Warmth, humidity and occasional rain didn’t dampen the facility of the 2025 Nationwide Hashish Competition (NCF), a weekend that promoted peace, positivity and progress by way of coverage discussions, distributors, and crowd-rocking acts on the Fields at RFK Campus July 18-19.
With a number of performances from native artists, thought-provoking discussions, participating actions, and greater than 140,000 attendees, the two-day occasion was not solely enjoyable, however showcased the power of each District and hashish tradition.
“The legalization of hashish in Washington, D.C., was part of a progressive motion, and a number of artists and folks had been part of the motion. And so after they acquired the win, when it was made authorized in Washington, D.C., I believe that it was one way or the other immediately related to a number of artists,” stated D.C. native Nyame-Kye Kondo, additionally identified by her stage title Meche Korrect.
For Kondo, a multihyphenate artist and humanities educator, taking the competition stage as Meche Korrect on July 18 was a full circle second.
“I really feel very privileged. I keep in mind when the Nationwide Hashish Competition began and I attended some time again, and it was cute,” she instructed The Informer a couple of hours earlier than her competition debut. “I keep in mind again then pondering, ‘Oh, man, I needs to be on this stage.’ And now I’m. I’m excited.”
Nonetheless the street to the NCF stage was not direct.
“I’ve been performing for principally my complete life, since I used to be very younger, however I really was on a hiatus once I acquired this chance, and I solely actually acquired it as a result of I had planted a seed up to now and had forgotten about it,” the 35-year-old artist defined. “So I really feel blessed.”
Having facilitated a camp all summer season— together with the Friday of her efficiency— the competition, that includes artists similar to: Large Boi, Three 6 Mafia, Ty Dolla Signal, Curren$y, Yard Band and Black Alley, was a serious change from her current routine.
“I believe that being a Washington native, it is a actually nice alternative and so I be ok with it, and I really feel like all the pieces I’ve gone by way of sort of leads as much as such a constructive alternative,” she defined.
A graduate of Duke Ellington College of the Arts, the vocalist and storyteller carried out new tunes and beforehand recorded music alongside a dwell band, and included multimedia parts, African dancers and even a hula hooper.
“I’m simply taking audiences on a little bit journey actual fast,” she stated, “and giving them one thing good originally of this nice present.”
Immediately following Kondo’s efficiency, fellow Duke Ellington alumna Kailasa Aqeel-– lead vocalist and co-writer for Black People Don’t Swim? —- lit up the stage with the band’s electrifying, funk-filled and soulful set.
After their participating set, she stated it was an unbelievable honor being featured on the identical lineup as legendary artists who’ve impressed her for years, in addition to others like Kondo, who she has identified most of her life.
“These are performers that I look as much as and I’ve seen carry out and been impressed with over time,” Aqeel instructed The Informer quickly after she and the band electrified the competition stage. “It’s thrilling.”
Placing on for D.C., Selling Advocacy, Training, Unity
Like Kondo and most of the artists on the lineup, for Aqeel, attending to the Nationwide Hashish Competition stage has come after years of onerous work, collaboration and an unwavering willpower to uplift individuals by way of music.
“I began with the band in 2018, and we’re right here immediately— seven years later,” stated Aqeel, 33, earlier than recognizing NCF for its intentionality in offering a platform for D.C. artists to shine. “It’s vital to be acknowledged after persevering with this observe of writing, collaborating, rehearsing, and expressing ourselves on stage and on the planet.”
In her second yr performing on the competition, Kayce Bailey, lead singer of the celebrated band Black Alley, emphasised the significance of the competition highlighting native artists.
“The music scene in D.C. is so common. It’s so ingrained within the tradition of the town. Like, you can not come right here and never put [local artists] like us on the stage. The individuals in D.C. wish to hear a little bit go-go… I respect the Nationwide Hashish Competition for doing that,” Bailey instructed The Informer, on Friday, earlier than lighting up the stage. “Yard goes to be right here tomorrow. I do know that’s going to be lit.”
Past the music, Bailey stated that the band enjoys taking part within the competition for a few of the constructive messages promoted by way of its programming, noting NCF “as an incredible trigger” that “brings consciousness.”
“I really feel like there are a number of efforts within the hashish business that could possibly be useful to individuals— psychological well being, even bodily well being,” she stated. “That is an occasion that… brings pleasure to individuals.”
For Caroline Phillips, NCF founder and govt director, the purpose has at all times been about making a protected area to community, advocate, and are available collectively within the title of hashish. By way of summits, neighborhood engagement, advocacy, and the annual competition, Phillips has stayed true to her dedication of not solely uplifting the hashish business, however preventing to make it extra equitable after years of Black and brown individuals being disproportionately incarcerated attributable to harsh marijuana legal guidelines and sentences.
Regardless of progress, Phillips emphasizes there’s nonetheless work to do and the 140,000 competition attendees assist additional that mission.
“We’re so excited to host one other epic Nationwide Hashish Competition celebration at this vital time for hashish advocacy,” Phillips stated in a press release earlier than the two-day occasion.
Grateful for the chance to take the stage Friday evening, Kondo additionally famous she appreciated the empowering nature of Nationwide Hashish Competition programming.
“It actually shines gentle on the academic facet of hashish, which I believe is vital,” she stated, earlier than highlighting its skill to unify individuals within the title of hashish tradition and music, even at a divided time for the nation. “I do know that some individuals might not deem one thing like [cannabis] vital, however I really feel just like the Nationwide Hashish Competition brings good individuals collectively.”
