Drake Without having even released his debut album, Drake (born Aubrey Drake Graham) has already become one of the hottest new stars in the world of hip-hop. While originally known for his acting career (he spent nearly nine years starring in the series "Degrassi" The Next Generation"), Drake made the switch to music in 2006, quickly garnering success and critical acclaim with the release of his fi rst mixtape, "Room for Improvement." The next year Drake followed up his success with his second mixtape, "Comeback Season," featuring songs with such heavy- hitter collaborators as Lil’ Wayne. Wayne, blown away by the talent of the upstart artist, offi cially welcomed Drake to Young Money (though didn’t sign him to a record deal) and went on to work with him on such songs as "I Want This Forever." In February of 2009 Drake dropped his third and most acclaimed mixtape, "So Far Gone." Featuring hits including "Best I Ever Had" and "Success," the tape propelled Drake to stardom, earning him a record deal with Young Money Entertainment and guest spots on songs with artists such as Young Jeezy, Kanye West, Timbaland, Jamie Foxx and many more.   Drake will take the stage at Rites of Spring this year in anticipation of his upcoming debut album, "Thank Me Later." With guest artists including Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne, and The-Dream, the album is expected to explode onto the charts, and what better place to see Drake perform this new material than right here on our own campus?

Ben Harper Co-headlining Rites of Spring is Ben Harper and new accompanying band Relentless7. Since his debut album was released in 1994, Harper has been delighting audiences with his brand of bluesy, folksy rock ‘n’ roll. Initially a singer and guitarist, Harper has also spent his career perfecting his skills on the keyboard, piano, bass and drums, helping to push his sound to new levels with each ensuing album. A chameleon when it comes to style, Harper brings his more raw, rock- oriented sound to Vanderbilt with his newest backing band, Relentless7. With R7, Harper has mostly forgone his rootsy, acoustic songwriter vibe of old, instead opting for a more electric and much more explosive sound. In fact, on his newest album (and the fi rst with his new group), "White Lies for Dark Times," Harper elected to cowrite six of the album’s 11 tracks with the band, a decision that is evident in the album’s Texas-style blues riffs topped off with Harper’s soulful groove. Released in May of 2009, "White Lies" marked a totally new era in Harper’s career. With the album receiving rave review from critics and pleasing both old and new fans alike, Harper, who is particularly well known for his live performances, has again taken his act (and new band) on the road. A perennial crowd pleaser (particularly to college-aged crowds), Harper is the consummate showman, bringing unparalleled passion to the stage night after night. Considering the rest of the Rites lineup, Harper should provide an appreciated laid-back (yet still rock ‘n’ roll) feel to the high-octane festival.

Supporting Acts

COLD WAR KIDS
Fresh off the release of their latest EP, "Behave Yourself," Cold War Kids return to Nashville to reclaim their spot as soulful indie rock royalty. As Versus music critic Oliver Han wrote: "’Behave Yourself’ is just a four track, 15 minute EP, but it shows the band returning in its fi nest form." For those who don’t know the Kids, the band are purveyors of infectiously catchy piano/guitar-driven rock — a sort of quirkier version of Spoon, but with more dynamic vocals and darker, more meaningful messages, incorporating philosophy, political references and narratives into their songs.

PASSION PIT
"And everything is going to the beat … " Or at least everyone at Vandy will be when Massachusetts elecronic band Passion Pit take the stage. Formed just over two years ago as a way for vocalist/keyboardist Michael Angelakos to impress his girlfriend for Valentine’s Day, Passion Pit has taken the music scene by storm. First gaining notoriety in 2008 with the release of the group’s fi rst EP, "Chunk of Change," it was last year’s release of their full-length debut album, "Manners," that propelled Passion Pit to international success and popularity. Featuring the hit songs "Moth’s Wings," "Sleepyhead," and "Little Secrets," "Manners" has been nearly universally acclaimed, with the band’s high energy, synth-heavy songs working critics and music fans alike into a frenzy.

PHOENIX
If you still haven’t heard of Phoenix by this point, you’ve either been living under a rock or are the world’s most oblivious human. This French alternative rock band, though having been performing for over a decade first reached truly international success in 2009 with the release of their album “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.” The album, featuring the unbelievably catchy “1901” (which has dominated commercials and movie trailers this year) and “Lisztomania,” has cropped up on countless Top Ten of ’09 lists and even won a Grammy for Best Alternative Album. While virtually unheard of in the US until now, Phoenix are experienced vets who will truly steal the show.

