Friday’s afternoon downpour wasn’t enough to sizzle the energy (or heat) on the first day of Rolling Loud Miami.
For its last stop of the year, Rolling Loud returned to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens for its 8th annual flagship Miami edition. With over 100 artists billed to perform throughout the three-day festival, thousands of fans braved the scorching temperatures to experience some of hip-hop’s biggest acts, including Playboi Carti, Ice Spice, City Girls, Latto, Lil Uzi Vert, Offset, and ASAP Rocky. This year was also the first time Rolling Loud recruited Latin artists to perform. Reggaetonero Anuel AA and dembow artist El Alfa graced the main stage on Friday and Saturday, respectively, to perform their biggest songs in front of a massive throng of fans.
Known for raucous mosh pits and viral-worthy moments, Rolling Loud wouldn’t be complete without mayhem and spectacle. Aside from delayed set times on the main Gopuff Stage and Travis Scott starting his performance almost an hour late, notable performances included Offset bringing out Cardi B to perform her verse on "Motorsport," Travis Scott announcing the release date for his new album, Utopia and accompanying movie Circus Maximus, and ASAP Rocky seemingly dissing Scott while performing a new song from his upcoming album, Don’t Be Dumb.
Drama and chaos aside, artists blazed the stages all weekend with energetic, unforgettable performances. Here are our seven standout sets from Rolling Loud Miami.
Fousheé Captivated Fans With Electric Rage
Clad in a white fur coat and white hair, Fousheé electrified the Culture Kings Stage with heavy metal screams and dizzying twirls. The New Jersey singer/songwriter and guitarist went viral back in 2020 when the vocals for her song "Deep End" were used by rapper Sleepy Hallow on one of his viral songs. Since then, she’s carved out a space for her alternative-pop and rock sound.
As the sun faded into the sky, Fousheé lit up the crowd performing songs from her softCore album like "simmer down" and "scream my name." Flanked by two guitarists, her captivatingly bold vocals incited energy among the throng of fans lined around her stage.
She helmed her performance with the grit and charisma of those who came before her like Tina Turner. Fousheé declared: "Black women started this rock s— and we’re taking it back."
Sexyy Red Stirred Controversy And Dominated The Stage
The St. Louis rapper made her Rolling Loud debut on Friday, donning her signature red hair and a glittery red outfit. Sexyy Red left fans stunned as she strutted on to the Sprite Stage, leading two ski-masked men on leashes. Just months prior, she was involved in controversy for appearing to be walked like a dog by NLE Choppa in his "Slut Me Out (Remix) video.
Sexxy Red set the first day ablaze, performing her most viral hit songs, "Female Gucci Mane," "Pound Town," and "SkeeYee" from her recent album, Hood Hottest Princess. She also brought out rapper Sukihana to perform their raunchy twerk anthem, "Born By the River."
For her first Rolling Loud set, Sexxy Red’s penchant for bold and brazen lyricism and stunts proved she’s unapologetic and here to stay.
Rae Sremmurd’s Turned The Sprite Stage Into A Party
Fresh off the release of their new album, Sremm 4 Life, Rae Sremmurd was one of the best performances of Friday night. The dynamic duo turned the Sprite Stage into a party as they performed back-to-back bangers like "No Flex Zone," "Come Get Her," "Swang," "This Could Be Us" and "Powerglide." The hitmakers reminded fans of their staying power with their mainstage-worthy energy.
Donning a Dior bodysuit, Swae Lee jumped into a sea of fans on his surfboard while Slim Jxmmi, dressed in all white, jumped on to the barricade at the front of the stage to greet the audience. They kept the crowd ignited as they went back and forth between their most iconic hits and new songs. They slowed things down just for a bit on "Sativa," a mesmerizing, trippy hit with Jhené Aiko.
The pair held it down on the other side of the festival just as headliner Playboi Carti was gearing up to start his set. But fans didn't seem rushed to head to the main stage. Rae Sremmurd kept a sweltering crowd snaking along the edges of their stage, ready to party throughout the night.
