2024 DC Summer Vibe Guide
Is the temperature rising and nothing’s surprising? Fear not, the 2024 DC Summer Vibe Guide is a comprehensive outlook of the District’s best hip-hop and R&B functions from May to August!
Cypress Hill
(May 14 at 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre)
This three-time Grammy Award-nominated hip-hop group was granted a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in 2019 and won the 1992 Billboard Music Award for Top Rap Song. Their 1993 song, “Insane in the Membrane” was hip-hop’s first major song to chronicle marijuana while decriminalization lobbying. Please don’t get fired on your day off folks.
Rare Essence featuring Be’la Dona
(May 26 at 8:30 p.m., The Howard Theatre)
“The Wickedest Band Alive” converges with the legendary and versatile all-woman band guaranteed to pack the house. This go-go music showcase marks the 16th year of De’la Dona’s operations as the group’s inception arose playing alongside Chuck Brown and Marsha Ambrosius at Posh Restaurant’s R&B Live DC event in 2008. Established in 1976, Rare Essence is a go-go staple whose live album catalog spans back to 1986’s “Live at Breeze’s Metro Club”.
The Bryson Tiller Tour
(June 6 at 8 p.m., The Anthem)
After his self-titled album was released on April 5th, Bryson Tiller serenades DC’s trap-soultarians with 19 new tracks. A Victoria Monet feature on “Persuasion” and Kaytranada-produced track, “Æon Lust” both grace his fourth studio album. The Louisville native has three BET Awards, a 2017 Soul Train Award for Best Collaboration and three Grammy nominations. Watch out, Pen Griffey is swinging toward another title run.
Frankie Beverly: Farewell To Frankie
(June 14 at 7 p.m., Capital One Arena)
Few soul icons have performed above 50 years, especially on a first-name basis. Draped in his signature all-white kit, Beverly will accompany his band, Maze in his farewell tour. The Philadelphia legend has nine Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Gold albums and two Billboard R&B chart-topping songs (“Back in Stride” in 1985 and “Can’t Get Over You” in 1989.).
Fun fact: In 1976, Maze mothballed their Raw Soul name after touring with Marvin Gaye.
Jhené Aiko: The Magic Hour Tour
(June 23 at 7 p.m., Capital One Arena)
The 2014 BET Centric Award winner and six-time Grammy Award nominee is headlining her first tour since 2018. The Los Angeles-based neo-soulstress released her third studio album, Chilombo in 2020. Expect to hear fans belting her 2015 hit, “The Worst” and 2020’s “B.S.” featuring H.E.R.
Fun fact: At 15, Aiko released a music video for “NO L.O.V.E.” on BET’s 106 & Park.
Muni Long
(July 3-4 at 7:30 p.m., Capital One Arena)
We can’t guarantee this songstress’ concert length will last. However, this Florida singer and songwriter earned commercial success after “Hrs and Hrs” garnered a 2023 Grammy Award and Soul Train Music Award. In 2023, Long’s “Made for Me” peaked third in Billboard’s R&B chart and twentieth overall. This autistic and lupus baddie is sure to get her standing ovation.
Janet Jackson: Together Again
(July 12 at 8 p.m., Capital One Arena)
A living embodiment of poetic justice and musical royalty hoists five Grammy Awards and anticipates a sold-out DC visit. Jackson will probably showcase R&B classics such as; “All For You”, “Got Til It’s Gone”, “Rhythm Nation”, “Scream”, and “That’s the Way Love Goes”. Super Bowl stardom to a 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Janet’s concert might change your life forever. Like Frankie, first name queendom is reserved for an eleven-time Billboard Awardee who also earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.
