages of unity. Stephen Marley’s set, featuring classic Bob Marley covers, turned into a communal sing-along as the desert sun set. The festival’s positive energy and cross-genre collaborations underscored reggae’s enduring themes. As Rachmany reflected, "It’s really important to bring some positivity. It makes me really happy to be around this festival, for instance, because I think most of the people here are talking about really positive things that you don’t see too often."

From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, the Reggae Rise Up Arizona festival offers a blueprint for how cannabis-friendly music events can transcend genre boundaries and foster community through shared values of positivity and unity. This blending of hip-hop and reggae not only reflects their historical connections but also signals a growing appetite for inclusive, multi-genre experiences within the festival circuit. For the cannabis industry, such events are a testament to shifting cultural norms and present new opportunities for brands, artists, and audiences alike