DREAMVILLE WAS A GOODBYE AND A LOVE LETTER ALL AT ONCE
When my friend Felton invited me to the fifth—and final—Dreamville Festival, I didn’t totally grasp the kind of space I was about to step into. I’d heard about Dreamville, of course. The lineups, the vibes, the artists. But nothing prepares you for what it actually feels like to be there.
The Energy Was Beautiful. The People? Even Better.
From the second I arrived, it was clear: this wasn’t just a music festival—it was a community.
I walked into a sea of beautiful Black people laughing, lounging, dancing, hugging, and existing in the softest, most joyful way. Think: family cookout energy if everyone came styled, hydrated, and emotionally aligned.
After sliding through check-in and making a quick pit stop at the Fam Lounge for a photobooth flick and a lil’ refresh, I stepped into the heart of the crowd during GloRilla’s set—and that’s when it really hit me.
There was a Ferris wheel spinning slow in the distance, the Hennessy booth was drawing a crowd, and people were just... happy. Strangers were dancing together like old friends, offering up two-steps and water breaks like love languages. No tension, no weird vibes—just alignment.
The Stage Was on Fire All Weekend
Let’s talk about the performances.
Keyshia Cole had the crowd in a chokehold just by standing there. Her presence was enough.
Wale reminded us all that his catalog runs deep. Banger after banger after banger.
Coco Jones floated on stage like it was second nature—graceful, effortless, glowing.
Ludacris gave straight Atlanta nostalgia. It felt like we’d time-traveled.
Cash Money headlined the first night and took us all the way back—it was a block party and a history lesson rolled into one.
But the standout? J. Cole.
That set felt like the moment everything came full circle. His presence on stage doesn’t require fireworks—he speaks, and the crowd listens. You could feel how much this festival meant to him, and in return, how much he means to us.
It wasn’t just a headline performance—it felt like closure. In the best way.
A Weekend Without Anxiety (?!?!)
Here’s the part that honestly surprised me the most: I had zero social anxiety all weekend.
As someone who usually needs a lil’ mental prep before entering big crowds, I was shocked at how calm I felt. The energy was so warm, so open, that it just didn’t leave any space for nerves. People were kind, present, and easy to be around.
And that’s rare.
The End of Dreamville Felt Like the Beginning of Something Bigger
Knowing this was the last Dreamville Festival added a layer of depth to everything.
Every moment felt like a "soak it in while you can" moment. Even the little things—like catching fireworks after Cole’s set while walking backstage with friends—felt cinematic. Like the closing scene in a movie you know you’ll revisit forever.
Dreamville reminded me that we’re more connected than we realize—through music, memories, love, admiration, and shared experiences. And even if the festival is ending, the community it built isn’t going anywhere.
What’s Next? No Idea. But I’m Ready for It.
I don’t know what J. Cole and the Dreamville team are planning next. I don’t know what the city of Raleigh will look like without this weekend to anchor it.
But I do know this: whatever comes next will carry this same energy. Because once you’ve created a space like Dreamville—something that real—it doesn’t just vanish.
It evolves. And I’m excited to see where it goes.
