A Festival to Remember: Saying Goodbye to Dreamville, Hello to What's Next

The Dream Still Lives: Reflecting on a Milestone Dreamville Festival and Looking Ahead

The air crackled with energy, the bass vibrated through the very ground, and for two glorious days, Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh transformed into a vibrant tapestry of music, community, and North Carolina pride. This year's Dreamville Festival, billed as its fifth and final iteration, delivered on all fronts, culminating in a deeply personal and memorable headlining set from the festival's visionary, J. Cole.

Cole, in a poignant closing act, brought a tangible piece of his roots to the stage. His set design was a loving recreation of his childhood home at 2014 Forest Hills Drive in Fayetteville, a powerful visual reminder of the journey that has shaped him. For those who couldn't be present for this significant moment, hope remains. A recent press conference on April 3rd revealed plans for a new music event in Raleigh, promising to fill the void left by Dreamville's conclusion.

Since its inception in 2019, the Dreamville Festival has been more than just a series of concerts. It has cultivated a unique atmosphere, feeling more like a large-scale family reunion, fostering connection and injecting significant economic stimulation into North Carolina and beyond. This year was no different, delivering a diverse lineup that celebrated both established legends and rising stars.

Day One: Scorching Heat and Epic Reunions

The opening day, April 5th, lived up to the hype, both in temperature and talent. The sold-out crowd braved the 80-degree heat to witness an unforgettable headlining performance by the Hot Boys. Lil Wayne, a frequent Dreamville collaborator, reunited with his New Orleans brethren B.G., Turk, and Juvenile for an epic blast from the past. Adding to the nostalgia, Birdman and Mannie Fresh joined the iconic group, culminating in a crowd-pleasing rendition of Juvenile’s timeless hit, “Back That Thang Up.” Day one was undeniably a celebration for those who came of age in the late 90s and early 2000s.

However, the beauty of Dreamville lies in its eclectic curation. The day began with the fresh sounds of Generation Now artists Niko Brim and Kai Cash, with DJ Drama himself present to show support. Kai Cash and Niko Brim's performance concluded with "Michelin Star," cleverly sampling Mary J. Blige's "I Can Love You Better."

Moving to the Rise Stage, attendees were greeted by an unexpected sight: an old couch draped in plastic. This served as the backdrop for Dreamville's own Omen, who appeared in comfortable attire, sporting a t-shirt featuring his grandmother’s photo. The couch, a replica of one from his grandmother's Chicago home, and his shirt were clever promotions for his upcoming album, "Granny's House Again." A Dreamville original since the start, the Chicago native offered a sneak peek of unreleased tracks, a familiar practice for Omen, who even penned lyrics live on stage at last year's festival.

Back at the Shine Stage, another Dreamville veteran, Lute, delivered a powerful set before welcoming his Slum County label artists ShameGang and Charlotte's own Cyanca. Following a brief delay, TDE's Ab-Soul took the stage, demanding "his props" and performing tracks from his latest project, "DoeBurger," a heartfelt dedication to a lost friend. Dreamville's Bas, riding high on the release of his FiendVille clothing line, then guided the "Dreamers" through his impressive discography. Earlier, Young Nudy had transported the audience to the vibrant streets of Atlanta, specifically PDE (Paradise East).

The influence of Atlanta's music scene was undeniable throughout the festival.

Atlanta Represents: A Strong Southern Presence

Atlanta native and comedian DC Young Fly kept the energy high backstage, hosting artist interviews in the Backwoods Backstage lounge, where he connected with performers like Chicago's Chief Keef. Keef's electrifying set sent shockwaves through Dorothea Dix Park as he unleashed his signature hits like “3Hunna,” “Faneto,” and “I Don’t Like.”

The pace then shifted as Ari Lennox made a welcome return to the Dreamville stage after missing last year's event. Over at the Rise Stage, Keyshia Cole celebrated the 20th anniversary of her debut album, "The Way It Is," with soulful renditions of classics like “I Should Have Cheated” and “Love.”

Following Cole, Southern rap icon and actor Ludacris graced the stage in Michael Jordan’s UNC jersey, complete with his iconic braids. The Atlanta takeover continued with PartyNextDoor, who serenaded the crowd in a blue Balenciaga ensemble with hits like “Recognize” and “Break From Toronto.”

