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Rock The Bells & Live Nation Urban Present The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies Of Real Creative Energy) Live North American Summer Tour Headlined By LL COOL J

THE ULTIMATE HIP-HOP MASH-UP WILL BE ONE NONSTOP CONTINUOUS SET AND WILL FEATURE THE LEGENDARY ROOTS AS THE MUSICAL BACKBONE, ALONGSIDE DJ JAZZY JEFF & DJ Z-TRIP 

Select cities to feature salt-n-pepa, queen latifah, rakim, common, mc lyte, method man & redman, big boi, bone thugs-n-harmony, ice t, juvenile, doug e. fresh & slick rick, de la soul, rick ross, goodie mob, & jadakiss.

Live Nation Urban  reveals details for a brand new once-in-a-lifetime touring experience and a celebration of Hip-Hop culture –  Rock The Bells & Live Nation Urban Presents  The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) Live  headlined by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® Inductee, Kennedy Center® Honoree, two time GRAMMY® Award winner, and Hip-Hop icon  LL COOL J .  The historic tour will mark LL COOL J’s first headline arena tour in 30 years. Living up to the acronym  F.O.R.C.E.   ( Frequencies of Real Creative Energy ), the lineup for this tour is personally curated by LL COOL J himself.  

Building off of their amazing performance together on the GRAMMY® Awards earlier this year celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, all dates will feature collaborative live performances with preeminent Award-winning Hip-Hop band  The Roots , the legendary  DJ Jazzy Jeff , and  DJ Z-Trip . Unlike the traditional “opening act – headliner” format, the show will be a nonstop musical mash up with artist performances interwoven within one continuous musical set backed by The Roots.  In select cities, the bill also boasts a rotating cast of iconic acts, including  Salt-N-Pepa ,  Queen Latifah ,  Rakim ,  Common ,  MC Lyte,   Method Man & Redman ,  Big Boi ,  Bone Thugs-N-Harmony ,  Ice T ,  Juvenile ,  Doug E. Fresh ,  Slick Rick ,  De La Soul ,  Goodie Mob ,  Jadakiss, Rick Ross  and more.

WATCH THE OFFICIAL TOUR TRAILER  HERE

Speaking on the tour, LL COOL J says, “I’m excited to be on my first Arena tour in 30 years. It’s proof that our culture is more viable than ever. Get ready for some non stop beats and rhymes. See you this summer!” 

The F.O.R.C.E .  Live  hits the road on June 25th in Boston, MA at TD Garden before stopping in Brooklyn, NY at Barclays Center on June 27th, rolling through arenas across the U.S. and Canada, and closing out on September 3rd in Los Angeles, CA at Kia Forum.

Verizon  will offer customers an exclusive presale for the tour in the U.S. through Verizon Up. Customers will have access to purchase presale tickets for select shows beginning Tuesday, April 25th at 12PM local time through Thursday, April 27th at 10PM local time. For more details visit  Verizon Up .

Citi  is the official card of the tour. Citi cardmembers will also have access to presale tickets for select shows beginning Tuesday, April 25th at 12PM local time through Thursday, April 27th at 10PM local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit  www.citientertainment.com . 

On Thursday, April 27th between 10AM-10PM local time, fans may purchase tickets through either the Live Nation presale, Ticketmaster presale, or local venue and radio presales. General on-sale kicks off Friday, April 28th at 10AM local time.  Tickets will be available  HERE . 

There has never been a traveling Hip-Hop extravaganza of this magnitude. Feel  The F.O.R.C.E. Live  in 2023.  This is not a moment, it’s a movement. 

Be on the lookout for more.

6/25     Boston, MA                     TD Garden

6/27     Brooklyn, NY                   Barclays Center

6/28     Newark, NJ                      Prudential Center

6/29     Toronto, ON                  Scotiabank Arena

7/1       Baltimore, MD                CFG Bank Arena

7/2       Washington, DC             Capital One Arena

7/4       Atlanta, GA                     State Farm Arena

7/6       Hollywood, FL                 Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

7/8       Raleigh, NC                     PNC Arena

7/9       Charlotte, NC                  Spectrum Center

8/12     Cleveland, OH                Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse           

8/13     Chicago, IL                      United Center

8/18     Detroit, MI                     Little Caesars Arena

8/19     St. Louis, MO                  Enterprise Center

8/20     Indianapolis, IN              Gainbridge Fieldhouse                       

8/22     Memphis, TN                  FedEx Forum

8/23     New Orleans, LA            Smoothie King Center

8/24     Ft. Worth, TX                  Dickies Arena

8/25     Houston, TX                   Toyota Center

8/27     Albuquerque, NM         Sandia Casino Amphitheater

8/29     Denver, CO                    Ball Arena

9/1       San Francisco, CA           Chase Center             

9/2       Las Vegas, NV                MGM Grand Garden Arena

9/3       Los Angeles, CA              Kia Forum

ABOUT  LIVE   NATION  ENTERTAINMENT 

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live NationConcerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit  www.livenationentertainment.com .

Live Nation Urban (LNU) is a partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company. Specifically focusing on Hip-Hop, R&B and Gospel, LNU builds platforms, events, and festivals globally and develops dynamic content strategies based upon the live properties created. LiveNation Urban considers itself the most powerful source for live urban music. For additional information, visit  www.livenationurban.com . 

ABOUT  ROCK THE BELLS

Rock The Bells is the preeminent voice for timeless Hip-Hop. Founded in 2018 by LL COOL J and Geoff Yang, Rock The Bells focuses on content, commerce and experiences that honor the CULTURE and the core elements of Hip-Hop — MCs, DJs, Breakers, Graffiti Artists — and more. Rock The Bells is the bridge between OG’s and those inspired by their groundbreaking influences on the culture. Visit us at www.RockTheBells.com, stream LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio on SiriusXM Channel 43, and follow us on Instagram @RockTheBells.

(LL COOL J press photo, credit: Peter Yang — download  HERE )

ABOUT LL COOL J

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, two-time Grammy® Award-winning Hip-Hop icon, Kennedy Center Honoree, recording artist, actor, author, NAACP Image Award winner, entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder and CEO of Rock The Bells, LL COOL J has created one of the most multifaceted careers and brands in entertainment and continues to display his wide range of talents with every project. Three decades after he first burst onto the scene, LL COOL J continues his vibrant, trailblazing career.

LL COOL J began in the nascent, burgeoning rap and Hip-Hop scene of the 80’s, which developed into the musical and cultural phenomenon that is today’s Hip-Hop. All the while, LL COOL J has remained a musical and cultural force, a living icon and a significant, relevant artist. In March 2018, LL launched his own SiriusXM timeless Hip-Hop channel entitled “LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio,” garnering millions of daily listeners. The channel features a wide range of timeless Hip-Hop content, music, interviews and in-depth retrospectives curated, programmed and presented by the award-winning artist. Since its founding, Rock The Bells has developed into a global platform that has become the preeminent voice for timeless Hip-Hop.

Live Nation Urban Press Contacts: 

Carleen Donovan, The Oriel Co. 

[email protected]

Nina Lee, The Oriel Co. 

Lily Sanders, The Oriel Co. 

Valeska Thomas, Live Nation Urban 

Monique Sowinski, Live Nation Urban 

LL COOL J Personal PR Contacts:

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Live In The D

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Hip Hop icon LL COOL J comes back to Detroit

Ll cool j celebrates 50 years of hip hop with his ‘the fo.r.c.e.’ tour.

