There Radio

The only reason I spotted Dom Kennedy at L.A.’s Rolling Loud 2025 was because he looked at me for a split-second. He was dashing to the Power 106 tent backstage. When he was leaving backstage right before he took the performance stage, Dom told me “I like the jacket.” The jacket in question was a Tommy Jeans Outdoor Jacket. 

The week before Rolling Loud, I went to the Bell Gardens Swap Meet on Garfield. The Tommy jacket was hanging on a wired fence. I got it for $5, after the seller saw me step away from the jacket. My indecision for the initial $7 price had me observing the jacket from a distance for 10 seconds.

I appreciate Dom’s acknowledgement. Around the same time last year, I had included Dom’s “323 Go Crazy” in LAist’s How To L.A. podcast. I produced an episode focusing on the music from West Adams and Leimert Park. 

The backdoors to Rolling Loud 2025 were opened for me through Home Grown Radio. I write web stories on new West Coast music and local events. They are best known for giving a platform to TDE artists early in their musical careers. The Home Grown microphones was where K.Dot changed his name to Kendrick Lamar. I get reminded of their impact every time I attend large events.

Ab-Soul was rushed by his team out the Rolling Loud backstage as a crowd of media flocked. But when we heard “Home Grown” he had to stop against his team’s wishes for a few words. 

Most of my coverage of Rolling Loud lives on the Home Grown website, so definitely check it out. But I would to present to you all a behind the scenes, “unused” footage from the festival. Check it out below.