Atlanta’s Homecoming Of Culture And Sound –

ONE Musicfest returned to Atlanta’s Piedmont Park on Oct. 25 and 26, reaffirming its place as one of many South’s most important celebrations of Black music and tradition after 16 years. Regardless of chilly temperatures and rain over the OMF weekend, the competition delivered a dynamic lineup that honored Atlanta’s legacy whereas spotlighting the subsequent technology of stars.

“Atlanta is our house, and this yr we’re celebrating it within the largest manner doable—with Future, Ludacris, and a historic Dungeon Household Reunion honoring the life and legacy of Rico Wade, a real big in hip hop,” ONE Musicfest Founder Jason “J.” Carter stated by way of press launch. 

Transferring the largest Black-owned music competition within the nation to its Piedmont Park location this yr made for a game-changer—permitting more room for followers, activations, and accessibility. A number of entrance gates, ADA-friendly viewing sections, and a partnership with MARTA made arriving and leaving seamless. Model activations from Toyota, Herradura, Hennessy, Teremana, Bevel, and different P&G manufacturers dotted the park alongside a buzzing meals truck village, a karaoke stage, and strains of outside bogs. The end result was a extra expansive, inclusive expertise that also felt intimate.

Kehlani took the OMF Stage, bringing a soulful set, her voice floating effortlessly throughout Piedmont Park as she carried out “Folded” and crowd favorites like “Nights Like This.” 

Because the solar set, the Dungeon Household turned the P&G Stage into an Atlanta time capsule. Performing a plethora of classics like “Get Wealthy To This,” “They Don’t Dance No Mo’,” “Elevators (Me & You),” “Ms. Jackson,” “Git Up, Git Out,” “The Entire World,” and “I Like The Manner You Transfer,” the collective—that includes Goodie Mob, Large Boi, Killer Mike, Spine, Cool Breeze, Witchdoctor, and Sleepy Brown—reminded followers why they’re the heartbeat of Southern hip-hop.

Whereas André 3000 was noticeably absent, Large Boi, draped in a full-length fur, made his presence felt. Khujo Goodie, who misplaced a leg in a 2002 automotive accident, carried out triumphantly from a black bike. CeeLo Inexperienced took a solo flip for “Loopy,” proving that a long time later, Dungeon Household’s creativity nonetheless instructions the stage.

Over on the OMF Stage, The Roots & Mates placed on a present that blended stay instrumentation, lyrical prowess, and impactful visitor appearances. Opening with “What They Do” and “You Bought Me,” Black Thought, Questlove, and firm have been joined by Havoc of Mobb Deep for just a few East Coast classics earlier than Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star stormed the stage. Busta’s kinetic vitality—backed by his verses from “Look At Me Now,” “Move the Courvoisier,” and “Situation”—set the tone for a strong shut that includes Mary J. Blige, who emerged to carry out “Be Blissful” and “Love With out a Restrict.”

Throughout the park, Future headlined the P&G Stage with a pyrotechnic-heavy efficiency that paid homage to Younger Scooter earlier than unleashing a flurry of hits: “Identical Rattling Time,” “Commas,” “March Insanity,” and “Masks Off.” The set design—a backlit entice home accented by bursts of flame and fireworks—captured Future’s dynamic vitality.

On day two, the rain, wind, and funky temperatures couldn’t dampen the ONE Musicfest spirit. Early within the day, Keypsiia—daughter of Joi and Gipp Gilliam of Goodie Mob—kicked issues off, symbolically bridging generations. On the P&G Stage, the OMF Path Trip lineup, together with 803 Contemporary, DJ Easy, Tonio Armani, Mike Clark Jr., Cupid, Sky Watley, and Large Chad Reed, stored the vitality up as followers line-danced their manner by means of the climate.

Although Chief Keef was unable to carry out, D-Good stored the gang entertained with a star-studded set that includes Ari Lennox, Carl Thomas, Tweet, and Case, turning the OMF Stage right into a nostalgic R&B occasion. Actor and musician Leon Thomas adopted with standout performances of “Sure It Is” and “Mutt,” inspiring the viewers to sing alongside.

