10.30.2021

Rolling Loud New York 2021: Friday Recap

J. Cole Headlines an Eclectic Night of Hip-Hop, Carti Brings the House Down, and Fans Embrace the Rage in the Rain

J. Cole in silhouette
(Photo credit: Rolling Loud/@nickwnyc)

THE RECAP:

Gathering the hottest talent from all corners of the hip-hop universe, Rolling Loud New York has something for everybody. For fans of soul samples and relatable lyricism, Friday’s festivities offered J. Cole, who played music from his blockbuster album and welcomed Dreamville’s Bas to the stage, and Wale, who brought out NY rap legend Q-Tip. For fans who came to rage, Friday brought energetic sets from stars like Ski Mask The Slump God and Playboi Carti, who rekindled one of rap’s favorite duos when he brought out Lil Uzi Vert, along with risers like Ken Car$on and Bizzy Banks.

As Halloween approaches, festival-goers embraced the spooky season spirit, dressing up in costume and visiting the haunted house, hosted by 300 Ent. The night ended with a nor’easter, adding a dramatic and picturesque grandeur to the closing performances.

Stay tuned for much more music and mayhem on the third and final day of the festival, with performances from Travis ScottRoddy Ricch, and more.

Check below for some highlights from a thrill-inducing Friday at Rolling New York 2021.

Check out photos from the festival here. Please credit photos as such “(Rolling Loud/@photographer)”: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yolvpy4shwfj9z1/AABDMaSF-D_uoBwFSv6pjs2-a?dl=0

See even more highlights on Rolling Loud’s Instagram.

Buy Rolling Loud merch: shoprollingloud.com

For all other inquiries, please contact MichelleKerry, or Kevin

J. COLE:

The Dreamville CEO fearlessly withstands the rain as he runs through his career highlights
(Photo credit: Rolling Loud / @kadeeeem)

PLAYBOY CARTI:

Carti closes out the Audiomack stage with Whole Lotta Red highlights and a reunion with Lil Uzi Vert (Credit: Rolling Loud / @henryhwu)

CITY GIRLS:

The City Girls were picture perfect for their twerkulating set on the Audiomack stage
(Photo credit: Rolling Loud / @itchyeyephotos)

ROD WAVE:

The St. Petersburg, FL native performs as the Deleón Stage crowd sings every word back to him
(Credit: Rolling Loud / @themcdub)

SKI MASK THE SLUMP GOD:

Rolling Loud fan favorite Ski Mask The Slump God performs as the sun sets
(Credit: Rolling Loud / @themcdub)

POUYA:

A fixture at Rolling Loud since the first event in 2015, Pouya riled up the crowd as he performed songs from his new album Blood Was Never Thick As Water (Credit: Rolling Loud / @Snap_LL)

WALE:

The DMV hero ventures up the coast, armed with his deep catalog and Q-Tip in tow (Rolling Loud/@jive)

ICEWEAR VEZZO:

Capping off a breakout year, Detroit’s Drank God makes his Rolling Loud debut (Rolling Loud/@brysmadworld)

NY NATIVES:

J.I. The Prince of NY wades into the crowd (Credit: Rolling Loud / @kadeeeem)

BIZZY BANKS (Credit: Rolling Loud / @felixfrancisco.b)

RISING STARS:

OHGEESY (Credit: Rolling Loud / @_flixz)

KENNY MASON (Credit: Rolling Loud / @jive)

Ken Car$on greets Lil Yachty during his set (Credit: Rolling Loud / @emilygardnerx)

BKTHERULA (Credit: Rolling Loud / @emilygardnerx)

The winner of Rolling Loud’s “GOT BARS?” Twitch-streamed rap competition, Dupree G.O.D. worked hard to earn his slot on the DeLeón Stage (Credit: Rolling Loud / @sokrispy)

SCENES FROM THE FESTIVAL:

(Credit: Rolling Loud / @itchyeyephotos)

(Credit: Rolling Loud / @felixfrancisco.b)

(Credit: Rolling Loud / @nickwnyc)

Critical Praise:

#4 on Pollstar’s List of 2020’s Top Livestreamers

“In four and a half years — beginning small in Miami, and now promoting Coachella-sized events around the country — Rolling Loud has established itself as a playground for the young…This time last year, many of the rappers now drawing crowds of several thousand were barely known.” – The New York Times

“Rolling Loud is the be-all of hip-hop festivals.” – Billboard

“The Rolling Loud New York experiment was a success—one which will likely earn it a return trip to the city in future years. Far from a traditional NYC rap experience, it was a two-day event that catered to the genre’s youngest fans, with an eye squarely focused on the future.” – Complex

“Rolling Loud continues to prove its hip-hop tastemaking status is no fluke”Pollstar 

THE BACKGROUND:

Founded by Matt Zingler & Tariq Cherif as a one-day Miami show, Rolling Loud has grown into a global festival phenomenon, putting on shows on both coasts and in multiple countries. Rolling Loud is the premier festival brand in hip-hop, known for its expert curation of wide-ranging lineups that reflect the state of the genre.

The festival returns from a 18-month hiatus on July 23rd-25th, with the sold out Rolling Loud Miami 2021, its biggest event yet, bringing in over 75,000 fans per day to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. With headliners Travis Scott, Post Malone and A$AP Rocky, Rolling Loud Miami 2021 is a triumphant return for live rap music, and a coming out party for risers and new superstars eager to play in front of a festival crowd. Rolling Loud Miami kicks off a massive year for the festival brand, arriving ahead of Rolling Loud New York, headlined by Travis Scott, J. Cole, and 50 Cent, in October and Rolling Loud California, headlined by J. Cole, Kid Cudi, and Future, in December.

During the pandemic, Rolling Loud expanded into much more than just a live festival company. With no in-person show possibilities in sight, Rolling Loud pivoted to become a heavy-hitter in the world of Livestreaming, drawing millions of unique viewers and landing multiple events in Pollstar’s Year-End Livestream Chart. In June 2021, Rolling Loud launched Rolling Loud Presents, their first venture into tour promotions, taking the Rolling Loud experience on the road with a series of tours headlined by some of the biggest stars in hip-hop, including Rod Wave, Trippie Redd, Jack Harlow, and more to be announced.

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