Ready to leave 2024 behind? Spearheaded by DJ D-Nice, the Walt Disney Concert Hall will kick off 2025 with a party on New Year’s Eve that includes a slew of guests set to take the stage. Primarily known for his integral role as a producer and DJ who cultivated hip-hip during the 80s, few people like D-Nice know how to set the tone right for the new year. Aside from D-Nice, 11 other artists are set to perform alongside him, including Big Daddy Kane, Kenny Burns, and Estelle, to name a few. The sheer size of the guest list alone is enough to ensure a New Year’s well spent, but the array of music makes it a guaranteed way to go into 2025 on a high note.

Tickets for the concert are available now. If you’re looking for other shows happening before New Year’s Eve, the Hall still has several concerts in store for the rest of the month. Subscribe to our newsletter, where we often give away tickets to shows at the Hall and other venues. In case you’re worried about missing a giveaway, follow us on Instagram for announcements.

Words: David Sosa

Hip-Hop pioneer

There’s no way to undermine D-Nice’s placement in hip-hop history. Growing up in New York City, he was at the epicenter of hip-hop when it gradually became what we know it today, evolving at a rapid pace as more rappers gained traction in the mid-80s. Despite being a teenager at the time, D-Nice honed in on DJing and producing, eventually joining forces with KRS-One as Boogie Down Productions. Soon after, he dropped his debut album, Call Me D-Nice, while consistently collaborating with KRS-One and rap groups like Naughty by Nature.

However, after setbacks and creative differences among his peers, he stepped away from hip-hop and explored other careers outside of music. But one way or another, each path tied back to his beginnings, paving the way for a recent return to DJing through live streams during quarantine. Suddenly, he was back to where he had started, leading to his return, which came with a newfound appreciation for his role in shaping hip-hop.

No shortage of guests

D-Nice isn’t delivering a simple DJ set that you can find at countless venues in and around LA. On top of actress/singer Tisha Campbell hosting the evening, D-Nice has put together a bunch of artists, rappers, and singers who can back up his credibility within hip-hop and R&B. Notably, Big Daddy Kane, who began his career in Brooklyn around the same time as D-Nice and quickly separated himself from his peers, now widely seen as one of the greatest rappers of his generation and perhaps of all time.

British singer Estelle is set to make an appearance, having a more than worthy discography behind her that’s made even more impressive by her acting gigs and collaboration history. In music, she is best known for her smash hit “American Boy,” the sort of timeless classic that is hard to replicate and rare to come by. Further bridging the gaps between generations of artists include Lady London, a rapper who released her debut album, S.O.U.L., last year. Rounding up the lineup are Next, Case Kenny Burns, Jon B., Tweet, Mike Phillips, Nice & Smooth, and Johnny Gill.

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Turning the Hall on its head

Unlike the usual classical music at the Hall’s center, this event gives an opportunity to experience a concert not commonly performed with the venue, unless it’s NYE, where the party is always popping every year. As is routine with many New Year’s evenings, the show is best for an adult audience, with its 10:30 pm start time right before the clock strikes midnight. But whether you’re a fan of one of the guests or looking for a way to have a good time before 2025 arrives, D-Nice is someone you expect to deliver.

ARTISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

BEST NEW MUSIC

Although the New Year’s concert will be the last of the 2024 winter season for the Walt Disney Concert Hall, there are several shows prior with tickets that are still available. On Dec. 21 and 22, the “Home Alone” score, now synonymous with the month, will be played in concert alongside the film. Right before Christmas, Cuban-American trumpeter Arturo Sandoval brings jazz to the holidays on Dec. 23. And then there’s a beautiful selection of shows at the Hall, which will kick off the 2025 season (such as Arlo Parks!)