Megan Huiskens , LITD Intern

Live in the D – This year is the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop and LL COOL J wanted to celebrate by doing his first arena tour in 30 years. Tonight, his tour takes on Little Caesars Arena with special guests from all different backgrounds of Hip Hop. Today he joined Hobie Artique, who is filled in for “Live in the D” host Tati Amare, and guest host Jessica Care Moore to share his journey through Hip Hop.

When reflecting and looking back, LL COOL J reminisced on feeling invisible as a kid. He said, “When I heard those first wave of rap artists you know, M.C.s whether it was through tapes or records, it just made me feel like, you know, it made me feel empowered.” He continued by talking about how it was the first time he heard young kids who were from lower economic places, “who were saying something powerful.”

Since it is the anniversary of Hip Hop LL COOL J said, “You know what, it’s time to get back to my roots.” The show is full of artists including The Roots, Ice-T and MC Lyte. He wanted to choose artists where you can get an example of what “true Hip Hop” is.

To see the full interview, and hear about LL COOL J meeting up with Eminem in Detroit, watch the video above.

The F.O.R.C.E. tour is at Little Caesars Arena tonight at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.

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How to get tickets to LL Cool J’s “The F.O.R.C.E Live North American Summer Tour” in Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland

• Updated: Jul. 26, 2023, 8:48 a.m. |
• Published: Jul. 26, 2023, 8:48 a.m.

LL Cool J. Image by: SeatGeek

• Anneice Coady | [email protected]

Live Nation Entertainment announces, “The F.O.R.C.E Live North American Summer Tour” kicks off with L.L. Cool J’s first arena tour in 30 years.”

L.L. Cool J will “Rock the Bells” during his tour stop in Detroit, Friday August 18 at Little Caesars Arena. Get tickets at Stubhub, Vividseats, SeatGeek and Ticketmaster.

Stubhub, Vividseats, SeatGeek and Ticketmaster also have tickets for stops in Chicago and Cleveland.

Celebrate 50 years of hip-hop music with L.L. Cool J’s assembly of hip hop talent. Check out “The F.O.R.C.E Live North American Summer Tour in Detroit, Cleveland and Chicago.

Expect appearances by, “The Roots, the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip.” Unlike the traditional “opening act – headliner” format, “In select cities, the bill also boasts a rotating cast of iconic acts, including Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, MC Lyte, Method Man & Redman, Big Boi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice T, Juvenile, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, De La Soul, Goodie Mob, Jadakiss, Rick Ross and more.”

L.L. Cool J is a hip-hop icon, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Kennedy Center Honoree, and two-time Grammy Award Winner.

“The F.O.R.C.E. Live hits the road on August 11th in Baltimore, MD, at CFG Bank Arena before rolling through arenas across the U.S. and Canada and closing out on November 19th in Boston, MA, at TD Garden.” (Rockthebells.com)

Get tickets from Stubhub, Vividseats, SeatGeek , and Ticketmaster

Detroit - Friday, Aug. 18 at Little Caesars Arena, MI

Vivid Seats

Ticketmaster

Cleveland - Saturday Aug. 12 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, OH

Chicago - Sunday Aug. 13 at United Center, IL

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LL Cool J Announces Rescheduled Dates For All-Star F.O.R.C.E. Tour

The outing will now kick off in Baltimore on August 11 and stay on the road through November.

By Gil Kaufman

Gil Kaufman

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After announcing last month that he was rescheduling some dates on the first leg of his all-star F.O.R.C.E. North American tour to ensure that he gives fans a truly “unforgettable” experience, LL Cool J revealed the revamped routing for the trek on Tuesday (July 11).

LL COOL J Looks to Prove He’s Still a Knock-Out Performer With Upcoming F.O.R.C.E. Tour

Trending on billboard.

At press time the venues for the tour had not yet been revealed.

Check out the routing for the F.O.R.C.E. tour below.

August 11 – Baltimore, MD

August 12 – Cleveland, OH

August 13 – Chicago, IL

August 18 – Detroit, MI

August 19 – Toronto, ON

August 21 – Atlanta, GA

August 22 – Memphis, TN

August 24 – Forth Worth, TX

August 25 – Houston, TX

August 27 – Albuquerque, NM

August 29 – Denver, CO

Sept. 1 – San Francisco, CA

Sept. 2 – Las Vegas, NV

Sept. 3 – Los Angeles, CA

Sept. 9 – Charlotte, NC

Sept. 10 – Raleigh, NC

Oct. 15 – Washington, D.C.

Nov. 19 – Boston, MA

Check out the tour poster below:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by LL COOL J (@llcoolj)

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LL COOL J Announces First Headline Tour in 30 Years, Joined By Hip-Hop’s Biggest Names

Experience a brand new once-in-a-lifetime tour and a celebration of hip-hop culture in one. This is not a moment, it’s a movement.

Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Experience a brand new once-in-a-lifetime tour and a celebration of hip-hop culture in one during Rock The Bells & Live Nation Urban Presents The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) Live. Headlined by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® Inductee, Kennedy Center® Honoree, two-time GRAMMY® Award winner, Rock The Bells Radio (Ch. 43) curator, and all around hip-hop icon LL COOL J , this marks his first headline arena tour in 30 years.

Listen to Nonstop Classic Hip-Hop on LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio (Ch. 43)

The F.O.R.C.E. Live begins June 25 in Boston, MA, rolling through arenas across North American before closing out on September 3 in Los Angeles, CA. With a lineup personally curated by LL COOL J himself, all dates feature collaborative live performances with The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip. Breaking tradition, the show will be “a nonstop musical mash up with artist performances interwoven within one continuous musical set backed by The Roots,” according to the press release.

The rotating cast of acts includes: Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, MC Lyte, Method Man & Redman, Big Boi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice T, Juvenile, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, De La Soul, Goodie Mob, Jadakiss, Rick Ross, and more.

How to Get Tickets

Verizon will offer customers an exclusive presale for the tour in the U.S. through Verizon Up. Customers will have access to purchase presale tickets for select shows beginning April 25. For more details visit Verizon Up .

Citi is the official card of the tour. Citi cardmembers will also have access to presale tickets for select shows beginning April 25 through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit Citi Entertainment .

On April 27, fans may purchase tickets through either the Live Nation presale, Ticketmaster presale, or local venue and radio presales. General on-sale kicks off April 28 at 10am local time. Tickets will be available HERE .

The F.O.R.C.E. Live 2023 Tour Dates

6/25 Boston, MA – TD Garden

6/27 Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

6/28 Newark, NJ – Prudential Center

6/29 Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

7/1 Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena

7/2 Washington, DC – Capital One Arena

7/4 Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

7/6 Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

7/8 Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena

7/9 Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center

8/12 Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse

8/13 Chicago, IL – United Center

8/18 Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

8/19 St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center

8/20 Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse

8/22 Memphis, TN – FedEx Forum

8/23 New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center

8/24 Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena

8/25 Houston, TX – Toyota Center

8/27 Albuquerque, NM – Sandia Casino Amphitheater

8/29 Denver, CO – Ball Arena

9/1 San Francisco, CA – Chase Center

9/2 Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena

9/3 Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum

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LL COOL J's F.O.R.C.E. Tour: 'EVERY NIGHT Is a New Show'

By Jacinta Howard

Published Wed, August 16, 2023 at 4:13 PM EDT

LL COOL J's F.O.R.C.E. tour , which kicked off on Hip-Hop's birthday (August 11th), is officially underway.

The tour is one of the dopest live concert experiences Hip-Hop has witnessed, and that isn't an exaggeration — think a concert styled like a live mixtape, with legendary artists weaving their way through their biggest hits, all backed by The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Z-Trip. Already, it's been an experience to behold — Common freestyled , Rakim ripped through his classics, Queen Latifah delivered a dazzling performance, and more, as the show made stops in Baltimore, Cleveland and Cincinnati last weekend. Next up? Detroit.

