The Road to ONE Musicfest in Atlanta

By Aubree Dumas

Published October 1, 2025

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ONE Musicfest has grown into the Southeast’s largest two-day urban progressive music festival, attracting more than 100,000 diverse music lovers from across the nation. Whether you’re here for the star-studded lineup, are supporting local businesses in the OMF Food Truck Village or you are striking a pose at the many photo activations across Piedmont Park, the energy will be felt far and wide. Often compared to the excitement of a homecoming, ONE Musicfest brings a true celebration and proves Andre 3000 right when he said, “The South got something to say!”

The Vision

The idea for ONE Musicfest began in 2008, when founder J. Carter noticed a gap in the festival landscape, not only in Atlanta but across the country.

“I realized there weren’t any festivals that truly catered to the breadth of Black music and culture,” he recalls. At a time when Atlanta was rising as the “Hollywood of the South,” Carter recognized the need for a gathering that would bring the community together while celebrating Black artists and the culture that had put the city on the map as an entertainment hub.

While mainstream festivals often featured Black talent, few provided an experience centered on the Black and brown audience. Through research and reflection, Carter knew the solution: “Maybe we should build it, and maybe we should have it in Atlanta.”

Overcoming Challenges

Launching any festival comes with obstacles, and Carter’s journey was no exception. Early on, he sought mentorship but found no one in the space who looked like him. Though disheartening, it fueled his determination to carve his own path.

He also received discouraging advice. One person warned, “It’ll take about five years to build a festival brand.” Another cautioned, “Don’t get into this business unless you have at least $2 million to lose.” Carter didn’t want to lose a dime, but he pushed forward, leaning on his inner circle for support.
“I’ve got enough friends in these spaces, why don’t we try to do it ourselves?” he remembers saying. And that’s exactly what they did.

Atlanta’s Impact

As the concept grew, Carter quickly realized that much of the advice he received wasn’t wrong. He ran out of money and had to rely on community support. “People in Atlanta are really resourceful, and we’re also very connected,” he says. Friends and family with backgrounds in production, security, permits and stage management came together to help shape what would become ONE Musicfest.

Carter gives much credit to Atlanta itself. Having moved from New York City, he felt embraced by the city’s resources and connectivity, particularly within the Black community. “ONE Musicfest couldn’t thrive anywhere else the way it does in Atlanta,” he says. Although the festival will continue to expand, ATL will always be its blueprint and foundation.

From King Plow Arts Center to Piedmont Park

ONE Musicfest had humble beginnings. It took two years from idea to launch, with the first festival held in 2010 in the Westside.

Carter recalled the first-ever festival. It was a rainy day, yet the sun still managed to shine, creating steam rising from the asphalt of King Plow Arts Center. Despite the conditions and financial loss, attendees had a positive experience and enjoyed artists like Common, Goapele and De La Soul. The inaugural year proved how much Atlanta needed the festival. From dancing in the rain to enduring July’s scorching heat, the city showed up and proved it was ready for something that not only entertained but also celebrated and uplifted.

What began as Carter’s personal curation of musical artists evolved into a multigenerational lineup where parents and children can enjoy the music together in the historic Piedmont Park, something he treasures greatly today.

ONE Musicfest 2025

Here we are, 15 years later, and Carter is eagerly preparing for the sounds of ONE Musicfest to fill Piedmont Park. “This year may be one of the most Atlanta-esque lineups we’ve ever had,” he says. The celebration will feature Future, a Dungeon Family reunion, Ludacris marking 25 years of music and much more.

For Carter, the evolution of the festival isn’t about topping the previous year but about continually enhancing the attendee experience. “I think the way you sustain a brand is not to try to outdo yourself every year, but to keep giving your audience what they want,” he explains.

Whether you’re traveling to Atlanta or celebrating as a local, ONE Musicfest promises a two-day experience of music, culture and connection. Expect a “vibey, all love, free-flowing, frolicking” atmosphere where you can reunite with friends and dance the weekend away.

Looking for more things to do throughout the festival weekend? Check out this ONE Musicfest guide.

Aubree Dumas is a writer, content producer, and digital storyteller passionate about solo travel, food, and culture. She is a video production creator for Discover Atlanta, where she develops cinematic content and feature stories that spotlight the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, hidden gems, and rich cultural experiences. With a background in performing arts and digital media, Aubree brings a creative and immersive lens to every story she tells.