Rap phenomenon J. Cole has announced the lineup for his fifth and final Dreamville Festival. The two-day festival returns to Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6.
Rap legend Lil Wayne will headline Saturday night with Hot Boys (Juvenile, Turk, and B.G.) and Big Tymers (Mannie Fresh and Birdman).
Before they hit the stage, a mix of R&B and rap acts will perform, including Ludacris, 21 Savage, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Ari Lennox and Keyshia Cole, among others.
Cole will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut album, The Way It Is, which was released in June 2005.
The album featured classics like “Love,” “I Should Have Cheated,” “I Changed My Mind” and “(I Just Want It) To Be Over.” The penultimate includes writing contributions from John Legend, while the latter features writing and production by Alicia Keys.
Ludacris could also be celebrating a milestone anniversary with his major label debut album, Back for the First Time, which turns 25 in October.
The album featured the hits “What’s Your Fantasy” with Shawnna and “Southern Hospitality” featuring Pharrell. It’s worth noting the former track, as well as most of the tracks from Back for the First Time, appeared on Luda’s first album, Incognegro, released independently in 1999 via DTP Records.
PARTYNEXTDOOR will be supporting his joint album with Drake, Some Sexy Songs 4 U, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Released on Valentine’s Day, the album follows 2024’s PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4). The latter featureless project included the singles “Resentment,” “Real Woman,” “Her Old Friends” and “Lose My Mind.”
Sunday’s show will be headlined by J. Cole, like prior years. Iconic singer Erkyah Badu will grace the stage ahead of J. Cole’s set. Other performers include Tems, Coco Jones, GloRilla and Akia.
“Our team looks forward to welcoming fans from around the world to Dreamville Festival this spring for our fifth anniversary celebration,” says Adam Roy, Dreamville co-founder and festival president. “The first weekend in April has grown to become one of our team’s favorite times of the year as an annual NC reunion.”
The 2024 Dreamville Festival attracted over 100,000 attendees, with performances by Nicki Minaj, Monica, SZA, and others.
A limited number of two-day general admission passes are on sale now, with some proceeds benefiting the festival’s official charity partners, the Dreamville Foundation and Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy.
All 2025 GA+ and VIP ticket packages have sold out in advance. Waitlists are available at dreamvillefest.com.
See the lineup below.
Dreamville Festival 2025 Lineup
Saturday, April 5
Lil Wayne with Hot Boys (Juvenile, Turk, and B.G.) and Big Tymers (Mannie Fresh and Birdman)
21 Savage
PARTYNEXTDOOR
Ludacris
Ari Lennox
Chief Keef
Keyshia Cole Celebrating 20 Years of “The Way It Is”
Bas
Young Nudy
Ab-Soul
Lute
Omen
Kai Ca$h & Niko Brim
Sunday, April 6
J. Cole
Erykah Badu
Tems
GloRilla
J.I.D
Wale
Coco Jones
BigXthaPlug
EarthGang
Anycia
Cozz
Akia
