Dreamville Festival to Take Its Final Bow in April with Star-Studded Lineup

Dreamville Festival has announced the lineup for its fifth and final edition, with Lil Wayne, 21 Savage, Erykah Badu, and festival co-founder J. Cole set to headline the two-day event at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, N.C., on April 5-6.

The festival, which began in 2019, has grown into one of the premier hip-hop and R&B events in the South. With its final bow set for April, this year’s lineup blends rap legends, R&B royalty, and rising stars for what is expected to be a historic send-off.

Organizers confirmed that a limited number of two-day general admission passes, starting at $299.99, remain available on the festival’s official website, with other ticket tiers already sold out.

The first night of the festival will feature a moment of hip-hop history as Lil Wayne headlines alongside fellow Hot Boys members Juvenile, Turk, and B.G., as well as Big Tymers (Mannie Fresh and Birdman). Wayne’s set comes after last year’s debates over whether he should have headlined the New Orleans-hosted Super Bowl LIX halftime show.

Wayne will be joined by 21 Savage, a longtime J. Cole collaborator who helped earn the North Carolina rapper his first Grammy. Other Saturday performers include Ab-Soul, Young Nudy, Chief Keef, Ari Lennox, Lute, Omen, Kai Ca$h & Niko Brim, Bas, and Ludacris. R&B star Keyshia Cole will also perform a special set celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut album, "The Way It Is," which includes her signature hit “Love.”

On Sunday, Cole will take the stage as the festival’s final headliner, joined by Badu, who is slated to receive the Icon Award at Billboard’s Women in Music ceremony on March 29.

Additional Sunday performers include Grammy winners Tems and Coco Jones, as well as rap stars GloRilla, Wale, BigXthaPlug, JID, and Anycia. EarthGang, Cozz, and Akia will also hit the stage to close out the weekend.

Dreamville Festival president Adam Roy reflected on the event’s legacy and the significance of this final installment.

“Our team looks forward to welcoming fans from around the world to Dreamville Festival this spring for our fifth-anniversary celebration,” Roy said in a statement. “The first weekend in April has grown to become one of our team’s favorite times of the year as an annual NC reunion.”

Dreamville Festival 2025 Lineup
Saturday, April 5:
Lil Wayne with Hot Boys (Juvenile, Turk, and B.G.) and Big Tymers (Mannie Fresh and Birdman)
21 Savage
PARTYNEXTDOOR
Ludacris
Ari Lennox
Chief Keef
Keyshia Cole
Bas
Young Nudy
Ab-Soul
Lute
Omen
Kai Ca$h & Niko Brim

Sunday, April 6:
J. Cole
Erykah Badu
Tems
GloRilla
JID
Wale
Coco Jones
BigXthaPlug
EarthGang
Anycia
Cozz
Akia

From Basketball to Booze: Shaquille O’Neal’s Latest Business Move

Shaquille O'Neal strategically grows his substantial portfolio with BeatBox partnership.

Shaquille O’Neal has spent his post-basketball career proving that his dominance extends far beyond the court.

From fast food franchises to tech investments and even DJing on the global festival circuit, the Hall of Famer and businessman has consistently turned everything he touches into a success.

Now, the larger-than-life personality is making a splash in the booming ready-to-drink alcohol market with the launch of BeatBox Blueberry Lemonade, a new malt beverage set to roll out nationwide this month.

The move comes as part of a partnership between O’Neal and BeatBox Beverages, a brand that skyrocketed to national prominence after securing a $1 million investment from Mark Cuban on "Shark Tank."

Known for its colorful packaging, high-energy marketing, and presence at music festivals and major events, BeatBox has built a brand that aligns seamlessly with Shaq’s ethos of fun, celebration, and larger-than-life experiences.

O’Neal, who first encountered the brand while touring as DJ Diesel, saw a natural fit and decided to invest — not just in the company, but in creating his own exclusive flavor.

“I’ve always been about creating unforgettable experiences — whether it’s on the court, DJing, or through my business ventures,” O’Neal said in a statement announcing the collaboration. “When I first came across BeatBox, I saw a brand with that same bold energy. This partnership felt like a perfect fit.”

