Coachella, Rolling Loud, and the Standard of Greatness

Kingdom Hearts: How My First Project in 2018 Shaped My Sound

The Beginning of LegendofLinc: How My Journey Started in 2017

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In 2018, I attended my first Coachella and my first Rolling Loud.

At the time, it felt like a reward. A celebration. A graduation gift to myself after finishing my undergraduate program. But looking back now, I realize those festivals were something much bigger.

They were my first real introduction to the music industry at its highest level.

Coachella: A Masterclass in Presentation

Coachella in 2018 was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If I went today, knowing what I now know about the industry, I’m not sure it would hit the same way. There’s a certain innocence you have when you’re just entering a space for the first time. Back then, I wasn’t analyzing. I was absorbing.

And I didn’t just have the average festival experience.

I had access to VIP areas. I was surrounded by creatives, peers, industry conversations, curated environments, and an atmosphere that felt elevated. It wasn’t just about watching performances — it was about understanding the ecosystem around them.

Then the performances started.

Watching artists like Beyoncé, Eminem, The Neighbourhood, Vince Staples, and so many others command one of the biggest stages in the world was eye-opening. It wasn’t just about talent.

It was about presentation.

Stage design. Lighting. Movement. Confidence. Branding. Costume. Audience engagement. Every detail was intentional.

That weekend taught me something important: if you want to be taken seriously as an artist, your art is only one piece of the equation. The way you present yourself — your aesthetic, your discipline, your preparation — matters just as much.

It inspired me not only to invest in my music but to think about how I wanted to build and present LegendofLinc as a brand.

Rolling Loud: The Power of Presence

Later that same year, I attended Rolling Loud in Miami.

This experience felt different.

One of the most memorable performances I witnessed was XXXTentacion. It was one of the last times many of us would see him perform before his untimely passing.

What stood out to me wasn’t elaborate production. There weren’t overwhelming lights or dramatic pyrotechnics. There wasn’t a polished, over-curated aesthetic.

There was presence.

Raw. Rugged. Unfiltered energy.

And it moved the crowd more than any special effect could.

That performance taught me something equally powerful: you don’t need spectacle to captivate people. Authentic energy carries its own weight.

I also watched Post Malone, Rick Ross, Lil Uzi Vert, and J. Cole deliver performances that reflected completely different styles — yet all equally intentional.

J. Cole’s set, especially, left a lasting impression on me. This was around the time KOD had dropped. I had that album on repeat.

The message behind it felt like a societal check-in.

Are we okay?

What are we addicted to?

What are we avoiding confronting?

KOD felt like more than music. It felt like reflection.

And watching him perform it live showed me that consistency and substance can stand on their own without gimmicks.

What I Really Took Away

At the time, I thought I was just having fun.

But looking back, I can see that those experiences shaped my vision.

Coachella showed me the power of presentation and brand elevation.

Rolling Loud showed me the power of raw authenticity and presence.

Together, they raised my standard.

They influenced:

My work ethic.

My confidence.

My understanding of performance.

And the long-term vision I have for building LegendofLinc into something lasting.

In 2018, I was just a young artist soaking it all in.

Now, I see it clearly.

Those festivals weren’t just entertainment.

They were education.

And they helped shape the blueprint for the kind of enterprise I’m building today — one rooted in discipline, authenticity, presentation, and long-term impact.