Playboi Carti surprised fans during his set at Rolling Loud New York on Friday by bringing out Kanye West, as the pair performed their Donda collaboration “Off the Grid.”
Kanye’s surprise appearance comes two months after he dropped in unannounced at Rolling Loud Miami, where he and Lil Durk performed a rendition of The Life of Pablo cut “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1.”
Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj took over Citi Field on Friday, as the Queens rapper brought out four guests to perform a medley of hits. Nicki and Fivio Foreign performed their collaborative single “We Go Up,” before BIA hopped on stage to perform his Minaj-featuring 2020 hit “Whole Lotta Money.” From there, Nicki brought out Lil Uzi Vert to perform the remix to his Luv Is Rage 2 cut “The Way Life Goes,” while G Herbo graced the stage to perform “Chi-Raq.”
On Thursday, multiple drill rappers were removed from the Rolling Loud’s lineup, at the request of the NYPD. The acts include the Bronx’s Sha Ek and Ron Suno, as well as Brooklyn’s 22Gz. The latter rapper was one of five artists who were pulled from Rolling Loud New York in 2019, after authorities expressed concern over potential violence. Just days before the festival’s kickoff, the NYPD sent a letter to organizers requesting the removal of 22Gz, Pop Smoke, Casanova, Sheff G, and Don Q.
“The above listed performers have been affiliated with recent acts of violence citywide,” the letter read. “The New York City Police Department believes that if these individuals are allowed to perform, there will be a higher risk of violence.”
