The highly anticipated Dreamville Festival has announced the launch of its exclusive Dreamville x Champion Cloud Collection, curated by visionary designer Raeana. Inspired by the festival’s vibrant energy, the collection merges cutting-edge style with urban flair, capturing the essence of music culture.
Each limited-edition piece reflects Raeana’s creativity and connection to the music world. It features bold graphics synonymous with Champion’s signature aesthetic and Dreamville’s iconic brand.
The collection includes statement tees adorned with striking artwork and sleek hoodies blending comfort with street-chic allure. Whether dancing in the crowd or exploring the festival grounds, these pieces fuse style and functionality, ensuring attendees stand out while staying comfortable.
Additionally, another non-exclusive Dreamville Champion collection, launched on 3/27, is open to non-festival attendees, offering fans a chance to embrace the Dreamville spirit from anywhere. Available here.
J. Cole is continuing to tease his next album. In a new clip leaked online, Cole delivers an impressive set of bars while riding his bike. The video is part of his Might Delete Later vlog, which has captured pieces of Cole’s life lately.
In related news, Dreamville Festival, the flagship music event founded by global superstar J. Cole and his entertainment brand Dreamville, is set to return to Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 6th and 7th, 2024. Following last year’s record-setting success, the festival promises an electrifying weekend of music, art, and community.
SZA and Chris Brown will headline the festival on Saturday, April 6th, while J. Cole and Nicki Minaj will take center stage on Sunday, April 7th, to close out their respective performances.
Several multi-platinum, award-winning artists, including Lil Yachty, ScHoolboy Q, Jeremih, Rema, Jeezy, Monica, Rae Sremmurd, and more, are joining the star-studded lineup. Notably, J. Cole is also bringing together members from his Dreamville roster, including J.I.D, EARTHGANG, Bas, and Cozz, for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of music.
With over 25 artists set to perform across the two days, Dreamville Festival 2024 aims to solidify its position as the world’s largest artist-led music festival. Beyond the music, attendees can expect various attractions, carnival rides, immersive art installations, local vendors, food trucks, and artisanal offerings.
Tickets for the festival are on sale now. A portion of the proceeds will support the Dreamville Foundation and Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy, the festival’s official charity partners.
As Dreamville Festival enters its fourth edition, J. Cole and the Dreamville team continue to demonstrate their commitment to community, diversity, and inclusivity, making it a must-attend event for music lovers and festival-goers alike.
Back in February, J. Cole used a burner account, @mightdelete_26 to tease a new song, presumably from his long-awaited seventh studio album The Fall Off. Buried amid a mid-90s-esque, ‘zine-style vlog, Cole secreted away a snippet of the track, which featured a new direction for him sonically. It looks like he’s going to continue to use the account to preview new music despite its handle, as he returned with another new post today.
Once again, the post included grainy, low-fi footage interspersing behind-the-scenes vignettes with ’90s CD-ROM UI graphics, Cole’s workout, skate-video fisheye lenses, and infomercial-style advertising. This time, he snuck a couple of snippets into the video, one a mellow banger with fellow Dreamville rapper Bas and the other, with an aggressive beat. At the end, an infomercial graphic gives out “Lil Cole’s burner” phone number next to a spinning Nokia brick phone (indestructible!) as a clip of The Diplomats’ 2002 Diplomatic Immunity track “I’m Ready” plays in the background. Check the video out below.
Fans have been impatiently waiting for The Fall Off since Cole first teased its existence at the end of his fifth album, KOD. Since then, he’s released another album, The Off-Season, and shared his “to-do list” revealing a loose timeline of when fans can expect The Fall Off. However, he still has yet to provide a proper release date, preferring to bait fans with teasers and release rumors. But there are signs its coming; while on tour with Drake, J. Cole said the album is nearly nearly done, telling concertgoers, “Right now, I’m at the tail end of working on this album.”
Dreamville Festival, the flagship music event founded by global superstar J. Cole and his entertainment brand Dreamville, is set to return to Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 6th and 7th, 2024. Following last year’s record-setting success, the festival promises an electrifying weekend of music, art, and community.
