Soundset Music Festival was a hip-hop music festival held yearly in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area over Memorial Day weekend. Since Soundset began in the Metrodome parking lot in 2008, attendance has grown from 12,000 to over 30,000 consistently since 2014. Over 280,000 fans have traveled from fifty U.S states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and New Zealand to experience Soundset in Minnesota.
Rhymesayers Entertainment’ artists are the foundation of Soundset, with Atmosphere performing every year since the beginning. Since 2008, Soundset has had over 400 different non-repeat performers.
Soundset cancelled its concert in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Origin
Two years after Rhymesayers Entertainment was first founded they hosted an event with over three dozen local underground emcees, DJs, and b-boys in a South Minneapolis warehouse. Two years later, the event became Soundset Wednesdays at First Avenue. In 2008, Soundset emerged in the Metrodome parking lot.
2019 lineup
Lil Wayne, SZA, G-Eazy, Run the Jewels, Atmosphere, Black Star, Beast Coast, Tech N9ne, DMX, Royce da 5'9", Dessa, DJ Spinderella, Doja Cat, Just Blaze, Bas, Prof, Lil Nas X, DaBaby, Cut Chemist, Buddy, Dem Atlas, Dounia, DJ Abilities, Taylor Bennett, DJ, YBN Cordae, DV One, Tierra Whack, Sa-Roc, Epic Beard Men, B.A.G., Taylor J, Cashinova, Student 1, Dua Saleh, Kevin Beacham, DJ Precyse, Lisa Vasequez, Psymun, Mickey Breeze, DJ Keezy, Maya MIDA
Lil Uzi Vert was on the original lineup, but did not perform.
Hosts: Sway Calloway, Heather B., J.Pratt, Cros One
2018 lineup
Logic, Migos, Atmosphere, Erykah Badu, Tyler, the Creator, Russ, Wu-Tang Clan, Brockhampton, Ice-T, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Hieroglyphics, Prof, Jaden Smith, Grieves, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Murs, Young M.A., Evidence, DJ Melon, Rapsody, Westside Gunn & Conway, J.I.D, Kamaiyah, Dem Atlas, DJ Scratch, Pell, Jack Harlow, Skratch Bastid, DJ Livia, Bugus, Quincey White, The Lioness, OG Grip, Sick Trim, Willie Wonka, DJ Rowsheen, Mike 2600, DJ Bles One, Trakgirl, The Opus, MMYYKK, Bailey Cogan, DJ Ariatari, The Technics, IBrow, Booboo, Spencer Joles, Kelsey Pyro
Hosts: Sway Calloway, Heather B., J.Pratt, Cros One, Big Quarters
2017 lineup
Travi$ Scott, Atmosphere, Lauryn Hill, Gucci Mane, T.I., Pusha T, E-40, Brother Ali, DRAM, Ty Dolla $ign, P.O.S., the Stand4rd, Kool Keith(as Dr. Octagon, Aminé, Talib Kweli, Denzel Curry, Mod Sun, Pete Rock, Dave East, 070 Shake, Sa-Roc, Peanut Butter Wolf, Stretch and Bobbito , Nazeem & Spencer Joles, Oswin Benjamin, Sophia Eris, J. Plaza, rapper, horrorshow (band), Black Liquid, DJ TIIIIIIIIIP, DJ FLEG, DJ DJ Keezy, Booka B
Kevin Gates, Mac Miller, and Lil Uzi Vert were also on the original lineup, but did not perform.
Hosts: Sway Calloway, Heather B., J.Pratt, Cros One
2016 lineup
Atmosphere, ASAP Rocky, Future, The Roots, Common, Prof, Doomtree, Machine Gun Kelly, Danny Brown, Lizzo, LICE (Aesop Rock and Homeboy Sandman), Jay Rock, Post Malone, Anderson Paak and The Free Nationals, Raury, Murs and 9th Wonder, Pharoahe Monch, Mick Jenkins, GoldLink, Pouya, Crazy Legs of Rock Steady Crew, Domo Genesis, Blueprint, Marley Marl, DJ Jazzy Joyce, A-F-R-O, I Self Devine and Muja Messiah Present 9th House, Noname Gypsy, Finding Novyon, Lexii Alijai, Skeme Richards, Baby Shel & DJ Quincy James, Reverie, Jesse Da La Pena, DJ TIIIIIIIIIIP, and DJ Just Nine.
Hosts: Sway Calloway, Heather B., J.Pratt, Cros One
2015 lineup
Atmosphere, J. Cole, Ice Cube, Big Sean, Ludacris, Logic, Yelawolf, Dilated Peoples, Clockwork Indigo (Flatbush Zombies and The Underachievers), Brother Ali, Vic Mensa, Aesop Rock with Rob Sonic & DJ Abilities, Dessa, DJ Jazzy Jay, Hopsin, Smif-N-Wessun, DJ Babu, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Vince Staples, Watsky, DJ Eclipse, Dem Atlas, DJ Supreme, B. Dolan, Father, SonReal, G.L.A.M., Chester Watson, Sa-Roc, Sean Anonymous, Manny Phesto, Freez with DJ Willie Shu, SET THE SMITH, DJ Lean Rock, DJ Stage One, DJ Adatrak, and DJ Str8reppin.
Hosts: Sway Calloway, St. Paul Slim, J.Pratt
2014 lineup
Atmosphere, Wiz Khalifa, Nas, 2 Chainz, Cypress Hill, Earlwolf (Tyler, The Creator and Earl Sweatshirt), Chance The Rapper, Prof, Grieves, G-Eazy, Ab-Soul, DJ Qbert, The Grouch & Eligh, Flatbush Zombies, Lizzo w/ Lazerbeak, Rapsody & 9th Wonder, Shad, Dem Atlas, Snow Tha Product, Roc Marciano, Dosh, Jonwayne, D-Styles, Toki Wright & Big Cats, Will C, Allan Kingdom, Breakbeat Lou, Nacho Picasso, Freddy Fresh, Los Nativos, K. Raydio, Psynum, Mac Irv, Ecid, DJ Fundo, DJ Lean Rock, DJ D. Mil and DJ Sidereal.