This summer, Toronto’s Manifesto Festival is set to deliver a week full of events from August 7th to 13th in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of hip-hop. The highlight of the festival will definitely be The Block Party, a live concert headlined by Aminé and Saukrates taking place on Friday, August 11th, at RBC Echo Beach.
Manifesto Presents: The Block Party will feature a stellar lineup of performers across two stages, headlined by rap star Aminé and Canadian rap icon Saukrates.
Taking over the MNFSTO Sounds Stage headlining spot, Aminé will be one to watch following his recent album collaboration with Kaytranada, Kaytraminé topping the charts. Hosted by The Relentless Diaries podcast crew, consisting of Zoie, Tresor, and Chris, the Manifesto Sounds Stage will see performances from Toronto’s very own DJ collective Kuraza, along with Skiifall, SadBoi, Liza, No Tourists, ED3N and Eleanor.
Toronto-based artist Saukrates will be headlining the Block Stage. With a catalog of timeless rap singles dating back to the mid-90s, Saukrates has been instrumental in shaping Canadian hip hop. His influence extends to many of the country’s top artists, including Drake, with whom he collaborated early in his career.
On the Block Stage, CBC Music’s Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe will host a showcase of Canada’s brightest rappers, such as Keysha Freshh, Phoenix Pagliacci, Temia, Vince the Messenger, and Clairmont the Second.
Leading up to the festival CBC Music’s The Block will be celebrating 50 years of hip hop by airing 50 stories over 50 days until August 11th. The Block will share stories focusing on various artists, events, or significant moments in hip hop history, offering audiences a comprehensive look at the genre’s evolution.
Tickets for Manifesto Presents: The Block Party will be available starting Thursday, June 15 at 10 a.m. EST via Ticketmaster, with special presales for CBC Music, Manifesto, and Live Nation starting June 14th.