The biggest narrative surrounding this year’s Dreamville Festival was that it’s the final installment, as J. Cole said in December 2024. But, it turns out that doesn’t mean Raleigh, North Carolina will be left hanging.
On stage this past weekend, Cole said (as seen in this video), “We will be back, just in a newer form.”
Officials previously confirmed this at an April 3 press conference, where it was noted that a new iteration of the festival will be hosted at Raleigh’s Dorothea Dix Park for at least the next four years. As Billboard notes, Dreamville and Live Nation festival producer Sascha Stone Guttfreund said, “We’re going to be here for years to come. This is a multi-year deal, and we’re so excited to be working with the city of Raleigh together on something new and exciting, and to continue to build on this incredible thing that we’ve done over the years.”
Raleigh City Manager Marchell Adams-David also noted, “We’re going to continue on the same path that’s been successful for us. Our consumers have told us what they like, and we’re going to try to provide that to them for the next four years. […] We’re using the Dreamville label to a certain extent. [Cole] will obviously be involved, whether or not he headlines. That’s probably not going to be an occurrence, but he is a local resident. He is totally committed to this community, and he is totally committed to this festival.”
Cole’s manager and business partner Ibrahim “Ib” Hamad added, “We wanted to keep the feeling of just the community. We call it our family reunion. I think a lot of people from all over the world and from all 50 states come in, and it’s good to be able to do it here in North Carolina.”
Dreamville Festival has comes to a close–at least in the way attendees have come to know it. For his final appearance at beloved multi-day event, JID kicked after a new era.
“You couldn’t even stop my drive to fill with 1955 / And I’m on ’85 doing 95 in a 1952 Dodge / I done seen so much with 2 eyes I don’t even feel a way / Just neutralize ’em / Been criticized, I’ve been scrutinized,” he rapped.
Last year, JID teased a collaboration with Anycia. However, the song has yet to be officially released. But don’t expect “Wrk” to be another vaulted gem. After performing the tune, a pre-save link (viewable here) for the song was shared online. Still, “Wrk” does not have a confirmed release date. From now, fans need to practice their patience.
“[The song preview was] really dedicated to the fans,” he said. “[I’m] letting them know [the album is] really happening opposed to just weightless words […] Sometimes you can’t control certain things and the business along with the music. But you have to make sure to take care of both of those things.”
JID’s forthcoming single “Wrk” is out soon. Find more information here.
During an interview with OkayPlayer, the Grammy Award-winner praised J.Cole’s mixtape run. When asked about her favorite version of Cole (mixtape run, studio album, or guest features), Rapsody didn’t hold back.
“Mixtape Cole,” she answered. “All the Coles are fire. All the Coles are legendary. But my favorite is Mixtape Cole.”
Rapsody continued by explaining the reason for her choice. “It’s attached to really good and raw memories,” she added. “Like, if you listen to Cole, and you’re a Cole fan or gotten to experience him in any way your first introduction had to be mixtape […] It was just a special really organic time authentic raw hip-hop time.”
She closed: “Mixtapes are kind of not a thing anymore. And the way that he came in the game and how he approached it… it was just special.”
Many of J. Cole’s diehard fans agree with Rapsody’s choice. J. Cole recently shared his mixtapes (The Come Up, Vol. 1, The Warm Up, and Friday Night Lights) to streaming, allowing new supporters to explore his back catalog.
Saturday Night Live is a program rooted in comedic collaboration. However, last night’s episode (April 5), the evening’s musical guests, Sir Elton John and Brandi Carlile, display of creative partnership stole the show.
Both entertainers have a long list of award-winning duets, but they pale in comparison to their union. During Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s appearance on SNL, they delivered two electrifying performances.
For their first set, the pair paid tribute to another musical icon, the late Little Richard. Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s performance of “Little Richard’s Bible” was an outright masterclass in musicianship. Between their instrumental solos and beautifully woven note exchanges, John and Carlile showed why fans have been desperate for a joint album from the duo.
For their final set, John and Carlile performed “Who Believes In Angels?” Although “Who Believes in Angels?” is the antithesis of “Little Richard’s Bible,” both in its composition and vocal arrangements, John and Carlile managed to keep the energy high.
Even viewers at home applauded both performances. Users online praised Elton John’s piano playing while reminding others of his recent eyesight issues.
Watch Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s Saturday Night Live performance of “Little Richard’s Bible” above and “Who Believes in Angels?” below.
