Rock The Bells Cruise

🚢 *Beats on the Water: Our Time on the Rock The Bells Cruise 2023 *

Written by G.U.M.M. Staff

So my wife and I decided to go on the first Rock The Bells Cruise (2023), and from the moment we hit the deck, it was clear: this wasn’t just a vacation—it was a floating celebration of the culture.

From day one, the energy was up. Slick Rick, draped in elegance like only he can, performed with the kind of grace that reminds you why he’s The Ruler. EPMD brought pure ‘88 energy to the stage—funked-out, razor sharp, and still moving like it’s strictly business. And when Pete Rock got on? That bass hit different at sea. His set was a masterclass in sonic heritage, from soul samples to straight boom-bap.

But it wasn’t just about the performances. The cruise was layered with panels for producers, Beatmakers, DJs, and vinyl heads—real conversations about the craft. We sat in on build sessions that felt like family reunions for creatives. Knowledge got passed.

Stories were told. Gems were dropped—some salty with truth, others sweet with nostalgia. It wasn’t just entertainment—it was education. There was a point when Mannie Fresh, Lil Jon, Jazzy Jeff and Pete Rock we’re all complimenting each other on their work, and they all gave Creedence to the late goat J Dilla.

And if that wasn’t enough, the presence of The Kid Capri  spun the whole experience into another dimension. His sets gave the cruise that park jam-meets-mixtape flavor. Like riding the train with your headphones on full blast back in the day. Add to that a guest set from MC LYTE, and you already know what time it was. DJ Epps took us through eras, classics, and that signature sound that still shapes everything moving.

Between sunrises on the balcony and late-night cyphers by the pool, this trip gave space to celebrate Black joy, hip-hop legacy, and community love. Me and the queen came back renewed. Not just from the escape—but from being surrounded by people who get it. The kind who know a scratched record is history, not damage. The kind who still throw their hands up when the beat drops.

This wasn’t just a cruise.

It was hip-hop on the water.
A reminder that the culture moves—and we move with it.

Stay tuned to G.U.M.M. for more coverage of culture-driven travel, music experiences, and movement worldwide.
Gemwork Urban Music Magazine | For the Ones Who Know.