 Festival organizer Guerilla Union announced the full line-up for Murs' upcoming, annual Paid Dues Festival, set to go down in San Bernardino, Calif. in April.
After announcing himself, Black Star (Talib Kweli and Mos Def), and Immortal Technique as this year's headliners, the rest of the line-up was revealed on Monday (January 31).
Bun B, E-40, Sage Francis, Andre Nickatina, P.O.S., Nipsey Hu$$le, Lil B the Based God, Dead Prez, Visionaries, plus many more artists will be joining previously announced headliners, as well as Shady Records' latest signees, Slaughterhouse.
A rep for Paid Dues calls the 2011 show its "most ambitious and eclectic to date." Murs, himself, is excited about the entire line-up, but is most proud to add Bay Area legend E-40.
"It is with great pride that I announce E-40 will be headlining the 'Dues Paid' stage. As far as independent rap goes, he was the first to get his label major distribution," Murs explained. "From Master P to El-P, he pioneered the artist/CEO business model in hip hop."
The Black Hippy collective comprised of Top Dawg Entertainment label mates Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q and Jay Rock will also be performing on the west-coast themed "Dues Paid" stage.
"Unlike many hastily formed groups, the members [of Black Hippy] boast the sort of hard-earned chemistry that comes from having rapped together for a long time," wrote the Los Angeles Times last August.
"Individually, they are a force to be reckoned with, but collectively they have to be my favorite group in the world right now," Murs said of Black Hippy.
In its 6th year, the indie hip-hop festival will expand in 2011 to three stages and over 40 live performances. This year, fans will be treated to an array of all-star performances with themed stages including the "Dues Paid" stage, which features all west-coast artists, and the "Grind Time Now" stage that will integrate emcee battle elements for the first time.
Murs credits the flourishing state of the indie music scene and technology for the need to expand the festival, "Why three stages? Because the independent hip-hop scene has grown tremendously in volume and talent over the past 5 years. Partially due to the major record label system being turned on its ear, and even more so the way technology has empowered independent music as a whole."
Below is the rundown of Paid Dues' 6th annual festival:
PAID DUES STAGE: Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star, Immortal Technique, Bun B, Sage Francis, Asher Roth & Nottz are Rawth, Heavy Metal Kings, P.O.S., Dead Prez, Krizz Kaliko, Binary Star, Tabi Bonney, Eternia, Sab The Artist aka Musab
Hosted by: Hollywood Holt, Million $ Mano
DUES PAID STAGE: E-40, Murs, Andre Nickatina, Nipsey Hu$$le, Lil B The Based God, The Shock G Trio featuring Humpty Hump and DJ Fuse, Eligh, Mistah F.A.B., Visionaries, Black Hippy, Dom Kennedy, U-N-I, King Fantastic, Skeme, Casey Veggies, Droop-E, Noa James
Hosted by: Sunspot Jonz and the Marksmen, DJ Mark Luv, DJ Numark
GRIND TIME NOW STAGE: Slaughterhouse, DJ Muggs vs. Sick Jacken + Bambu + Planet Asia, DJ Exile vs. Blu & Fashawn + Grieves w/ Budo, Opio of Hieroglyphics, Chino XL, Invincible, Machina Muerte, Intuition, Dee-1, Blame One, DJ Freshh
Grind Time Now All-Stars: Johnny Storm vs. Dizaster, Real Deal vs. Dirtbag Dan
In support of his headlining performance at Paid Dues, Murs will also be embarking on a 35-city tour across the U.S. and Canada. The "Road To Paid Dues" Tour will begin February 17 in San Diego, CA and run through March, making its final stop at Paid Dues. Tickets for most dates are on-sale now. For more info, visit MursWorld.com.
The Paid Dues Independent Hip Hop Festival goes down on Saturday, April 2nd at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino. For more info, visit PaidDuesFestival.com.
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