BY TER STAFF

Last year, Miami’s rap music festival Rolling Loud broke the internet, when it set the gold standard for music festivals. With performances from Kendrick Lamar, Future, Migos, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Lil Wayne and more, Rolling Loud put on an amazing weekend for music fans in Miami.

So naturally, expectations for this year were at an all-time high, with many wondering how the festival could match it’s epic 2017 lineup. And now that the lineup is out, we can grade and compare the two lineups and decide if Rolling Loud will be better or worse in 2018.

Notable Returns: Travis Scott, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Post Malone, Migos, Young Thug, Gucci Mane, Playboi Carti, Lil Pump, Curren$y, 21 Savage, Lil Yachty, Action Bronson, Chief Keef, Dreezy, Smokepurpp, Robb Bank$, Ski Mask The Slump God, Wifisfuneral

Not Returning: Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Mac Miller, Run The Jewels, YG, Joey Bada$$, XXXTentacion, Flatbush Zombies, Amine, Denzel Curry, Seshollowaterboyz, Blackbear, The Underachievers, Mick Jenkins

New Additions: J. Cole, N.E.R.D., Cardi B, Wiz Khalifa, Tory Lanez, Rick Ross, Juicy J, Kevin Gates, Nav, Metro Boomin, Russ, The Diplomats, Fetty Wap, Roy Wood$, Trina, Trick Daddy, A$AP Ferg, Young Dolph, Jaden Smith, Big K.R.I.T., Juvenile, Smino, Youngboy Never Broke Again, Dreamville, Rich The Kid, Belly, Lil Xan, Trippie Redd, Lil Skies, Famous Dex, Machine Gun Kelly, J.I.D., $uicideboy$

So while artists like Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky put on huge performances in 2017 and won’t be returning this year, the additions far outweigh the few artists who won’t be returning this year. Trading Kendrick for J. Cole and N.E.R.D. is definitely an upgrade, and switching out Cardi B, A$AP Ferg and Rick Ross for A$AP Rocky is a win as well. From there you still have additions from Wiz, Tory, Juicy J, Russ, Fetty Wap and many many more.

Last year Rolling Loud’s lineup was A+, and arguably the greatest rap festival lineup of all time, and somehow the festival found a way to substantially improve. Rolling Loud is the place to be this May, and they are setting the bar at the highest level we have ever seen. If last year was an A+ lineup, then this year’s lineup is an A++ with a bunch of extra credit on top.

Make the compassions yourself with 2017 and 2018’s lineups below.