Dreamville Day One Recap with Photos

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Dreamville Festival’s 2025 edition, held at Raleigh’s Dorothea Dix Park, marked a poignant milestone: the festival’s fifth and final chapter (at least in its current form). Day One, on April 5, delivered a vibrant blend of nostalgia, showmanship, and the signature Dreamville family energy, with standout sets from Ludacris, Ari Lennox, and Bas anchoring the experience.

Ludacris’s set was a highlight, reminding everyone why he remains a titan in hip-hop performance. He ran through a seemingly endless arsenal of hits, from Move B—h to Stand Up, engaging the crowd with infectious energy and commanding stage presence. His performance wasn’t just a trip down memory lane—it was a lesson in how to keep a festival crowd moving, singing, and hyped from start to finish. Ludacris’s ability to bridge generations with his catalog made his set one of the most universally celebrated moments of the day.

Ari Lennox, fresh off her “Soft Girl Era” single, dazzled the Dreamville audience in a fringy pink minidress, her vocals soaring with the confidence and ease of a true industry veteran. Her set was both a celebration and a homecoming, as she paid homage to her Carolina roots and delivered crowd favorites with emotional depth. Lennox’s performance stood out for its vocal mastery and genuine connection with the audience, further cementing her as one of R&B’s brightest stars.

Bas, a Dreamville mainstay, used his set to announce a new album, energizing longtime fans and newcomers alike. His performance was a testament to the label’s legacy, blending sharp lyricism with dynamic stagecraft. Bas’s chemistry with the crowd and his ability to weave new material with fan favorites made his set a cornerstone of Day One’s lineup.

-S. Parker