Detroit obviously has a rich Hip-Hop legacy, and rap fans will be treated to performances from Common, Bone Thugs N Harmony (who just had a street named after them in Cleveland ), rap legend Ice-T, and Hip-Hop trendsetter MC Lyte. Questlove waxed poetic about the rarity of the tour in a recent post on Instagram, urging folks to catch it while they can because it's seriously a once in a lifetime kind of event.

"The exciting thing about this tour is EVERY NIGHT is a new show," he wrote. "Every night I learn something new. Last night in Chicago I remember expressing regret that I wasn’t MORE supportive of Bone Thugs (I was small minded in my 20s)——these cats are so awesome —- it wasn’t until rehearsal that I realized THIS is where the legacy of The Cold Crush went ——a jazzy harmony blend w a gritty narrative. Not to be outdone: being onstage w Doug & Rick doing La Di Da Di turned me into a 14 year old in the summer of 85 all over again. A lot of hours and hard work and sacrifice went into the production of this tour. I hope you get to see it cause —-I’m not the “never again” type but because of the strike and the timing of the 50th anniversary the stars are aligning but… Similar to me telling the European press in 2008 “this is our last run before we start this new TV show” they kinda scoff like “pssssh yeah right, y’all come here 4 times a year” Welp. Don’t say I didn’t warn you."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Questlove (@questlove)

After Detroit, the F.O.R.C.E. will land in Toronto, where LL, The Roots, Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip will be joined by Queen Latifah and Jadakiss .

The tour will roll through arenas across the United States and Canada, before wrapping on November 19th in Boston, MA, at TD Garden. Tickets are available now at rockthebells.com/forcelive .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ROCK THE BELLS (@rockthebells)

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LL Cool J Announces “The F.O.R.C.E. Live” Tour with The Roots, De La Soul, and More

The 18-show outing also promises Big Boi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Queen Latifah, Method Man & Redman, and more

Hip-hop heads, rejoice: LL Cool J  is about to embark on his first headline arena tour in 30 years, and he’s bringing a particularly stacked crew along with him. The rapper has curated the “F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) Live” tour, an upcoming traveling concert — a bit like his iconic Rock the Bells festival — that also promises performances from The Roots, De La Soul, Rick Ross, and many more.

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, “The F.O.R.C.E. Live” tour will feature 18 shows each with a rotating cast of supporting acts. Each night will bring LL Cool J, The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip to the stage, playing alongside a rotating cast of acts that include Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, MC Lyte, Method Man & Redman, Big Boi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice T, Juvenile, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Goodie Mob, Jadakiss, and more. (Many of whom will also appear on the Rock the Bells Cruise going down this November.)

“The F.O.R.C.E. Live” tour begins on August 11th in Baltimore, with further dates scheduled in Cleveland, Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, Memphis, Denver, Las Vegas, Charlotte, and beyond. Prior to the start of the tour, LL Cool J will headline the Rock the Bells Festival in Queens, New York.

Tickets are available via StubHub , where orders are 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s FanProtect program. StubHub is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.

See a trailer for “The F.O.R.C.E. Live” tour and its full schedule below.

Earlier this year, LL Cool J participated in a massive medley at the Grammys celebrating half a century of hip-hop.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect the tour’s re-routed dates

“The F.O.R.C.E. Live” 2023 Tour Dates: 08/05 – Queens, NY @ Rock the Bells 08/11 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena 08/12 – Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse 08/13 – Chicago, IL @ United Center 08/18 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena 08/19 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena 08/21 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena 08/22 – Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum 08/24 – Ft. Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena 08/25 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center 08/27 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sandia Casino Amphitheater 08/29 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena 09/01 – San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center 09/02 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena 09/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum 09/09 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center 09/10 – Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena 10/15 – Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena 11/19 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden

View this post on Instagram A post shared by LL COOL J (@llcoolj)

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Ll cool j announces "the f.o.r.c.e. live" tour with the roots, de la soul, and more.

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Ll cool j to headline the f.o.r.c.e. live tour presented by rock the bells.

The 24-date trek will kick off in June of this year before concluding in September.

By Amber Corrine

Amber Corrine

Staff Writer, News

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In celebration of Hip-Hop , LL Cool J will be headlining his first tour in over 30 years with Rock The Bells and Live Nation Urban ‘s The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) Live. The multi-award winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Hip-Hop icon will give lovers of the genre “not a moment, but a movement.”

Method Man Says He'll Never Perform At Summer Jam Again Due To "Generation Gap"

As Hip-Hop continues to be celebrated 50 years later , the F.O.R.C.E tour aims to be unique. “Unlike the traditional ‘opening act – headliner’ format, the show will be a nonstop musical mash up with artist performances interwoven within one continuous musical set backed by The Roots,” per announcement.

“I’m excited to be on my first Arena tour in 30 years,” the Rock The Bells founder stated in a press release. “It’s proof that our culture is more viable than ever. Get ready for some non stop beats and rhymes. See you this summer!” 

The 24-date tour will begin on June 25 in Boston, MA at TD Garden and hit the major cities of Brooklyn, NY, Newark, NJ, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans and Las Vegas before concluding on September 3 in Los Angeles at the Kia Forum.

Starting Thursday (April 27) at 10AM ET, fans can start purchasing tickets via Live Nation presale, Ticketmaster presale, or local venue and radio presales. General tickets go on sale starting Friday (April 28).

6/25       Boston, MA                       TD Garden

6/27       Brooklyn, NY                     Barclays Center

6/28       Newark, NJ                       Prudential Center

6/29       Toronto, ON                      Scotiabank Arena

7/1         Baltimore, MD                  CFG Bank Arena

7/2         Washington, DC               Capital One Arena

7/4         Atlanta, GA                        State Farm Arena

7/6         Hollywood, FL                   Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

7/8         Raleigh, NC                        PNC Arena

7/9         Charlotte, NC                    Spectrum Center

8/13       Chicago, IL                         United Center

8/18       Detroit, MI                         Little Caesars Arena

8/19       St. Louis, MO                     Enterprise Center

8/20       Indianapolis, IN                Gainbridge Fieldhouse                       

8/22       Memphis, TN                    FedEx Forum

8/23       New Orleans, LA               Smoothie King Center

8/24       Ft. Worth, TX                     Dickies Arena

8/25       Houston, TX                       Toyota Center

8/27       Albuquerque, NM           Sandia Casino Amphitheater

8/29       Denver, CO                        Ball Arena

9/2         Las Vegas, NV                    MGM Grand Garden Arena

9/3         Los Angeles, CA                Kia Forum

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Rock The Bells & Live Nation Urban Present The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies Of Real Creative Energy) Live North American Summer Tour Headlined By Ll Cool J At Little Caesars Arena Friday, August 18

(DETROIT – April 25, 2023) — Live Nation Urban reveals details for a brand new once-in-a-lifetime touring experience and a celebration of Hip-Hop culture – Rock The Bells & Live Nation Urban Presents The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) Live headlined by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® Inductee, Kennedy Center® Honoree, two time Grammy® Award winner, and Hip-Hop icon LL COOL J at Little Caesars Arena on Friday, August 18 at 8 p.m. The historic tour will mark LL COOL J’s first headline arena tour in 30 years. Living up to the acronym F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), the lineup for this tour is personally curated by LL COOL J himself.

