In 2000, the Up in Smoke Tour was one of hip-hop’s most ambitious and memorable live concert series—an extravaganza that pushed rap concerts into new production, scale, and commercial territory. Headlined by some of the genre’s biggest names, the tour was essentially billed as a “rap carnival,” fusing spectacle with star power.

Genesis & Significance

At the turn of the millennium, hip-hop was evolving beyond its underground and regional roots into a mainstream cultural force. The Up in Smoke Tour aimed to capitalize on that momentum by bringing together marquee acts from the West Coast (and beyond) for a cross-North America run of high-production concerts.

Spanning from June to August 2000, the tour hit more than 40 cities, including major U.S. markets and a couple in Canada. One of the landmark performances was held in Worcester, Massachusetts, on July 20, 2000, which was recorded and later released as a concert film/DVD. The tour’s financial success and cultural resonance showed that high-budget, large-scale hip-hop touring had become viable—raising the bar for what a rap concert could look and feel like.

Star Lineup & Supporting Acts

The core headliners of the Up in Smoke Tour were Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Ice Cube. Each brought their own fanbases, discographies, and reputations for commanding stage presence.

— Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg were longtime collaborators and central figures of the West Coast G-funk era. On this tour, they offered joint sets, collaborated with guest artists, and showcased tracks from their respective catalogues.
— Eminem—then rising to global prominence, especially after The Marshall Mathers LP—performed with his backing crew and often enlisted Proof and D12 for parts of his set.
— Ice Cube anchored the earlier portion of the bill, performing solo and also sometimes bringing Westside Connection collaborators into his set.

Beyond the headliners, the tour featured a deep roster of supporting and guest artists—many of whom were key players (or up-and-coming talent) in late ’90s/early-2000s hip-hop. Some of these included Proof, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, MC Ren, Westside Connection, Tha Eastsidaz, Devin the Dude, Warren G, Truth Hurts, TQ, The D.O.C., Xzibit, Mel-Man, and others. For instance, Kurupt and Nate Dogg joined Dre & Snoop for “The Next Episode,” while Xzibit jumped in on “Bitch Please” and “What’s the Difference.” Some songs served as tributes to late artists (e.g., Tupac, Biggie, and Eazy-E). The DVD/video release divides the show into three parts: Ice Cube’s set, Eminem/Proof’s set, and Dre & Snoop’s set (with guest appearances).

Production & Legacy

Visually and technically, Up in Smoke pushed rap concerts to spectacle levels comparable—or even superior—to major rock tours at the time. The stage design, pyrotechnics, set changes, and guest appearances created a dynamic, theatrical concert experience. Its commercial success also proved that hip-hop shows could command large venue tours with big budgets. In retrospective rankings, it’s often cited among the greatest hip-hop tours ever staged.

Moreover, the tour served as a cultural marker: it crystallized a moment when rap stars from different camps could unite under one banner, when production values rose, and when fans expected not just music but a full audio-visual spectacle.

In sum, the Up in Smoke Tour stands as a landmark event in hip-hop’s live history, both for the immense star lineup it assembled and for how it expanded the expectations for what a rap tour could be.