The Philly rapper performed his signature “Dreams and Nightmares”

Written by: Colt Shaw

Cardi B entered the Festival Stage to a hyped up crowd just before 5 pm and performed the song Shake It with B-Lovee, their hit featuring Kay Flock. If that was the only surprise appearance, it might have seemed like Summer Jam peaked early in the night, and outside of the stadium.

But Meek Mill took the stage with Lil’ Durk for a sampler of their features together, including “Sharing Locations,” before the MC rocked his signature “Dreams and Nightmares.” And Jnr Choi joined Fivio Foreign during the night’s closing set to perform  his hit “To the Moon.”

Whether it’s Nas bringing out Lauryn Hill in 2012 or Jay-Z bringing out Michael Jackson in 2001, the surprise guest is one of Summer Jam’s mainstay features. Some of the most memorable guests in Summer Jam history have been impromptu — or kept secret until the moment they arrived on stage to an erupting MetLife Stadium. 

This year’s planned line-up had enough talent to go around. The headliner, Brooklyn’s own Fivio Foreign, played cuts off his debut B.I.B.L.E. like the lead single City of God with Kanye and Alicia Keys. Coi Leray and Chloe Bailey both joined Fivio who was cloaked in a “King of New York” cape. 

Pusha T, NLE Choppa, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Shensea and Dream Doll all took the stage and kept the crowd hot before Fivio’s entrance, as did the City Girls along with Saucy Santana, and Griselda’s Benny the Butcher.

One surprise this year was actually delivered by an artist on the line-up. Roddy Ricch — among the biggest names on the bill — added uncertainty to the schedule when he was arrested Saturday Night in the city on a weapons charge before his set at Governor’s Ball. But Ricch posted bail and stepped onto the main stage after 8:30, calling out the NYPD.

Ricch performed “Rockstar, High Fashion, Ballin’ and The Box.”

“I like New Jersey better than New York,” Ricch said, exiting the stage.