Building off of their amazing performance together on the Grammy® Awards earlier this year celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, all dates will feature collaborative live performances with preeminent Award-winning Hip-Hop band The Roots, the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip. Unlike the traditional “opening act – headliner” format, the show will be a nonstop musical mash up with artist performances interwoven within one continuous musical set backed by The Roots. In Detroit, the bill also boasts a rotating cast of iconic acts, including Rakim, Common, MC Lyte, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice T and more.

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at 313Presents.com , Livenation.com , rockthebells.com/f.o.r.c.e.live and Ticketmaster.com . On Thursday, April 27 between 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. local time, fans may purchase tickets through either the Live Nation presale, Ticketmaster presale, or local venue and radio presales. Lineup subject to change.

Verizon will offer customers an exclusive presale for the tour in the U.S. through Verizon Up. Customers will have access to purchase presale tickets for select shows beginning Tuesday, April 25 at 12 p.m. local time through Thursday, April 27 at 10 p.m. local time. For more details visit Verizon Up .

Citi is the official card of the tour. Citi cardmembers will also have access to presale tickets for select shows beginning Tuesday, April 25 at 12 p.m. local time through Thursday, April 27 at 10 p.m. local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com .

WATCH THE OFFICIAL TOUR TRAILER HERE .

Speaking on the tour, LL COOL J says, “I’m excited to be on my first Arena tour in 30 years. It’s proof that our culture is more viable than ever. Get ready for some non-stop beats and rhymes. See you this summer!”

The F.O.R.C.E. Live hits the road on June 25 in Boston, MA at TD Garden before stopping in Brooklyn, NY at Barclays Center on June 27, rolling through arenas across the U.S. and Canada, and closing out on September 3 in Los Angeles, CA at Kia Forum.

In select cities, the bill also boasts a rotating cast of iconic acts, including Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, MC Lyte, Method Man & Redman, Big Boi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice T, Juvenile, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, De La Soul, Goodie Mob, Jadakiss, Rick Ross and more.

There has never been a traveling Hip-Hop extravaganza of this magnitude. Feel The F.O.R.C.E. Live in 2023. This is not a moment, it’s a movement.

Be on the lookout for more.

About LL COOL J

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, two-time Grammy® Award-winning Hip-Hop icon, Kennedy Center Honoree, recording artist, actor, author, NAACP Image Award winner, entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder and CEO of Rock The Bells, LL COOL J has created one of the most multifaceted careers and brands in entertainment and continues to display his wide range of talents with every project. Three decades after he first burst onto the scene, LL COOL J continues his vibrant, trailblazing career.

LL COOL J began in the nascent, burgeoning rap and Hip-Hop scene of the 80’s, which developed into the musical and cultural phenomenon that is today’s Hip-Hop. All the while, LL COOL J has remained a musical and cultural force, a living icon and a significant, relevant artist. In March 2018, LL launched his own SiriusXM timeless Hip-Hop channel entitled “LL COOL J's Rock The Bells Radio,” garnering millions of daily listeners. The channel features a wide range of timeless Hip-Hop content, music, interviews and in-depth retrospectives curated, programmed and presented by the award-winning artist. Since its founding, Rock The Bells has developed into a global platform that has become the preeminent voice for timeless Hip-Hop.

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LL COOL J Reveals New Dates For Star-Studded F.O.R.C.E. Tour

LL COOL J has wasted no time rescheduling his upcoming F.O.R.C.E. Tour, providing new dates just a few weeks after announcing he was postponing the star-studded trek .

In conjunction with LL’s Rock The Bells and Live Nation Urban, The F.O.R.C.E. Live will now kick off in Baltimore on August 11 (the same day as Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary) and trek through North America before wrapping up in Boston on November 19.

Dubbed the “ultimate Hip Hop mash-up tour,” LL will headline alongside The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip. Each stop will be filled with a range of Hip Hop royalty special guests that include icons such as Salt-N-Pepa, Rick Ross, Queen Latifah, Big Boi, De La Soul, Jadakiss, Method Man, Redman, Rakim, Common and more.

Check out the full list of F.O.R.C.E. Tour dates below. Tickets are available now here .

AUGUST 2023 11 – Baltimore, MD 12 – Cleveland, OH 13 – Chicago, IL 18 – Detroit, MI 19 – Toronto, ON 21 – Atlanta, GA 22 – Memphis, TN 24 – Forth Worth, TX 25 – Houston, TX 27 – Albuquerque, NM 29 – Denver, CO

SEPTEMBER 2023 1 – San Francisco, CA 2 – Las Vegas, NV 3 – Los Angeles, CA 9 – Charlotte, NC 10 – Raleigh, NC

OCTOBER 2023 15 – Washington, D.C.

NOVEMBER 2023 19 – Boston, MA

In an Instagram video posted last month, the legendary rapper announced the tour’s delay, explaining he wanted to give his fans an “unforgettable” experience.

“I have to give my fans an experience that is unforgettable,” he wrote in the caption. “I want to make sure everything is done right, and in order to do that, I had to change some things up.”

related news

June 30, 2023

Back in April, LL joined Questlove and Black Thought of The Roots on Instagram Live to talk about what fans could expect from their The F.O.R.C.E. Live tour .

“You’ve done arena tours before. I’ve done arena tours before. But I’ve never really felt like they were mine,” Quest shared. “They were always, like, festivals, or opening up for other acts. This is super major, man.”

“You know what I’m excited about, Quest?” LL replied. “When the first snare hits, like…it ain’t stoppin’. We goin’ hard. This is going to be a show unlike anything … I haven’t done an arena tour in many years, you know what I’m sayin’? And I put all my energy into making this thing right. This is like everything we’ve ever done on super-roids. So it’s going to be way more than you can imagine, you know what I’m sayin’?”

“I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel,” said Questlove. “But, I’m also trying to give people something that they’ve never seen before…the way we’re formatting the show, it’s going to be like the Grammys performance on steroids.” Questlove’s comments were in reference to the star-studded Hip Hop tribute he produced at this year’s Grammys to celebrate the culture’s 50th Anniversary.

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LL Cool J Announces Special Guest-Filled ‘The F.O.R.C.E Live’ With the Roots

• By Tomás Mier

LL Cool J is celebrating hip-hop on the road. On Tuesday, the rap star announced his “The F.O.R.C.E. Live” tour, his first time on the road hitting arenas in 30 years — and he’s planning to bring some massive guests on the road with him.

Along with featuring the Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip as supporting acts, Cool J is also scheduled to bring out the likes of Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, MC Lyte, Method Man & Redman, Big Boi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice T, among others in select cities across the tour.

 “I’m excited to be on my first arena tour in 30 years,” Cool J said in a statement. “It’s proof that our culture is more viable than ever. Get ready for some nonstop beats and rhymes. See you this summer!”

Cool J will start his tour at Boston’s TD Garden on June 25 before stopping in cities such as Atlanta, Raleigh, Chicago, New Orleans, and San Francisco. He wraps his tour in Los Angeles on Sept. 3. It’s unclear which guests will join him on which tour dates. You can find tickets here at VividSeats.com .

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The F.O.R.C.E. Live tour dates

June 25 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden June 27 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center June 28 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center June 29 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena July 1 – Baltimore, MD @CFG Bank Arena July 2 – Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena July 4 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena July 6 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel July 8 – Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena July 9 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center Aug. 12 – Cleveland, OH @Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse Aug. 13 – Chicago, IL @ United Center Aug. 18 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena Aug. 19 – St. Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center Aug. 20 – Indianapolis, IN @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse Aug. 22 – Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum Aug. 23 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center Aug. 24 – Ft. Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena Aug. 25 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center Aug. 27 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sandia Casino Amphitheater Aug. 29 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena Sept. 1 – San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center Sept. 2 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena Sept. 3 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum

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2024 Tour de Troit Ride

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2024 Main Ride

2024 main ride- under 21, 2024 metric century ride, 2024 metric century ride- under 21, description.

