The first-ever Revolt World was held this past weekend and gave the culture so much to talk about! The event was held in Atlanta, GA, and came at the perfect time of year. The event, organized by Diddy and his mother, was a celebration of Revolt’s 10th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and gave their guests an “immersive experience”.
Revolt World aimed to “reimagine the intersection of culture and creativity” with a central theme of “We Are Hip-Hop.” Their agenda featured a diverse range of panels, masterclasses, activations, and live performances for attendees to select from. Not to mention, there were plenty of food and drink options, but was all of it worth it? The verdict on whether it lived up to expectations is a mixed one, as the reviews for Revolt World have started to roll in.
First Things First
The concept behind Revolt World is indeed significant, and its aesthetic execution was top-notch—particularly once you arrived on the compound. However, the event’s location near Greenbriar Mall may have come as a surprise, especially to locals in Atlanta. Upon following the ticket address, attendees found themselves in the mall’s parking lot, where a $40 fee was required for parking, which some might consider steep for Greenbriar Mall. Nevertheless, they did offer “complimentary” bus rides to transport attendees to the actual event compound.
“Complimentary” is employed somewhat liberally here, as it’s reasonable to assume that the $40 parking fee covers the cost of bus rentals and driver compensation. While some of the buses provided a comfortable experience with plush seating, others were simple school buses lacking air conditioning and carrying the unmistakable scent of kindergarteners. Upon arrival at the compound, passengers were briefed on the rules, including restrictions on vaping and bringing backpacks. Once off the bus, the journey to the main Revolt World event location began, which proved to be quite a trek.
Attendees walked through a parking lot to reach the ticket scanning line. After having their tickets scanned, they proceeded through a scenic yet densely wooded area. Upon arrival, they were greeted by a well-decorated setting. A stage was set up for attendees to sit on the grass without chairs and enjoy various panels. Additionally, there were other buildings resembling soundstages adorned with stunning Revolt World imagery.
Though… a lot of people never got to see the inside of the soundstages,
Hurrying Up to Wait
After exploring all that is in the Revolt World compound, you definitely need to hit some of the scheduled events. Attendees with press passes or sponsorship deals were given guided tours of each stage and shown all of the hard work that the company put in. Those who had VIP tickets had priority access to the events, while general admission attendees found themselves exposed to the scorching heat, sweating their way through the day.
Now, intense Georgia heat is no joke, but attendees tried to stick it out while waiting in line for their favorite events. If you did not get in line early, there was no way you were getting in. The line was already quite lengthy, extending to the entrance of the compound upon attendees’ arrival. Leaving you no choice other than to stand there and see if you can get into the upcoming activity. It was clear that attendees were not happy and were frustrated with this setup. Some were even uncertain about what they were standing in line for. The line eventually became shorter, but this was primarily because people decided to leave.
The only stage that was easily accessible was the World Stage, which was outside in the heat as well. A lot of the attendees could be seen just standing around or in line for food. There truly didn’t seem to be much going on.
Nighttime is the Right Time
Those who attended the Saturday nighttime events may have had a better experience as the sun had gone down. The “Caresha Please” show was a hit as Yung Miami sat down with Ari and had a candid conversation about her life and relationships. Most importantly, people were excited to see the live performances, but they received mixed reactions from the crowd.
Before performers hit the stage, there were 30 minutes worth of commercials shown. Attendees could be seen sitting on the ground, reading books, and being overall dissatisfied with the amount of time they were waiting. Things did seem to turn around on Sunday evening as someone won $10,000 from the “McDonald’s Shoot Your Shot” activation.
Was It Worth It?
Revolt World was refreshingly true to its roots. With an overwhelmingly Black attendance that celebrated the culture in its most authentic form. Unlike other events where White attendees dominate, this gathering was unapologetically “blackity-black.” Attendees dressed their best, fully embracing and immersing themselves in the culture.
The scorching heat and long waits did seem to keep some spirits low, leading a lot of people to avoid being on camera or showing off their outfits. Food is typically expensive at events like these, and people were in line but yet no one was eating. Water was probably the highest-selling item.
The schedule was full of things to attend, but there were still so many people just standing around. It is possible that the schedule was simply too stacked. With so much going on, attendees felt overwhelmed. If there was a reduction in the schedule, it would have allowed for better utilization of tickets and ensured that those who paid for entry received a more fulfilling experience. This way, those who paid to attend can get what they paid for.
The tickets to Revolt World were about $50 for general admission, and parking was $40. Attendees spent at least $90 just to attend. While this seemed reasonable considering the effort put into the event, some attendees may have expected more value for their investment.
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