Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash, the three-day hip hop festival that’s become a staple of the Chicago-area summer music scene, returns to Bridgeview June 20-22 with one of its most ambitious lineups yet. The festival, which has grown from a one-day event to a full weekend celebration, brings together the biggest names in contemporary rap alongside the underground’s most promising talents. This year’s edition features an intriguing mix of headliners, including the co-headlining duo of Don Toliver and Yeat on Friday, Future on Saturday, and Young Thug making his triumphant return on Sunday. Hometown hero Chance the Rapper, an inspired and unusual choice, closes out the weekend with a special performance (the details of which are being kept under wraps).
Like always, SummerSmash’s commitment to showcasing artists at pivotal moments in their careers, like one of Young Thug’s first major performances since his prison release and Chance the Rapper’s comeback set, makes it one of the more interesting music festivals in a summer overflowing with them. The 2025 lineup reads like a snapshot of rap’s current landscape, where rage trap meets melodic flows and established stars share stages with viral sensations.
Friday
Not to miss: Fans will get a taste of one of the year’s most highly anticipated collaborations with Don Toliver and Yeat’s co-headlining set on Friday night. While Toliver and Yeat both make trap, the two lean in different directions, with the Houston-based Toliver making more melodic-based tunes (as heard in his recent song “Joni,” a collaboration with SZA) and the Portland-based Yeat trafficking in the rage trap subgenre. It’ll be interesting to hear how these two sounds meld together. Although the two have collaborated on singles — including 2024’s “New High” off of Yeat’s album, “Lyfestyle” — their co-headlining Summer Smash appearance may promise more opportunities for the two to link up. And while rumors of a collaborative album debuting at the festival have been squashed, it doesn’t mean they won’t have surprises.
Something else: Few artists have made as surprising a turn as NLE Choppa. The Memphis-bred rapper, who first broke out in 2019 with his single “Shotta Flow,” has become something of a showman in the years since. His live performances — a perfect showcase for his spirited flow and eclectic dance moves — are in stark contrast to the stylings of his peers. Credit this in part to a change in his lifestyle and a change in the type of music he makes. Hints of this could be felt on one of his biggest singles, “Slut Me Out” (and the remix with Sexyy Red). But it wasn’t felt as much as on two of his most recent mixtapes, September 2024’s “SLUT SZN” and December 2024’s “PICASSO: SLUFFIN SZN X SLUT SZN,” both of which feature more R&B-tinged tunes. Take the track “Stingy,” a downtempo collaboration with R&B queen Summer Walker or the emotionally heavy yet danceable “Sinking Slowly” with Carey Washington.
Saturday
Not to miss: There’s not much to say about the polarizing Sexyy Red that hasn’t been said before. Yes, she’s charismatic. Yes, she’s provocative. Yes, she’s raunchy. But underneath the persona is an artist making some of the most unapologetic music today. Blending uninhibited lyrics (as heard on her breakthrough single “Pound Town”) with classic Southern rap influences, this St. Louis-born rapper is not afraid to push buttons and redefine what it means to be a female rapper. In 2025, she’s expanded her wings with a number of collaborations, including the catchy “ACTING UP WITH SEXYY RED” with funky singer Tommy Richman, the country pop of Jessie Murph’s “Blue Strips (Remix)” and the viral “WHIM WHAMIEE” with PLUTO. If anything, this proves that Red is not afraid to experiment, not just lyrically, but sonically.
Something else: If you’re looking for a more eclectic lineup of artists, Saturday is sure to be your best bet for the festival weekend. Old heads who are interested in a more aughts-era sound will enjoy Soulja Boy’s set, which is sure to include a mix of tunes, like his crawling new single “Go In,” released last month, or his 2007 timeless classic, “Crank That (Soulja Boy).” SahBabii, the Atlanta rapper, is sure to produce an exciting show. Known for his theatrical flow and his creative music videos, SahBabii is a creative, cohesive force with true artistry and showmanship. His latest album, “Saaheem (A Lu Bit More)” is an hour-long showcase of what’s to come for this talented upstart. Later, Lil Tecca is sure to delight, like on his latest single, “OWA OWA,” which randomly and brilliantly samples The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star.” Other recent singles, like 2025’s “Dark Thoughts,” which sounds like an early aughts party rap throwback, and 2024’s “BAD TIME,” prove the Queens-based rapper and singer is wide-ranging in style and brimming with authentic charm.
