Now that HARD Summer is rocking with a new venue and added camping, you know that HARD Event’s had to outdo themselves with the annual summer festivals lineup. Like always, the two-day music extravaganza offers fans a plethora of artists to see live, including acts like Travis $cott, Major Lazer, DJ Khaled, Green Velvet, Desiigner, Justin Martin, Boys Noize, and so much more. With a lineup boasting over 50+ acts ranging from hip-hop to deep house and everything in between, we know how overwhelming it can be to pick who you want to see! So we here at GDE are here to help lighten your burden by giving you our top ten can’t miss acts at this year’s HARD Summer music festival.

10. AlunaGeorge (HARDer Stage Sunday: 5:25PM – 6:25PM)

AlunaGeorge

The British sensations are back and better than ever! Having just released two new singles from their highly anticipated second album “I Remember.” The duo is most well known for their 2013 collaboration with Disclosure “White Noise,” as well as the DJ Snake remix of “You Know You Like It” and recently Jack Ü’s ‘To Ü’ off their 2015 debut album. AlunaGeorge’s new album will include features from artists like Flume, Zhu, Popcaan, and Dreezy and will be released via Interscope Records September 16.

 

9. Jai Wolf (HARD Stage Sunday: 3:55PM – 4:55PM)

Jai Wolf

Last summer, the NYC-born producer amassed a huge following after the release of debut single, “Indian Summer.” Currently working with ODEZA’s label Foreign Family Collective, Jai Wolf has released his second single “Drive” featuring the Chain Gang of 1974 on vocals. This single is sure to be another summer anthem and fully showcases Jai Wolf’s playful and synth-heavy production skills.

 

8. Salva (Green Stage Saturday: 3PM – 4:15PM)

Salva

The Roc Nation producer/ DJ has very quickly become a household name in both the rap and the electronic music world. Working with artists such as ASAP Ferg, Rihanna, Schoolboy Q, Problem, E-40, Rick Ross, and Youth Thug for his smash hit “Old English.” The LA-based producer can’t be boxed in by one genre and instead teeters the line between a hip-hop and an electronic music DJ.

 

7. Ty Dolla $ign (Purple Stage Sunday: 7:35PM – 8:35PM)

ty dolla sign

Having just been nominated for a BET award for his collaboration with Big Sean and Chris Brown on “Play No Games,” Ty Dolla $ign has had an incredible year. The Los Angeles crooner is known for his sultry voice and risquè lyrics, first gaining notoriety for writing and performing in the 2010 smash hit “Toot it and Boot it” with fellow LA-born artist YG. His 2013 collaboration “Paranoid,” with DJ Mustard and BOB put him in the spotlight once again and he’s since released multiple mixtapes through Atlantic Records, Def Jam, and Taylor Gang Records; in 2015 he debuted his first album “Free TC.” Being featured on hit songs like “Blasé” with Future and Rae Sremmurd and “Or Nah” with Wiz Khalifa and The Weeknd (who played HARD Summer last year), the LA native has also worked alongside: DJ Khaled, E-40, Fetty Wap, Jeremih, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Kid Ink, and Trey Songz. Currently, Ty Dolla $ign is working on his second album “Campaign” and has just released a three-part music video for his new single “No Justice”.

 

6. Porter Robinson (HARDer Stage Sunday: 9:45PM – 11PM)

Porter-Robinson-Conquers-WORLDS-in-New-Album

A household name in the electronic music scene, Porter Robinson is still on top! Nearing the two-year anniversary of his debut album, “World’s,” the young producer has remained mostly quiet this past year in terms of new productions. Only emerging for a few shows in Vegas at his residency at Marquee in Las Vegas and a few festivals here and there, we’re hoping Porter may surprise us with some new remixes or singles like he did at Electric Forrest in June where Porter played a live edit of his unreleased track, “Shepherdess,” an exclusive track on his “Worlds” vinyl edition or maybe he’ll play the full remix he did of The Weeknd’s ‘The Hills’ at this year’s HARD Summer! If 2016 has showed us anything is that Porter Robinson is full of surprises.

