Time wasn’t the most precise factor during the second day of One Musicfest, which filled Centennial Olympic Park with a lineup that included DMX, Rick Ross, Wu-Tang Clan, Usher and Pharrell Williams.
Every afternoon and evening set ran 15-30 minutes late, pushing the end of the festival, with a never-ending parade of guests during the finale of KP the Great and his Superfriends, to 10:15 p.m. Sunday instead of 9:45.
It was an irritating snowball effect – especially given the continued blistering heat – but during its 10th year, OMF has distinguished itself as a pre-eminent hip-hop/R&B festival, not only for Atlanta and the South, but the country.
Organizer Jason “J” Carter said during the presentation of OMF Honors to Atlanta super producers Jermaine Dupri and Dallas Austin that about 25,000 people attended each day.
Fans might have waited longer than necessary to see their favorite acts, but there was no scrimping on the diverse selection.
Here are some highlights from Sunday’s lineup.
Yung Baby Tate
Yung Baby Tate’s set was a small glimpse into the talent of one of Atlanta’s current rising artists. Joined by two backup dancers, the singer twerked and delivered fun choreography while performing songs such as “Maneater” and “That Girl” from her most recent project, “GIRLS.”
Tate, dressed in bell-bottomed pants and a bra with matching flowers, and multicolored barrettes adorning her hair, rapped along to Nicki Minaj’s “Itty Bitty Piggy” before performing her version of the rapper’s single “Megatron.”
Later in her set, Yung Baby Tate was joined by her mom, Dionne Farris, on stage. The pair sang a snippet of “I’m Every Woman” before Farris performed her ‘90s song “Remember My Name.”
- J.W.
Lloyd
The New Orleans native, who spent some time finding his voice in Decatur, seduced his gathered throng with a series of finger-snapping bedroom seductions. As he crooned “Bedrock,” “You” and “Lay it Down,” Lloyd bounced around the stage, interspersing his R&B balladry with raps about “an ass like that.” Considering Lloyd was backed by five musicians and a DJ, his songs exited the stage with refreshing musical authenticity. He also undoubtedly charmed the ladies when he declared, “I think this is the year of the woman,” before leading them into “A Night Off.”
- M.R.
Teyana Taylor
Teyana Taylor’s set certainly wasn’t family friendly. The singer brought her sultry songs to the main stage for the final day of the festival. Dressed in a black vest, camouflage pants and a black hat, the singer opened with “Manners” before performing her most recent single, “How You Want It.”
From there, the singer invited a woman from the audience to the stage and simulated sexual acts on her while singing “Threeway.” Taylor’s husband, NBA star Iman Shumpert, served as the DJ during her set and her hypeman during these sensual moments. A dance breakdown made it clear that Taylor’s set was certainly inspired by the original “nasty girl,” Janet Jackson.
Elsewhere in the set, Taylor paid tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle and his girlfriend Lauren London with a photo montage while singing “Gonna Love Me.”
-J.W.
DMX
The gruff-voiced rapper was one of the veterans on the multi-generational bill, and he seemed pleased with the large crowd that gathered at his secondary stage as he spat “We Right Here.” He followed the abbreviated song by commenting about the number of sexual conquests throughout his life and said that, “being on stage in front of people who love me is better than…,” well, you can probably fill in the blanks. “Ruff Ryders Anthem” and “Get it On the Floor” filled out the early part of his set, which kept the crowd rapping and jumping along. Backstage, DMX, clad in the same gear he wore onstage – including his cool red work boots – amiably chatted with anyone with a microphone as he was ushered from a trailer.
-M.R. and J.W.
Rick Ross
Although Rick Ross’ set was delayed (just like several of the sets during the second day of One Musicfest), the rapper’s entrance on the stage to “Ima Boss” was as casual and calm as you might expect from a self-proclaimed boss. Several times during his set, he looked out into the crowd, smiled and gave a nod of approval as fans rapped back every word of his verses on French Montana’s “Pop That,” Lil Wayne’s “John,” and DJ Khaled’s “All I Do is Win.”
“Right now, I feel like I’m at home,” the Atlanta-based rapper said to the crowd at one point. From “Aston Martin Music” to “Hustlin’,” the festival set served as a reminder of just how many of hip-hop’s biggest songs Ross has been a part of in recent years.
-J.W.
Wu-Tang Clan
For many in the crowd, witnessing the 25th anniversary of the legendary New York rap crew served as the highlight of the two-day festival. After a 30-minute delay of the set’s start, RZA sauntered out to cheers from the restless crowd to introduce YDB – Young Dirty Bastard, son of the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard – who raced into the crowd for a song. Then came a one-by-one arrival of the rest of the Wu, as they rolled through a career-spanning set that included “Method Man,” “Shame On A N-,” and “C.R.E.A.M.” Masta Killa elicited deserved applause for his stinging, rapid-fire rap during “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’,” and by the time the performance headed toward its final lap with “Triumph” and the Al Green-sampling “Can It Be All So Simple,” the stage was packed with the members of the illustrious Wu.
-M.R.
KP the Great and his Superfriends
With a billing like that, it was expected that Kawan "KP" Prather, renowned DJ for the Dungeon Family, would enlist a parade of "superfriends" beyond the expected Pharrell Williams and Usher. By the time those two popped up, KP already introduced quick performances from a lineup including Waka Flocka, Yung Joc, O.T. Genasis, Trey Songz (who elicited plenty of squeals with "Say Aah" and "Neighbors Know My Name," performed a capella), Monica (classy as always and sounding terrific on "Don't Take it Personal" and "Before You Walk Out of My Life") and Lil Jon (who joined YoungbloodZ for "Presidential" and later, of course, Usher on "Yeah!"). The Atlanta man of the year, Lil Nas X croaked through his record-breaking "Old Town Road" before the ageless Pharrell finally appeared, seemingly out of nowhere at 9:50 p.m., in his funky sunglasses and hot pink shorts. Using his familiar upper register, he smoothly sang "Beautiful" and, while a colorful animated video zipped behind him, the funky collab with Daft Punk, "Get Lucky."
Usher followed Pharrell, sliding onstage and spinning as a large chain dangled from his neck. The R&B superstar quickly shed his shades to sing the pulsing “U Don’t Have to Call.” “It feels so good to be back,” Usher said in a singsong voice before “My Boo.” He skipped around the stage with his graceful dance moves during “I Need a Girl,” gyrated against the stage floor for “Nice & Slow” and sealed the party with Lil Jon for “Yeah!”
-M.R.
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