by Janee Bolden
October 28, 2025
One Musicfest 2025 proved unstoppable—a mirrored image of the tradition it celebrates
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 pageant delivered a dynamic lineup that honored Atlanta’s legacy whereas spotlighting the following era of stars.
“Atlanta is our house, and this 12 months we’re celebrating it within the largest manner attainable—with Future, Ludacris, and a historic Dungeon Household Reunion honoring the life and legacy of Rico Wade, a real large in hip hop,” ONE Musicfest Founder Jason “J.” Carter stated by way of press launch.
Shifting the largest Black-owned music pageant within the nation to its Piedmont Park location this 12 months 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 outcome 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 Complete World,” and “I Like The Means 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 automobile accident, carried out triumphantly from a black motorbike. 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 & Buddies placed on a present that blended stay instrumentation, lyrical prowess, and impactful visitor appearances. Opening with “What They Do” and “You Acquired Me,” Black Thought, Questlove, and firm have been joined by Havoc of Mobb Deep for a couple of East Coast classics earlier than Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star stormed the stage. Busta’s kinetic power—backed by his verses from “Look At Me Now,” “Cross the Courvoisier,” and “State of affairs”—set the tone for a robust shut that includes Mary J. Blige, who emerged to carry out “Be Comfortable” and “Love And not using 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 lure home accented by bursts of flame and fireworks—captured Future’s dynamic power.
Rain, wind, and funky temperatures couldn’t dampen the 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 Journey lineup, together with 803 Recent, DJ Clean, Tonio Armani, Mike Clark Jr., Cupid, Sky Watley, and Large Chad Reed, saved the power up as followers line-danced their manner by way of the climate.
Although Chief Keef was unable to carry out, D-Good saved 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 get together. 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 turned 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 Kind ‘Em Out together with “So Be It,” “Ace Trumpets,” “F.I.C.O.,” and “P.O.V.” Pusha T and Malice provided an impactful efficiency, however with a later time slot their visible affect may have been even higher at nighttime as a result of the video footage that accompanied their present, didn’t pop as a lot because it might need at evening.
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 way of heartfelt renditions of “Decide Up Your Emotions,” “Let It Burn,” and “Woman Like Me.”
Then got here Lloyd, whose easy 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 Celebration At?” and “Let’s Get Married,” the group’s harmonies carried by way of the crisp evening air, inspiring sing-alongs and gradual dances throughout the park.
Doechii, the self-proclaimed Swamp Princess, would possibly take house the crown for finest set design of the weekend. Surrounded by ethereal forest projections, she turned her efficiency right into a vivid escape, rapping by way of “Persuasive,” “Alter Ego,” “Boiled Peanuts,” and “Nervousness.” At the same time as she teased the gang—“Why is it so chilly, Atlanta?”—her confidence by no means wavered. Her charisma and power turned the nippiness 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 hundreds swelled in quantity, revealing a sea of lights from these gathered with their telephone 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 way 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 way 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 power with “Dey Know (Remix),” “All There,” and “Put On.” Simply when it felt just like the evening couldn’t climb increased, Fergie shocked the gang together 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 Buddies” 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 keep in mind this for the remainder of my life,” he advised the gang.
The evening ended with a coordinated drone present lighting up the Atlanta sky as Luda powered by way of “All I Do Is Win” and “Transfer (B****).” “The largest flex of the evening 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 way 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 pageant captured each side of Atlanta’s musical DNA: historical past, innovation, and coronary heart.
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