Rolling Loud California is nearly here. On Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16, rap music fans will descend on the Hollywood Park Grounds (adjacent to SoFi Stadium) in Inglewood, California. Upon its initial announcement, festivalgoers were dying to catch headliners ASAP Rocky (March 15) and Playboi Carti (March 16). But in the official poster’s fine print lays some exciting independent acts you should check out.
Big-name independent acts set to grace the stage on March 15 include Larry June, 310Babii, Xavier Wulf, and Robb Bank$. Then, on March 16, Dom Kennedy and Blxst will hold things down. Still, check out the gallery below for a list of top sets of indie acts we recommend.
*Some of the artists’ biographies were provided by PR.*
To grab your tickets, visit rollingloud.com or click HERE. Already have your tickets? Download the Rolling Loud app, available for both Android and iOS-operated devices, to get the official lineup, sitemap, set times, and more.
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Peysoh (EMPIRE)
Peysoh burst onto the indie rap scene in 2020. Then, in 2021, he found viral success with his “Ambitionz Freestyle.” The Maywood representor’s music reflects his life and the class and societal issues he’s experienced as a Mexican American. His debut album, Ghetto Journal, captivated his budding online following, eventually leading to several major co-signs, including from fellow California native Kendrick Lamar. Peysoh can be heard on the title track to Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping album, GNX.
King Lil G (Empire 47 Records / 808 Kartel / Compound Interest)
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, King Lil G turned to the streets shortly after his parents divorced when he was 12. Soon enough, gang activity would catch up with him, landing him in Juvenile Hall and then house arrest. But G didn’t let the imprisonment discourage him, instead, he used the time to reflect, finding solace in writing rhymes. Inspired by his own struggles, trials, and tribulations that had shaped him, G looked no further than his own life for material. With no formal training or music background, he began to self-teach and, as a result, master the art of storytelling in its most raw, honest, and simplest form of wordsmithing.
He began performing locally while quietly building an army of fans across the country. Today, he’s selling out performances around the country. His fans came in a myriad of colors and shapes, from Mexicans to Whites to Blacks and others, and his words began to make their round and stick with even the unlikeliest of listeners. He made the hopeless feel hopeful and the grittiest of gang bangers feel like today was a better day, maybe even good enough to put the gun down and seek a different path, a more positive one, much like G did.
It was this very appeal that made Lil G a hot commodity to labels, and, as a result, in 2012, he was scouted by and signed a joint venture deal with MIH Entertainment. With a bigger machine to help him spread his message of optimism and promise, and motivated by his vastly growing popularity, King Lil G created the Sucio (Spanish for “dirty”) Movement, which, in his own words, is “a positive movement that has to do with freedom and not being afraid to accomplish and do things… it’s empowerment for those that don’t think they can make it and come from nothing.”
Chow Lee (EMPIRE)
Thanks to songs like “Swag It!,” “Ms. Beautiful V!,” and “JHOLIDAY,” Chow Lee has crafted a signature sound fused with drill and R&B. The Long Island-based rapper’s raw, unfiltered, and, at times, hypersexual lyrics have earned him one of the leaders in the sexy drill movement. Since starting his recording career in 2017, Lee has released more than ten projects, including 2018’s Ferrari Fiction, 2020’s Sexyboy!, 2022’s 2 SLIZZY 2 SEXY, and 2023’s Hours After The Club.
Hoosh (TC Music)
Raw flows, versatility, and multitudes of lyrical exploration are just some exciting aspects Hoosh brings. Originally from Sudan, now Miami-based, Hoosh has absorbed various cultural influences, cultivating his unique musical output. Hoosh blends Hip Hop, R&B, and Soul seamlessly with acoustic elements to create cohesive projects that convey his message. His sound consists of smooth underlying beats infused with hard-hitting 808s and silky rhythms. Hoosh’s rasping authentic sound captivates listeners with each melody, setting him aside from the rest. With his versatility and nomadic upbringing, there’s no telling where he’ll go next.
Sunday, March 16, 2025
EBK Jaaybo (Encore Recordings)
Stockton, California rapper EBK Jaaybo focuses on hard, relentless verses about crime, violence, and bloodshed. Though his lyrics are brutal, they’re far more aggressive than his delivery, as he seldom raises his voice across his discography, 2021’s Letter 4 the Streets, and 2023’s Sinners Prayer.
La Santa Grifa (LSG)
La Santa Grifa (comprised of Yusak, Reghos, Toldeck, and Waza) is a Mexican hardcore rap group from Tampico, Tamaulipas. Their lyrics reflect the dangerous and fast-paced street lifestyle. Several of their most popular singles are “El Diablo Anda Suelto” and “No Que No Eras Fan.”
Kamaiyah (Keep It Lit Records)
Kamaiyah is a Bay Area underground legend. Since her acclaimed debut 2016 mixtape, A Good Night in the Ghetto, the Oakland native and Sacramento representative has resurrected the 1990s rap sound. After a brief time working with a major label, Interscope, Kamaiyah found it too restrictive and left to form her label, GRND.WRK–then she transitioned to Keep It Lit Records. As a result, Kamaiyah dropped 2020’s Oakland Nights EP with fellow Bay Area rapper Capolow, No Explanations, 2022’s Divine Timing EP, 2023’s Another Summer Night, as well as 2024’s Alternative Space, Ms Everything, and Figuring Out My Emotions.
Yo Trane (YT)
Yo Trane is a French-raised US-based R&B artist. He started rapping in the streets of Paris and eventually decided to concentrate on singing because his mother acknowledged his vocal abilities. He debuted with 2016’s Late Night Drive EP, establishing his style of dark wavy R&B inspired by The Weeknd’s trilogy. After a few interim singles, Yo Trane returned with 2019’s Waves In The Moonlight, a nine-track collection with “Shine Like Beyoncé” featuring Lil Baby. In 2021, he released Time & Space, the project allowed him to grow a stronger fan base, and perfect his own celestial and cinematic style. With over 200 million streams independently, Yo Trane has quietly slipped to the forefront of R&B as he continues developing vocally and sonically.
Sid Shyne (SS)
Sid Shyne is a rising rapper from Atlanta, Georgia who has snagged to cosign from fellow recording artists Trippie Redd and Lil Yachty. Shyne’s use of heavy 808’s, original synth patterns, and a unique flow can be heard across his most popular releases, “Devil May Cry,” “Cinderella’s Fairytale,” and “Halo Effect” featuring Lil Yachty.
