ONE Musicfest Celebrates 15th Anniversary With All-Star Lineup: Latto, Gunna, Jill Scott & More
Photo by Andy Doan. Courtesy of ONE Musicfest
ONE Musicfest, one of the biggest and most progressive music festivals in the country, celebrated its 15th anniversary during its 2024 showing on Oct. 26-27. Taking place at Atlanta’s Central Park, city natives and out-of-towners alike packed the iconic venue to revel in some of music’s biggest stars.
READ MORE: ONE MusicFest Founder J Carter Talks Southern Music Hospitality
Atlanta has been a cultural cornerstone for music lovers for decades, making it the perfect city to hold ONE Musicfest “I tell everybody this all the time. I don’t think there’s any other city in the world where ONE Musicfest could have been birthed. Coming from Harlem, that was the Blackest thing I could possibly think of as a child. But when I moved to Atlanta, my idea of Blackness exploded,” Jason “J” Carter, the founder of ONE Musicfest and Dallas’ TwoGether Land, told EDITION over the summer.
ONE Musicfest's Mielle brand activation. Photo by Julia Beverly. Courtesy of ONE Musicfest
Art vendors at the festival. Photo courtesy of ONE Musicfest
He continued: "In our community, it was nothing but people that looked like me. My chief of police was Black, the mayor was Black, your city council was majority Black, and the business owners were Black. It was just a different experience. I think it was the epitome of Black excellence and an opportunity. So Atlanta was the perfect breeding ground and birthplace of ONE Musicfest based on its history and what it stands for.”
This year’s stacked lineup featured artists spanning decades of hip-hop and R&B, including Latto, Victoria Monét, Nelly, Dru Hill, Gunna, Earth Wind and Fire, GloRilla, Jill Scott and more.
Earth, Wind & Fire on Day 2. Photo by Andy Doan. Courtesy of ONE Musicfest
Jermaine Dupri and Nelly on Day 1. Photo by Terence Rushin. Courtesy of ONE Musicfest
Along with the music acts, ONE Musicfest also boasted fun activations from brands like Mielle, Charmin and Zevo (courtesy of its title sponsor P&G) as well as dozens of art, shopping and food vendors. The festival, which prioritizes community and culture, partnered with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Black Coalition to amplify voter engagement. The festival brought together influential voices like Senator Raphael Warnock and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, who rallied alongside the Black Coalition to stress the importance of amplifying Black voices.
Latto on Day 1. Photo by Terence Rushin. Courtesy of ONE Musicfest
On day one, Method Man & Red Man brought East Coast hip-hop nostalgia to the fest, while Ari Lennox and Fantasia serenaded the crowd with their romance-filled tunes. Nelly. Earth, Wind & Fire are a timeless act, and they showcased their award-winning musicianship with flawless renditions of generational classics like “Reasons” and “September”. Latto closed the night with an energetic set featuring fan favorites like “Brokey” and “Put It On Da Floor”.
GloRilla on Day 2. Photo by Madisyn Johnson. Courtesy of ONE Musicfest
T-Pain on Day 2. Photo by Reynaldo Montalvo. Courtesy of ONE Musicfest
Jill Scott on Day 2. Photo by Julia Beverly. Courtesy of ONE Musicfest
On day two, Fat Joe, Sexyy Red, Keyshia Cole, GloRilla commanded the stage with her various anthems, and even treated festivalgoers with a surprise appearance by T-Pain. They performed "I Luv Her" from GloRilla’s latest album, Glorious. T-Pain kept the energy high with his ‘00s staples like "Buy U A Drank," "Kiss Kiss,” and more. Victoria Monét showed why she’s in a league of her own, dancing and singing along to hits like “Alright”, “On My Mama” and more. Jill Scott captivated all the neo-soul lovers in the crowd with her engaging set, which featured classics like “A Long Walk” and “Whatever”. Lastly, Atlanta’s very own Gunna showcased hometown pride with his melodic set.
Victoria Monét on Day 2. Photo by Austyn Wyche. Courtesy of ONE Musicfest
Gunna on Day 2. Photo by Julia Beverly. Courtesy of ONE Musicfest
The 15th anniversary of ONE Musicfest was an unforgettable weekend and we’re looking forward to seeing how they continue to raise the festival caliber.
