When Rolling Loud dropped the lineup for their only U.S. festival this year, they were immediately met with widespread criticism. “Rolling Loud fell off.” Longtime attendees, lifetime pass holders, and die-hard rap fans alike all pointed fingers at a lineup full of unfamiliar names. But what if I told you the lineup would go on to sell out, make history, and mark the start of Rolling Loud’s next generation?
You have probably heard of rappers like Don Toliver or Playboi Carti before. But what about Molly Santana, Nine Vicious, or OsamaSon? Artists like Nettspend and Fakemink are leading the next generation of rap, and Rolling Loud just bet big on the underground.
Rolling Loud made its Orlando debut at Camping World Stadium this weekend, the same festival grounds as the annual EDCO. The festival was hosted across three stages, including the Under Armour Main Stage, Verizon Stage, and Zig-Zag Tent. But beyond the stages, Rolling Loud Orlando felt like a full festival world built around the music.
The festival gave fans tons to do between sets, with a Ferris wheel, custom on-site skate park, brand activations, artist merch, and even an on-site movie theatre with free snacks and beverages hosted by Cinemark, premiering the trailer for Rolling Loud’s upcoming movie with Owen Wilson and Matt Rife releasing later this year.
There was also Dunkin’ Refresherland, free Slurpees, custom Rolling Loud Zippo lighters fans could win. For those 21+, the festival featured BeatBox, Hennessy sampling, White Claw, Four Loko, and even 5% THC Pit Punch Rolling Loud beverages available at bars. The Rolling Zone featured sponsored booths from Backwoods, Zig-Zag, Geek Bar, RNBW, ON!, and more.
Rolling Loud VIP also has some of the best front-row viewing privileges I have seen at any major festival, giving fans a way to hop between stages and experience the biggest sets of the weekend up close. Beyond the views, the VIP section featured an Ed Hardy Tattoo Shop, Loud Cuts Barbershop for free on-site cuts, Bunny’s Bae Bar for glam, an exclusive drop ride, karaoke, food options, bars, restrooms, and more.
For LoudPunx lifetime VIP ticket holders, the LoudPunx Lounge added another layer to the experience with shaded seating, water, drinks, lockers, exclusive LoudPunx merch, and Wi-Fi. It felt like Rolling Loud made a real effort to reward the fans who have been locked in with the brand long-term.
Rolling Loud continues to have some of the best festival merch in the game. Between the high-quality pieces, original designs, and signature streetwear look, the merch feels like clothing that can live beyond the weekend. Which is something Rolling Loud has always understood better than most festival brands.
The lineup featured a mix of underground talent, cult following fan-favorites, and nostalgic rappers, with classics like Rich The Kid and Soulja Boy. Both were late additions to the lineup, which is another reminder of why it is worth trusting the Rolling Loud process. The first lineup drop does not always tell the full story, and between late additions, surprise guests, and historic moments across the weekend, Orlando proved Rolling Loud knows how to put the pieces together.
Rich The Kid brought out a ton of guests during his set, including Swae Lee, Offset, and Ty Dolla $ign. Soulja Boy also brought a huge millennial nostalgia factor to close out the weekend, giving fans a reminder that Rolling Loud can push the future of rap while still honoring the artists who helped define its internet era.
Don Toliver’s Friday headline set kicked off his Octane, tour with a dope production setup spanning trees, lasers, and fireworks. Featuring a surprise appearance by Yeat, Don’s set felt like one of the clearest examples of how Rolling Loud is balancing superstar energy with upcoming talent.
Notably, Snow Strippers made their Rolling Loud debut, bringing strong diversity and electronic sounds to the festival. Snow Strippers closed the 2nd stage on Friday, and popped out on Main Stage Saturday night during Destroy Lonely’s set.
North West’s presence at Rolling Loud Orlando was representative of the huge moment Rolling Loud was for the underground and next generation of fans. As an upcoming rapper herself, North was seen at sets like 2slimey, and taking photos with artists like Snow Strippers and Playboi Carti, even popping out during Molly Santana’s set, which makes sense considering their relationship. The next generation is not just watching this scene from the outside, they are here and tapped in.
Ken Carson’s first-ever headline set at Rolling Loud was perfectly symbolic for the underground. Having played Rolling Loud many times over the years, and having been on the bottom of the lineup just a couple years prior. His set was killer, with energy, unreleased tracks from his upcoming album Xperiment, and tons of special guests, accompanied by an endless sea of die-hard fans. Guests included OG collaborator Lil Tecca, duo partner Destroy Lonely, Opium label boss Playboi Carti, and longtime mentor Young Thug.
In an interview with Akademiks done shortly after the lineup announcement in January, Rolling Loud co-founder Tariq Cherif spoke on the backlash and the festival’s decision to shift in a new direction. The message was clear: Rolling Loud cannot just rely on the same headliners forever. At some point, the festival has to reset the cycle, put fresh faces in major slots, and trust that the next generation of fans will show up. Orlando proved exactly that.
For the first year of Rolling Loud Orlando, things went as smoothly as you could have hoped. Between the stacked underground lineup, nostalgic late adds, surprise guests, and a sold-out crowd that proved the internet wrong, Rolling Loud Orlando ended up being one for the books.
Rolling Loud has already announced they will be returning to Orlando in 2027! See you next year.
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