As Party's set concluded, another Atlanta heavyweight, 21 Savage, took over the Rise Stage. A Dreamville veteran, having previously joined Cole on stage for their Grammy-winning track “A Lot” and performing his own set at the inaugural festival in 2019, Savage has grown alongside the festival. This year, he rightfully earned his place as a headliner, delivering powerful performances of tracks like “Bank Account” and “No Heart.”

Before the Hot Boys' highly anticipated set, Cashmoney Records founders Birdman and Mannie Fresh, the legendary Big Tymers, warmed up the crowd with timeless anthems like “Get Your Roll On,” “What Happened To That Boy,” and “#1 Stunna.” Then, each Hot Boys member took their turn in the spotlight, performing their most beloved hits. Lil Wayne, sporting a custom Carolina Hurricanes hockey jersey before switching to a UNC jersey gifted by Bill Belichick, declared himself the "Best Rapper Alive" with a string of hits including “Fireman,” “Tha Mobb,” and “Lollipop.” Despite his legendary status, he remained humble, expressing gratitude to the crowd after every song. The Cash Money reunion culminated in the fan-favorite “Back That Thang Up,” a joyous moment for attendees who had long awaited the reunion of the New Orleans quartet. Together, they delivered classic collaborations like “I Need A Hot Girl,” “Project Chick,” “We On Fire,” and “Bling Bling.”

Day Two: A Soulful Finale Leading to Cole's Farewell

Day two, April 6th, promised a diverse array of talent, kicking off with the soulful sounds of Arkansas' AKIA and Carolina's own rising star, Trap Dickey, known for his viral "Blue Devils" performance. Dreamville's Cozz, a festival mainstay, followed Dickey, bringing along his friend Cory C. Cozz, who expressed his hope for an annual celebration of art and family in April. The energy continued with performances from Anycia and BigXThaPlug, the latter joined by his 600 brethren Ro$ama. Earthgang, Coco Jones, and Wale then brought a more relaxed vibe before J.I.D. and Glorilla ignited the park with their dynamic sets. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, anticipation grew for J. Cole's final Dreamville performance. However, before that, African superstar Tems captivated the audience with a sultry and energetic performance.

Over at the Rise Stage, a dedicated crowd gathered for the iconic neo-soul queen, Erykah Badu. From the moment Badu's voice filled the air, the crowd erupted. Sipping tea and holding her signature joint, she effortlessly delivered powerful renditions of classics like “On and On” and “Otherside of the Game,” ending her set with the beloved “Tyrone.”

J. Cole's Farewell: A Homecoming on Stage

As the clock approached 9:30 p.m. at the Shine Stage, the anticipation was palpable. The curtains dropped, and a roar erupted as J. Cole appeared on a stage meticulously designed to replicate his childhood home at 2014 Forest Hills Drive in Fayetteville.

He opened his set with “Rags to Riches” from his early mixtape, "The Come Up," rapping into a studio microphone covered by a sock, a nostalgic nod to his humble beginnings. To ensure everyone caught his flow, he performed the track twice before embarking on a musical journey through his extensive catalog, using his performance to narrate his artistic evolution.

However, the crowd held a collective yearning for one particular track: "Too Deep For The Intro" from "Friday Night Lights." Dorothea Dix Park exploded with cheers as Erykah Badu graced the stage to sing the sampled portion of her hit song “Didn’t Cha Know.” Their embrace as she exited the stage was a significant moment, marking their first meeting since Cole sampled her iconic track. In a fitting and poignant conclusion, Cole ended his set with “Farewell” as a gentle rain began to fall upon Dorothea Dix Park.

Attendees couldn't help but notice the absence of the traditional Dreamville crew performance and the beloved track "A Tale of 2 Citiez." Before his final bow, Cole addressed the lingering questions about the festival's future. While confirming that this was indeed the final Dreamville Festival, he assured the crowd that an event would take its place in Raleigh, keeping the spirit of music and community alive.

As "Dreamers" from across the globe depart with cherished memories and coveted merchandise, they carry with them the legacy of one of the most significant artist-led music festivals in the world. While this chapter may be closing, the dream of bringing people together through music in North Carolina clearly lives on.