The Rock the Bells hip-hop festival kicked off in Boston on July 27, 2007. Perhaps the most-anticipated act was the metal/rap band Rage Against the Machine, which began playing together earlier this year after a seven-year hiatus. This photo was taken of the July 28 performance on Randalls Island in New York City.
Lead vocalist of Rage Against the Machine, Zach De La Rocha, is know for his sermonizing. On July 28, the first of two shows in New York, he launched into a tirade against President Bush and Fox News.
Wu-Tang Clan was also a huge draw for festivalgoers. The Staten Island-based rap group is made up of nine members, including Method Man, RZA and the late ODB. They are shown here performing on July 28, 2007.
Rapper RZA, the founder of Wu-Tang Clan, is shown here during the July 28, 2007, performance on Randalls Island.
Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man is also an accomplished actor, starring in the critically acclaimed HBO series, "The Wire."
The politically outspoken front-man of the revolutionary group Public Enemy, Chuck D, surveys the waterlogged crown on July 29 at Randalls Island. It rained throughout the first half of the all-day show.
Perhaps Public Enemy hype man Flavor Flav is more famous for his VH-1 reality shows "The Surreal Life," and "Flavor of Love," but he seemed completely in his element performing with his old group.
Despite being water-logged, Sunday's crowd errupted when Public Enemy played classics like "Bring the Noise" and "Rebel Without A Pause."
Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian joined Public Enemy to perform their collaboration "Bring the Noise," on July 29, 2007.
Sen Dog and B-Real of Cypress Hill, the group responsible for "Hits from the Bong" and "Insane in the Brain," perform on July 28, 2007.
Rapper Supernatural, who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest freestyle rap, acted as an emcee of sorts, entertaining the crowd between acts.
Brooklyn-born rapper Mos Def rapped through the rain on July 29 at Randalls Island. He fired up the crowd with songs like his hit, "Ms. Fat Booty."
Mos Def's Black Star collaborator, Talib Kweli, performed tracks off his new record, "Ear Drum," as well as classics like "Get By."
Rapper Pharaohe Monch, who just released a new album called "Desire," is shown here during his performance at Randalls Island on July 28, 2007.