A devoted J. Cole fan says a single weekend at Dreamville Festival changed the course of his life—and even his address.
Tyree Dickerson, who previously lived in Chicago, said he decided to move to Raleigh, North Carolina, after attending Dreamville Festival last year. He described the experience as eye-opening, citing the sense of community and connection he felt around Cole's hometown event.
The artist made a surprise in-person appearance at a listening party for his new album, The Fall-Off, on Friday (Feb. 6) at The Sip Room in Fayetteville, roughly 65 miles from Raleigh.
Dickerson took the 70-minute drive to attend the listening event and see where the rapper grew up.
"Mainly he just kind of represents … sometimes being seen as the underdog and coming out on top and not necessarily taking no for an answer," Dickerson told CBS 17. "I just listened to it, and I'm just excited to be here, so I just wanted to see where he grew up in.”
Dickerson's journey highlights the lasting pull of J. Cole's music and message.
Dreamville Festival, launched by Cole in 2018, has grown into a major cultural draw in Raleigh, bringing fans from across the country to North Carolina each year.
