Revolt wrapped a weekend of bombast and brilliance with talks from leaders-of-the-new-school Issa Rae, Chadwick Boseman and “Queen and Slim” Director Melina Matsoukas.
Rae hosted ‘A Sip with Issa,’ reminiscent of the wine downs shown after each episode of the culture-shifting ‘Insecure.’ She and Matsoukas talked working together on the show and navigating LA and industry stereotypes.
Chadwick Boseman headlined ‘Telling Our Stories (Black Hollywood),’ a panel of diverse, insurgent artists and industry players discussing the importance of representing black folk in every corridor of the entertainment industry.
Ty Dolla $ign, Big Boy and Mustard went in-depth about their roots in the west coast and their outsized influence in hip-hop. Honestly, I don’t know that a day has gone by in years where I haven’t heard ‘Mustard on the Beat,’ at SOME point during the day.
“It’s hard to find words to fully express how proud I am of everything we have accomplished with REVOLT Summit,” said REVOLT Chairman, Sean “Diddy” Combs. “From Atlanta’s Summit last month to this past weekend’s events, we are having the conversations no one else is having, elevating our culture and our community and empowering the next generation of players to create their own impact.”
The panel eventually gave way to a plethora of poppin performances. Roddy Rich was a highlight for me, performing a slew of nascent hits in his signature drawl. His is the name I’ve been hearing the most, and he more than lived up to the hype.
Stefflon Don came out of nowhere for me, a British firebrand with bars and charisma to spare. She told the crowd to never give up on their dreams, her humble beginnings the building blocks to a budding blockbuster career.
Ty Dolla $ign was the highlight of the night, a vocal powerhouse with the swagger of an Isley and the money of a baller, he tore through song after song of languid, hook-drenched hits.
Kudos to the festival for booking a diverse array of international talent. This felt like a real moment in the movement.
Also, shout out to the food truck selling $16 fried chicken. Sticker shock had me skeptical, but that was bomb and I can’t stop thinking about it.
The event was presented by AT&T.
