After a sun-drenched opening day, Day Two of Dreamville Fest arrived with a welcome breeze that seemed to shift the entire atmosphere—cooler air, familiar routes and a crowd now fully in rhythm with the grounds of Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. Unlike the tentative curiosity of Day One, Sunday felt like a homecoming.
Artistic expression flourished, thanks to Artsplosure’s curation of works from over 100 Black artists, many hailing from Raleigh. Portraits of Dreamville talent adorned the festival grounds, adding depth and beauty to the environment. The Parton Treehouse-style activation provided attendees with a serene vantage point, offering panoramic views that evoked a vacation-like ambiance.
On the Rise Stage, GloRilla delivered an electrifying set, showcasing her impeccable breath control and dynamic stage presence. Her performances of “Tomorrow 2” and “Wanna Be” had the crowd in a frenzy, with her dancers matching her energy step for step. Tems graced the Shine Stage with a soulful performance, opening with a jazz-infused rendition of “Crazy Tings.” Her set included captivating performances of “Wickedest” and “Love Me JeJe,” with background dancers whose movements were as fluid and expressive as the music itself.
The Dreamville Foundation’s booth, operated by Two Six Project founder Grant Bennett, highlighted the festival’s dedication to community empowerment. Bennett, who first connected with J. Cole as a sixth grader featured in one of his early videos, shared the organization’s mission: “driving to inspire the next generation of leaders through creativity, collaboration and purpose.” Their recent collaboration with Dreamville led to the opening of a creative lab in a vacant high school, funded by $100,000 raised through partnerships with Google, Microsoft and Dreamville.
A standout among the culinary delights was Kokomo Joe’s, a Caribbean-style eatery based in North Carolina. Approved on their first application, the owner expressed appreciation for Dreamville’s support of small businesses, noting this was their inaugural festival in North Carolina. This inclusion underscores Dreamville’s commitment to spotlighting quality and service over mere brand recognition.
Surprises punctuated the day, notably Normani’s impromptu performance at the Hennessy booth, where she not only sang but also took a turn as a guest bartender, delighting fans with her multifaceted talents.
Erykah Badu’s set was a masterclass in musical artistry. Performing staples like “On & On,” she embraced her unique sound, weaving in unexpected moments that kept the audience enthralled. Her collaboration with J. Cole later in the evening was a historic highlight. After completing her set, Badu joined Cole on stage for their first live performance of “Too Deep for the Intro,” a track that samples her iconic “Didn’t Cha Know.” This collaboration was a poignant nod to their mutual respect and artistic synergy.
Other performers included BigXThaPlug, Anicya, Cozz, Coco Jones, J.I.D. and more.
J. Cole’s headlining performance was a journey through his musical evolution. He structured his set chronologically, beginning with mixtape classics and progressing to his major hits. Addressing the crowd, Cole expressed gratitude to fans from all stages of his career, acknowledging those who had been with him since “day one or day two or three.”
The stage design, reminiscent of a cozy home—possibly his childhood space—added an intimate feel. At the start, technical issues with his microphone led to a restart, with Cole candidly asking, “Can y’all hear me? Y’all can’t hear me? You didn’t hear that shit I just did?” This vulnerability endeared him even more to the audience. While some noted the absence of a collective Dreamville onstage gathering, it was evident that this moment was centered on Cole’s personal narrative.
The energy was notably different from the previous year when he publicly apologized to Kendrick Lamar for “7 Minute Drill,” a diss track released amid the peak of the Drake and Kendrick feud. This year, Cole’s focus was introspective, reflecting on his journey and growth.
He continued with early mixtape gems like “Rags to Riches (At the Beep),” “Grown Simba,” and “Lights Please,” gradually transitioning to major hits such as “Work Out,” “No Role Modelz” and “Love Yourz.” This chronological setlist not only showcased his artistic growth but also paid homage to every phase of his career.
Expressing deep gratitude, Cole thanked the city of Raleigh for its unwavering support and acknowledged the fans who have been part of the festival’s five-year journey. He addressed the future of the event, revealing that while this marks the final official Dreamville Fest, plans are underway for a new iteration that will carry forward the festival’s spirit under a different name. “This festival will exist,” Cole assured the audience. “It might not have the motherf***ing ‘Dreamville Festival’ name on it, but we will be back with this feel.” This evolution signifies not an end, but a transformation, ensuring that the essence of Dreamville continues to thrive in the years to come.
As the night concluded with “Farewell” from Friday Night Lights, it was clear that Day Two of Dreamville Fest was more than a series of performances—it was a celebration of artistry, community and the enduring power of music to unite and inspire.