MELANIE FIONA
Lending a totally different sound to the festival lineup is R&B soulstress Melanie Fiona. Though she labels her music as "soul pop," Fiona brings to the stage a mixture of hip-hop, pop, soul, reggae and R&B, taking the sounds of ‘60s MoTown crooners and updating them with a twist. Fiona’s debut album "The Bridge" was released in the summer of 2009 and catapulted Fiona to acclaim with popular songs "Give It To Me Right" and "It Kills Me." Fiona’s sultry voice cuts straight to the heart of fans and critics alike — as one review poignantly put it, "Fiona’s release may not venture into unknown realms, but where it does go, it goes masterfully."

SIERRA LEONE’S REFUGEE ALL STARS
Don’t recognize the name? After seeing one performance you’ll never forget it. Comprised of musicians who fl ed the horrifi c violence of the civil war in their native Sierra Leone, the band was formed with the explicit purpose of keeping "spirits up and hopes alive" in the midst of a world of pain, suffering and turmoil. The All-Stars were internationally recognized after an award-winning 2005 documentary told their story and have since gained popularity with their blend of traditional African music and reggae, a sound as enlivening as their story is inspiring.

THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS
While Britain may be better known for its extensive infl uence on rock ‘n’ roll (The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Who are just three of the countless legends), Leeds band The New Mastersounds are looking to leave their mark in musical history through a different medium: a delightfully upbeat blend of funk, soul and jazz instrumentation. With sweeping electric organs, ‘70s-style guitar riffs and downright groovin’ bass playing, this four piece band has quickly established itself as one of the most talented and entertaining bands in the new age of funk, crafting one danceable tune after another.

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB
How to explain Two Door Cinema Club … A more danceable Bloc Party? A happier version of Editors with a penchant for Vampire Weekend riffs? Maybe if Minus the Bear had a love child with Friendly Fires and moved to the UK? An electropop/indie rock band from Ireland, Two Door Cinema Club is fast on their way to becoming something of a sensation overseas. The three-piece band isn’t anything groundbreakingly original, but every song they play just feels successful, incorporating a pulsing, explosive rhythm section and quick-paced guitarwork that will soon inspire the same popularity stateside as the band already enjoys overseas. Watch out for these guys in the future (not to mention at Rites) — they could get huge.

SALVADOR SANTANA
Even though he may be nowhere near as famous or recognizable as his legendary guitarist father Carlos, Salvador Santana is the real deal. Mixing hip-hop beats with an R&B sensibility, soulful backing music and a Latin vibe, Salvador Santana has steadily been working to make a name of his own since debuting in 2004, building a career of fairly mellow, chill-out songs like "Summer Days" and "Keyboard City."

DOUG E. FRESH
For several years now, The Music Group has had a penchant for booking former rap superstars as a part of Rites, and this year has proven to be no exception. Legendary rapper, beatboxer and producer Doug E. Fresh, also known as The Human Beatbox, takes the stage at Vandy almost three decades into his musical career. Most famous for early hip-hop classics like "The Show" and "La Di Da Di" (both featuring fellow legend Slick Record), Fresh hasn’t released a new album in 15 years but continues to rock the stage night after night across the country, including a recent appearance at this year’s Grammy Awards.

TROMBONE SHORTY AND ORLEANS AVENUE
While The New Mastersounds will bring the noise from across the pond, Trombone Shorty brings the funk straight from the Southern capital of good times, New Orleans. As the name suggests, Shorty (a.k.a. Troy Andrews) is a prodigious trombone player as well as phenomenal trumpeter, putting more soul and heart into each note then some bands brings to entire songs. Shorty and his backing band, Orleans Avenue, will fl at out rock the stage, turning their set into a veritable party more reminiscent of Mardi Gras in the French Quarter than a normal weekend at Vanderbilt.

JJ GREY AND MOFRO
Continuing the same vein as Trombone Shorty and The New Mastersounds is JJ Grey and Mofro, a down and dirty Southern rock and funk band out of Jacksonville, FL.  Reminscent of the bluesy, distinctly soul-fueled spirit of the Stax era, JJ Grey has been churning out sinfully good music for over a decade with no signs of slowing down. Arriving in Nashville shortly after touring with Booker T. (of Booker T. and the MG’s) and just before touring with the legendary George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Mofro is the kind of band that just makes you want to close your eyes and lose control.

CHRIS HENNESSEE
The only local artist announced thus far in this year’s lineup, Chris Hennessee is a country music singer-songwriter born and raised in Tennessee. A Nashville transplant as of 1998, Hennessee defi nes his own sound as "Southern Country Blues," lending more of a personal feel to his music and favoring smaller, more intimate venues such as the legendary songwriter haven the Bluebird Cafe. While Hennessee is not as well known or recognizable in name as the other artists slated for Rites, he is sure to bring a crowd-pleasing sensibility and style to the stage, as well as the country flavor that every Rites needs.