SZA and Chris Brown will headline the festival on Saturday, April 6th, while J. Cole and Nicki Minaj will take center stage on Sunday, April 7th, to close out their respective performances.
Several multi-platinum, award-winning artists, including Lil Yachty, ScHoolboy Q, Jeremih, Rema, Jeezy, Monica, Rae Sremmurd, and more, are joining the star-studded lineup. Notably, J. Cole is also bringing together members from his Dreamville roster, including J.I.D, EARTHGANG, Bas, and Cozz, for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of music.
With over 25 artists set to perform across the two days, Dreamville Festival 2024 aims to solidify its position as the world’s largest artist-led music festival. Beyond the music, attendees can expect various attractions, carnival rides, immersive art installations, local vendors, food trucks, and artisanal offerings.
Tickets for the festival are on sale now. A portion of the proceeds will support the Dreamville Foundation and Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy, the festival’s official charity partners.
As Dreamville Festival enters its fourth edition, J. Cole and the Dreamville team continue to demonstrate their commitment to community, diversity, and inclusivity, making it a must-attend event for music lovers and festival-goers alike.
After months of anticipation, Dreamville Festival has announced its 2024 lineup. The festival, which will take place on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, will be headlined by SZA, Nicki Minaj, and Chris Brown, with performances from Amaarae, Domani, Jeezy, Jeremih, Key Glock, Lil Yachty, Monica, Muni Long, Rae Sremmurd, Rema, ScHoolboy Q, Sexyy Red (who has been appearing on a lot of unexpected festival lineups lately), Teezo Touchdown, and TiaCorine.
Naturally, J. Cole, Bas, Cozz, Earthgang, JID, Lute, and Omen are also billed. Curiously, Ari Lennox doesn’t appear on the flyer, which hopefully means she’s busy working on her follow-up to Age/Sex/Location.
According to the press release, two-day GA tickets are now on sale in limited quantities, with a portion of proceeds being donated to the festival’s official charity partners, the Dreamville Foundation and Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy. You can find more information at DreamvilleFest.com.
See below for the full lineup.
Dreamville Festival Lineup For Saturday, April 6
SZA
Chris Brown
JID
Lil Yachty
Schoolboy Q
Sexyy Red
Jeremih
Earthgang
Teezo Touchdown
Amaarae
Lute
Luh Tyler
Domani
Dreamville Festival Lineup For Sunday, April 7
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Rema
Jeezy
Monica
Rae Sremmurd
Key Glock
Bas
Muni Long
Cozz
Omen
TiaCorine
Chase Shakur
Music festival season starts in just a few months, and while a number of the most anticipated lineups have been released for both old faves (Baja Beach Fest, Roots Picnic) and new startups (Jack Harlow’s Gazebo Festival, new indie fest Best Friends Forever), one that fans have been looking forward to with no word is J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival. So far, the only perfomer confirmed to be on the lineup (that isn’t also a member of Dreamville Records) is Nicki Minaj. So, when will Dreamville reveal its 2024 lineup?
As we noted late last year, we can only speculate based on prior announcements. Although Dreamville announced its 2023 lineup that February, February 2024 has come and gone (with an extra day, no less!), so it’s more likely that this year’s announcement will fall in line with the announcement from 2022, which was in early March. That means an announcement could be only days away (or even minutes, as of this writing). While we know at least some of the performers who’ll be appearing — Dreamville members Ari Lennox, Bas, Cozz, Earthgang, JID, Lute, Omen, and of course, J. Cole — it’s always fun to see how Cole and the gang will surprise us with both contemporaries like Burna Boy and Summer Walker and throwbacks like Usher and Waka Flocka Flame, who all performed last year.
