The all-around hyphy nature the Bay Area is known for returned to the Oakland Coliseum for the third annual Rolling Loud Festival. The festival drew in a powerhouse of names from the hip-hop community, including Travis Scott, YG, Young Thug and many more.
The festival that housed a crowd of 40,000 hip-hop heads also included food trucks, a Monster-sponsored skateboard rink, and countless amount of amenities to provide festival-goers with a successful experience.
Alex Dronkers, a business marketing major at SF State, said “My experience was a great one! I bought the presale tickets in anticipation of a great festival since it’s in my hometown. I couldn’t pass it up.”
Oakland is known for its alluring weather, a diverse community and a culture that is ahead of its time. The town thrives on uniqueness and positive energy, making it a perfect candidate for a hip-hop music festival.
“The Bay is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, with a vast selection of music to go with,” Dronkers said.
The love that people have for the Bay Area was a recurring theme that filled the air this past weekend. From countless Warrior’s jerseys and “thizz” faces, the Bay Area community made sure to make this festival worthwhile.
“The Bay Area is amazing, we’re just trying to keep up with the energy and the culture,” said Berner, a rapper turned entrepreneur in the marijuana business.
Berner performed on the second day, and his act drew in a big crowd supporting his music and his popular apparel line, Cookies. The performance added a flare of Bay Area energy that the festival needed.
Being a Bay Area native, he paid his respects to the late rapper, The Jacka, during his set. Clouds of marijuana smoke filled the air as a tribute for The Jacka, as Berner’s DJ started playing the late rapper’s hit “Glamorous Lifestyle.”
Another Bay Area native, E-40, was able to set the tone for the festival at an all-time when he performed historic Bay Area songs like “Tell Me When To Go.”
The Oakland Coliseum was ready with countless amounts of employees in preparation for the event by securing the safety of its attendees.
Destiny Williams, a customer service representative, explained the whole process as being smooth with little-to-no complications. “No problems yet, just the trash, but other than that everything is going pretty smooth.”
The event had minimal trouble this year, according to Michelle McDevitt, a representative for Audible Treats, the public relations firm that helps manage Rolling Loud events.
With few complications, the crowd enjoyed an array of artists, leaving any stress or concerns at home. The good vibes the Bay Area showed at Rolling Loud made it easy for artists to perform at their full capacity.
“My favorite performer would have to be Rae Sremmurd,” Dronkers said. “They brought a lot of energy to the crowd and played a lot of classics that so many people have heard on the radio or in the club; plus the beautiful women of the Bay Area were well represented for this set.”
The culturally diverse community the Bay Area is known for was at an all-time high at Rolling Loud.
Young Thug, a platinum recording rapper and songwriter who is due to release a new album soon, explained his respect for the Bay Area. As he sat in his van swarmed by cameras and security, he said, “The Bay Area is treating me very well, lots of beautiful women.”
Young Thug amplified the energy before YG took on the stage, making him the second to last performance on the left side of the stages. He came out rocking a yellow hoodie that matched his mellow mood throughout the performance. The trap star closed out his set with a rendition of his popular song, “Pick Up the Phone,” which he later performed again with Travis Scott at his set.
Rolling Loud came to a close with Travis Scott as the last performer. The captivating production that Travis Scott brought with him to the festival left exhausted festival-goers off their feet throughout the whole setlist. With a performance of songs from his new album, “Astroworld” to cult classics like “Mamacita,” Travis placed the Rolling Loud experience on a pedestal for many to admire.
The third annual festival secured double the amount of attendees from last year, with packed crowds from left to right, and positive Bay Area energy all around. With overall electrifying performances, from some of the most prominent artists around the globe, Rolling Loud left an imprint on Bay Area culture for years to come.
