(NEWARK, NJ) -- On May 15, 2025, Mayor Ras J. Baraka and HOT 97 FM announced their partnership and return of Summer Jam's Who’s Next Festival Stage, an exciting kickoff to the most iconic night in Hip Hop. The FREE Festival Stage event will be held outdoors at Mulberry Commons Park-directly across from Prudential Center, in the Arts and Education District, on Friday, June 20, starting at 3:00pm. It will be followed by Summer Jam, the largest live Hip Hop music and culture celebration in America taking place at the Prudential Center at 8:00pm.

Presented in partnership with the City of Newark and Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the Who’s Next Festival Stage is a celebration of emerging talent and a gift to the community, bringing together Summer Jam fans for an unforgettable afternoon of music, energy, and culture. The collaboration underscores Mayor Baraka’s commitment to fostering creativity and using the arts as pathways to opportunities for Newarkers.

“Fifty-one years ago, hip hop rose up from the Bronx,” said Mayor Baraka. “But its roots were soon planted across the Hudson when the Sugarhill Gang produced the world’s first hip hop record here in New Jersey. Because Newark is to hip hop what Detroit is to Motown, our city is the perfect host to open this year’s Summer Jam Hip Hop Concert. Newark welcomes the world to come sample the multicultural vibe of our restaurants and retail – and savor our celebration of urban sound.”

This year’s Who’s Next lineup features a powerful mix of rising stars which includes DJ Drewski & Friends, Zeddy Will, 2Rare, Honey Bxby, Sturdy Youngin, OhThatsMizz, Dee Billz, Albee Al, Dyce Payso, Moliy, Diany Dior and The Conglomerate Entertainment Presents: The Conglomerate Performing Live – Trillian, Connie Diiamond, BK Gudda, Te Money, and J-Doe.

This collaboration between HOT 97 and the City has a central intention to spotlight the talents of Newark-based artists, who will perform and kick things off between 3:00pm to 4:00pm during the Festival Stage. The local artists will include Newark-based DJ Taj, Trece7ev, Rolling Stone P, Monique The Star, Zaraye, and Unicorn.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Mayor Baraka and the City of Newark to host this free community event,” said DJ Drewski. “Summer Jam is about celebrating every level of Hip-Hop culture, and our Who’s Next Festival Stage continues to showcase the stars of tomorrow.”

“I’m happy that HOT 97 is bringing Summer Jam back to New Jersey, but most importantly bringing it home to the City of Newark which gives us the opportunity to showcase Newark artists,” said DJ Taj. “I personally want to thank Mayor Baraka for giving artists a space and opportunity in Newark.”

“Today we are celebrating another chance to put Newark artists in a global spotlight – that’s the main thing, because giving Newark artist exposure for HOT 97 Summer Jam is huge,” said Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Amiri Baraka, Jr. “The event is a major boost for our city and a launching pad for every new artist on its stage.”

The Who’s Next Festival Stage is the perfect lead-in to HOT 97 Summer Jam 2025, taking place that same evening at Prudential Center, featuring headline performances from A Boogie, Gunna, GloRilla, Muni Long, Asake, Ayra Starr, Ja Rule and Friends: A Tribute to Irv Gotti, and more. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective and part of the Prudential North to Shore Festival, Summer Jam is the largest Hip Hop concert in the U.S. and a beacon of music, culture, and community.

The event is being held in the Arts and Education District, a downtown area that offers residents and visitors alike a diverse array of cultural attractions, restaurants, parks, shopping and education institutional. Click here for more information about the Arts and Education District.

HOT 97’s Summer Jam is the largest live Hip Hop music & culture celebration in America, taking over New York with some of the biggest names in Hip Hop on one stage! Many consider it the most iconic Hip Hop show in the world, and it’s BACK for its 31st year as THE platform for Hip Hop’s biggest superstars.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CITY OF NEWARK