Join us on Saturday, September 14th, 2024 as we head to the streets and ride some of the city's historic areas, explore street art projects and take in its fabulous architecture.  The ride provides bicyclists a unique opportunity ride the streets of Detroit in the State's largest bike ride.

Tour de Troit is a leisurely ride of approximately 25.6 miles with police escort; sweeper- and SAG-support; Medic Support;" and one rest stop that includes a snack and mechanical support. The main ride will take off at 9 a.m. 

The Tour de Troit START/FINISH RIVERSIDE PARK

Packet- Pick-Up: Thursday, September 13, 2024 10AM-7PM Friday, September 14, 2024 10AM-8PM 2727 Second Ave. 48201

DAY OF PACKET PICK UP: Saturday, September 14 7AM-8:30AM on site

PARKING: Ride to start options INFO TO COME

PLEASE NOTE: There will be No Parking Available in the Park or along West Jefferson adjacent to Park.

ADDITIONAL INFO!

• Lunch, Beer & Wine (for over 21), and Faygo provided after the ride.
• METRIC CENTURY!  62 Miles of self-guided fun with support along the way and 2 rest stops. Staggered ride starts beginning at 7:15AM.
• Full ride details will be sent to registered riders the week of the event via email
• This is a HELMET MANDATORY ride
• THE RIDE STARTS AT 9 AM. You may been to line up in your assigned chutes at 8:30 AM
• TYPE 3 E-Bikes (w Throttle) are Not allowed for this event. The TDT is a leisurely ride of 8-12 MPH on city streets.  The speed  capabilities of the Type 3  E-bike within this ride leads to an unsafe and unmanageable ride situation for both participants and the Police.  They are also not in alignment with the mission of the organization or the intent of the ride.  If you have any questions on this, please email info@tour-de-troit.org .  If you require an Electric-Assist Bike, please contact us at info@tour-de-troit.org .
• Be sure to bring a FILLED water bottle.  We will also be providing water at the rest stop and finish of the ride.

Interested in Sponsoring?  Please contact us at info@tour-de-troit.org

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LL Cool J's "The F.O.R.C.E. Live" Tour Will Feature a Different Artist Every Night

Including likes of the roots, rakim, big boi and more..

LL Cool J is set hit the road for his first headline arena tour in 30 years for “The F.O.R.C.E. Live.”

Kicking off June 25 in Boston, the lengthy engagement will see LL Cool J, The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Z-Trip bring out a myriad of different hip-hop artists every night along the 24-stop tour, including the likes of Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, MC Lyte, Method Man & Redman, Big Boi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice T, Juvenile, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Goodie Mob, Jadakiss and more. Fans can catch the artists in areas like Brooklyn, NY, Toronto, ON, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA before closing it out in Los Angeles in early September.

“The F.O.R.C.E. Live” 2023 Tour Dates: 06/25 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden 06/27 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center 06/28 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center 06/29 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena 07/01 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena 07/02 – Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena 07/04 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena 07/06 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood 07/08 – Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena 07/09 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center 08/12 – Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse 08/13 – Chicago, IL @ United Center 08/18 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena 08/19 – St. Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center 08/20 – Indianapolis, IN @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse 08/22 – Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum 08/23 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center 08/24 – Ft. Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena 08/25 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center 08/27 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sandia Casino Amphitheater 08/29 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena 09/01 – San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center 09/02 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena 09/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum

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Ford Rouge Factory Tour

Tour the rouge, today at ford rouge factory tour, discover your drive..

Pop open the hood on game-changing technology, sustainable design and sheer American grit at America’s greatest manufacturing experience. Get an inside look at the most iconic moments of American manufacturing history, and immerse yourself in modern manufacturing’s most progressive concepts. This is where big ideas gain momentum.

Rev up your inner engineer in a five-part experience at a legendary factory — Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn Truck Plant.

Walk through the Legacy Gallery and Electric Vehicle Display, and look back at the iconic vehicles manufactured at the Rouge complex, all while looking ahead to automaking’s electric future. Take a seat in our Legacy Theater to learn more about the history of Ford Motor Company. Feel the force of modern engineering in the multisensory Manufacturing Innovation Theater. Travel up to the observation deck for sweeping views of the historic Rouge Complex and one of the world’s largest living roofs. Step into the elevated plant walkway for a look at where the legendary Ford F-150 is assembled.

A true model of 21st-century sustainable design, Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant showcases how community, business and the environment can thrive together in a single environment. Start to finish, Ford Rouge Factory Tour offers awe-inspiring encounters with America’s celebrated manufacturing past, present and future, plus a look into the sheer scale of a working auto factory.

5-Part Experience View Map

Legacy theater.

Learn about the history of the challenges and triumphs of the Ford Motor Company, including the storied partnership between management and labor at the historic Rouge Complex.   Details 

Manufacturing Innovation Theater

A multisensory representation of the manufacturing experience, from concept to highway, filled with jaw-dropping special effects.   Details 

Observation Deck Overlooking the Living Roof

View the massive network of production facilities that make up the Rouge, including a bird’s-eye view of Ford Motor Company’s innovative living roof. Planted with a drought-resistant groundcover, the living roof spans 454,000 square feet.   Details 

Plant Walkway

Walk the elevated walkway over the Dearborn Truck Plant’s lean and flexible final assembly line, where the aluminum-body F-150 is made. (Please note that the schedule for active vehicle assembly varies and is not guaranteed.)   Details 

Legacy and Electric Vehicle Gallery

View historic vehicles manufactured at the Rouge during the 20th century, Look to the future and hop in the new Ford F-150 Lighting, the world’s first electric pickup truck.   Details 

Seasonal Living Lab Environmental Area

See sustainable design in action. Discover how natural processes deal with water, soil and air challenges at the Rouge. (Please note that this experience is seasonal.)   Details 

Featured: Manufacturing Innovation Theater

Celebrating the engineering ingenuity behind the production of the all-new aluminum-body Ford F-150 truck, the multisensory Manufacturing Innovation Theater comes complete with vibrating seats, gusts of wind, 3D projection mapping, winking robots and much more.

Active Assembly Information

Ford Rouge Factory Tour is an experience housed within Ford Motor Company's Dearborn Truck Plant in partnership with The Henry Ford and the United Auto Workers union.

The Dearborn Truck Plant is a real working factory. As a result, there are many factors that can cause inconsistent active assembly hours. This includes vehicle demand, supply shortages, factory floor renovations and construction, and staffing considerations. The Dearborn Truck Plant does not build vehicles during daily breaks, shift changes, holidays and weekends.

Please note that The Henry Ford cannot control Ford Motor Company’s production schedule and cannot guarantee that guests will see the assembly line in full operation during their visit. The Henry Ford is also not able to refund tickets in the event that vehicles are not being actively assembled.

Regardless of whether vehicles are being actively assembled, guests will be able to view the Dearborn Truck Plant’s final assembly area via a fully accessible suspended walkway at all times. The final assembly area is only one part of the Ford Rouge Factory Tour’s five-part experience. All other parts of the tour remain unaffected.

