Summer Smash 2026 began on June 12 at the grounds surrounding SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, drawing 50,000 fans for day one of the three-day rap festival created by SPKRBX and Lyrical Lemonade.
Lil Uzi Vert headlined the first night, taking the main stage around 10:25 p.m. CT and performing tracks including "POP," "XO TOUR Llif3" and "Just Wanna Rock." The rapper teased an upcoming album, stating, "New album on the way. I gotta get home and take care of my baby monkey," before closing with an unreleased song featuring a British accent.
North West delivered her first solo music festival set inside a tent stage. The 12-year-old performed cuts from her N0rth4evr EP and joined her father Ye on "Talking" from the Vultures album. Her parents, Ye and Kim Kardashian, shared clips of the performance on social media.
Chief Keef returned to the Chicago area with a set that featured classics such as "Faneto" and "Love Sosa," joined by G Herbo and Sexyy Red, who crashed the performance for their collaboration "DAMN SHORTY." Other acts included Molly Santana, who debuted "Ran to Atlanta" live with Future and Drake.
Night two was scheduled to feature Skrillex, Yung Lean and Baby Keem, with Lil Baby and Playboi Carti set for the final day.