RALEIGH, N.C. -- There are still several months to go before J. Cole's Dreamville Festival rocks Raleigh's Dorothea Dix Park, but it already has some people around the Triangle dreaming big.

  • J. Cole's Dreamville Festival first of its kind on Dix Park
  • Local musicians say this could be one of the most impactful events for NC's hip-hop scene
  • Lineup not yet announced


The music festival, which takes place on Sept. 15, is the first festival of its kind Dix Park has ever hosted. Dix Park master planner Kate Pearce says this event is an important test considering how the city sees the park becoming a Central Park-esque destination in the future.

"I think this is an awesome opportunity to basically showcase our city, showcase our community, and have Dix Park in that discussion," said Pearce. "A lot of the attendees have never been to Dix Park. Bringing them in and having them to experience what this has to offer is a win for us."

While city planners are focusing on the benefits for Dix Park, local musicians say this could be one of the most impactful events for North Carolina's hip-hop scene. Durham-based rapper Danny Blaze says with all of the out-of-state visitors likely to come to the Dreamville Festival, this could spread the North Carolina sound all across the country.

"You can't have something this big at home and not have people from home on it," said Blaze. "A lot of people don't really think of North Carolina when it comes to rap. We're not at the forefront of most people's minds. For J. Cole to have this festival here, that's huge."​

The lineup for Dreamville Festival has not been announced yet.

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