The Dearborn Truck Plant will not be in active assembly during these dates in 2024 and 2025, following the plant’s holiday and maintenance schedule. The dates include but aren’t limited to:

• January 1-2, 2024
• January 15, 2024
• March 29-April 1, 2024
• May 25-27, 2024
• June 19, 2024
• June 29-July 14, 2024
• August 31-September 2, 2024
• November 5, 2024
• November 11, 2024
• November 28-December 1, 2024
• December 24, 2024-January 5, 2025

Active assembly is not available on Saturdays, and the tour is closed on Sundays.

Discover ways to save when you purchase tickets online.

Exclusive Discounts at our Partner Hotels

Over 6,500 5-Star Reviews for The Henry Ford on Trip Advisor

FORCE     (Faithfully Organizing Resources for Community Empowerment) is a culmination of interfaith, grassroots and public sector leaders committed to having hard conversations about complex community issues, pushing boundaries and generating creative justice oriented solutions. We leverage media and culturally relevant strategies to connect people least likely to be engaged to civic infrastructures.

Toward the goal of building a safer, freer Detroit, Force is committed the following programs and activities:

Participatory Research – we aim to drive and capture the experiences of their constituencies and support them to create academically sound research that gives voice to otherwise ignored community concerns.

Narrative Building – pairs participatory research efforts with media creation and communications strategy to ensure that community voice is represented in public dialogue.

Youth and Millennial Organizing – seeks to deepen the community organizing and civic leadership capacity of youth and millennials who statistically are least likely to be engaged to civic infrastructures.

Coalition Development – we build relationships with Detroit’s grassroots leaders and activists to foster increased collaboration, improve and deepen relationships and coordinate efforts for greater impact.

Core components of our approach include:

  Leadership Development Trainings – national and local trainings and planning sessions to build capacity and coordination of leaders to support change-making efforts.

Community Events and Public Actions – Force hosts a variety of public events and actions to bring attention to, inform and engage the broader public in creating solutions to issues as well as support advocacy efforts.

1-1 meetings – leaders engage people in their community in dialogue about community issues to learn how they are being impacted

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Alia Harvey Quinn

Founder & Executive Director

Alia Harvey Quinn is a bold leader with a dedication for investing in often ignored, emerging grassroots leaders. As the daughter of Black Panthers, Alia’s calling into the world of activism, leadership and community-building was always in her DNA but was emboldened by organizing with youth who were dealing with issues of criminalization and violence. Her commitment to building a freer, safer Detroit is both ancestral and unwavering. Alia is the founder and Executive Director of FORCE Detroit. Under her leadership, Force Detroit has established itself as a widely-recognized and well-respected community organization, shedding light locally and nationwide on the solutions to gun violence, with a primary focus on Community Violence Intervention (CVI).

Her inventive leadership and dedication to uplifting the hard work of long, under-resourced, often justice-impacted peacemakers, played a large role in shaping Detroit’s strategy within the White House Community Violence Intervention Initiative. Has influenced philanthropic giving in Detroit, resulting in more than a million dollars of investment being redistributed to over 45 grassroots organizations in Detroit.

Continue the story

Karisha Vanzant

Program Coordinator

Karisha Vanzant is the current Program Associate at Force Detroit, a project of Faith in Action Network. She provides administrative support to the Director, Alia Harvey-Quinn, the Communications/Media Arts, and the Live Free Coalition Department.

Karisha is a Michigan native and has worked in the non-profit community in the Metro Detroit area for the last four years. She received her Bachelor’s in Communications Media Arts from Wayne State University and Certificate in Digital Media Arts from Specs Howards School of Media Arts and Studies. With a focus on Film Making.

James “Screal” Eberheart Jr.

Community Organizer

James “Screal” Eberheart Jr. was born and raised in Inkster, Mi. After graduating from high school, he moved to Detroit. There, he began schooling at Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) studying Computer Information Systems while working in the communications field as a Cable Technician. In 2014, after eight years of working in corporate America, Screal experienced an injury at work that changed his life indefinitely. Subsequently, he began his journey of activism full-time in the communities of Detroit. Understanding the psychological strain on African Americans living in destitute conditions, he began an independent study of how the mind works. Therefore creating an entity called Hopz Management  and becoming an entrepreneur.

Dujuan "Zoe" Kennedy

Public Health & Safety Director

My name is Dujuan Zoe Kennedy, born and raised on the westside of Detroit, Michigan, by a working-class family with strong ties in the community. By the age of 11, I strayed from my upbringing and began to engage in a lifestyle of crime. Which lead to 14 years of incarceration. During those years, I experienced a gradual change for the better due to the conditions and men around me. They encouraged and reinforced my growth by acknowledging and supporting the path I’m traveling today. Which is the path of activism and unity. I was released on 5/19/2019; by the end of 6/2019, I was once again surrounded by a community of people active in the betterment of our people and humanity as a whole. This is who I am! One of the people! With the people! For the people! Of the people!

See the whole team

Driving  FORCE   awards

FORCE  Detroit Executive Director Alia Harvey-Quinn and the  FORCE  Detroit team were joined by special guest speakers to honor our city’s heroes. The Driving  FORCE   awards  were hosted at the historic campus of Marygrove College in Detroit, Wednesday, October 21, 2020. With presenters that included Victoria M. Burton-Harris, Esq, the recent progressive democratic contender for Wayne County Prosecutor, Kevin Ryan Program Officer City | State Department Ford Foundation, and McGregor Fund President Kate Levin Markel. Melanca Clark, President Hudson-Webber Foundation, delivered a keynote address that spoke of unity and community involvement in neighborhood safety. 

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Michigan Central Station tours: How to visit Ford's renovated train depot

Y ou may have missed your first opportunity to visit the renovated Michigan Central Station , but there are still plenty of dates it will be open to the public.

The Michigan Central Open experience at the train station, located at 2001 15th St. in Detroit, is just getting started and will chug along through the summer, offering plenty of chances to experience Ford's transformation of the train depot.

Here's what to know.

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Michigan Central Station initial public tours

The first 10 days of public open house tours at Michigan Central Station, running June 7-16, are sold out . Those visits required advanced registration that is now closed.

Guests will explore the first floor of the building during an immersive experience. There will be activations, storytelling, artwork and shareable moments.

If you got tickets to this set of tours, be sure to arrive 15 minutes before your entry time. Tickets allow visitors to access the station within 30 minutes of the ticket window. Guests should expect to be in the station for no more than one hour.

Can I tour Michigan Central Station if I didn't get tickets?

Don't worry if you missed out on the first set of tours running June 7-16; public tours of the train station will resume June 21 and will run Fridays and Saturdays through the end of August.

What's the cost for weekend Michigan Central Station tours?

No registration is required. People may visit the station from 5-9 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

The building will be closed to tours on the other days of the week until September, when expanded public hours will be announced.

How do I get to Michigan Central Station?

Major events can drive plenty of traffic in the Corktown area. Several  roads will close  throughout the reopening event, but visitors can choose from nearby street parking, free parking in the 1501 Wabash St. garage on a first-come, first-served basis, riding the bus through the Detroit Department of Transportation, e-scooters or ridesharing.

What's next for Michigan Central Station after reopening?

After reopening festivities, Michigan Central will begin a "phased reactivation" of the train station for several months as restaurant, retail and other commercial and community-focused partners fill the space.

Dana Afana contributed.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Central Station tours: How to visit Ford's renovated train depot

• SI SWIMSUIT
• SI SPORTSBOOK

Roundtable: Do Lions Need to Sign Free Agent Before Training Camp?

Vito chirco | jun 9, 2024.

• Detroit Lions

1.) What is your reaction to the Lions losing an OTA practice due to a player work rules violation?

Christian Booher : I am surprised. That’s not something you see all the time, and it makes me wonder how it was reported or what caused the violation. The Lions have a reputation for practicing harder than most teams , so that part of it does make the news a little less shocking. 

