When Summer Smash announced their lineup this year, it was clear the Midwest’s definitive rap festival had hit a new level. Stacked with major names like Lil Uzi Vert and Ken Carson, plus just about every up-and-coming rapper you can think of, the weekend was seriously stacked. Naturally, The FADER had to get backstage: our photographer Abie Niedzwiecki was on the ground this past weekend to capture candids of Tezzus, Che, Feng, and more. Your next favorite rapper performed at Summer Smash 2026, and we have the exclusive look at the talent defining the future of the genre.
Xaviersobased has been touring hard over the past 18 months and his performance did not disappoint. Meanwhile, Tezzus brought out Young Thug during his set, who filmed the YSL-signee’s performance like a proud dad. The energy remained high throughout the weekend, with artists like prettifun rocking out his second Summer Smash, noting that seeing ezcodylee perform on the Main Stage was a career highlight.
The festival also served as a massive platform for emerging collectives. Plaqueboymax delivered a high-octane set, bringing out slayr, 2slimey, and the entire ØWay crew. Similarly, sosocamo continued to build on the momentum of his February album big country, while Che premiered several unreleased tracks that left the crowd eager for a formal drop.
Perhaps the most anticipated moment of the weekend was North West, who performed a 15-minute set—her first solo live performance ahead of her upcoming tour with Molly Santana. As the festival concluded, it was evident that the next generation of hip-hop is not just arriving; they are already commanding the stage.