Atlanta rap duo EarthGang have carved out a sonically unique niche for themselves within the rap genre, which elevates them to the status of underground legends. With nearly 3.5 million monthly Spotify listeners, the duo have solidified their catalogue with complex genre-blending bangers, making them one of the most fascinating rap acts currently working. The pair, who are signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville label alongside frequent collaborators such as JID, Bas, and Ari Lennox, have been releasing a series of EPs under the banner EarthGang vs. The Algorithm, with their latest effortRobophobia showcasing the encroaching influences of artificial intelligence on art and music. Robophobia offers yet another sonic curveball for fans of the eccentric group, with funk and trap influences blending the group’s sound into a cornucopia of high-intensity jams.
EarthGang’s Robophobia lends itself to a number of fascinating sounds. This is evident right from the beginning, as the first song “Blacklight” offers a smooth funk tune which entices and sucks listeners into the immersive world of the growing EarthGang Vs. The Algorithm narrative. “Blacklight” served as the lead single for the tape, initially released in November 2023. Although already available to the public, the song takes on a new significance when considered within the broader context of Robophobia, highlighting human error and imperfection in an era increasingly dominated by digital creation and auto-tuned vocal passages.
The following track, “Put In Work” opens with a few jazzy piano thrusts before launching into a thumping banger with alternative vocalist Tommy Newport featured on the hook. The track possesses a versatile quality, suitable for both a lively nightclub atmosphere and a relaxed smoke session at home. However, its infectious basslines and pulsating percussion may compel you to involuntarily leap from your seat and bust out a few dance moves.
The Duo Frequently Switch Roles In Their Music
While both Olu and WowGr8 are recognized for their versatility in music, Olu has developed a reputation for leading the melodic and note-carrying aspects of most EarthGang tracks, while WowGr8 often employs lyrical double entendres that appeal to die-hard hip-hop enthusiasts. This dynamic is evident on some Robophobia tracks, such as “Put In Work,” but shifts on songs like “Osmosis,” where WowGr8’s heavenly vocal arrangements take center stage while Olu raps like the rent is due.
As the project’s closing track, “Perfect Fantasy” offers powerful sample-heavy production, with a concluding through-line about celebrating life’s blessings. The track also showcases the best guest feature on the effort, with a lively performance from West Coast legend Snoop Dogg. The 52-year-old MC has delivered a few underwhelming features in recent years, though the “Murder Was The Case” rapper knew to bring his A-game when working with one of the most talented and creative duos active today.
Due to the nature of EarthGang’s ever-changing sound and style, Robophobia has as much potential to be your favorite project from the duo as it does to be your least favorite. Fans of the group will surely appreciate the bold new direction the EP takes, though some more lyrically inclined listeners may prefer EarthGang’s earlier work. At the end of the day, the EP accomplishes its stated goals, to make contemplative genre-blending music which furthers the narrative of EarthGang vs. the Algorithm, and truly makes the listener think about the state of art and music in a digital landscape.
J. Cole season is slowly approaching as the legendary rapper recently shared a snippet of a new track, titled “Might Delete Later, Vol. 1.” The supposed latest taste of his next album, The Fall Off, sees him spitting bars through a low resolution black and white filter. Coming off an epic run of guest features last year and an arena tour with Drake, J. Cole appears to be gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated seventh studio album. The production credits of “Might Delete Later, Vol. 1” are unknown, but one could assume that J. Cole created the beat given he produces the majority of his music.
While he is regarded as a top-tier lyricist, his skills as a producer should not go unnoticed. From his early mixtapes to his biggest hit singles, J. Cole created his own sound as a beat-maker. However, in the vlog that debuted “Might Delete Later Vol. 1,” he admitted that he feels a bit rusty as a producer. As we await the release of The Fall Off, here is a look at J. Cole’s best beats. Ranked from least to greatest, these selections primarily consist of J. Cole tracks and are solely self-produced without co-producers. Take a look at the list below.
The sped-up sample of Curtis Mayfield’s “Think” on “Nobody’s Perfect” instantly grabs the attention of listeners as it is looped into a spectacular instrumental. Serving as the lead melody, the beat steadily builds and excitingly drops with energetic drum programming. The loop may be simplistic, but it is effective in assisting the multiple flows in Cole’s verses, as well as the sung chorus from Missy Elliott. While the sample shapes the main backing for the track, the additional instrumentation makes the song even more dynamic as the drums start and stop between verses.
