2️⃣007: 21questions from Rolling Loud 💨
"it feels like Delta variant up in here" -Jack Harlow
Is this email just questions about the festival?
No, it's things that came to mind throughout the weekend and while writing.
Why do I look this good?
That feeling when you put on something you really like and think, damn, I have more drip than Michael Phelps in the Olympics. I look so good I would get a nod from Anna Wintour. I look so good it should be illegal to look this good because I've already caused two low-speed car accidents, a scooter malfunction, and the one incident with the baby stroller that we don't mention because everyone agreed to sign a non-disclosure agreement and the lady recording deleted the video from her phone anyway (like deleted deleted even went into the "recently deleted" folder to make sure it was gone even though I wish she would've kept it because I looked so damn good).
Is the guy who threw his shoe at DaBaby a national hero?
I would say yes.
Again, please tell me why you always hatin'?
I heard FDT get played at least twice every day between sets. Shoutout to YG and protest music.
Here’s a song you should listen to:
(On the real, any link copied from Apple Music doesn’t embed correctly. Only Spotify links actually show up as clickable, Apple Music ones show up as a long-ass URL. I’m sorry Apple Music users, you should’ve made a better decision.)
Is david washed?
I did drive to the festival on Saturday sippin' on a cappuccino and listening to an NPR podcast. You decide for yourself.
EDITOR'S NOTE: He also brought a coozie to the festival and used it for his Four Loko and Heinekens #Washed.
How's your knee though?
I was there in the pits for Uzi. I have no pictures or videos to prove this, but I think that might be proof enough. Walked out, no limp.
Saturday
Sunday
How much footage do you have that you just never get around to editing or posting?
Next question.
How many ideas have you not completed?
Let's just say I forgot better shit than you ever thought of.
Who won Rolling Loud?
This weekend, I saw Bobby Shmurda, Lil Baby, A$AP Rocky, Key Glock, Chief Keef, Gunna, Travis Scott, Jack Harlow, Lil Tjay, Rick Ross, and Megan Thee Stallion, T-Pain, Bia, DaBaby, and Lil Uzi Vert perform. The only artist who had the crowd rap every single word from their verse without missing a beat was…Drake.
The people got more lit during a Drake feature played over the speakers than most artists performing live.
It's also a stretch to say most artists perform "live" when what they're really doing is pressing play on a track and then rapping less than 50% of the words into the mic. Do what you want with that information.
Should one man have all that Power?
Ye is living in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and walking around talking to random people who work there while he finishes recording DONDA. Many might say this is ridiculous. That the listening party is silly. That Kanye just coming out and walking around an empty stadium while jamming half-finished songs is a scam.
I would say we're all witnessing history.
A true Rockstar living the Rockstar life. If you enjoy watching other rich dudes acting stupid and blowing their money, why don't you like when Kanye does it? No, seriously, what's so different about Kanye spending his money like that versus two dudes just-the-tipping space? (these questions don't count towards the 21 questions count)
At least what Kanye creates is accessible to everyone. Kanye sets the trend. He changes culture. His work will be talked about for centuries to come. One day you will look back and reminisce about how you were alive for these moments.
Shouldn't we have more trashcans?
Really felt like there weren't enough trashcans at the festival. Or just in life in general. There has to be a reason for this. There should be trashcans everywhere like it's fucking Disney.
How do misunderstandings happen in today's media landscape?
Great question. Let me break it down for you.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia (who sucks, like a lot a lot ), a far-right lawmaker, and staunch anti-vaxxer, was asked if she got vaccinated. She responded with, "Your first question is a violation of my HIPAA rights. You see, with HIPAA rights, we don't have to reveal our medical records, and that also involves our vaccine records."
Well, she's wrong because: "HIPAA applies to medical providers, insurers, and other health care entities that have access to medical records. It gives individuals rights and limits over what entities can access their health information. It doesn't prevent a reporter from asking about your medical history. And it doesn't prevent anyone from saying whether they've been vaccinated."
And this is how memes are born. Twitter had a field day with her incorrect response and went in talking about other things that could also be HIPAA violations.
