Bonnaroo Artist | Clipse
Bonnaroo History | Newbie
Stage & Time | Sunday | Which Stage | 6:30-7:30pm
Like we’ve been doing for many years now, we’re making it our mission to help you get acquainted with many of our favorite acts from Bonnaroo‘s 2026 lineup. A pivotal year for the fest, this summer’s ‘Roo will see some significant changes after last year’s unfortunate rainout, including infrastructure improvements, a scaled-back capacity, and a smaller lineup (notably, cutting down Thursday’s programming the most). We’ll have to wait until we’re on the farm to feel the full extent of the changes and tweaks, but we’re cautiously optimistic that it will benefit the fest in the long-term, especially in helping make the site more resistant to weather. This will be Bonnaroo’s 23rd installment and 25th anniversary, and even with a more compact lineup, it packs a pretty stellar, eclectic slate of artists, per usual. Back once again in its dependable June 11-14 timeframe, we’re counting down the days until another great weekend on the farm.
As we dig through the entire schedule, we’ll highlight a spread of performers spanning across genres and stages, big and small, new and old, to bring you some of the most interesting, lesser-known, and most highly-recommended among this year’s crop of artists. And as our time at ‘Roo approaches, we’ll also be bringing you some special features and full list-style daily lineup guides, to help you plan your weekend ahead of the fest. While these previews won’t span every artist, and might omit some more obvious must-see acts, we hope they’ll serve as a way to help you navigate Bonnaroo’s gargantuan lineup, and to make the most of your busy weekend at the fest! Be sure to grab your tickets (available in weekend or single-day, with various upgrade levels and add-ons) and camping or parking pass (also available with a lot of flexible options and levels), and read on for our Bonnaroo Artist Spotlight!
LEARN
One of the most critically-acclaimed and and influential hip hop groups of the 2000s- if one who’ve become somewhat under-appreciated in the mainstream- Clipse (sometimes known as The Clipse) formed in 1994 in Virginia, Beach, VA by brothers Gene and Terrance Thornton, better known as Malice (sometimes No Malice, and early on Malicious) and Pusha T. Born in the Bronx, the brothers moved to Virginia with their family as kids, and were wrapped up in drug dealing by middle school, and culture which would inform much of their early musical content. After befriending fellow Virginia Beach natives and eventual superstars The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo), the brothers were inspired to begin making music together under The Neptunes’ production guise, initially calling themselves Full Eclipse. As was often the case in the pre-streaming age, those early years were spent refining their craft and building an organic following, going so far as to record an entire debut album which was ultimately shelved. After signing a deal with The Neptunes’ Star Trak Entertainment major label imprint around the turn of the millennium, though, Clipse finally made their formal debut with 2002’s Lord Willin’, a certifiable hit and lauded introduction, propelled especially by hit single “Grindin’.” Label drama litigation would delay followup Hell Hath No Fury, which ultimately dropped in 2006, and was regarded as one of the best hip hop records of the decade, with the pair releasing a series of fantastic mixtapes in between. 2009 third effort, Til the Casket Drops, saw the pair work with a handful of producers outside of The Neptunes for the first time, and attracted slightly more mixed response, ultimately becoming their last album before an extended hiatus, where the brothers split for solo endeavors. Perhaps best known now for his associations with Kanye West and label G.O.O.D. Music, Pusha T’s solo career proved quite prolific and attention-grabbing throughout the 2010s, from lauded releases to public feuds. Malice (who changed his name to No Malice during this time) initially penned a memoir, became outspoken about his conversion to Christianity, and tried his hand at Christian hip hop, occasionally reconvening with his brother over the years for features, like with Kanye West. Reunion buzz heated up when Clipse debuted a new song at a Luis Vuitton fashion show in 2024, and the following year they finally returned with a new album, Let God Sort Em Out– a triumphant, mature, and star-studded comeback, which landed the group multiple Grammy nominations, and a win for Best Rap Performance for Kendrick Lamar teamup “Chains & Whips.” Needless to say, in a Bonnaroo year sorely lacking in hip hop headliners, the Clipse are the most iconic and essential rap group on the lineup, and their performance should be at the top of your must-see list.
WATCH | “Grindin’” (Official Video)
LISTEN | “So Be It”
Leave a Reply