Ultimately, it is good on the Lions for accepting the punishment and moving forward. I think, if anything, it will be a learning situation for the coaching staff. I don’t expect it to have a ripple effect, but it definitely is a unique situation that is worth monitoring as the offseason rolls on. 

Vito Chirco : My initial reaction was that the Lions should've known better. You would think that someone in the organization would be cognizant of the rules and prevent the team from suffering such a violation. But, in the grand scheme of things, forfeiting Monday's OTA practice is nothing more than a slap on the wrist for Dan Campbell & Co. And, it's not as if it will have any lingering effects on the organization. So, the Lions appear to still be on the right track headed into the summer.

2.) Do the Lions need to add a free agent before training camp?

Booher : I think the Lions should be constantly scouring the free-agent market for depth. The core and surrounding talent are solid, so there are no pressing needs. With how strong the offseason was for the organization, the roster is in a good place. 

With that said, it’s important for the Lions to invest in quality depth. The backups will inevitably be called upon as football is a physical game and injuries happen. For that reason, I would expect the Lions’ staff to continue looking for depth, especially on the interior.  

Chirco : I'm all aboard the train of the Lions adding competition to their receivers room this offseason. However, when looking at the current options in free agency, none of them – e.g. Hunter Renfrow, Russell Gage, Michael Thomas – are really all that enticing. Subsequently, I don't envision Brad Holmes & Co. dipping into the free-agent pool at this juncture in the offseason. 

3.) What was your biggest takeaway from minicamp?

Booher : My biggest takeaway from minicamp is that the defense is in a good spot. Granted, the offense was limited to working mostly through the air, and has some question marks at wide receiver. However, I think all reports indicate that the defense will be a force to be reckoned with in 2024. 

In particular, the cornerback position is in a much better place this season than it was last year. If Detroit can continue to be effective against the run and put forth a better effort in the passing game, the defense has the potential to be among the league’s better units. 

Chirco : My biggest takeaway was that the Lions’ players – both the youngsters and veterans – logged competitive reps, and the team, as a whole, is trending in the right direction headed into the summer. I know that perhaps doesn't mean a ton because the Lions haven't started competing against other teams yet. However, at this juncture in the team's offseason program, I would still take it as a win for the organization. 

Also (and quite notably), Detroit's players collectively seem to be committed to making sure that they don't fall short of reaching the Super Bowl for a second consecutive season. They haven't shied away from the topic all offseason, and definitely have their eyes set on hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at season's end. 

4.) Who is the Lions’ best offensive and defensive player?

Booher : For the offense, I think the honors have to go to Amon-Ra St. Brown . He has been an unbelievable steal as a fourth-round pick in 2021, and has quickly developed into one of the league’s best wide receivers. He’s reliable and has an insatiable work ethic, so it’s hard to see a drastic decline in his performance moving forward. 

Defensively, my pick is Aidan Hutchinson. Though his sack total hasn’t been eye-popping in his first two seasons, he gets after the quarterback with the best of them. If he can finish his pressures with sacks at a higher percentage, he has the capability to rank among the best in the league. Hutchinson has an immensely high ceiling.

Chirco : To me, it's Lions right tackle Penei Sewell and EDGE Aidan Hutchinson. 

Sewell is perhaps the very best offensive lineman in the league, and graded out as the best tackle in the NFL in 2023 (based on Pro Football Focus’ metrics). He's a vital member of Detroit's high-functioning offensive line, and I'm convinced that the Lions’ offense wouldn't be close to as potent without his presence.

Meanwhile, Hutchinson , coming off his first double-digit sack campaign as a pro, is by far the best pass-rusher on the team. I view Hutchinson as the “straw that stirs the drink” on the defensive side of the ball. And, to me, the Michigan product still has the potential to grow into an even more productive pass-rusher – and overall defender – moving forward. 

5.) If you could play 18 holes with three members of the Lions, who would you play with? 

Booher : For this question, I’m going to take it in a unique direction and set up my dream scramble team. My first pick is Hutchinson , as it sounds like he has spent plenty of time working on his game. If we were playing a scramble format, I’d want someone to set the pace and carry the team in the event that the others struggle. I am by no means a great golfer, so it’d be good to get someone capable of hitting the big shots. 

Pick No. 2 for me is Kerby Joseph. As someone who is not good at golf, I enjoy playing when I am around good people who enjoy having fun. Joseph has a fun personality and seems to be a person who is enjoyable to be around. I’m admittedly not sure what his golf game looks like, but he would be fun to be around. 

For my final choice, I’m going with Giovanni Manu. Again, I’m not sure what Manu’s golf game would be like, but he’s a strong individual who could drive the ball a long way and set up our team with good shots. 

Chirco : For starters, I'd try to play only nine holes because golf is far from my cup of tea. Now to answer the question, I'd pick some heavy-hitters: Dan Campbell , aka “Motor City Dan,” Hutch and Sewell. I feel like it'd be bombs away with the three of them, and then I could handle the short game for the group. I think a round of 18 would be full of hijinks and hilarity with these three, and while golfing, I'd obviously have to put my journalism “hat” for a few holes, too, and ask them about the upcoming season. I think the round would be worth the price of admission, no matter how good we'd actually golf as a group.

VITO CHIRCO

Vito has covered the NFL and the Detroit Lions for the past five years.  Has extensive reporting history of college athletics, the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Mercy Athletics.  Chirco's work include NFL columns, analyzing potential Detroit Lions prospects coming out of college, NFL draft coverage and analysis of events occurring in the NFL.  Extensive broadcasting experience including hosting a Detroit Tigers podcast and co-hosting a Detroit Lions NFL podcast since 2019. 

Detroiters get 1st look inside revived Michigan Central Station during tours

Detroiters on Friday get their first look inside revived Michigan Central Station after Thursday's blowout opening night concert .

Visitors, who had to sign up in advance for tours for the Detroit train station, will encounter a range of activities and exhibits honoring the station's history and six-year restoration. Tours continue daily through June 16, but they are fully booked. The station will be open for self-guided tours on Fridays and Saturdays through August.

The first floor of the station, by then with some shops and other features expected to be built out, is scheduled to be open to the public in September.

Follow along here to experience Detroiters' first steps inside the renovated station.

Michigan Central Station tours: How to visit Ford's renovated train depot

3:40 p.m.: A job loaded with smiles

John Martin is a new Michigan Central ambassador, after making a career out of cable TV advertising and spending a couple of more years working part-time gigs. Friday was just his second day of work after he snagged the job just in time for the station’s reopening.

Martin grew up in Lincoln Park and later worked in downtown Detroit, so he spent most of his life watching the city up close.

“Being that I worked down here, I’ve always been interested about what’s going on in the city, and that never left me even after I found another job,” he said.

He toured Michigan Central’s open house back in 2018 after it was acquired by Ford and has since been stunned by Detroit’s numerous and gorgeous renovations.

After he stopped working one of his part-time jobs earlier this year and almost simultaneously came across the Michigan Central ambassador position, he knew he could take the job and have a good time with it.

Martin stands at the doors of the Grand Hall and greets people as they enter with smiles widening and eyes lighting up at their first sight of the hall.

“One of my jobs that I didn’t do this year after working it for 12 years was at a golf course … You get a lot of interaction with folks. You’re not always putting out fires, but there always seems to be one on your shift. So, I thought, jeez, I could come in here and how many fires could I have? People are coming in here awestruck, they’re not complaining,” he said.

