J. Cole and Drake performed together at Dreamville Fest on a historic night for hip-hop.
As promised, the rap titans closed out the festival on Sunday with a co-headlining set at Raleigh’s Dorothea Dix Park.
Taking the “Shine” stage, Cole opened with his 2010 single “Who Dat” around 9:30 p.m. before running through his catalog with hits like “Middle Child,” “a lot,” and “Power Trip.” His Dreamville family, which included J.I.D, Bas, EarthGang, Cozz, Lute, and Omen, also joined him.
The moment fans had been waiting for arrived about 30 minutes into his set when Cole brought out Drake, who opened his performance with “SICKO MODE” and continued with cuts like “Headlines,” “HYFR,” and “Marvins Room.”
HYFR at #DreamvilleFest pic.twitter.com/6zeSC0bdR1
— Drake Fan Page (@DrakeDirect_) April 3, 2023
“My brother told me to do some songs you don’t usually perform,” Drake explained to the audience.
Drake then introduced his special guests, beginning with GloRilla, who performed “F.N.F. (Let’s Go).” Before the “boss,” Lil Uzi Vert had the crowd singing along to “XO TOUR LIf3” and “Just Wanna Rock.” Drake was joined by Lil Wayne on “The Motto,” “Uproar,” and “A Milli.” 21 Savage and Drake then performed their collaborations, including “Knife Talk” and “Rich Flex” by Her Loss.
Drake brought out Lil Uzi Vert at J Cole’s Dreamville Fest 🔥🦉🦇https://t.co/d89ovFyQy1
— uziawge 👽 (@uziawge) April 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/shannonsharpeee/status/1642721124579704832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1642721124579704832%7Ctwgr%5Eadde98b6f30241da00ad8703ea134478ae0a8944%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rap-up.com%2F2023%2F04%2F03%2Fj-cole-drake-dreamville-festival%2F
21 Savage & Drake Performing “Rich Flex” At Dreamville Festival🦉🗡️https://t.co/An6fDcvl5p
— Rap301 (@Rap301_) April 3, 2023
“About a year ago, my brother asked me to come here. “I’m doing my best for you,” Drake said while wearing a UNC Asheville Bulldogs jersey.
He finished his set by playing Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” a tradition started by Lil Wayne at his concerts.
“The greatest rapper in the world used to do this every night at his show,” Drake explained. “I’m going to play this next song, and if you love this man as much as I do, you’ll sing as loud as you can.”
https://twitter.com/DrakeDirect_/status/1642734018478346240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1642734018478346240%7Ctwgr%5Eadde98b6f30241da00ad8703ea134478ae0a8944%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rap-up.com%2F2023%2F04%2F03%2Fj-cole-drake-dreamville-festival%2F
J Cole giving Drake his flowers 💐 pic.twitter.com/9zYyTGFS71
— Drake Fan Page (@DrakeDirect_) April 3, 2023
Cole returned to the stage to give Drake flowers as fans sang along and lit up the sky with their phones.
“This man right here bro, I’m such a fan and I feel like I’m speaking for everyone when I say this bro, we are fu**ing wowed, amazed, and blown away by your greatness,” he said. “It gives a ni**a chills to see you do this at the highest level, non-stop, and always serve and bless us with the fu**ing soundtrack to our lives.” “Your greatness astounds me, bro.”
Summer Walker, Burna Boy, GloRilla, and Usher performed at the two-day Dreamville Fest, as well as a Beyoncé-inspired April Fools’ joke.
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