Photo: John Cotter for Rolling Loud
A$AP Rocky had a few surprises in store for his headlining set at Rolling Loud California.
On Saturday night, Mach 15, the Harlem native hit the GoPuff stage to close out the first night of the world's biggest hip-hop music festival. He arrived in a helicopter that hovered over the stage as he performed a mixture of classics and unreleased music. Once he wrapped up with "A$AP Forever," Rocky dropped down from the helicopter on to the stage and continued the show. He performed songs like "Tailor Swif" and "HIGHJACK" from his upcoming album Don't Be Dumb. He also delivered some classics including "Praise The Lord" featuring surprise guest Skepta.
Rihanna was in the crowd as A$AP Rocky dominated the main stage. She watched the show from the pit while her children's dad blessed his fans with some unreleased music. While he was in the helicopter, he debuted his unreleased track "All Black." He also premiered another unheard song, in which he weighs in on the debate over the Big 3 in hip-hop.
"I don't pick a side, I ain't on Cole/I ain't on Drake/I ain't on Kendrick's side," he raps.
Throughout the show, the 36-year-old artist mentioned his felony gun assault trial involving A$AP Relli and celebrated his acquittal. He even played the moment when he was found not guilty on each stage on stage. Rocky performed songs like "Stop Snitching" and another fresh collaboration with Metro Boomin called "Your Honor." Before he performed the latter track, Rocky dedicated his set to the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires and the immigrants who are currently being impacted by the Trump administration's mass deportations.
“I see unity. I see so many types of people. I see so many different colors,” Rocky said. "I would like to dedicate this show to anybody that was affected by those fires. To anybody that was affected by the immigration laws. My heart goes out to you.”
A$AP Rocky closed out the festival following a long day of performances from Peso Pluma, K. Charles, Lay Bankz, 1900Rugrat, Real Boston Richey, Ab-Soul, BossMan Dlow, Ian, Ski Mask The Slump God, Sexyy Red, 310babii, DDG and more. GELO made his grand debut at Rolling Loud by performing his hits "Tweaker" and "Can You Please." He also performed another unreleased track live for the time. Meanwhile, YG turned heads after he brought out a Donald Trump impersonator before performing his hit "FDT."
Check out more scenes from day one of Rolling Loud California.
