best in hip hop | rolling loud california 2023

Ice Spice at Rolling Loud California 2023

For the first time ever, a three-day music festival took over Hollywood Park at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California and it was epic. Rolling Loud California was, well, loud – in more ways than one. Inglewood had more smoke in the air than a Snoop Dogg party on 4/20 and attendees lined up for blocks to enter grounds with three stages, art, carnival games, rides and even a ferris wheel. Thousands enjoyed the sounds of both established and new artists. As March marks women’s history month in the US, it was promising to see voices like Kamaiyah, Gloss Up, Cam & China and more kill it on stage. 

City Girls at Rolling Loud California 2023

Rolling Loud’s lineup had more women than a lot of festivals in the past showing that the ladies of hip hop are holding a stronger presence in the game. From Coi Leray to BIA, they showed up and showed out.  Saweetie’s high energy had the audience “tapped in.” Miami duo City Girls were a festival favourite wearing matching cut-out unitards embellished with feathers and leather chaps. Unsurprisingly, Ice Spice ignited crowds with her recent viral songs Munch and Pinkerpantheress’ Boy’s A Liar. One fan even unsuccessfully tried to crash the stage. Meanwhile Jamaican star Shenseea brought island vibes to Inglewood and invited fans up on stage for a twerk off. 

Ice Spice and Shenseea at Rolling Loud California 2023

Coi Leray at Rolling Loud California 2023

Rolling Loud was the gift that kept on giving thanks to all the surprise guests that made an appearance over the weekend. Legend Lil Wayne brought out Nicki Minaj and 2 Chainz, rapper Tyga brought out YG, and Don Toliver brought out pop sensation Justin Bieber. Although headliner Travis Scott didn’t bring out any guests out, he didn’t need to. The pyrotechnics, fireworks and crazy lighting were show highlights.  Lil Yachty’s look was a little scary but his stage presence and creativity made for one of the more artistic performances of the festival.

Soulja Boy at Rolling Loud California 2023

Rolling Loud’s strength lies in the the diversity of acts on offer. Central Cee had his first US performance, and if they didn’t know who he was then, they do now. O.T. Genesis gave crowds an authentic dose of the LA sound, Soulja Boy reminded people why he’s “the first rapper to do dis” with all his classic hits, while Chief Keef and Ski Mask the Slump God had fans reciting lyrics word for word. Rising artists like Toosii, G Perico, Kalan.frfr shined alongside stars like Future and Lil Uzi Vert who thanked Rolling Loud from a bouncy castle that adorned the stage. It’s safe to say that festival founders Tariq Cherif and Matt Zingler put together another epic Rolling Loud for the books.

Saweetie at Rolling Loud California 2023

Shenseea at Rolling Loud California 2023

This Schön! online exclusive has been brought to you by

photography + words. Christiana Lucratif


Schön! Magazine is now available in print at Amazon,
as ebook download + on any mobile device

by /

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,