Rock The Bells is the annual hip hop festival, celebrating the best of the best in the genre.  Although previous years have included many dates, the 2010 festival will take place in only four cities:

August 21st in Los Angeles, CA
August 22nd in San Francisco, CA
August 28th in New York, New York
August 29th in Washington DC

Snoop Dogg’s performance is part of a new Classics Theme, in which the headlining acts perform entire classic hip hop albums.  Other artist and albums include:

A Tribe Called Quest performing “Midnight Marauders”
Wu Tang Clan performing “Enter The Wu Tang”
Rakim performing “Paid In Full”
KRS-One performing “Criminal Minded”
Slick Rick performing “The Great Adventures of Slick Rick”

Select dates will include a special guest appearance by the elusive Lauryn Hill of The Fugees.  For a complete list of artist performances and ticket information, check out rockthebells.net.

The D-O-Double G is performing tonight at The City Nightclub in Cancun. There are also Snoop Dogg tickets for April 9 at the Redbird Arena in Normal, Illinois, and April 10 at the Gordon Field House in Rochester, New York.

“Malice in Wonderland” was released in December 2009, with collaboration from R. Kelly, Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em and Brandy. The most popular singles from the album are “Gangsta Luv” and “That’s Tha Homie.”

For Snoop Dogg, it’s releasing the “Snoop Crusher” headphones, by Skull Candy. The headphones are different than anything else on the market right now because they include an in-ear subwoofer. The customized headphones are blue and white, and sure to be a hit with music fans of all ages.

“The Snoop Dogg Skullcrusher is the hottest headphone comin’ to a hood near you. I’ve been a fan of Skull Candy products for years and I decided it was time to break bread with them. Our headphones are fly, affordable, and most importantly – bangin’ like Niggaracci beats. Make sure to scoop a pair and be on the lookout for more Snoop Dogg/Skullcandy products, ya dig,” said the D-O-double G.

The rapper-actor watched the practice from the sideline and eventually made his way into the huddle to imitate Ray Lewis’ “What time is it?” pre-game ritual – he was answered with resounding “woofs!”

After the huddle, the team showed Snoop their agility ladder drill, which he danced through and entertained the players.

Snoop said “Playing like a Raven is like you got a target on you at all times because people know that this defense is [talented]. The offense is getting strong. So, to me, I just feel like being a Raven is like being like Snoop Dogg – you are a target at all times.”

BET.com reported Snoop’s response, “He gave us a lot of hope that we feel like we can be big. He was very inspiring and up close and personal with his fans. That to me was special. That’s one of the things that I loved about Mike. When I got a chance to meet him, that’s the feeling and spirit that I got from him.”

Until reports come out otherwise, Jackson died of cardiac arrest in LA yesterday afternoon.

Snoop is currently on the road supporting his upcoming album “Malize in Wonderland,” and will join the rest of “his nephews,” as he calls Slightly Stooped, later in the summer.

Stoopid is a reggae-influenced punk rock band, who toured on their first headlining run of ampitheaters last summer to support their 2008 album “Slightly Not Stoned Enouth to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid.”

Marley is the son of reggae legend Bob, and he released “Mind Control” in 2007. His first single was “The Traffic Jam,” which featured Snoop.

Here’s the lineup!
July 2009
10 - Primm, NV - Star of the Desert Arena
11 - Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
12 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
14 - Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion
15 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
17 – Ridgefield, WA - Amphitheater at Clark County
18 - George, WA - Gorge Amphitheatre
19 -Nampa, ID - Idaho Center Amphitheater
20 - West Valley City, UT - Usana Amphitheatre
22 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Pacific Coliseum
24 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
25 - Chula Vista, CA - Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
30 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade Music Park
31 - St. Petersburg, FL - Vinoy Park

August 2009
5 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
6 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
7 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
8 - Mansfield, MA - Comcast Center

In 2008, Snoop made his Bollywood debut by singing and featuring a video for the movie Singh Is Kinng, while wearing a Indian kurta, beige pants, and diamond studded turban. The song immediately became popular in India and Snoop Dogg vows to follow up with a tour of the country.

Voting closes Wednesday 7/23 at 11 AM EST.

Many fans were disappointed as the announcement of the tour in March ended any rumors of Snoop making an appearance at Lollapalooza. Nonetheless, the tour is scheduled to run until mid August, as the group travels the country and even spends a night in Japan. The pair is traveling with Fiction Plane and The Bravery as well.