Some of the hottest acts of the last 30 years converge upon Las Vegas this week for Lovers & Friends. More than 45 artists are packing the Las Vegas Festival Grounds for a day of hip-hop, R&B and rap in a celebration of the evolution of the various genres.

This year’s lineup includes:

  • Missy Elliott, whose Supa Dupa Fly cemented her place in hip-hop history after paying dues shaping other artists’ sounds. Her legendary status was only cemented more with the recent unveiling of her wax figure at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas at The Venetian, which features her in the track suit she wore to the 2019 MTV Video Awards (This year’s festival is her first billed appearance since that year.)
  • Mariah Carey, one of music history’s top-selling artists and a huge influence on today’s singers, few of whom can match her five-octave range demonstrated on classics like “One Sweet Day” and “Fantasy.”
  • Usher, who currently enjoys a Las Vegas residency of his own at Dolby Live at Park MGM and is still as hot as he was the year he debuted his self-titled album in 1994. Expect plenty of classics like “Yeah!” and “My Way,” along with some of his signature dance moves.
  • Pitbull, a rapper who boasts 35 Billboard Latin Music Awards and has sold more than 25 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide on the strength of songs like “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho),” “Give Me Everything” and “Feel This Moment.”
  • Christina Aguilera, considered by most critics as one of the greatest singers of all time and, like Carey, a major influence on today’s artists. She started strong in the ’90s with songs like “What a Girl Wants” and lost no steam in subsequent decades; from albums and collaborations to movies and TV, she has remained fresh and relevant for millions of fans.
  • 50 Cent, a rapper whose range seems to know no bounds. In 20 years, he’s done everything from releasing No. 1 singles like “21 Questions” to starring in movies and television, all while founding his own record label, G-Unit Records.

Las Vegas Festival Grounds, noon May 6, starting at $335 plus tax and fee. loversandfriendsfest.com

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