After she teased 2025 would be a big for her, PinkPantheress announced a new mixtape. Although its trailer did not reveal its name or expected release date, PinkPantheress has treated supporters to the lead single, “Tonight.”
Today (April 6), PinkPantheress confirmed each of her upcoming mixtape’s featured tunes with a promotional spread of its tracklist in her Instagram stories. As expected, “Tonight” is among the other eight tracks set to appear on the project.
Another standout on the tracklist is the fan-favorite record, “Romeo.” Back in 2024, PinkPantheress posted a snippet of the song (which samples Basement Jaxx’s “Good Luck”) to her official TikTok page. However, despite the glowing response from followers the song never saw the light of day. That will change once PinkPantheress drops her mixtape.
PinkPantheress’ last full length project was her 2023 debut studio album, Heaven Knows. So, her supporters are more than ready for something new.
Continue below to view the confirmed tracklist for PinkPantheress’ upcoming mixtape.
Overwhelmingly 21 Savage’s discography is plastered with parental advisory stickers and explicit language labels. But the “Redrum” rapper wouldn’t have it any other the way as his music is an unfiltered reflection of his upbringing.
Yesterday (April 5) Dreamville Festival 2025 attendees were expecting those gritty verses during 21 Savage’s headlining performance. However, they were not prepare for his DJ’s contrasting set.
In a now viral video (viewable here), users online are simultaneously impressed and confused by 21 Savage’s DJ and musical director Marc B’s warm-up playlist before his performance.
During the holdover, Marc B worked his way through songs such as fun.’s “We Are Young” featuring Janelle Monáe, Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” and Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” Just like the festivalgoers in attendance, users online ate Marc’s set up.
Many even joked about how the blend of “pop bops” served as the perfect palate cleaner before 21 Savage’s hard-hitting records. Over on Instagram, Marc B responded to the growing chatter surrounding his set.
“Because Live Nation posted it I gotta be doing something right ,” he wrote. “S/O to Dreamville man. definitely brought the energy for Savage whole set 1000x better than what I expected .”
As expected most attendees’ attention was focused on the evening’s headliners including Lil Wayne, 21 Savage, and PartyNextDoor. However, Dreamville Records signee Bas found a way to snatch back their gaze. During the “Ho Chi Minh” rapper’s Dreamville Festival 2025 set he announced his forthcoming album, Melanchronica.
“A new album from Bas and The Hics,” read the first sign confirming it is a reunion of longtime collaborators.
“6. 17. 25,” read the second poster.
“Would you like a preview,” asked the final sign.
As the audience’s hype began to build, Bas appeared as an unreleased tune from the upcoming body of work played. Bas rapped the song’s retrospective verses to give supporters a lyrical preview of what’s to come. Continue below to view the tracklist and cover art shared to Apple Music.
However, over on the festival’s Instagram page it confirmed Mexican newspaper El Universal‘s tragic reports. According to the outlet, yesterday (April 5) a crane transporting a decorative metal object collapsed killing two people (photographers 26-year-old Miguel Angel Rojas, and 28-year-old Berenice Giles).
AXE Ceremonia Festival 2025 organizers have released a statement following the fatal incident. “With deep sadness, we confirm the passing of the two people who were injured during today’s incident,” wrote an AXE Ceremonia on Instagram. “We are deeply heartbroken by this loss. We are reaching out to their families to support them during this incredibly difficult time and to provide them with all our care and solidarity. The safety of our community has always been our priority, and we continue, as from the very beginning, to maintain close collaboration and complete transparency with the authorities. We will continue to share official updates about the event through our social media channels.”
The Miguel Hidalgo Mayor’s Office have addressed the deadly matter over on X (formerly Twitter). “The teams from the Miguel Hidalgo Government and Legal Affairs, along with the borough’s Civil Protection department and the Administrative Verification Institute of Mexico City, completed the inspection and placed suspension seals at the entrances to AXE Ceremonia in Bicentennial Park,” read the statement.
In a separate message (viewable here), the office announced it has launched a formal investigation into the matter.
To ensure festivalgoers have enough time to plan out their time on the Empire Polo Club grounds, yesterday (April 5) Coachella 2025 organizers released Weekend 1’s confirmed set times. Continue below to view. All times are p.m. and in Pacific Daylight Time.
