Beyond the headliners, there’s a lot to see at Cali Roots.

If you must pick and choose the performances to see at California Roots, the task can seem both obvious and daunting.

Certainly the Marleys – Ziggy plays on Friday, Damian and Stephen on Saturday – are a must. Ice Cube is a rap legend and Rebelution a Cali Roots favorite, and both take the stage on Sunday. There are other bucket list groups, such as Stick Figure (Friday), Burning Spear, The Elovaters, Pepper and Collie Buddz. The Expendables have a big international following and an even bigger one on the Central Coast.

The list could go on. That’s why the festival has become such a draw, both for artists and fans. Here are just a few of the other not-to-miss bands in the lineup from Friday, May 24-Sunday, May 26.

Living Legends

Friday 1:30pm • The Bowl

The hip-hop group never really went away, although there were 15 years between their previous album and 2023’s The Return – which they have, with a maturity and assuredness to their storytelling honed by life.

E-40 and Too Short

Friday 6:20pm • The Bowl

Respect is due to both as pioneers of West Coast hip-hop, as challengers and collaborators, for their grit and slanguage and especially for their extensive catalog of music. Pop open a 40 and blow a whistle, biaaatch.

Claire Wright

Saturday 12:50pm • Cali Roots Stage

Claire Wright’s debut album – Setting Out for the Sun – recently hit the streamwaves. This Northern California artist gives reggae a country flair, with a bit of carefree West Coast affection. Collectively, her songs are like a day at the beach under clear skies.

Souls of Mischief

Saturday 1:40pm • The Bowl

It’s hard to explain Souls of Mischief. If you tune in to what they are laying down, you get it. And their music becomes rooted in you. For others, appreciation may take some time. But it happens. That is why it took their single “93 ’til Infinity” 30 years to earn gold.

Rawayana

Saturday 2:50pm • Cali Roots Stage

The collective formed in Venezuela and their background informs their broad understanding of reggae. It’s lively, teased with funk, salsa and West African inspiration. And the group is known for putting on potent live shows.

Artikal Sound System

Sunday 1:30pm • Cali Roots Stage

Vocalist Logan Rex and the boys craft an unexpected form of reggae, influenced by R&B and jazz and their quest for a good time. The music can pick you up and put you down, set to emotional, relatable lyrics.

Lupe Fiasco

Sunday 5:40pm • Cali Roots Stage

Thoughtful and sometimes controversial, Lupe Fiasco presents next-level rap. Where others are blunt to be effective, the Chicago MC spins stories that dig deep, that chisel away at comfortable narratives. He can be conceptual and metaphorical. But he can also be catchy.

Lani Headley contributed to this report.