Just the idea of Rock the Bells, 16 major and minor Hip Hop acts coming together for a concert is enough to make any Hip Hop head lose their mind. I missed the show last year as I got trapped in the city of Chi during a freak storm. This time around, if anything had gotten in the way of seeing this show, someone may have gotten strangled with a head-wrap. In no particular order, here are the top 22 reasons the show was not to be missed.

Because Immortal Technique said "Fuck Live Nation" for wanting a cut of anything sold at the show and walked through the crowd to give his music away for free. PS- Rappers building orphanages in Afghanistan is greater than anything Lil Wayne has done this year.

Because Murs is a one man show.

Nas.

Because for the first time in a decade all the original members of the Pharcyde performed together and with a throw back to their In Living Color Days, rocked a rendition of "My Prerogative."

Because all Hip Hop all the time is a beautiful thing.

Because apparently smoking in Fiddler's Green Amphitheater is a regular thang.

Because to Red and Meth rocking large crowds is nothing. NOTHING.

Because Mos Def finally showed up to play a Denver show.

Because we got Mos Def and Talib Kweli as Black Star.

Because only at a Rock the Bells show does a hoodie and sunglasses become the most necessary items,

Because Mos previewed a new song and now the masses are excited.

Because it wasn't clear if Nas was forgetting the words, was drunk, or was testing the crowd.

Because Ghostface and The Chef still got that Wu swagger.

Because dead prez brought it as per usual and featured Denver Native Moetivation on stage,

Because Jay Electronica's ass should have been on the secondary stage in the first place, leaving no sympathy for his wack showcase.

Because Immortal Technique taking the time out to talk about race relations at a Denver show is progress.

Because not even the brief but heavy rain kept cats from chanting to the rhymes of ODB during the Ghostface set.

Because hearing "Umi Says" under the stars at more than a mile high is a serious aphrodisiac.

Because watching a stadium full of people being led by Talib through "Get By" was like being taught to shoot a free throw by Michael Jordan.

Because speaking of Talib, he flew in from Zurich for this show in particular.

Because aside from laying on a beach in Tahiti, watching talented, passionate Black men is my favorite pastime.