Thrasher Magazine

In only a brief couple years of existence, Rolling Loud has become the biggest hip-hop and rap music festival in the country, if not the world. Boasting a lineup of chart-topping young and established musicians, the festival sets up shop in major cities around the country multiple times a year.

Oakland has been at the frontline of political controversy and unrest, and this heightened energy in and of itself is enough to turn off many promoters thinking of doing large-scale events in the city, especially hip-hop/rap-centric ones. Luckily, Tariq Cherif and Matt Zingler, founders of Rolling Loud, didn’t give a f*ck.

On September 15th and 16th, within the confines of the historic Oakland Coliseum parking lot, Rolling Loud took The Town over erecting two full size stages which hosted over 50 acts, the famed all gold Twerkilator party bus, food vendors and a Ferris wheel. The grounds also featured a skatepark hosted by Monster Energy. When asked about the significance of building a park at the festival, Rolling Loud founder Tariq Cherif said, “I’m a skateboarder first before anything.”

Although the current state of rap music is questionable and it seems that every month the industry loses another young artist to drugs and depression, Rolling Loud is a beacon of hope for the future and most of all this particular edition instilled that the Bay Area is still one of the most influential and progressive cities on the planet for hip-hop and rap culture.

Thrasher was on-site to witness this historical litness; peep the highlights. –Traci P

Photos: Sean Carabarin

Rolling Loud entrance

All Black and Earl Christopher backstage Photo: Grady Brannan

“Hell yeah it do, it’s doing your thing, it’s being who you are. It’s not even a lifestyle thing, it has nothing to do with hip hop it’s about being a demon and handling your motherfucking business at the end of the day” –All Black .(When asked about skateboarding in Hip Hop)

San Francisco native rapper, Berner was definitely “Rolling Loud” all weekend and was the only one who took to non-threatening airhorns instead of gunshot sound transitions during his set Photo: Farid

Local dancers bone-breaking backstage Photo: Traci P

Chief Keef

View from Pinclout stage

View from DRYP stage

Crowd Shot

Crowd surfing and moshpits were highly encouraged, at one point the host of one stage pumped the audience up to attempt the Guiness Book of World Records for moshpits – got five going at once

Dan Folger, G-Eazy, Saweetie, Matt Zingler Photo: Grady Brannan

Dane Vaughn

E-40 backstage

E-40’s amazing sunset performance brought out guests like IAMSU!, P-Lo and Nef the Pharaoh to perform classic Bay bangers

E-40's DJ Fatboy from Portland

Fat Nick

Fat Nick, flashing his RL chain, described founders Matt and Tariq as his “dads” 

"It was beautiful, the energy was beautiful, everything was authentic. Rolling Loud is the best thing in the world." Fat Nick on the energy that day

Fat Nick crew reppin'

Going dumb onstage during E-40

Gucci Mane stayed icey and played all the classics

"Man, it feels really good to be acknowledged by this big entity, performing in my city it means a lot, I can’t wait to do it again." –IAMSU! of HBK on being asked to play

Jaiden Smith

Jewler Johnny Dang was flossing the whole weekend

Joey Bada$$

Lil Pete

Lil Uzi Vert was definitely doing his thing

Nef the Pharoah on stage with E-40

Nef the Pharoah flossin’

P-LO and G-Eazy Photo: Grady Brannan

P-LO on stage with E-40

Playboi Carti

Prezi

Pusha T was a total highlight, always an amazing artist and performer on stage

Pusha T receiving his chain from Rolling Loud founder Tariq Cherif

Pusha T

Slim JXMMI

Swae Lee

Traci P and Houston Jeweler Johnny Dang

Trippi Redd

“I've been personally attached to the city of Oakland forever because of oaklands revolutionary history. You know Oakland is the birthplace of the black panther party – that’s a huge inspiration to me, I have undying love for the city of Oakland.” –Vic Mensa

 “I’m stoked, the crowd is live, it’s aggressive, it’s dangerous, I love it” –Vic Mensa

YG

GPUTT of Sherbinski Photo: Traci P

“It’s legendary man, Oakland is a legendary place for hip hop – we the most influencial place on the motherfucking earth. That’s why we here.” –P-LO 

Rolling Loud night scene