This story was originally published in the first edition of The Lion’s Tale (October 7th, 2021).

With the re-emergence of many highly anticipated annual music festivals like Rolling Loud, Lollapalooza, and Lyrical Lemonade making their first reappearance since 2019 due to COVID-19, many people have shared concerns while others are overrun with excitement and a sense of normalcy.

But what has changed and what remained the same about these iconic events? Pertaining to Rolling Loud Miami, not much had changed aside from the date being pushed back to July rather than the normal annual dates in May. 

I attended the event located in Miami this year with very little expectations, it was my first ever music festival and I really just wanted to focus on having a good time with my friends and see some of my favorite rappers. 

I purchased a General Admission + Pass which was about 500-600 dollars, for three days and over 100 artists performing over the span of the weekend. There were three major headliners, massive and iconic names in the rap game, one on each day on the main stage. 

These three headliners were: A$AP Rocky on Friday, Travis Scott on Saturday, and Post Malone on Sunday, all performing on the Ciroc Stage. 

There were a total of four stages located throughout the event grounds which were held outside the Hard Rock Stadium in their grassy parking lots by a main road in Miami. Which wasn’t super convenient considering it did in fact rain all three days of the festival, though it was repeatedly stated by the festival owners that this event was rain or shine. 

Aside from the heat and rain, the festival was probably one of the most serotonin-inducing experiences I have had the pleasure of attending. I met hundreds of new people, celebrities, and even one of my favorite artists- Rico Nasty. 

The performances that I did manage to see were some of the most energetic and crazy sets from the lineup throughout the weekend. Over the span of three days I had seen Rico Nasty, Megan Thee Stallion, Kodak Black, SoFaygo, Don Toliver and Kali Uches, Chief Keef, Sheck Wes, Polo G, Playboi Carti, Bobby Shmurda, The Kid Laroi, Flo Milli, City Girls, NLE Choppa, A$AP Rocky, and Travis Scott.