Words & Photos by Ismail Sayeed | @Calligrafist

This year marked the fifth and final Dreamville Fest—an unforgettable sendoff to the best artist-run festival in the game. Held in Raleigh, NC, the lineup was stacked, the energy was unmatched, and the city came alive with incredible activations all weekend long.

As someone who was there for Year 1 and now Year 5, it felt full circle. Back in 2019, Rap Radar Podcast landed a legendary interview with J. Cole after his performance. Now in 2025, to return and tell the visual stories of the festival’s final run? Dope AF.

Day 1 Highlights:
Ab-Soul brought out JID during his set, Bas announced a new album, and Ari Lennox blessed the stage with that signature soul her fans love. Ludacris reminded everyone why he’s a certified legend, and the night closed with a rare, iconic reunion: Lil Wayne, Birdman, Mannie Fresh, and the Hot Boys running through classics and deep cuts. Watching all of them share a stage was the moment I’d been waiting to photograph—and it delivered.

Day 2 Highlights:
BIGXThaPlug lit up the stage with presence and bars, EarthGang and JID brought raw energy and lyricism, and Coco Jones was pure magic—one of those sets you don’t miss. Wale, rocking exclusive BAPE and Nikes, showcased his hit-filled catalog and why he’s one of the best showmen in the game, while GloRilla and Tems held it down for the ladies. Glo had the crowd turned up, and Tems owned the stage with poise and beauty. Erykah Badu? A Queen, period. She captivated the crowd with her eyes, voice, and essence—then later surprised us all during J. Cole’s headlining set.

Cole closed the curtain on Dreamville Fest with a performance that felt deeply personal and free. The stage was designed like Muhammad’s Crib, and he took us through his deep cuts for the Day 1s—reminding the crowd who he does this for—while still giving love to the Day 2s and 3s. He reflected on the end of the fest as we know it, but spoke about a new era still to come. When Badu joined him on stage, the energy shifted—it was spiritual, yet energetic.

This wasn’t just another music weekend. This was the finale of something great—a legacy built by artists, for the culture. Dreamville Fest may be done, but what it gave us will live forever.