Sunday
Not to miss: Sunday is where some of the biggest stars are set to convene. First, there’s headliner Young Thug, fresh off his massive, highly publicized court case and release from prison last fall. Like any good artist, Thug jumped right into the studio to create his fourth album, UY Scuti, out this month. Fans should anticipate hearing a number of tracks off the record, including “Money on Money,” a collaboration with Saturday night SummerSmash headliner Future (whether this signals a live guest appearance from Future remains to be seen). But as a headliner, the eccentric performer is likely to incorporate a number of works from his well-rounded career, including the critically acclaimed “So Much Fun.” The festival will also hold a special Sunday night performance from hometown hero Chance the Rapper, which may come as a surprise to most festivalgoers. Chance’s easygoing, often wholesome-sounding hip hop feels in stark contrast to the up-and-coming, trap-focused acts who make up the bulk of the lineup. But the South Side native is a true showman, not afraid to experiment and incorporate his multifaceted interests and collaborators into his sound (as heard to award-winning effect on popular mixtapes “Acid Rap” and “Coloring Book”). It’ll be interesting to hear what he plans on bringing to the set, and whether it will focus on his past hits or some of his new body of work off the yet-to-be-released “Star Line.”
Something else: There’s a little something for everyone on Sunday, but I’m most excited for Lil Yachty, who is not afraid to push past any artistic boundaries to make the sort of music that excites him in the moment. We heard this most recently with “Bad Cameo,” a collaborative album with English singer-songwriter and producer James Blake, as well as “Let’s Start Here,” a shocking yet fun psych rock (and Tame Impala-inspired) pivot. His latest single, “Murda,” is a perfect blend of his rap roots with indie-pop sample production. Saba’s homecoming should also prove to be a special moment. The Chicago-bred, Los Angeles-based rapper has made some of the best music of his career these last five years, including 2022’s reflective and personal “Few Good Things.” His most recent drop, a collaborative record with fellow former Chicagoan No ID, was a critical smash and a warm, confident and soulful sonic accomplishment. On the total flip side of things, Insane Clown Posse is making an appearance at the festival. The booking first seemed confusing, then it made perfect sense. Their chaotic rap-rock style is a sure precursor to the rage trap that permeates throughout the festival’s lineup. And don’t forget Chicago drill rapper, G Herbo, who is sure to play tracks off his progressive 2022 release, “Survivor’s Remorse,” and 2024’s “Big Swerv.”
Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash 2025 will be June 20-22 at SeatGeek Stadium 7000 S. Harlem Ave, Bridgeview. Gates open (rain or shine) at 3 p.m. on Friday and at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; tickets from $140 (all-ages) at www.thesummersmash.com
Stages: Three stages: Main Stage, Stadium Stage, and a third stage.
Updates: For up-to-date information from the festival, follow @thesummersmash on social media or download the official Summer Smash mobile app. All of the below is correct as of press time but subject to change by festival organizers.
Bag policy: All bags are searched upon entry. Large bags with multiple pockets and backpacks are not permitted. For a list of allowed bags and permitted and prohibited items, see the FAQ at www.thesummersmash.com/info-faq
Lockers: Lockers and chargers are available for rent at the festival.
Accessibility: The festival is handicap accessible. Contact the festival for more information at www.thesummersmash.com/contact-us
Water policy: Free water-filling stations are available at the festival and can be located on the festival map. Guests can enter with 1 empty 16.9oz disposable plastic water bottle to fill.
Wristbands:
- All festival-goers are required to have a wristband for entry. The QR code from DICE is not a replacement for the wristband.
- Wristbands ordered after May 30 can only be picked up at Will Call at the box office on festival grounds.
- A photo ID and the credit card used to make the purchase are required to pick up wristbands.
- There is a $35 wristband replacement fee. Cash is not accepted.
- Early Will Call for Wristband pickup is available at Avondale Music Hall (3336 N. Milwaukee Ave.) and SeatGeek Stadium.
- Festival Will Call: The festival box office is open June 18-22 at SeatGeek Stadium.
Parking and transportation:
- 3-day parking passes are available for pre-purchase. Your DICE QR code is required for parking passes.
- Three routes are available for shuttle passes, with limited one-day and three-day passes available for purchase.
- A dedicated pickup and dropoff area for rideshare is available for festival goers with free wifi.
Britt Julious is a freelance critic.
