J. Cole Performs With Erykah Badu As He Bids Farewell To Dreamville Festival

Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah
By
J. Cole Performs With Erykah Badu As He Bids Farewell To Dreamville Festival
J. Cole & Erykah Badu
On Sunday night, April 6, 2025, Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, pulsed with bittersweet energy as J. Cole took the stage for the final Dreamville Festival. The fifth and last installment of the artist-led event—born from Cole’s vision to unite his Dreamville community—drew thousands of fans from across the globe, all eager to witness the farewell of a cultural cornerstone. The air crackled with anticipation as the Fayetteville native, draped in a custom red Dreamville jersey, stepped into the spotlight, his set designed as a tribute to his journey, complete with a stage mimicking his old Queens apartment, affectionately dubbed Mohammad's Crib.
The night reached its emotional peak when Cole, mid-set, surprised the crowd by bringing out Erykah Badu for a historic performance of TOO DEEP FOR THE INTRO. The track, a fan favorite from his 2010 mixtape FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, samples Badu’s soulful classic DIDN'T CHA KNOW, making this a full-circle moment that felt predestined. As Badu’s earthy voice intertwined with Cole’s introspective bars, the audience erupted, their cheers echoing through the park. The duo’s chemistry was palpable—Cole’s grounded delivery met Badu’s ethereal presence, creating a seamless blend of hip-hop and soul that honored their shared musical lineage. It was a fitting climax to a festival that had always been about family, legacy, and authenticity.
As fireworks lit up the Raleigh skyline to close the show, Cole lingered on stage, soaking in the love from a crowd that had grown with him over the years. Backstage, he and Badu shared a quiet moment of mutual respect, a nod to the torch-passing that Dreamville had embodied since 2019. For fans, it wasn’t just the end of a festival—it was the end of an era.

Comments

MORE FROM
music

More From 3Music News

Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler Join Forces on Most Daring Collaboration Yet
entertainment | culture | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | April 18th, 2025

Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler Join Forces on Most Daring Collaboration Yet

Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler have once again joined forces to create a cinematic masterpiece with their latest film, SINNERS.

Wink Martindale, Beloved Game Show Host, Passes Away at 91
entertainment | culture | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | April 17th, 2025

Wink Martindale, Beloved Game Show Host, Passes Away at 91

The world of game shows is mourning the loss of a beloved icon, Wink Martindale, who passed away at the age of 91.

Michelle Trachtenberg's Cause of Death Revealed
entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | April 17th, 2025

Michelle Trachtenberg's Cause of Death Revealed

Fans of the late actress Michelle Trachtenberg were shocked to hear about her sudden passing at the age of 39.

MrBeast Addresses Controversy Surrounding Las Vegas Event
entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | April 17th, 2025

MrBeast Addresses Controversy Surrounding Las Vegas Event

YouTube personality MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has publicly apologized for a recent event in Las Vegas that drew widespread criticism.

Gayle King and Katy Perry Take A Historic 11-Minute Journey To Space.
music | entertainment | culture | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | April 17th, 2025

Gayle King and Katy Perry Take A Historic 11-Minute Journey To Space.

Gayle King and Katy Perry made history on April 14, 2025, as part of an all-female crew that launched into space aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket.

Kim Set to Testify in 2016 Paris Jewelry Heist Trial
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | April 17th, 2025

Kim Set to Testify in 2016 Paris Jewelry Heist Trial

Kim Kardashian is slated to take the stand in a Paris court as part of the ongoing trial for the 2016 jewelry heist that targeted her.

Ibrahim Mahama to Transform Kunsthalle Bern with Monumental Jute Sack Installation
entertainment | culture | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | April 17th, 2025

Ibrahim Mahama to Transform Kunsthalle Bern with Monumental Jute Sack Installation

Renowned Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama is set to make a bold statement in the art world by wrapping Switzerland’s Kunsthalle Bern in jute sacks from April 30 to June 1, 2025.

Rocky Dawuni Shines at GRAMMYs On The Hill 2025 Future Forum
music | entertainment | culture | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | April 16th, 2025

Rocky Dawuni Shines at GRAMMYs On The Hill 2025 Future Forum

Ghanaian music icon and four-time GRAMMY nominee Rocky Dawuni captivated audiences as a featured speaker at the 2nd Annual Future Forum, the closing event of GRAMMYs On The Hill 2025.

SZA Launches NOT BEAUTY Lip Gloss Line Inspired by Her Signature Look
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | April 16th, 2025

SZA Launches NOT BEAUTY Lip Gloss Line Inspired by Her Signature Look

Grammy-winning artiste SZA has officially entered the beauty industry with the launch of her new brand, NOT BEAUTY, debuting with a trio of lip glosses inspired by her signature layered lip look

Wizkid’s Journey from Lagos to Global Stardom Chronicled in New Documentary
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | April 16th, 2025

Wizkid’s Journey from Lagos to Global Stardom Chronicled in New Documentary

Afrobeats superstar Wizkid is set to have his remarkable rise from the streets of Lagos to international acclaim documented in the upcoming film Wizkid: Long Live Lagos

3Music TV Launches Point Of View- A Bold New Digital Talk Show
entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | April 16th, 2025

3Music TV Launches Point Of View- A Bold New Digital Talk Show

3Music TV has unveiled its latest digital talk show, Point Of View, hosted by the dynamic duo Jeffrey Adjetey (Eye Geezy) and Fahim Dumba (Fahim the Dream)

Coco Jones Unveils Tracklist for Debut Album Why Not More? Ahead of April 25 Release
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | April 16th, 2025

Coco Jones Unveils Tracklist for Debut Album Why Not More? Ahead of April 25 Release

Grammy-winning R&B artiste Coco Jones has officially revealed the tracklist for her highly anticipated debut album, Why Not More?, set to release on April 25th, 2025, via High Standardz/Def Jam Recordings

More Similar Videos

No similar videos to show related to this post. Explore other sections.