Travis Scott Surprised Fans With Dates For New Album, Movie
Travis Scott’s delayed headliner set on Saturday night didn’t deter fans from inciting full-on chaos. His set started with a movie trailer teasing the release of his long-awaited album Utopia and its accompanying movie Circus Maximus.
The enigmatic rapper appeared on stage surrounded by smoking volcanic terrain and fire shooting from the stage. Unbearable temperatures didn’t rival the heat Scott brought as he performed hits from his acclaimed 2018 ASTROWORLD album, "HIGHEST IN THE ROOM," "BUTTERFLY EFFECT," and "STARGAZING."
Throughout the rest of his set, Scott emanated an otherworldy presence rapping "Praise God," (a Baby Keem assisted single from Ye’s Donda) and one of his most popular songs, "goosebumps." As fireworks shot into the air around him, Scott ended his set telling fans what they just witnessed was his last ASTROWORLD set and revealing the July 28 release date for his new album and accompanying movie.
The hour-long performance officially wrapped Scott's ASTROWORLD-themed era, which was both the catalyst for launching Travis Scott into hip-hop superstardom and subject of controversy when a fatal crowd crush at his 2021 annual ASTROWORLD festival resulted in 10 fatalities.
He invited fans to the Utopia Livestream show at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, saying "meet me at the pyramids if you can," before disappearing into the night as quickly as he emerged.
Luh Tyler Brought Clever Bars And Charisma To The Culture King Stage
Luh Tyler went viral last year for his steady flow on "Law & Order" — a remix of the theme song from the crime drama of the same name — and in April his debut album, My Vision, peaked at No.2 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. The 17-year-old Tallahassee, Floria native performed on the Culture King stage alongside unexpected guest performers DDG, Danny Tower, DD Osama, and even his own grandmother.
He rapped some of his most memorable lyrics from the Tiktok viral song "Florida Water" with Danny Towers, DJ Scheme, and Ski Mask the Slump God and closed out his set to "Law & Order." Recently named one of XXL’s 2023 Freshman, Luh Tyler’s confidence and charm on stage made this newcomer’s set one of the most exciting to witness.
Coi Leray Danced The Night Away
With a few years and a new album, Coi, under her belt, Coi Leray has proved to fans and naysayers that she’s more than a one-hit wonder. She confidently helmed her stage with short black hair and scantily clad in a glittery leather two piece. Flanked by dancers dressed in all black, she performed popular Tiktok viral hits, "TWINNEM," "Players," and "No More Parties."
Coi Leray danced the night away to a set mixed with new songs from Coi, bringing the energy to new heights with her nostalgic "Pump Up the Jam'' sampled song "Make My Day" and the hype track "Run It Up." She promoted self-love with her Metro Boomin-produced single "Self Love" from the Spider Man: Across the Spiderverse soundtrack before ending the set the girl empowerment anthem "Players."
Coi Leray’s fun performance was not just a standout but also encompassed the rise of women in rap. Other notable women rappers throughout the weekend were Latto, GloRilla, City Girls and Lola Brooke.
Danny Towers Embodied Rolling Loud’s Miami Roots
Danny Towers has been a Florida staple since his rise in South Florida’s SoundCloud era alongside the late XXXTentacion and Juice WRLD, Ski Mask the Slump God, and DJ Scheme. His set embodied Rolling Loud’s roots with songs like "Chunky Monkey," and the viral Ski Mask the Slump God, DJ Scheme, and Lil Yachty hit "How You Feel? (Freestyle)."
He ended his set on the Culture Kings stage with "Florida Water," a DJ Scheme-produced TikTok viral Florida anthem with Luh Tyler and Ski Mask the Slump God. The closing song was fitting for the last day of Rolling Loud. While fans from all over the country moshed and yelled the lyrics to the song, Danny Towers reminded everyone the city and the culture that was the catalyst for the biggest hip-hop festival in the world.
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