Dreamville Fest Isn’t Ending—It’s Evolving
Written by h.campbell216 on April 7, 2025
In a recent press conference on Apr. 3, 2025, Raleigh city officials and Dreamville Fest organizers unveiled plans for a new music festival set to commence in 2026 at Dorothea Dix Park. This announcement comes as the original Dreamville Fest, founded by North Carolina native J. Cole, executes its final iteration this weekend.
Sascha Stone Guttfreund, a promoter with Dreamville and Live Nation, expressed enthusiasm about the continuation, stating, “We’re going to be here for years to come. This is a multi-year deal, and we’re so excited to be working with the city of Raleigh together on something new and exciting, and to continue to build on this incredible thing that we’ve done over the years.”
Raleigh City Manager Marchell Adams-David emphasized the festival’s commitment to its musical roots: “We’re going to continue on the same path that’s been successful for us. Our consumers have told us what they like, and we’re going to try to provide that to them for the next four years.” She also highlighted J. Cole’s ongoing involvement, noting, “He is totally committed to this community, and he is totally committed to this festival.”
Ibrahim “Ib” Hamad, Dreamville co-founder and J. Cole’s manager, reflected on the festival’s communal atmosphere: “We wanted to keep the feeling of just the community. We call it our family reunion. I think a lot of people from all over the world and from all 50 states come in, and it’s good to be able to do it here in North Carolina.”
On day one, this year’s Dreamville Fest saw a wide range of artists from rising rappers Niko Brim and Kai Cash to Dreamville staples like Ari Lennox and Omen. The evening was closed out by the legendary Hot Boys, Big Tymers and Lil Wayne. In addition to the music, there were several experiential activations from brands like Hennesey and DoorDash. There was also a space for non-profit organizations like the Two-Six Project, to share their mission and focus.
As the curtain falls on the original Dreamville Fest, this new endeavor aims to preserve its legacy while ushering in a fresh chapter for Raleigh’s vibrant music scene.