When Clipse hit the P&G Stage, followers migrated in droves for what grew to become one of many weekend’s most talked-about units. The Virginia brothers delivered classics like “Grindin’,” “What Occurred to That Boy,” and “Keys Open Doorways” whereas introducing newer materials from Let the Lord Type ‘Em Out together with “So Be It,” “Ace Trumpets,” “F.I.C.O.,” and “P.O.V.” Pusha T and Malice supplied an impactful efficiency, however with a later time slot their visible impression may have been even better at midnight as a result of the video footage that accompanied their present, didn’t pop as a lot because it might need at night time. 

Again on the OMF Stage, Jazmine Sullivan braved the chilly in all black, dedicating her efficiency to her late mom on her birthday. Her vocals soared by means of heartfelt renditions of “Choose Up Your Emotions,” “Let It Burn,” and “Lady Like Me.”

Then got here Lloyd, whose clean falsetto on “Lay It Down” and “You” had the gang swaying earlier than Jagged Edge joined to ship an emotional, nostalgia-fueled set. From “Promise” and “Walked Outta Heaven” to “The place the Social gathering At?” and “Let’s Get Married,” the group’s harmonies carried by means of the crisp night time air, inspiring sing-alongs and sluggish dances throughout the park.

Doechii, the self-proclaimed Swamp Princess, may take house the crown for greatest set design of the weekend. Surrounded by ethereal forest projections, she turned her efficiency right into a vivid escape, rapping by means of “Persuasive,” “Alter Ego,” “Boiled Peanuts,” and “Anxiousness.” At the same time as she teased the gang—“Why is it so chilly, Atlanta?”—her confidence by no means wavered. Her charisma and vitality turned the chilliness into pure electrical energy.

By the point Ludacris took the P&G Stage as Sunday’s headliner, the rain had stopped, and the gang of 1000’s swelled in quantity, revealing a sea of lights from these gathered with their cellphone cameras poised to seize his set. His opening—a shock efficiency of “Welcome to Atlanta” with Jermaine Dupri—set the tone for an Atlanta homecoming 25 years within the making.

Clad in a blue leather-based Braves-themed outfit with white compression layers beneath, Luda ripped by means of hit after hit: “Quantity One Spot,” “Throw Them Bows,” “Space Codes,” “Rollout (My Enterprise),” and “Stand Up.” Every observe got here with a shock visitor. Chingy joined for “Holidae In” and “Proper Thurr,” Bobby V slid by means of for “Pimpin’ All Over the World” and “Sluggish Down,” and Jadakiss ignited the gang with “Knock Your self Out” after teaming up with Luda for Nas’s “Made You Look (Remix).”

Then got here Shawnna for “What’s Your Fantasy” and “Gettin’ Some,” adopted by Jeezy, who raised the vitality with “Dey Know (Remix),” “All There,” and “Put On.” Simply when it felt just like the night time couldn’t climb increased, Fergie shocked the gang along with her first stay efficiency in seven years—flying in from Los Angeles to duet on “Glamorous” and “London Bridge.”

After which, Atlanta misplaced its collective thoughts. Usher joined Luda for “Lovers and Mates” and “Yeah!” earlier than LL Cool J, the artist who impressed Ludacris to rap, appeared to carry out “Who Do You Love.” The second introduced Luda to tears.

“I’m gonna bear in mind this for the remainder of my life,” he instructed the gang.

The night time ended with a coordinated drone present lighting up the Atlanta sky as Luda powered by means of “All I Do Is Win” and “Transfer (B****).” “The most important flex of the night time is all my songs are nonetheless related due to followers such as you,” he stated, closing with the opening notes of “Georgia” earlier than the stage went darkish.

Even by means of rain and chilly, One Musicfest 2025 proved unstoppable—a mirrored image of the tradition it celebrates. Between the Dungeon Household reunion and Ludacris’ star-studded finale, the competition captured each side of Atlanta’s musical DNA: historical past, innovation, and coronary heart.

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