3 p.m.: Streets around train station returning to normal

By Friday afternoon, Michigan Avenue opened to vehicles after being closed for Thursday's opening festivities, and there was no traffic congestion even as thousands of people descended on the train station for the first day of public tours.

As workers outside continued to dismantle the concert stage, about 1,800 visitors walked through the train station as of 3 p.m., Michigan Central spokesperson Dan Austin said.

A total of 5,000 visitors were expected Friday, with tours ending at 10 p.m., he said. 

1:55 p.m.: Details make the difference

Christina Roki of Sterling Heights, and Grant Sloan of West Bloomfield, two automotive content creators who were invited to opening day by Ford, said they were brought to tears by the stories preserved inside Michigan Central Station.

“What we appreciate about it most is how much detail Ford cared to preserve to show the story. They kept part of the graffiti on the walls, they preserved a lot of the tickets they found … Even the brick, all the chisels we see on the brick, they didn’t try to make fine cut lines, they still want to show all the history that this building has,” said Roki.

As their tour guide led from room to room in the building, they remained at a loss for words.

“The inside was literally mind-blowing. I feel like I was walking in on such a big piece of history that’s been preserved for so long, so it’s crazy to think that this is something they’ve been working on in the past few years,” said Roki.

But for the two metro Detroiters, one of the most significant parts was just to see how Michigan Central had been given new life, narrowly dodging demolition. Sloan remembered times passing by the station with his friends just before the renovation began to see the graffiti and decay; now, to see that part of modern history meshed with its historical past, he said to step inside the new shiny floors was an awesome experience.

“Any Detroiter will agree that this building was such an eyesore for such a long time. Growing up in Detroit and knowing its history but never seeing it operational… But now seeing it up in running, it’s really touching to see that Ford took on such a large project,” said Sloan. “It’s early but I think it’s safe to say that the investment already paid off.”

— Kylie Martin

1:45 p.m.: Returning soon

Southwest Detroit resident Jennifer Serra set an alarm in hopes of scoring tickets to see the train station on its first day of public tours. 

“There's just not enough wonderful words to describe it,” Serra, 45, said after securing tickets and touring the station Friday. 

The only problem? She had somewhere else to be this afternoon and wanted to spend more time in the station. She’s already made plans to come back for another tour in a few days. 

“I feel like it's like a symbolic representation of what goes on in our city,” she said of Michigan Central Station. “I feel like there's just these landmarks in certain cities … that just really kind of embody the overall history of what's going on. I feel like this helps us bring a little bit of closure to some tough times and show renewal.”

— Adrienne Roberts 

1 p.m.: 'Another crown jewel'

Tom Schultz and his wife, Sylvia Ross-Schultz, are both born and raised Detroiters, but more than that, they’re Detroit-lovers.

“We’re so glad to see it getting so much better, and it’s beautiful … It’s just in my heart, it’s been the neatest thing,” said Ross-Schultz. “It’s another crown jewel in the renovation of Detroit.”

“I made the statement, and I was wrong, that (the comeback) would never happen in my lifetime,” said Schultz. “The rebirth is off the charts.”

Remembering the good old days of Michigan Central Station in the 1970s, the couple knew they had to tour the station on opening day, and so did Ross-Schultz’s cousin and her husband, Renee and Tom Toft. With ancestors who worked in the building, the families are woven into the fabric of Michigan Central, as well as the city of Detroit.

Additionally, the Tofts took what they called the “falling apart” tour of the station back when Ford purchased it in 2018.

Now, the four stood waiting for their tour in awe at the renovated front of the building.

“Instead of just knocking it down, to bring it back to this grandeur is absolutely fantastic,” said Ross-Schultz.

“You see the work they did out here, they recreated everything the right way,” said Tom Toft. “It’s spectacular. We haven’t even gone inside yet but I know its going to be spectacular.”

12:40 p.m.: Eager to return

Donny Wilson and his brother Paul Wilson had never been inside the train station until Friday morning, but they’re all ready to come back.

Donny Wilson, 41, an influencer who lives in Oak Park, wants to bring his family and friends to the station to see it. 

“I can't wait until all this stuff is actually in there …the shops, hotel …” Donny Wilson said after touring the station.

Paul Wilson, 42, a Detroit resident, said he’s just thought of the station as a ruin his whole life — until now. “It’s so cool how they refurbished everything and still kept a whole lot of the building intact,” Paul Wilson said.

Noon: 'Berliners are obsessed with Detroit'

NPR reporter Bobby Allyn, 35, walked quickly toward Michigan Central Station as he prepared to interview President Joe Biden’s director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Arati Prabhakar, at Newlab on Friday. He said he was super excited to be in Detroit, having heard so much about the city when he lived in Berlin.

“Berliners are obsessed with Detroit because of techno music,” Allyn said. “It’s the birthplace of techno. Look up Jeff Mills of Detroit and techno. You’ll see. When you go to Club Berghain in Berlin, it’s impossible to get in but if you wear a hat that says, ‘Detroit,’ they let you in.”

Allyn, a technology correspondent , reports on startups, artificial intelligence, privacy issues and tech litigation. While he was directed to the building next door to Michigan Central Station, the whole site is part of the mobility hub led by Ford Motor Co. Allyn said he couldn’t wait to see the inside of the restored train depot after the interview.

— Phoebe Wall Howard

11:50 a.m.: Memories rekindled outside Michigan Central

Bob Bilkie, 63, and Shari Bilkie, 62, of Northville walked the side streets surrounding Michigan Central Station as they waited for the noon public tours to begin. They parked at 10 a.m. and took in the sights of the Corktown neighborhood on the cool, cloudy day.

As they approached their 41st wedding anniversary on Monday, they talked about dates at Lafayette Coney Island in Detroit, ordering their lemon meringue pie and Faygo Red Pop. That’s pretty much all Bob Bilkie could afford as an intern at Detroit Edison. At lunch, he ordered coney dogs with lots of onions and mustard because that’s what he could afford. Now Bob is an investment adviser and Shari is a compliance officer for a financial firm.

Being in Detroit together during this special time also celebrates memories of their families. Her grandfather went to Cass Tech High School and owned Ward’s Bar in Dearborn. They went to the old Tiger Stadium around the corner as a family. His father worked at American Motors as a fabricator, and his grandfather worked for the railroad.

“He probably worked here,” Bob said, glancing up at the 18-story Beaux Arts-style building from the corner of Wabash and Marantette.

Shari said smiling, “It is so cool, the fact that they took something decrepit, falling apart, an eyesore and turned it into something absolutely beautiful.”

11:35 a.m.: The morning after and a new dawn

On a much noticeably cooler and windier morning compared with Thursday, Corktown appeared to be just waking up after last night’s celebration. 

With much of Michigan Avenue still closed off to vehicles Friday morning, the few businesses that were open had just a couple of customers. 

The train station, however, was bustling with activity, albeit a different kind of energy compared with Thursday night, as workers dismantled the concert stage that the night before featured acts including massive music concern in Roosevelt Park a night earlier that featured Diana Ross, Eminem, Jack White and Big Sean. 

— Adrienne Roberts

11:25 a.m.: Michigan Central prepares for company

The sounds of Motown and techno music filled the halls of Michigan Central Station, spilling from speakers in a gallery plastered with vintage posters less than an hour before the doors officially opened to visitors on Friday.

Inside the station, hundreds of workers dashed about, putting final touches on exhibits scheduled to attract 60,000 people over 10 days.

A woman from Chicago leading a group of eight South Korean government officials, walking through the renovated station half an hour before the official open, explained that the visitors oversee small- and medium-sized businesses and they’re looking at the 30-acre innovation zone created by Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford Motor Co.