The Bay Area’s third annual Rolling Loud festival took place from Sept. 28-29 at the Oakland Coliseum Grounds. The third time proved to be the charm as thousands of fans came out excited to see some of the biggest stars in hip-hop today. The Bay Area lineup was stacked with superstars of the genre — Future, G-Eazy, Migos, 21 Savage and many rising stars of the rap scene who brought charisma and energy to the packed stages in the Coliseum.

Walking the festival grounds from one stage to another meant wading through a never-ending stream of Rolling Loud party-goers, huddled in groups of friends, united by the mission to have the best time possible. The urge to dance was inescapable, and fans danced and rapped along to songs during performances and even during breaks. Rolling Loud attendees spanned a range of ages, and the fashion choices included cargo pants and crop tops, colored wigs and costumes.

The SoundCloud generation ruled over this year’s festival with OGs like Trippie Redd, Playboi Carti and Lil Uzi Vert performing back to back, commanding their surprisingly young fan base to mash into one another in a barely controlled chaos. Heavy smoke clouded the air. Along with the smoke came a carefree attitude — stars walked among fans with Iann Dior and Internet Money’s Taz Taylor sauntering from set to set while greeting and taking photos with attendees. Rolling Loud was able to create a communal feeling, acting as a celebration of hip-hop and its future at the center of mainstream music.

— Roshni Rawal and Zach Cruz

Rolling Loud 2019, Day 1

The Bay Area holds a special place for its own. While rappers such as E-40 and Mac Dre spent years developing the Bay’s trademark sound, SOB X RBE has been able to bring melody to it, which is the key to today’s modern hip-hop setting.

Rolling Loud 2019, Day 2

Juice Wrld’s performance of “Lucid Dreams,” the hit single that brought him into the mainstream, electrified the crowd.