This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The Observatory, one of Orange County's most lauded music venues, is hosting its latest hip-hop festival, and it'll be held at...the most haunted ship on the planet The Queen Mary?
While this may seem like an odd move at first blush, the choice of location is purposeful. For one thing, Long Beach is (relatively) accessible for both Angelenos and our neighbors down south. Secondly, Long Beach's stature in hip-hop history is unimpeachable; it's Snoop Dogg's stomping grounds, and was also responsible for Warren G (and thus the classic "Regulate"). This is all to say that Long Beach is totally apropos for the Observatory's "Summertime In The LBC" festival (it's in the name, after all).
— Observatory Orange County (@ObservatoryOC) May 15, 2017
The lineup, announced on Monday morning, is stacked from top to bottom with hard-hitting acts. The billing also does a nice job of spanning different eras: we go from the present day (YG), to the early aughts (50 Cent), and back to the Clinton years (Wu Tang Clan, Souls of Mischief, and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony). There's also George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic if you want to rewind it even further to the '60s and '70s.
It should be noted that the acts won't actually be on the Queen Mary (thank god, as we're saved from the tired-as-hell "I'm On A Boat" gags). The festival will actually take place at Queen Mary Events Park that's just adjacent to the ship.
Outside of the aural goods, you'll also be able to treat your stomach with a food lineup that showcases the African-American taco movement in L.A.; this billing includes Trap Kitchen, Taco Mell, and All Flavor No Grease (they were all featured in this recent documentary).
The festival will take place Saturday, August 5. Tickets start at $75.00 if you get them early, and VIP options are also available. They go on sale here on Friday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m.
Not sure if you should go? Here's some Souls of Mischief to settle the matter for you:
The Queen Mary Events Park is by 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach.
