Get to know Cincinnati Music Festival's 2024 lineup, from MC Lyte to New Edition

Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer

Nearly 20 hip-hop and R&B artists are set to take the stage during the Cincinnati Music Festival, coming July 25 to 27.

The lineup was slightly altered in April when R&B group En Vogue replaced R&B trio SWV for the Saturday, July 27 performance.

The first night of the three-day music festival will feature rap legends like MC Lyte and KRS-One in "A Celebration of Hip-Hop" concert at Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Downtown. The festival continues Friday and Saturday at Paycor Stadium.

Want to learn more about this year's performers? We've got you covered.

2024 Cincinnati Music Festival lineup

  • Thursday, July 25: MC Lyte, EPMD, KRS-One, Black Sheep and DJ Vader at Andrew J. Brady Music Center.

  • Friday, July 26: Maxwell, Ne-Yo, Fantasia, October London and The Original Lakeside at Paycor Stadium.

  • Saturday, July 27: New Edition featuring Bobby Brown, Bell Biv DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill, KEM, En Vogue, Coco Jones and Stokley at Paycor Stadium.

Meet the artists featured at Cincinnati Music Festival

Thursday, July 25 at Andrew J. Brady Music Center

MC Lyte

  • Who's that? MC Lyte is an American rapper considered one of the pioneers of female rap and named one of the greatest rappers of all time by Billboard in 2023. The 1988 release of her debut album "Lyte as a Rock" made her the first female solo rapper to release a studio album. She's remained a trailblazer throughout her career – in 2014, she became the first female artist to perform hip-hop at the White House.

  • Hit songs: "Cold Rock a Party"(1996), "Poor Georgie" (1991)" and "Ruffneck" (1993).

  • Latest release: "King King" with Queen Latifah (2024).

MC Lyte performs during LL COOL J's "The F.O.R.C.E. Live" at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit in 2023.
MC Lyte performs during LL COOL J's "The F.O.R.C.E. Live" at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit in 2023.

EPMD

  • Who's that? EPMD is an American hip-hop duo from Brentwood, New York. Their name stands for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars," referring to the artists' names Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. The duo formed in 1987 to mainstream success, establishing a brand of funk and rock-heavy hip-hop. After a couple breakups, the duo reunited in 2006.

  • Hit songs: "Da Joint" (1997), "You Gots To Chill" (1988) and "Symphony 2000" ft. Lady Luck, Method Man and Redman (1999).

  • Latest release: The duo appeared on the 2021 Nas album "King's Disease II" with Eminem on the track "EPMD 2."

KRS-One

  • Who's that? KRS-One is an American rapper from the Bronx. His name stands for "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone." He rose to fame as part of the critically-acclaimed hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions, which helped develop the hip-hop scene in the mid 1980s and gave a voice to the reality of living in the Bronx. During his time in the group, KRS-One joined other artists in creating the Stop the Violence Movement, raising money for the National Urban League.

  • Hit songs: "Sound of da Police" (1993), "MC's Act Like They Don't Know" (1995) and "Step into a World (Rapture's Delight)" (1997).

  • Latest release: "50 More Years of Hip Hop" (2024).

Black Sheep

  • Who's that? Black Sheep is an American hip-hop duo from Queens, New York comprised of Andres "Dres" Vargas Titus and William "Mista Lawnge" McLean. The pair was part of the Native Tongues collective, a group of late 1980s and early 1990s hip-hop artists recognized for their Afrocentric, positive lyrics and jazz-influenced sound. After six years performing together, the duo split in 1995.

  • Hit songs: "The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)" (1991), "Flavor Of The Month" (1991) and "Strobelite Honey" (1991).

  • Latest release: "The Choice Is Yours" and "U Mean I'm Not" with Bad Rabbits, Glassjaw, Justin Beck and Dres (2021).

DJ Vader

  • Who's that? DJ Vader is an R&B/soul artist from Cincinnati. He's established himself as a standout radio personality and DJ in the Greater Cincinnati region, appearing on Urban One Radio station.

Friday, July 26 at Paycor Stadium

Maxwell

  • Who's that? Maxwell is an American singer, songwriter and producer. He rose to fame following the release of his critically-acclaimed debut album "Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite" in 1996. His fourth album "BLACKsummers'night" released in 2009 earned him two Grammy Awards for best R&B album and best male R&B vocal performance. His 2017 track "Lake by the Ocean" won him his third Grammy Award for best R&B song. In 2019, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and Congressional Black Caucus for his contributions to the music industry.

  • Hit songs: "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" (1996), "Pretty Wings - uncut" (2009) and "Fortunate" (1999).

  • Latest release: "OFF" (2021).

Ne-Yo

  • Who's that? Ne-Yo is an American singer, songwriter, actor dancer and producer recognized as a leading figure in the 2000s R&B genre. He carries many accolades, including three Grammy Awards – best contemporary R&B album for "Because of You," best male R&B vocal performance and best R&B song for "Miss Independent." Alongside his music career, Ne-Yo has appeared in several reality TV series, including "World of Dance" and "The Masked Singer."

  • Hit songs: "Time of Our Lives" Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo (2014), "Miss Independent" (2008) and "Because of You" (2007).

  • Latest release: "2 Million Secrets" (2024).

Fantasia Barrino will perform Friday at Cincinnati Music Festival.
Fantasia Barrino will perform Friday at Cincinnati Music Festival.

