Hot 97 Summer Jam Brings Hip-Hop Elite to Newark

Hot 97, New York’s premier hip-hop station, will bring its legendary Summer Jam concert to Newark’s Prudential Center on June 20, 2025, as part of the North 2 Shore Festival. The massive one-night event features a star-studded lineup including A Boogie, Gunna, GloRilla, and an Irv Gotti tribute featuring Ja Rule and special guests.

The concert, recognized as the largest hip-hop event in the United States, arrives in Newark as a centerpiece of the festival’s music programming, bringing contemporary rap superstars and legacy acts together for a celebration of hip-hop culture in a major arena setting.

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Star-Studded Lineup Spans Generations

This year’s Summer Jam delivers a diverse roster of talent representing multiple eras and styles within contemporary hip-hop. Headliners include chart-topping artists A Boogie and Gunna, whose hits have dominated streaming platforms and radio play in recent years, while rising star GloRilla brings her distinctive Memphis-rooted sound and breakout energy to the massive showcase.

In a special segment celebrating hip-hop history, the event will feature “Ja Rule and Friends — A Tribute to Irv Gotti,” highlighting the influential producer and Murder Inc. Records founder who helped shape the sound of hip-hop and R&B in the early 2000s. According to North 2 Shore Festival organizers, this portion promises to unite multiple artists associated with Gotti’s legacy for a unique collaborative performance.

The lineup demonstrates remarkable diversity across hip-hop’s landscape, including R&B vocalist Muni Long, international stars ASAKE and Ayra Starr bringing Afrobeats influence, Detroit’s Kash Doll representing female rap excellence, and reggae infusion from Bobby Konders and Jabba featuring Masicka. Additional performers include Jim Jones and Friends, Cash Cobain, and drill collective 41 featuring Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, and Tata.

Summer Jam’s Historic Legacy Continues

Hot 97’s Summer Jam has established itself as one of hip-hop’s most significant annual events since its inception in 1994. The concert has historically served as a platform for iconic moments in rap history, from surprise guest appearances to high-profile beefs, album announcements, and genre-defining performances that become part of hip-hop’s cultural conversation.

“Summer Jam isn’t just a concert—it’s an institution in hip-hop culture,” explained Thomas Klein, festival artistic director. “For decades, it’s been this essential gathering where the genre’s current state is displayed and its future direction is often revealed through surprise moments that become part of rap history.”

The event’s inclusion in the North 2 Shore Festival brings this cultural touchstone to Newark, acknowledging the city’s significant contributions to hip-hop culture while providing regional audiences access to an event typically associated with the New York market.

Prudential Center Hosts Festival Highlight

The Prudential Center, with its 19,500-seat capacity for concerts, provides an appropriately grand setting for Summer Jam’s arena-sized production values and substantial audience. Located in downtown Newark at 25 Lafayette Street, the venue has established itself as a premier destination for major touring artists since opening in 2007.

“The Prudential Center offers exactly the right combination of capacity, production capabilities, and accessibility needed for an event of Summer Jam’s magnitude,” said Maria Sanchez, festival director. “Its central location in Newark makes it accessible for audiences throughout the region while offering the technical infrastructure required for this level of production.”

Known locally as “The Rock,” the arena serves as one of the North 2 Shore Festival’s primary Newark venues, hosting several of the event’s largest performances. According to The Jersey Shore Girl, the venue will feature multiple high-profile events during the festival period, cementing its role as a cultural anchor for Newark.

North 2 Shore Festival Spotlights Urban Music

Hot 97 Summer Jam exemplifies the North 2 Shore Festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse musical traditions, with hip-hop forming a central component of programming across all three host cities. The festival, running from June 14-29 across Asbury Park, Newark, and Atlantic City, creates opportunities for audiences to experience both mainstream commercial acts and emerging artists spanning multiple genres.

“Hip-hop’s inclusion isn’t limited to major arena shows like Summer Jam—it runs throughout our programming at all scales,” noted Sanchez. “From emerging local MCs performing at community events to international superstars in arena settings, we’re celebrating hip-hop’s influence and evolution throughout the festival.”

This comprehensive approach acknowledges hip-hop’s position as America’s most influential contemporary cultural export while recognizing New Jersey’s significant contributions to the genre’s development. From Newark’s rich musical heritage to the Jersey Shore’s vibrant local scenes, the festival creates multiple access points for experiencing hip-hop culture across different contexts.

Ticket Information and Event Details

Hot 97 Summer Jam begins at 7:00 PM on Friday, June 20, at the Prudential Center. Tickets are available through the North 2 Shore Festival website, Ticketmaster, and the Prudential Center box office, with prices ranging from $65 to $250 depending on seating location.

The venue offers convenient access via public transportation, including direct connections to Newark Penn Station. Parking is available in the arena garage and nearby lots for those traveling by car. The downtown location provides access to restaurants and other amenities before and after the concert.

Additional information about this and other North 2 Shore Festival events can be found on the festival’s official website, which includes comprehensive details about performances across all three host cities during the two-week celebration.

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