This autumn, representatives of hip-hop’s past and present are touring through the country to showcase the many faces of one of music’s most misunderstood genres.

Headliners and Fall Out Boy comrades Gym Class Heroes present a fusion of hip-hop and pop-punk on their latest album The Quilt. Fun flows about the 1980s evoke a lighter side of rap, providing a perfect counterpoint to tourmates (and hip-hop’s forefathers), the Roots.
 
Rap’s edgier side is demonstrated on the group’s controversial new record, Rising Down, which takes on racism, war and the state of the world. Where the Roots are confrontational and Gym Class Heroes are fun loving, Estelle is the sassy Brit who paired up with Kanye West for the summer single “American Boy.” Able to rhyme and belt vocals with the best of them, Estelle is breath of fresh air for the boys on the tour bus.

The three artists are guaranteed to entertain and educate the crowd on hip-hop’s endless potential—and, of course, promote their new albums.

Gym Class Heroes, the Roots and Estelle play House of Blues October 19 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $37 and $52.

By Caitlin McGarry

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