April 7, 2023
Emily P.
The 2023 Dreamville Music Festival was held at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, last weekend. The annual festival is curated by rapper J. Cole and his team at Dreamville Records, who invite their favorite artists to perform, as well as local businesses, artisans, merchants, community organizations, and even muralists to show off their crafts and give attendees from around the world a chance to experience local life and culture in Raleigh. The team at Dreamville places an emphasis on community, inclusivity, and diversity, and they describe the festival as a “large-scale multi-stage festival featuring performances from some of the biggest names in music merged with a family-style cookout where everyone feels welcome and has a seat at the table.”
The two-day festival was packed with talent, including both newer acts, such as Sonny Miles, Baby Tate, and Ayra Starr, and industry veterans, such as Usher, Sean Paul, and Waka Flocka Flame. Usher headlined day one of the festival, following a slew of exciting openers including City Girls and Lil Durk. Since it was April 1st, Usher began his set by pranking the crowd: “I have a surprise for you tonight, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “Without further ado. Put your hands together for the one, the only, Beyoncé.” He then stepped to the side for a few seconds, before stepping back up to the microphone and announcing, “April Fools!” After his joke, he performed some of his most well-known hits, including “You Make Me Wanna…,” “Love in This Club,” and “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home).”
Day two of the festival featured another round of immense talent, with openers including Summer Walker and Burna Boy, and headliners J. Cole and Drake. While they headlined together, J. Cole performed an individual set first, playing his classic hits such as “Who Dat,” “Villematic,” “Planez,” “A Tale of 2 Citiez,” and ending his set with “Love Yourz.” After his last song, “SICKO MODE” began to blast from the speakers, and Drake popped out on stage. Drake began his set playing “Started from the Bottom,” “Energy,” and “Marvins Room.” For a special surprise, “HYFR” was the next song of the set, and with it came an appearance by Lil Wayne. Drake also brought 21 Savage, Lil Uzi Vert, and GloRilla on stage with him throughout his set. Drake closed out his performance by getting the crowd to sing along to Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” as a tribute to J. Cole.
See the full lineup of performers below, and read more about the festival here!