The Queens of R&B: Xscape & SWV
(July 19 at 7 p.m., Capital One Arena)
Grab your knee braces and umbrellas because sisters with voices and voyage-inspired choirs will grace the District. Special tour guests include 702, MÝA and Total. Nostalgic flames will be rekindled as hits, “Who Can I Run To” and “Weak” test decibel levels. Atlanta-based Xscape had tracks cameo in classic movies like Love Jones, Soul Food and Bad Boys. SWV earned three Grammy Award nominations and the 1992 Michael Jackson sampled, “Right Here/Human Nature” produced by a young Pharell Williams earned RIAA Platinum status.
Broccoli City Festival
(July 27-28 at Audi Field)
DC’s two-day musical smorgasbord returns at greener pastures where two styles of football reign. The 2024 headliners mainly consist of Megan Thee Stallion, Victoria Monet, Kaytranada, Sexyy Red, Gunna, Lil Yachty, Partynextdoor and Key Glock. Live experiences include Trapsoul Karaoke with Bryson Tiller and an appearance by Issa Rae. Over 30,000 patrons attended the last installment and anticipates record growth in 2024.
Missy Elliott – OUT OF THIS WORLD – THE EXPERIENCE
(August 8 at 7 p.m. Capital One Arena)
The Queen of Virginia Hip-Hop arrives with her first headlining tour alongside legendary friends, Ciara and Busta Rhymes. In 2023, the Hampton Roads icon became hip-hop’s first woman inducted as a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer in their first eligible year. Elliot boasts four Grammy Awards and became a Songwriters Hall of Famer in 2019. One-minute performances and trash bag jumpers are sold separately.
The LOX: 30th Anniversary Tour
(August 9 at 8 p.m., The Howard Theatre)
New York’s iconic trio of Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch lives off 30-year experiences including Verzuz battles. The group’s millennium album, We Are the Streets currently holds RIAA Gold status. We should expect fans to shout hits like “Wild Out” and “Dirty Ryders” from Training Day’s soundtrack. Pledging allegiance to and securing the bag leads to Nickelodeon stardom.
The Runback II: Juvenile & The 400 Degreez Band
(August 10-11 at 7:30 p.m., The Howard Theatre)
Longevity is embedded in this New Orleans star through his 11 studio albums and two-night District showcase. Simultaneously in 1998, 400 Degreez became a four-time RIAA Platinum album and HBCU bandhead essential. Last year’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert spurred rodeo and bling awareness. I bet you ain’t peep that Cameo sample, ha?
Future & Metro Boomin – We Trust You Tour
(August 17 at 8 p.m., Capital One Arena)
We Don’t Trust You, the duo’s latest 17-track album dropped on March 22. “Like That” featuring Kendrick Lamar sparked a diss song revival that hip-hop hasn’t witnessed in ages. Subsequently, global poutine and minced barbecue consumption have plummeted. Fun fact: Metro Boomin is an HBCU alumnus from Morehouse College like Guru from Gang Starr.
USHER: Past Present Future
(August 20-21 at 8 p.m., Capital One Arena)
Fresh off his Super Bowl LVIII performance, the King of R&B concludes our list with double shows. Through the eight-time Grammy Awardee’s foundation, Usher’s New Look, he was awarded the 2017 Points of Light President’s Lifetime Achievement by President Obama. Withholding over 100 million global records sold, Raymond is one of the best-selling music artists of all time and became a Hollywood Walk of Famer in 2020.
What’s the Move?
- The Anthem
(901 Wharf St. SW, 14-minute walk from L’Enfant Plaza Station on Green, Yellow, Orange, Silver and Blue Lines) - Audi Field
(100 Potomac Ave. SW, 13-minute walk from Navy Yard-Ballpark Station via Green Line) - Capital One Arena
(601 F St. NW, 1-minute walk from Gallery Place – Chinatown Station on Green, Yellow, and Red Lines) - The Howard Theatre
(620 T St. NW, 3-minute walk from Shaw-Howard Univ. Station on Green and Yellow Lines) - Lincoln Theatre
(1215 U St. NW, 1-minute walk from U Street/African-Amer. Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Station on the Green and Yellow Lines)
