Virgina Is ‘The Fresh Cousin,’ Per Pusha T And Fam-Lay At Cousinz Festival

Cousinz Competition is proof that Virginia is for lovers.

In its second installment, the occasion, held in Norfolk, Virginia, featured heavy-hitting headliners, together with Lil’ Kim, T-Ache and Jeezy; nevertheless, the festivities have been about way more than the music. It was a spot for the collective to commune, whether or not you had roots within the state or traveled in from out of city; it was a mirrored image of household love usually displayed at yard cookouts or the annual household reunion, which is why naming it Cousinz Competition was a win.

What’s Cousinz Competition?

Curated by Virginia natives Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton, Nathaniel “Fam-Lay” Johnson, and enterprise supervisor Antonio Dowe, Cousinz Competition initially launched in 2024, with simply two months of planning. This time round, Fam-Lay shared that the planning started 12 months prematurely. The distinction was evident by activations just like the inexperienced field, positioned within the competition’s link-up spot, which paid homage to a staple for Black folks, notably among the many youth, who would use a neighborhood transformer field as a gathering space to snigger, chat, play and infrequently socialize.

Different key particulars included a model aesthetic curated by Have A Good Day, a multidisciplinary model studio based mostly within the Norfolk and Virginia Seaside neighborhoods. From affirming messages like “Cuz you look so good” to cultural questions like “Who made the potato salad?” little touches like these have been a driving level to the group, which Fam-Lay famous is the competition’s key mission.

“None of this may be potential with out the group,” Fam-Lay advised Blavity backstage on the Norfolk Scope, the place Cousinz Competition was held. “Should you attempt to try it with out the group, it exhibits. It doesn’t work out so nicely. We’ve been lucky to have good companions and assist from the group, and to have the ability to take heed to what the folks need, in addition to what we all know as a part of the group. So, I believe we’re lucky in that approach.”

Along with Saturday’s showcase, hosted by comic and D.C., Maryland, and Virginia native Chico Bean, in addition to Richmond, Virginia’s award-winning radio persona Dominique da Diva, which additionally included units from Izzy the DJ, DJ Envy, DJ Clue, the Yard Band and extra, the That is Us Artwork Exhibition was a curated present by League OTO that includes Black artists from the DMV space, celebrating themes of Black tradition, household and legacy.

The facility of hometown pleasure

Musical legends like Pusha T and his older brother, Malice, identified to the world as Clipse, together with icons like Missy Elliott, Pharrell and Timbaland, have all the time taken pleasure of their hometown roots, originating from the 757 area of the state. They’ve naturally welcomed cousins and prolonged relations from varied elements of Virginia.

Lately, Pharrell launched his Virginia model and platform, which encompasses music, vogue and group outreach.

“Virginia is the place I’m from, nevertheless it’s additionally who I’m creatively,” the “Frontin’” crooner stated in a press release in the course of the model’s announcement. 

Cousinz Fest additionally invitations folks and followers from throughout to expertise the magic of Virginia. Throughout her set, Lil Kim even revealed a private connection to the realm, disclosing that each of her dad and mom have been born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, earlier than relocating to have her within the Mattress-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Between her performances of hits like “Lighters Up” and “Get Cash,” she proudly exclaimed that this direct connection is why her love for the state runs so deeply.

The contemporary cousin

When requested to explain what sort of cousin his hometown could be, Fam-Lay stated, “the contemporary” one, doubling down on the distinctiveness that lies throughout the folks with roots and connections to Virginia.

“Virginia is a melting pot of so many issues, and I’m positive different areas have that, however Virginia is one thing else,” he concluded. “Man, we all the time say we’re like a farm. We’ve all the greens and fruit; we develop all of them. The one factor is, we don’t actually have the grocery retailer to get it out, however we breed and develop the perfect fruit and greens. So, I assume we’d be the contemporary cousin.”

Cousinz Competition 2025 was a sold-out occasion, with an attendance of 10,000 followers from throughout, celebrating Black music, tradition, legacy and meals with the Stormy Blue Meals Truck Expertise, the place followers had the chance to vote on their favorites from a group of distributors together with Slutty Vegan, Insurgent Taco, Ziggy’s Road Eats, Little bit of Maine, Get Lit Catering, Get Misplaced VB, Stuff Truffles, Verde and Plate Me Please.