6. “Wet Dreamz” (2014)
The cinematic string section on “Wet Dreamz,” along with thumping drum breaks, create a compelling soundtrack for one of Cole’s most iconic storytelling moments. For the song’s production, J. Cole chopped the beginning of Family Circle’s “Mariya,” rearranging the strings and pitching up the vocals to produce the lead melody. The drum loop derives from “Impeach The President” by The Honey Drippers, which had previously been sampled by the likes of Nas, Dr. Dre, 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., and others. Following in the footsteps of numerous hip-hop greats, J. Cole flipped the drums for his own classic story. The traditional yet emotional beat puts the attention on Cole to vividly depict his first sexual experience in his bars and melodic chorus.
5. Kendrick Lamar – “HiiiPower” (2011)
J. Cole reserves the majority of his best production for his own albums, but one of his greatest beats is the one he crafted for Kendrick Lamar’s “HiiiPower.” On the first of many collaborations between the two, J. Cole sampled Jeremy Steig’s “Hang On To A Dream.” The chopped, sped-up, and looped instrumental made for a powerful closing track on Lamar’s debut album, Section.80. The stuttering flute melody and pounding drum pattern made for not just one of J. Cole’s best beats, but one of Kendrick Lamar’s greatest songs. The overall production conveys a commanding and passionate tone that demands the attention of listeners.
“Villuminati” appropriately sets the tone as the opening track for J. Cole’s second studio album, Born Sinner. While the song interpolates multiple rap classics in its lyrics, the instrumental consists of two main samples. J. Cole impressively flipped R. Kelly’s “I Wish (Remix) (To The Homies That We Lost)” into a hauntingly beautiful string section. The deep orchestration is complemented by a sample of the drums from Arrested Development’s “People Everyday.” Together, the combined result is J. Cole’s greatest album intro which allows him to be both deeply personal, thoughtful, and occasionally braggadocious. The suspenseful and meditative production propels J. Cole to spit some of his most lyrically determined bars ever.
3. “Crooked Smile” (2013)
Born Sinner is a very soulful album, with live instrumentation and gospel samples riddled throughout its tracklist. One of its many self-produced standouts is “Crooked Smile” featuring TLC. Arguably the prettiest beat in J. Cole’s production discography, it is lively with its main piano melody, live bass guitar, synth leads, strings, and an organ. The layered production is centered around a prominently featured sample of Jennifer Hudson’s “No One Gonna Love You,” emulating the chipmunk soul era of the 2000s. “Crooked Smile” is not just one of J. Cole’s best overall songs, but its production showcases his musicianship. It embodies the musical themes of Born Sinner as a touching song about beauty standards and self-love.
2. “Let Nas Down” (2013)
In addition to “Wet Dreamz,” one of J. Cole’s best beats is one of his most iconic storytelling tracks in “Let Nas Down.” The production on the lyrically introspective track revolves around a sample of “Gentleman” by Fela Kuti and The Afrika 70. The saxophone and vocal are accentuated by additional instrumentation, which is layered and stripped back throughout the song. J. Cole’s production creates a sense of emotional depth that drives the impact of his lyrics, resulting in a well-executed open letter to his hip-hop idol.
No song in J. Cole’s discography displays his production skills quite like “G.O.M.D.” as the beat experiences various musical transformations. It starts with a chopped sample of Branford Marsalis’s “Berta, Berta,” a song about a prison inmate telling his wife to remarry. Cole adds heavy 808 kick drums alongside shimmering strings as the beat transitions into the verses. The J. Cole production is both sentimentally expressive with its sample chops and layered embellishments and bouncy with its hip-hop percussion. The final beat switch at the end sees Cole utilizing a different part of the sample with a minimal drum pattern that maintains the song’s vibrance. “G.O.M.D.” is undoubtedly J. Cole’s best production, taking listeners on a journey of masterfully crafted elements that come together to forge a breathtaking hip-hop classic.