Coachella 2025’s Weekend 1 Set Times
Friday, April 11, 2025
Coachella Stage
Gabe Real – 3:00
Thee Sacred Souls – 4:20
Marina – 5:40
Benson Boone – 7:10
Missy Elliott – 9:00
Lady Gaga – 11:10
Outdoor Theatre
Tiffany Tyson – 2:50
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – 4:05
The Go-Go’s – 5:25
Tyla – 6:45
The Marías – 8:20
Parcels – 10:10
Sonora Stage
Doom Dave – 1:00
Glixen – 2:00
Vs Self – 3:00
Tops – 3:50
Julie – 5:00
Kneecap – 6:10
Los Mirlos – 7:30
Speed – 8:40
HiTech – 10:00
Gobi Stage
Saison – 1:20
Parisi – 2:15
Maribou State – 3:30
4batz – 4:45
D4vd – 5:55
A. G. Cook – 7:00
Artemas – 8:15
Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso – 9:30
Indo Warehouse – 10:40
Mojave Stage
Sincerely, Manolo – 1:30
Ravyn Lenae – 2:35
Saint Jhn – 3:40
Lola Young – 4:50
Djo – 6:05
Eyedress – 7:20
Miike Snow – 8:35
The Prodigy – 10:05
Sahara Stage
Massio – 1:45
Austin Millz – 2:55
Chris Lorenzo – 4:00
Three 6 Mafia – 5:15
Sara Landry – 6:10
Lisa – 7:45
Yeat – 9:10
GloRilla – 10:25
Mustard – 11:50
Yuma Stage
Erez – 1:00
Coco & Breezy – 1:45
Moon Boots – 2:45
Shermanology – 3:45
Damian Lazarus – 4:45
Beltran – 5:45
Tinlicker – 7:00
Pete Tong x Ahmed Spins – 8:15
Chris Stussy – 9:45
Vintage Culture – 11:15
Quasar Stage
Coco & Breezy x Kaleena Zanders – 5:00
The Martinez Brothers x Loco Dice – 7:00
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Coachella Stage
Skrause – 2:45
Jimmy Eat World – 4:00
T-Pain – 5:25
Charli XCX – 7:15
Green Day – 9:05
Travis Scott – 12:00 a.m.
Outdoor Theatre
Megatone – 2:45
Tink – 4:00
Japanese Breakfast – 5:05
Gustavo Dudamel & LA Phil – 6:25
Clairo – 8:15
Above & Beyond – 9:45
The Original Misfits – 11:20
Sydney Sweeney was always destined to have a big year. Big years, rather. Yet this year’s works-in-progress include her Christy Martin biopic, The Housemaid (currently filming), the final Euphoria season (supposedly for-sure filming this year), and Scandalous!, a movie directed by Colman Domingo.
Well, Sweeney reportedly has even more on her plate (she is “in talks,” at least) if she stars in a movie that Deadline reports “will shoot his year.” Let’s talk about the Edgar Allan Poe lore to come in The Masque Of The Red Death.
Plot
The film will (obviously) adapt Edgar Allan Poe’s same-named short story, but don’t expect a straight remake of the 1964’s The Masque of the Red Death (which was directed by Roger Corman with Vincent Price as Prince Prospero). Nor should we expect (to borrow words from our own Jessica Toomer on Netflix and Mike Flanagan’s The Fall Of The House of Usher series) this to be a “Death By: Radioactive Orgy” story about spoiled Pharma-heir Prospero Usher while he’s taunted by sexy Carla Gugino in a mask, although that was an entertaining take.
The A24 and Picturestart movie’s tone might not be too terribly different from the Flanagan treatment of Poe, however. As Deadline has revealed, A24 is undertaking “a wildly revisionist and darkly comedic take on the short story” that will be directed and written by Charlie Polinger. The Poe short story, of course, details Prince Prospero’s avoidance of the Red Death plague.
Although there are no clues yet on how the movie will be updated, Flanagan’s previous treatment of Prospero delivered cutting commentary on the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare as a billionaire’s business, and that’s precisely the type of contemporary twist that could work in a movie about the Red Death in our current age. Heck, that approach could even bypass a bunch of pandemic talk (because let’s face it, nobody wants to watch a movie about that topic) and revolve around classism instead.
Currently, Sweeney is the only reported cast member, but she would obviously headline, and if they filmed her in every role, nobody would be mad. After all (and as the saying goes), people would watch her read the phone book.
Release Date
With the project filming this year, we can look forward to a 2026 release.
Trailer
No filming yet = no trailer. But did you catch Sweeney’s scream-queen turn in Immaculate? Turn down the sound before watching this:
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