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J. Cole Celebrates Drake's 'Greatness' at Dreamville Festival
It was a historic night for hip-hop as J. Cole and Drake came together at Dreamville Fest.
As promised, the rap titans closed out Sunday’s festival with a co-headlining set at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Taking the “Shine” stage, Cole kicked things off around 9:30 p.m. with his 2010 single “Who Dat” before running through his catalog with hits like “Middle Child,” “a lot,” and “Power Trip.” He was also joined by his Dreamville family including J.I.D, Bas, EarthGang, Cozz, Lute, and Omen.
About 30 minutes into his set, the moment fans had been waiting for finally arrived 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 Direct (@DrakeDirect_) April 3, 2023
Marvin’s Room at #DreamvilleFest pic.twitter.com/X69eD42mh6
— Drake Direct (@DrakeDirect_) April 3, 2023
“My brother told me to do some songs you don’t normally perform,” Drake told the crowd.
Drake then brought out his own surprise guests, starting with GloRilla, who performed “F.N.F. (Let’s Go).” Lil Uzi Vert had the crowd singing along to “XO TOUR LIf3” and “Just Wanna Rock” before the “boss” Lil Wayne joined Drake for “The Motto” as well as “Uproar” and “A Milli.” 21 Savage and Drake then served up their collaborations including “Knife Talk” and Her Loss‘s “Rich Flex.”
Drake brought out Lil Uzi Vert at J Cole’s Dreamville Fest 🔥🦉🦇pic.twitter.com/d89ovFyQy1
— uziawge 👽🔊💕🏩🛸 ピンク 🕴🏾 (@uziawge) April 3, 2023
Drake brings out lil Wayne at dreamville fest 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/MxsO2G4bo1
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) April 3, 2023
21 Savage & Drake Performing “Rich Flex” At Dreamville Festival🦉🗡️pic.twitter.com/An6fDcvl5p
— Rap301 (@Rap301_) April 3, 2023
“My brother asked me to show up here like a year ago. I’m trying to do the best I can do for you,” Drake said while wearing a UNC Asheville Bulldogs jersey.
He capped off his performance by playing Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” a tradition started by Lil Wayne at his shows.
“The greatest rapper in the world used to do this at his show every night,” said Drake. “I’ma play this next song and if you love this man like I love this man, you’ll sing as loud as you can.”
Drake ends his set with Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ showing love to J Cole pic.twitter.com/ao49uefj1g
— Drake Direct (@DrakeDirect_) April 3, 2023
J Cole giving Drake his flowers 💐 pic.twitter.com/9zYyTGFS71
— Drake Direct (@DrakeDirect_) April 3, 2023
As fans sang along and lit up the sky with their phones, Cole returned to the stage to give Drake his flowers.
“This man right here bro, I’m such a fan and I feel like I’m speaking for all of us when I say this bro, we are fu**ing wowed, amazed, 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 constantly serve us and bless us with the fu**ing soundtrack to our lives. I’m blown away by your greatness, bro.”
The two-day Dreamville Fest also included performances from Summer Walker, Burna Boy, GloRilla, and Usher, who pranked fans with a Beyoncé-inspired April Fools’ joke.