Rolling loud at Rolling Loud Cali
AHHHHHHH!!!!
THE BEAT DROP
A pulse of the culture
If you’re reading this, it’s another Saturday in Hip Hop and The Bar Report will be reporting live from Rolling Loud California. Today, A$AP Rocky will be headlining and on Sunday, Playboi Carti. Make sure you are following The Bar Report on Instagram for all the goods!
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST
The most important news items of the week.
Playboi Carti dropped his highly-anticipated album I AM MUSIC — for real this time.
Jay Rock was arrested while hanging out in Nickerson Gardens. Police got him for trespassing, drinking in public and felony gun possession, after allegedly attempting to flee from LAPD.
Kevin Gates appeared on PlaqueBoyMax’s Twitch stream and dropped a quick bar with an open verse.
Eminem announced that he’s in a bid for a WNBA team in Detroit.
Flau’jae wiped out $5M in debt for some Louisiana families.
JAY-Z’s accuser admitted to being coerced by Tony Buzbee to sue Hov.
Will Smith announced that he is releasing a new album titled Based On A True Story and linked up with Doechii and Tatyana Ali for her Anxiety Challenge, not once, but twice.
Jermaine Dupri asked why anyone would want to stay independent and got flamed.
Offset had an altercation at a cannabis shop and alleged that the security guard spit on him.
BARS OF THE WEEK
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“MY ALBUM OUT MFFFFFF” — Playboi Carti not lying about his album for once.
“Roll another blunt and I might motherfu*kin' faint.” — Playboi Carti on “Evil J0rdan” and our mood for Rolling Loud this weekend.
“She my son, thats my dawg, that’s my n*gga, that’s my b*tch, that’s my wife.” — A$AP Rocky on his undying love for Rihanna.
“Cardo my evil twin, Carti my evil twin.” — Kendrick Lamar in his bag on “Good Credit.”
“I love the sport of Rap, I love my city even tho I can’t be there as much as I’d like. This next run is for the both of you…” — Lucki on what he about to be on next.
CHART TOPPERS
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
Ella Mai made a big splash with “Little Things,” at #19 on YouTube’s US Top Songs.
Kendrick Lamar’s GNX is expected to land at #3 on the US Albums chart, with PartyNextDoor and Drake’s $$$4u following right behind at #3 and SZA’s SOS at #4.
SOUND WATCH
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
Playboi Carti’s I AM MUSIC is out now with features from Kendrick Lamar, Young Thug, Future, Travis Scott and more. I personally can’t get enough of “Evil J0rdan” and can’t wait to hear it live on the Rolling Loud stage.
Lucki dropped a new track called “Overth!nking” and music video to match.
4batz released an emotional cut about love called “Mortal Combat.”
Lil Nas X finally shared his danceable song “Hotbox” after teasing it for so long.
A$AP Rocky teased a snippet from Don’t Be Dumb.
Lizzo said she’s “Still Bad” in her latest single and music video.
Lil Baby dropped off the “Dum, Dumb, and Dumber” music video with Future and Young Thug.
Tommy Richman addressed the “ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM” with a music video.
Queens very own Poiison released her moody track “Antisocial.”
Randy Savvy of the Compton Cowboys released his latest single “Nuthin To Drank.”
Chuckyy delivered some “N*gga Poetry.”
Cortisa Star shared her new song “PARIS,” fresh off the Miu Miu runway.
Aminé dropped “Familiar.”
K Camp released the music video for his song “Bet” off Built Different.
Lil Gotit dropped “Cash Brothers” featuring his late bro Lil Keed.
Mozzy and Lil Poppa linked up for “Under Oath” and it came with a music video.
Rising R&B sensation JayDon released “I’ll Be Good,” which samples Usher’s nostalgic cut “How Do I Say.”
Diany Dior released his song called “Thick.”
Rising R&B artist Girlfriend delivered her latest single “Obsessive.”
FattMack and Lil Tony shared the music video for their collab “Hit It.”
R&B singer AKIA released her latest titled “DND.”
TOUR BUS
Concert and festival announcements, tour updates and live performance highlights.
Baja Beach Fest Announced their 2025 lineup with J Balvin, Don Omar and Maluma headlining from Rosarito Beach, Mexico August 8-10.
The Weeknd announced the addition of a second Las Vegas date to his highly anticipated 2025 After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour, for July 4th. Tickets are on sale now.
FREESTYLE
Memes and viral moments.
Never forget.
RAP HILL
Legal matters affecting the music industry.
According to OVO Docket, Drake’s hearing in Bexar County District Court for his motion for discovery changed from March 17 to April 7, and UMG will be heard first in its motion to dismiss Drake’s petition on March 24.
UMG is also expected to file their response to the defamation suit in New York on Monday, March 17.
TRENDSETTERS
Updates on key figures who are driving the culture.
Janelle Monae was honored by SoundExchange with the Hall of Fame Award.
OUTSIDE
Sightings and appearances.
Faith Evans, Diddy’s son Christian Combs, Lil Kim, Mase, JAY-Z’s mother Gloria Carter and more came together and celebrated the life of Biggie’s mom Voletta Wallace in Manhattan at her funeral.
Cortisa Star walked in Miu Miu's F/W fashion show at Paris Fashion Week.
BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Paul Wall, LeToya Luckett of Destiny’s Child, KeKe Wyatt, Robin Thicke, Neneh Cherry, Jeffery Osborne, Van Hunt, Quincy Jones, Chingy, Timbaland, Common, will.i.am
OUTRO
A final thought.
A$AP Rocky and Playboi Carti headlining Rolling Loud is nothing new, except this time it kind of is because it’s a special time. For one, Carti actually released his album and it will be performed live for the first time on Sunday. Secondly, A$AP Rocky’s highly anticipated Don’t Be Dumb should be next. He promised. I say it’s special because Rocky signed Carti and I AM MUSIC was obviously released through Rocky’s label AWGE. I remember when news broke that Rocky signed him and for me it was a no-brainer, because of course Rocky would sign the legendary “Broke Boi” phenom. We talk about 2016 a lot and Carti defined a lot of that era. I was really outside back then and remember watching Carti go from hole-in-the-wall venues in Texas to The Novo in Los Angeles.
Both of these guys like to say music is coming and like for the fans to beg — but when they deliver, it is always worth the wait.
My only wish is that Rihanna’s album comes after Rocky’s. That would just make my entire year.
AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Anyway, stay tuned to The Bar Report on IG. You never know who we will be talking to at Rolling Loud this weekend. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.