One Musicfest is back with its second day of performances in Atlanta’s Central Park.
On tap today are rappers Sexyy Red and GloRilla in back-to-back sets this evening. Earlier in the day, the festival takes us back with R&B group Dru Hill providing some lyrical nostalgia. A trio of powerhouse singers ― Victoria Monét, Keyshia Cole and Jill Scott — add more star power to Sunday’s lineup.
Atlanta’s own Gunna is scheduled to close out the festival Sunday. The rapper’s One Musicfest performance follows his concert at State Farm Arena this summer, which was his first time performing in his hometown since being released from Fulton County Jail in 2022, ending his involvement in the long-running YSL gang case.
Sunday’s performances run through 10 p.m.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a team of journalists at the festival. Follow @ajc and @itsuatl, and here, throughout the day for updates, reviews and photos.
Live updates from the festival
Festival founder committed to highlighting Black music
One Musicfest moved this year to Central Park from the larger Piedmont Park. In a social media post announcing the change, the festival cited “challenging logistics and economics facing the festival industry” as reasons for the move.
Festival founder Jason “J.” Carter declined to comment Sunday on attendance numbers for this year’s festival compared to last year’s at Piedmont Park. He said he remained committed to his original mission to entertain his loyal supporters with showcasing various Black music acts.
“2024 for a lot of people was tough, but this is a much-needed outlet for people to come and celebrate Black music. It’s showing on the faces of all of the attendees,” Carter said.
Later Sunday, Carter is presenting a check for $40,000 to Spelman College on the P&G Stage. He told the AJC that the historically Black women’s college in the Atlanta University Center received the most public votes from a contest as part of HBCU Change, an app that raises funds for HBCUs.
For Sunday’s shows, Carter anticipates having a larger crowd than Saturday come to Central Park now that Morehouse and Spelman colleges homecomings have ended.
When you’re putting on a music festival for scores of people, “you’re going to run into some things. Things will run much smoother today because everyone that was at SpelHouse’s homecoming will try and fight their way over here,” Carter said.
— Christopher A. Daniel
Atlanta showed up for Leon Thomas
The music grew louder, bass digging into the chest — rattling this enchanted part of the Peach State’s capital city. Everyone in earshot knew what it was.
It was Leon Thomas’ time. “Hey, Atlanta, I’m single!,” he yelled to the crowd.
Credit: Hunter Boyce/AJC
Credit: Hunter Boyce/AJC
The “Fear the Walking Dead” alum and versatile singer and songwriter hit the stage for One Musicfest on Sunday and put on a frighteningly good performance.
Pristine six-string brandished, it’s the first time today Central Park heard some slick blues licks. And Central Park was all about it, swooning, singing and cheering all the while.
Broadway-playing, record-making, crowd-drawing — Thomas is a star.
— Hunter Boyce
Fans enjoying day two
Cumming resident London Williams commuted with his girlfriend and her best friend to Central Park on MARTA Sunday afternoon to catch North Carolina hip-hop group Little Brother at the Sprite Stage at 1:30 p.m.
He said despite only catching half of the second day last year at Piedmont Park, he’s enjoying the company for Sunday’s lineup.
“I know a lot of people were mad this year because a few people dropped out and it’s at a smaller venue, but I don’t have any complaints. I hope I have a good time, but if all else fails, I know we’ll all be together,” Williams said.
— Christopher A. Daniel
‘The Voice’ finisher Koryn Hawthorne is ‘unstoppable’
“I am unstoppable,” the crowd shouted to Koryn Hawthorne.
And you know what? They were right.
Around 1 p.m. at the P&G stage in Atlanta’s Central Park, fans attending One Musicfest’s Sunday offerings got a special treat. Hawthorne, fourth-place finisher on season eight of NBC’s “The Voice,” laid out track after track of some serious crowd pleasers.
Credit: Hunter Boyce/AJC
Credit: Hunter Boyce/AJC
Daughter of a minister, the Louisiana native has cultivated a hearty following for her contemporary gospel, first making a name for herself at 16 on NBC’s hit talent show.
Following an opening performance from Dajah Dorn that warmed up the crowd, Hawthorne seems to have cultivated a whole a new audience at OMF.
One thing is for sure, R&B is alive and well in the Peach State’s capital city.
— Hunter Boyce
Dajah Dorn wakes up Central Park
If a beat drops and no one is around to hear it, is it still awesome? Yes.
At a cloudy 69 degrees, things were a lot calmer and cooler at the P&G stage ahead of Sunday’s One Musicfest opener. But Dajah Dorn brought the heat to a few dozen gathering festival goers.
Credit: Hunter Boyce/AJC
Credit: Hunter Boyce/AJC
She woke up Central Park on this sleepy Sunday. “I Don’t Want You,” “Twice on Sunday,” “Love U 4 Free” — she gave the slowly growing Atlanta crowd her biggest hits. It’s the gravity of these weighty performances, from big names and newcomers alike, that has pulled so many from Georgia’s capital city into Central Park’s orbit.
Perhaps a major headliner in the making? Time will tell, but Dorn definitely made some new fans today. The P&G stage is warmed up for Koryn Hawthorne to light things up at 1 p.m., and this crowd isn’t going anywhere. Fans of NBC’s “The Voice” will want to tune in.
— Hunter Boyce
The gates have opened on day two of One Musicfest
It’s blue skies and cool clouds this Sunday, and Central Park has become a treat for the senses. Photo booths bedazzled to Insta-worthy effect greet you as you enter the grounds, followed by the sweet smell of food trucks. Of course, there’s the main attraction — music from some of the scene’s biggest names and most crowd pleasing up-and-comers. Dajah Dorn will start things off at the P&G stage at 12:30 p.m., but the festival won’t stop until 10 p.m.
— Hunter Boyce
Credit: Hunter Boyce/AJC
Credit: Hunter Boyce/AJC
Day one of the festival saw a mix of performances from DJ Greg Street with a surprise performance from Big Boi, to Method Man and Redman and Ari Lennox.
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock stopped by the encourage the crowd to vote, and rapper Nelly brought out hip-hop legends Jermaine Dupri and Murphy Lee.
Credit: Ronald R. Williams III
Credit: Ronald R. Williams III
The festival faced some challenges even before it got underway — a move to a smaller venue and a last-minute cancellation by headliner Cardi B due to an undisclosed medical condition. Saturday saw some late set starts and some technical glitches but finished strong with performances by Earth, Wind & Fire and Latto, who replaced Cardi B.