In a surprising turn of events, J. Cole has sent shockwaves through social media with the release of a teaser for what appears to be his upcoming song titled “Might Delete Later.” The rapper, known for his thought-provoking lyrics and unique storytelling, has once again captured the attention of fans with a mysterious black and white video. Earlier today, Cole took to his social media platforms to share the teaser, a two-minute snippet of a song accompanied by visuals of him rapping in various locations around a hotel. The track itself features a sparse piano instrumental that gradually builds momentum with the introduction of drums.
However, the most intriguing aspect comes when Cole addresses individuals who seek favors without putting in any effort to earn them. The teaser takes an unexpected turn as Cole spits a bar about being interrupted by the police, only to be interrupted in the video at that very moment. This clever twist left fans speculating about the deeper meaning behind the song and the artistic choices made in the teaser. Rightfully so, fans are super excited. As J. Cole is currently on tour with Drake, now seems like the perfect time to promote some new music.
Social media platforms erupted with excitement and anticipation as fans shared their reactions to the teaser. One user couldn’t help but wonder if Cole’s next album is on the horizon, writing, “J Cole just dropped this teaser titled ‘MIGHT DELETE LATER.’ Is his next album coming sooner than we think? ” Another fan suggested that the rollout for J. Cole’s next project has officially begun, signaling a new era for the acclaimed rapper. “He sounds hungrier than ever,” commented one fan, expressing enthusiasm about the perceived intensity and passion in Cole’s delivery. The sentiment was echoed by another follower who boldly declared, “Best MC of our era and I stand by it,” affirming J. Cole’s enduring impact on the hip-hop scene.
The teaser left fans buzzing with excitement, with many describing the preview as “craaaayyyy.” As social media continues to buzz with speculation and anticipation, it’s evident that J. Cole’s “Might Delete Later” teaser has successfully reignited the fervor surrounding his music. As the cryptic messages and engaging visuals captivate audiences, one can only wonder what the acclaimed rapper has in store for his eager fan base. Are you excited for new J. Cole?
Benny The Butcher says that his “Johnny P’s Caddy” collaborator, J. Cole, is the best rapper alive. He made the case for the Dreamville artist during an interview with HipHopDX. Additionally, he reflected on attending a writing camp with the Dreamville roster.
“I’ma have to say Cole [is the best rapper alive],” he said. “Like right now, fresh in my memory right now. It gotta be that kid there, man. It’s a different aura with him, right? He always been a contender but I feel like he’s coming into his own right and standing over it. You know how [Lil] Wayne said he’s claiming it? I kinda feel like he’s claiming it right now. And he’s done enough where he could claim it.”
Benny The Butcher Celebrates The Release Of “Everbody Can’t Go”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 29: Benny The Butcher attends the “Everybody Can’t Go” Album Release Party on January 29, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
As for the writing camp, Benny added: “I was at the Revenge of the Dreamers writing camp not too long ago and [J. Cole] was in there every day going crazy. It was fire. A whole bunch of rappers in there – JID, Smino, Daylyt, me, Cole. A bunch of producers – [so many] I can’t even remember… Westside Gunn, Lil Yachty was through there.” Benny previously named Cole’s contribution to “Johnny P’s Caddy” the best guest verse of his career during an interview at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards. Check out his full comments on J. Cole below.
Benny The Butcher Discusses J. Cole
Benny recently dropped his long-awaited fourth studio album, Everybody Can’t Go. It features collaborations with Armani Caesar, Babyface Ray, Conway the Machine, Jadakiss, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Stove God Cooks, and Westside Gunn, among others. Be on the lookout for further updates on Benny The Butcher and J. Cole on HotNewHipHop.
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(@MilleeGrazie) 
” Another fan suggested that the rollout for J. Cole’s next project has officially begun, signaling a new era for the acclaimed rapper. “He sounds hungrier than ever,” commented one fan, expressing enthusiasm about the perceived intensity and passion in Cole’s delivery. The sentiment was echoed by another follower who boldly declared, “Best MC of our era and I stand by it,” affirming J. Cole’s enduring impact on the hip-hop scene.