Oakland residents typically have to cross the Bay Bridge to catch the live shows of reggae and hip-hop’s all-time greats, but the Bay Area Vibez Festival brings world-renowned artists to our backyard this weekend. Taking place September 26 and 27 at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in West Oakland, the festival includes a lineup of influential musicians, including six-time Grammy-winning reggae artist Stephen Marley, Illmatic rapper Nas, Damian Marley (Stephen’s brother and Nas’ frequent collaborator), and dubstep producer Bassnectar — one of the few artists in the lineup who hails from the Bay Area. Lesser-known acts to look forward to include Meshell Ndegeocello, a neo-soul songstress and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with Madonna, Chaka Khan, and Indigo Girls. The Grouch & Eligh, a duo composed of two stalwarts of Oakland and Los Angeles’ underground hip-hop scenes, is also not to be missed.
Bay Area Vibez Festival
Stephen Marley, Nas, and Damian Marley come to Oakland.
