ONE Musicfest 2023 was one for the books! In partnership with Live Nation Urban, the Southeast’s premier festival made history this past weekend with record-breaking attendance, solidifying its position as one of the most iconic music festivals in the nation. With 100,000 fans gathering at Piedmont Park, ONE Musicfest saw a 100% increase, proving that its magnetic pull continues to draw music lovers from all corners of the country. The festival, known for its diverse lineup and unforgettable performances, spanned two days and featured three electrifying stages.
On October 28th and 29th, festival-goers showed up and showed out to enjoy all of OMF’s culture-driven offerings. From a varied lineup in food, music, brand activations, vendor merchandise, and art, every attendee could find their place at this annual homecoming.
This year’s events were made even more remarkable by the presence of sponsors who curated interactive activations for fans to enjoy. Amongst others, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, Sprite, Jack Daniels, and Red Bull provided festival-goers with unique experiences throughout the weekend. Over seventy vendors were in attendance, providing fans with delicious eats, drinks, and trinkets to take home. At Sprite’s activation, fans were able to tap into their inner artist and perform and record in their own “recording booth.” Over at the Charmin activation, attendees could let loose in a foam ball pit where a lot of people took a quick dive in.
Over at the OMF Stage and P&G Stage, singer-songwriter Danielle Ponder set the mood with her bluesy voice. Throughout the day, performances by Fabolous, Jadakiss, Coco Jones, Kodak Black, and headliner Megan Thee Stallion kept fans on their feet all day. Lil Kim brought out surprise guests Sukihana and Eric Bellinger. Fans crowded around in anticipation as Janet Jackson graced the stage to headline day one. In true form, Janet and her dancers delivered a vibrant performance, with dynamic choreography to hits like “Control” and “Scream.” Jazze Pha, Jermaine Dupri, and J. Cole made special appearances during the Queen of Pop’s set.
On Sunday, AfroSoul Artist Nola Ade, originally from Chicago by way of Nigeria, opened up and set the tone for the energetic performances to come throughout the day at the Hip Hop 50 Stage. Waka Flocka‘s adrenaline-pumping performance had him jumping into the crowd. Paying homage to the ladies, legends Trina, Yo-Yo, and Lady of Rage showcased their bars in full female power essence. Killer Mike, accompanied by soul-stirring background singers, took the audience to church with his powerful performance. Headliner DJ Drama brought out his friends Too $hort, T.I., 2 Chainz, and the aforementioned Waka Flocka who gave Hip Hop its well-deserved flowers in this 50th anniversary year.