Fantasia

  • Who's that? Fantasia is an American singer and actress who first rose to fame following winning the third season of "American Idol" in 2004. She became the second female artist to have her first debut single reach the Billboard Hot 100 with "I Believe." Her debut album "Free Yourself" released in 2004 garnered three Grammy Award nominations. Beyond her music career, she's established herself in theater and on screen. She starred in the Broadway musical "The Color Purple" in 2007 and reprised her role in the musical's 2023 film adaption, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. This year, she was named to Time magazine's 100 most influential people list.

  • Hit songs: "When I See U" (2006), "Free Yourself" ft. Missy Elliott (2004) and "Truth Is" (2004).

  • Latest release: "When I See U - Live From Time 100 Gala" (2024).

October London

  • Who's that? October London is an American singer and songwriter skilled in soul and contemporary R&B music. He released his debut single "Black Man in America" in 2016 looking at the pattern of police brutality against Black men in the United States. In 2022, he was signed to Death Row Records by Snoop Dogg. His track "Eternity" was featured in the soundtrack of the 2023 film "The Color Purple."

  • Hit songs: "Back To Your Place" (2023), "FromHere" ft. Snoop Dogg (2024) and "Mulholland Drive" ft. LaToiya Williams and Snoop Dogg (2022).

  • Latest release: "All I Want Is You" Boney James ft. October London (2024).

The Original Lakeside

  • Who's that? The Original Lakeside, formerly known as Lakeside, is a funk band from Dayton comprised of members Stephen Shockley, Marvin Craig, Norman Beavers, Fred Alexander, Jr., Thomas Shelby, Otis Stokes, Fred "Timbales" Lewis, Eddie Guyton, Johnny Rogers and William Shelby. In 2016, they were honored in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. for their contributions to the funk and R&B genres. The 1980 track "Fantastic Voyage" remains their biggest hit after reaching No. 1 on the R&B charts.

  • Hit songs: "Fantastic Voyage" (1980), "Something About That Woman" (1981) and "Real Love" (1983).

  • Latest release: "All Da Way Live" with Killabkill'd (2023).

Saturday, July 27 at Paycor Stadium

New Edition featuring Bobby Brown, Bell Biv DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill

  • Who's that? New Edition is an American R&B/ pop group founded as childhood friends in a Boston housing project, later becoming an originator of the modern-day boy band. The group released their debut album "Candy Girl" in 1983 and rejuvenated the teen music scene in the mold of The Jackson Five with hit singles like "Candy Girl," "Mr. Telephone Man" and "Cool It Now." New Edition's original lineup included Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown and Ralph Tresvant. Johnny Gill was added to the group in 1987. The trio Bell Biv DeVoe was formed in 1990 while Gill, Brown and Tresvant pursued solo work. In 2022, the group was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. The group recently completed a Vegas residency at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas and their 2023 Legacy Tour across the United States.

  • Hit songs: "Can You Stand The Rain" (1988), "Mr. Telephone Man" (1984) and "If It Isn't Love" (1988).

  • Latest release: "This One's For Me And You" (2023).

KEM

  • Who's that? KEM is an R&B/soul singer-songwriter and producer. He wrote, produced and released his self-financed debut album "Kemistry" in 2003, which sold 500,000 copies nationwide. He released his fourth studio album "Promise to Love" in 2014, on which his track "Nobody" earned a Grammy nomination. He's also earned two Grammy nominations for his 2010 track "Why Would You Stay."

  • Hit songs: "I Can't Stop Loving You" (2005), "Love Calls" (2003) and "Share My Life" (2010).

  • Latest release: "Set You Free (Kek'star's Remix)" with Kek'star (2024).

En Vogue

  • Who's that? En Vogue is an American girl group formed in Oakland, California in 1989. The group's original members include Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron and Maxine Jones. En Vogue has sold 20 million records worldwide, with their 1992 album "Funky Divas" reaching the top 10 in both the U.S. and United Kingdom. The group has racked up seven Grammy nominations. Two of En Vogue's singles were ranked as part of Billboard's most successful girl group tracks of all-time: "Don't Let Go (Love)" and "Hold On."

  • Hit songs: "Don't Let Go (Love)" (1996), "Free Your Mind" (1992) and "Hold On" (1990).

  • Latest release: "Funky Divas (Expanded Edition) [2022 Remaster]" (2022).

Coco Jones

  • Who's that? Coco Jones is an American singer-songwriter and actress who started her career acting in Disney films like "Let It Shine" and the series "Good Luck Charlie." Her 2022 single "ICU" catapulted her music career, winning the Grammy Award for best R&B performance. She was nominated in four other Grammy categories that same year, including best new artist.

  • Hit songs: "ICU" (2022), "Double Back" (2022) and "Here We Go (Uh Oh)" (2024).

  • Latest release: "Here We Go (Uh Oh)" (2024).

Stokley

  • Who's that? Stokley is an American musician and lead singer and drummer for the R&B band Mint Condition. In 2020, he earned his first No. 1 solo hit for the track "She..." reaching the top of the Billboard charts for two weeks.

  • Hit songs: "She..." (2020), "Level" (2017) and "Organic" (2017).

  • Latest release: "Cafe" ft. Wale (2022).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Everything to know about the 2024 Cincinnati Music Festival lineup

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