The live experience
What reaches the room
Cruel Winter Fest is a cornerstone of Cleveland’s independent hip-hop scene, founded in the mid-2010s by Wallace Settles, also known as Dirty Jones. Rooted in the Northeast Ohio underground, the festival has consistently showcased rising local acts and established a reputation as a premier platform for Cleveland-area artists. The festival has strong ties to iconic Cleveland venues like the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights and a notable Beachland Ballroom edition in 2021.