Los Angeles will be the top vacation destination for Christian Hip Hop, Latin Christian Hip Hop and Gospel Hip Hop fans next summer as 75 of the genres' favorite artists will convene for the first ever 20/20 Summer Fest scheduled for Fri., July 17 and Sat., July 18 at the Banc of California Stadium, 3939 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA.
Multi-Platinum Christian Hip Hop artist Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton aka Emcee N.I.C.E. and Chantal "Chanie G" Grayson, co-owners of the Stellar Award-Winning God's House of Hip Hop (GH3 Radio) station powered by Dash that boasts 10 million monthly listeners, have finalized the deal with the Banc of California Stadium. Festival lineup announcements will begin in January 2020.
The news comes amid the August 20th one year anniversary of God's House of Hip Hop (GH3 Radio). Emcee N.I.C.E. and Grayson debuted the station with 16 shows last year to rave reviews. The station made history in April, receiving the Stellar Awards' first "Hip Hop Station of the Year" recognition. The accolade also earned the distinction as Dash Radio's first station to receive a major award. Dash Radio features more than 80 stations hosted by celebrities and influencers including Kylie Jenner, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Dave Navarro, Tyler The Creator among others.
The festival expected to attract 30,000 attendees is a must for Christian Hip Hop fans says Emcee N.I.C.E. "Faith, Love & Music! An experience for the spiritual heads rooted in faith, filled with love, that enjoy hip hop music," he says. "It will be an environment where people can fellowship amongst like minded believers and turn up for the culture. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar. There are no workshops. This is just straight 'festival music ministry' from Christian and Gospel Hip Hop artists from the United States and around the world."
20/20 Summer Fest marks the first Christian, Latin and Gospel Hip Hop festival of this scale. "As an artist myself, too many times there are Christian music festivals around the country that are meagerly inclusive of our culture where maybe one, two or three slots are available for a CHH or Gospel Hip Hop artist," N.I.C.E. explains. Given the climate of the energy around the country and the success of CHH and GHH music in motion pictures, television shows, and gaming, N.I.C.E. feels it's long been time for the world to come together with music that inspires and heals. "Music is a universal language that can aid in the healing process and through faith, love, and music, 20/20 Summer Fest will be one that reinforces your beliefs."
This sentiment is also reflected in the festival 20/20 Summer Fest title, Grayson explains. "Without sounding cliche, 20/20 Summer Fest is the realization that through your faith perfect vision exists," she says. "God's plan for you is pure. I want our guests to be present and feel the essence of being alive and witness great hip hop with lyrics that serve as a compass for the lost and weary and or reassurance for those that are standing on solid ground."
Ryan Northcott, svp, booking for Banc of California Stadium / Los Angeles Football Club, says the venue is excited to host the historic event. "The Banc of California Stadium is thrilled to be partnering with God's House of Hip Hop powered by Dash to bring the 20/20 Summer Fest to the City of Angels," Northcott says. "As the first and largest Christian, Latin and Gospel Hip Hop festival in the United States, we couldn't be more excited and honored to bring this family-friendly, spiritual and cultural event to the heart of Los Angeles at the Banc of California Stadium."
God's House of Hip Hop has received a number of distinctions during its inaugural year. The station earned 11 The Spin Awards nominations in the following categories: Best New Station (God's House of Hip Hop), Best Radio Show (RezNation), Best Radio Show (God's Calamari and the God Squad), Internet Radio Host of the Year (Emcee N.I.C.E. and Rezurrection), Internet Radio Personality of the Year (Emcee N.I.C.E. and Rezurrection), Internet Radio Station of the Year (God's House of Hip Hop), Radio Station of the Year (God's House of Hip Hop) and Voice of the Year (Emcee N.I.C.E. and Rezurrection). The ground-breaking station was honored with a Steeple Awards nomination for Urban Inspirational Artist of the Year (Emcee N.I.C.E.) and two Kingdom Choice Awards nominations.