Summer Smash 2026: Atlanta-Chicago connection takes center stage

Black Atlanta and Black Chicago are cultural kindred spirits. Both cities have their own histories of unapologetically Black music. Waka Flocka Flame (who performed on Saturday) influenced drill music. Rappers Shawnna and Da Brat became rap superstars through Atlanta record labels. There are even locations of Harold’s Chicken in Atlanta, and both have Black mayors. So it was fitting for Sunday to have a lineup centered on Atlanta rappers Lil Baby and Playboi Carti, while featuring Chicago rappers shaped by Atlanta trap and rage music.

Dometi Pongo, award-winning journalist and host of Chess Not Checkers, says Chicagoans have been buying into Atlanta’s aesthetic for years. Like many residents, Chicago rappers like Lil Durk would move to Atlanta for a new start but still have that deep-rooted Black culture on every level, like in Chicago.

“A lot of our favorite rappers relocated to Atlanta, so you see a cross-pollination of culture. And when you go to Atlanta as a Chicagoan, there’s a kindred energy and a kindred relationship. Not only is it a musical influence, but it’s also a cultural influence. Chicago and Atlanta are — I wouldn’t say sister cities, but they’re cities that are in conversation with one another,” said Pongo.

On Sunday, Summer Smash started rather chilly and wet in the aftermath of a storm that led to SeatGeek Stadium’s grounds being very muddy. The gray skies and slippery terrain made for a rough beginning, but South Suburbanite Thirteendegrees set the tone early at Lenny’s Tent. He was followed by the Chi-lanta hybrid Raq Baby, who brought his mom/manager Toyette Hall on stage to turn up with him and his friends.

Atlanta was well represented beyond its lineups. Blink, and you would have missed 2025’s headliner, Young Thug, walking around the festival.

Chicago’s rap daredevil Famous Dex is another beloved staple of Summer Smash. Known for having some of the most intense performances, he showed on Sunday why he was sorely missed last year. He was signed to Atlanta rapper and former friend/collaborator Rich the Kid’s Rich Forever Records until they fell out in 2017. Despite the stumbles he’s experienced from career lows and drug addiction, he still was greeted with a full crowd yelling every word from his hits like “Japan” and “Drip From My Walk.”

Making an appearance in 2024 alongside Atlanta drill rapper Baby Kia’s festival performance, Roseland rapper MAF Teeski made a mark during his festival debut on the main stage. Despite being nervous, by his own admission, Teeski held his own. In fact, as I arrived inside the stadium, his voice was so loud and distinct that it could be heard from the parking lot.

MAF Teeski moved to Atlanta after signing with Artist Partner Group. He says that many Chicago rappers either move to Atlanta or Los Angeles after breaking out because, for them, staying no longer makes sense for leveling up their careers. Another is that Los Angeles is too glamorous for him, and his image, compared to Atlanta.

“We’re in the Midwest and blowing up, this the trenches, who the f— is going to stay here when we’re signed? I went right to Atlanta based off the simple fact L.A. is too popular. Too many palm trees. Your views will go down if they feel like you made it. They still want to see that gutta s—. I always say Atlanta is a baby Chicago,” said MAF Teeski.

Atlanta’s own Lil Baby made his return to Summer Smash after his 2021 powerhouse performance. Draped in a Gucci black velour sweatsuit, he came back with a vengeance. The whole arena sang word for word, his jams “Drip Too Hard,” “We Paid” and “Freestyle.” His performance is where the “Chicago meets Atlanta”
connections are strongest. That SPKRBX stage was the very same one that his friend and collaborator Lil Durk performed on in 2023 during the same time slot. Many thought Lil Baby should’ve closed out the fest this year but that slot went to Playboi Carti, Summer Smash’s longest-running headliner.

Since 2019, Playboi Carti has become a staple. Co-founder and SPKRBX head Berto Solorio has maintained a long relationship with the rapper and his Opium Records imprint to the point where they’ve held events beyond the festival. For fans, seeing “the Carti set” has become a tradition, he says.

Carti has had great to legendary performances at Summer Smash, including in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024, when he previewed his album “I AM MUSIC.” This one sits at the bottom of that list.

He was several minutes late, which cut the set short due to the festival’s strict curfew. He delivered some of his most explosive songs over his career, like “Pop Out,” “R.I.P.” and “Rockstar Made,” but he fell short of meeting the standard he set in previous years.

Maybe he should sit out next year until he has something new to offer.