 

5. Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals (HARDer Stage Saturday: 5:35PM – 6:35PM)

Anderson .Paak

One of the latest artists signed to Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment and also featured on the cover of XXL Magazine’s Freshman Class of 2016, the Hip-Hop/RnB crooner has released his third album, entitled “Malibu”, which saw fans across the world praise his album for being one of the most unique projects in recent years. Anderson is known for his soulful, disco era groovy melodies, his latest album includes features from artists like Schoolboy Q, The Game, and Talib Kweli. Anderson’s previous work has been heavily influenced by house music as he also has the honor of collaborating with Kaytranada on “Glowed Up.” This past April, we saw Anderson .Paak give Coachella his all by playing tracks from his ‘Malibu’ album as he performed live on the mic, played the drums, and the keys, this dude can do it all. Can your favorite DJ or rapper do that under a one hour set? Didn’t think so!

 

4. Ghastly (Green Stage Saturday: 8PM – 9:30PM)

Ghastly

In his short producing career, Ghastly has released singles on OWSLA, DIM MAK, MAD DECENT, and Buygore. His claim to fame happened with his 2014 collaboration with fellow OWSLA artist, Mija, “Crank Dat.” The Arizona native’s sound is a blend of house, dubstep, and trap music that has gained accolades from artists like Skrillex, Diplo, Dillon Francis, Tchami, DJ Snake, Datsik, Borgore, Zomboy, and Zeds Dead. Fast forward to 2016 and Ghastly has teamed up with everyone’s current favorite producer, Jauz, to drop a banger titled Ghosts N’ Sharks. Expect Ghastly a lot more on the radar as we’re going to see him play a lot of major festivals and nightclubs within the next few months.

 

3. Bob Moses (HARDer Stage Sunday: 4:05PM – 5:05PM)

bob moses

The Canadian duo known as Bob Moses are still riding the wave of success following their 2014 debut album “Days Gone By.” Coming together to blend their backgrounds in both rock and electronic music, the duo has released multiple singles through Domino Records and Scissors and Threads Records. The electronic pop duo is revamping their debut album, adding acoustic versions to some of their hits and remixes by A-Trak and RAC. The duo has been featured most notably on Boiler Room and BBC Radio 1 as they dropped their very first Essential Mix this past March 2016 and have performed at countless festivals across the U.S. such as TomorrowWorld, Ultra Music Festival, Bonnaroo, The Governor’s Ball, Coachella, and Lollapalooza.

 

2. Kaytranada (Purple Stage Sunday: 9:45PM – 11PM)

kaytranada-drops-bundle-of-unheard-material-and-remixes-download-main

The Haitian-Canadian electro DJ has taken 2016 by storm with his unique blend of disco, funk, hip-hop, and house. Kaytranada has remixed singles for both Missy Elliott and Janet Jackson, while simultaneously receiving high accolades for his original productions. This past year, the 23-year old producer and DJ has become a regular on the festival circuit and has just released his debut album, 99.9%, which features many collaborators (Syd! Anderson .Paak!) and many drums. He excels at chopping samples, but his colorful sound is never derivative.

 

1. Ice Cube (HARD Stage Saturday: 8:35PM – 9:35PM)

ice-cube

One of the most real and most recognized OG’s in the rap game is Ice Cube; the founding father of gangster rap. O’Shea Jackson was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles where he linked up with fellow rappers, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E to form one of the most iconic rap groups of the 90’s, NWA. After leaving the group and becoming a solo artist back in the early 90’s, Ice Cube went on to become a record producer, actor, and filmmaker releasing nine solo albums with a new album “Everything’s Corrupt” currently on the way. Most recently, Ice Cube had performed at Coachella 2016 where he brought out The Game, WC, Common, Snoop Dogg, Lil’ Eazy-E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella. For those who attended weekend 2, they saw both Kenrick Lamar and Dr. Dre on stage alongside Cube, which was a surreal moment for all Hip-Hop heads in attendance.

For the fans hitting up HARD Summer, Gary Richards aka Destructo (HARD’s head honcho) confirmed on Los Angeles’ longest radio hip-hop station Power 106 that Ice Cube will bring out surviving members of the NWA, Ren & Yella, out with him to perform classic tracks them N*ggaz Wit Attitudes only know how to perform live in front of thousands, but will Dr. Dre, or any other West Coast rap legends, join him on the HARD stage this Saturday night? Only one way to find out! YAY YAY *ice cube voice*

Which artists are on YOUR top ten list to see at HARD Summer this weekend? Comment below with your list for your chance to be entered in our future HARD Day of the Dead giveaway!

 

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