J. Cole wrapped up the fifth and final year of Dreamville Festival this past weekend with an emotional performance and a heartfelt message about the event’s future. Read more about what’s next for the festival inside.
The 2025 Dreamville Festival was initially said to be the fifth and final run. It was held once again at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it looked like nothing short of spectacular. With a stacked lineup featuring Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, GloRilla, 21 Savage, JID, and Coco Jones, fans celebrated music, Black culture, and the spirit of community that has defined Dreamville Fest since its inception.
During Sunday night’s closing set, J. Cole brought out Erykah Badu to perform his classic “Too Deep For The Intro,” which samples her track “Didn’t Cha Know.” The moment was made even more intimate by a stage setup designed to look like the Queens apartment of Mohammad, Cole’s former landlord and early believer in his dreams.
Between songs, Cole took time to speak candidly to fans about the future of the festival.
“We said this is the last Dreamville Festival,” he admitted. “I’m just keeping it 100 with y’all, that sh*t be a lot. We want to put on some amazing sh*t for y’all, we want to do it for Carolina… But I’ma just let y’all know our plan. We still gon’ bring some sh*t.”
While Dreamville Festival may no longer continue in its current form, J. Cole made it clear that the essence of the festival isn’t going anywhere.
“It might not have the ‘Dreamville Festival’ name on it, but we will be back with this feel,” he said. “This sh*t feel like a cookout, motherf*cking family reunion. It’s so much love in this b*tch.”
According to Hot New Hip Hop, Raleigh officials and organizers have already announced a new four-year deal for a reimagined festival experience, with Dreamville still expected to play a major role.
As fans await J. Cole’s highly anticipated The Fall Off album, they’re also reflecting on the legacy of Dreamville Fest. The event that’s been more than just a music festival. It’s been a celebration of Black artistry, community, and homegrown North Carolina pride. The name may change, but the Dreamville spirit is here to stay.