With an 11.1% ABV, Blueberry Lemonade is designed for drinkers looking for a high-impact, low-sugar alternative to traditional cocktails. The beverage, packaged in resealable and recyclable cartons, will be available in major retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, H-E-B, 7-Eleven, Total Wine & More and Circle K.

O’Neal’s move into the RTD alcohol space places him in a rapidly growing market that has seen an explosion in celebrity-backed brands. While peers like Diddy (Cîroc), Kevin Hart (Gran Coramino), and The Rock (Teremana) have dominated the spirits industry, Shaq’s decision to back BeatBox aligns with his longstanding strategy of investing in companies with mass-market appeal. The global RTD alcohol market is valued at $20 billion in 2023, with projections estimating it could exceed $40 billion by 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in the beverage industry.

Since retiring from basketball in 2011, O’Neal has built one of the most impressive business empires in sports history. His investments span more than 400 franchise locations across brands such as Papa John’s, Krispy Kreme, Five Guys, and Auntie Anne’s, and he was an early investor in Ring, the smart home company later acquired by Amazon for $1 billion. He has also dabbled in tech, fitness, and esports, and has long been rumored to be considering NBA team ownership.

The BeatBox deal marks yet another chapter in Shaq’s business portfolio, reinforcing his reputation as a savvy entrepreneur with an instinct for tapping into lucrative markets. While many athletes struggle to transition out of their playing days, O’Neal has redefined what post-career success looks like. Whether it’s dominating the boardroom, the DJ booth, or now the beverage aisle, Shaq isn’t just playing the game — he’s changing it.

Tekashi 6ix9ine’s Home Searched by Federal Agents Following IRS Asset Auction

Less than a week after the IRS auctioned off more than $500,000 worth of his seized assets, rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine’s Florida home was raided by federal officers and local law enforcement as part of a probation check.

The raid, which lasted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, saw 6ix9ine handcuffed for six hours while officers searched his home. According to TMZ, the rapper claims that authorities seized firearms and drugs and collected DNA samples from him.

However, a statement from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office suggests no immediate link between the confiscated items and the rapper.

“Federal U.S. Probation officers, assisted by Palm Beach Sheriff's Office Narcotics Investigators, executed a search warrant on Tekashi’s home in Florida,” the department stated.

The rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, maintains his innocence, insisting he is not engaging in any criminal activity and remains on house arrest following previous legal troubles.

 

IRS Auctioned Off 6ix9ine’s Jewelry, Platinum Plaques, and Cars for $500K

The raid came just days after the IRS auctioned off his personal assets, which were seized in April 2024 over unpaid taxes.

The March 5 auction, hosted by Market Auctions in Palm Beach County, saw bidders compete for Tekashi’s extravagant jewelry collection, luxury handbags, and 21 platinum plaques commemorating his biggest hits.

Surprisingly, his RIAA-certified platinum plaques became the biggest draw of the auction, selling for three to four times their estimated value.

“This was the sleeper hit of the auction,” said Jacob Kodner, Managing Partner of Market Auctions. “Collectors and fans alike recognized these plaques as irreplaceable pieces of music history.”

Some of the highest-selling items included:

• "Bebe" (feat. Anuel AA) plaque – $19,000
• "Gummo" plaque – $14,250
• Signature "Bruce the Shark" pendant – $60,000
• 14-karat, two-tone "Yailin" diamond necklace – $29,000
• Hermès Birkin bag – $18,500

In total, 62 out of 63 items sold, generating $510,500.

Some of the items sold at the auction.

Tekashi’s vehicles were previously auctioned in July 2024, with his Lamborghini Urus fetching $175,043 and his Bentley Continental GT Speed selling for $85,500.

The IRS raid that led to the seizure of his assets was due to unpaid taxes, but 6ix9ine has not publicly commented on the financial troubles that led to the auction.

 

What’s Next for 6ix9ine?

The March 12 raid is the latest in a string of legal troubles for the Brooklyn-born rapper. Though no charges have been filed in connection to the raid, investigators are analyzing the seized items for possible connections to 6ix9ine.

Despite his legal challenges, the rapper recently filed a $1 million lawsuit against a South Florida gym where he was viciously attacked in 2023.