Meanwhile, in the NFL….
They sent a memo stating that "players or team personnel who unvaccinated will be subject to different individual protocols for 2021 season than those who are vaccinated." So, suppose you cause an outbreak because you are unvaccinated. In that case, your team will suffer more heavily than if you were vaccinated.
Some players are not too happy (cue Cole Beasley threatening to retire).
DeAndre Hopkins also felt some type of way about it:
He deleted that tweet and then posted:
People are now getting worried about players potentially retiring or getting cut.
Dak Prescott, the franchise quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, the most valuable sports franchise in the world, returning from a catastrophic ankle injury, is asked a press conference if he is vaccinated (of course he is, he just signed for $160 million over 4 years).
He responds..."I think that question might be a HIPAA violation."
Dan LeBatard and Stugotz are discussing the NFL's vaccine policy on their podcast and get to the Dak Prescott comment. Stu Gotz says, "...comments from Dak were most illuminating. They ask him, he says he doesn't want to talk about it. Says it's a personal issue and inexplicably cites HIPAA after he's asked questions about his injury. The HIPAA excuse is ridiculous. Just say no. I wonder if someone can artfully explain why they're not getting vaccinated.”
Little do they know Dak was just making a joke about something that was trending on Twitter. Homie is making $40 million a year, he is 5000% getting vaccinated.
Idk if Dak is anti-vax or not, but I know he's got that vax. Because when you get the chance to be the face of the most valuable sports franchise in the history of mankind, you don't fuck that up with bullshit theories.
So, if you're wondering whether someone said some stupid shit on purpose or because it's a currently trending meme...there's a 50-50 chance it could go either way.
Go Cowboys!
Is everything ok?
No, seriously.
I'm checking in because sometimes we're doing so much we forget to stop and check in on ourselves. Take a few minutes for yourself. Txt me if you need anything.
We need more trashcans everywhere. There has to be a better way.
Was that a question?
It was not, but this one was. It counts toward the count.
Why'd you bring open-toe shoes to the festival?
I'm still in shock. But more power to you.
You really think you're the first person to think of that?
Probably not. But it's not about who does it first. It's about who does it right. Of course, it can sometimes be about who does it first. But many people who do it first don't get the credit or recognition. So, no matter how you do it, just make sure you do it right. Everything else will work out the way it's supposed to.
What do you mean by "doing it right"?
I mean, if you have to ask…
Why are we acting like everything is ok?
Pandemic, death, wildfires, ocean on fire, evictions, more death, working from home, having to go back to the office, losing your job, trying to find a new one, not seeing friends or family, getting sick, getting better, still being sick, not knowing if you’re sick or not, not knowing what’s true or not. A lot has happened over this past year and a half. It’s okay to feel like everything is not okay. Shit is crazy. Don’t just ignore it. Don’t just power through it assuming it’s not affecting you.
It’s okay to no be okay. And if you need to talk to someone, do it. Whether it’s a professional or a friend or a family member. Just remember friends and family can’t give you what a professional can.
Is there anybody you'd like to thank?
Damian (who made this possible)
Angel
Jordan
Riley
Riley (with the walking boot)
Shane
Shaefer (idk how to spell it)
The bus driver who opened the door for us on the turnpike and let us get off and walk
The bartender from the VIP section who greeted me with, "It's You, hello again!"
Ariana
Nikola
Anya
Lexi
Vance
The dude at Megan Thee Stallion who passed me his bottle of whiskey
The dude's friend who was like, "This dude next to us will have a great video of Megan twerking." Sorry, sir, I was too distracted. I didn't get the video you wanted. But we all saw Megan in her glory on those 80-foot screens that were right in front of us.
The dude who was like "No more mosh pits" right before the Uzi set as we were standing 5 feet from the front barrier *laughing crying emoji*
The lady working the window by herself at the Speedway Sunday at 2am walking around the store to get each person's order as a line of 50 festival-goers waited impatiently. You're a saint.
The guy who delivered my Wendy's at 3 am on Sunday night. My stomach hates you, but I love you.
What's next?
Who knows?
Anything is possible next Tuesday.
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