Written by | Ray Cornelius
Atlanta’s Masquerade Music Park was filled to capacity this weekend for the 2013 One Music Fest. Now in its fourth year, the outdoor concert promotes unity through music with performances from diverse acts ranging from alternative rock to hip-hop.
This year’s festival boasted an impressive line-up of acts that included rap icon Snoop Dogg, R&B newcomer Luke James, hip-hop star Joey Bada$$, soul music vocalist Goapele. The show was also hosted by D.R.E.S tha BEATnik and Joi, formerly of the group Lucy Pearl.
Philadelphia vocalist Res also graced the secondary “Purple Rain” stage along with Atlanta’s own Ruby Velle & The SoulPhonics. Their sound is easily comparable to that of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings as well as the late Amy Winehouse.
Groove Theory’s Amel Larrieux was scheduled to perform but pulled out at the last minute due to a sudden illness. However, Erykah Badu aka Lo Down Loretta Brown stepped right in and performed a 30-minute set of her classic songs including “Appletree,” “Bag Lady” and “I Want You.”
However, the biggest surprise of the evening was the reunion of Goodie Mob. The pioneers of Atlanta’s hip-hop-soul music scene performed a lengthy set of their greatest hits as well as a few new songs from their current album, Age Against the Machine. Cee Lo Green also introduced his new artist and protégé V-Bozeman, who wowed the audience with her version of the Pussycat Dolls’ “Don’t Cha,” a song that was co-written and produced by Green.
Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion closed out the festival with a medley of all of his hits. He was joined on stage by three dancers and a dog mascot wearing a “Nasty Dogg” T-shirt and carrying a blunt in his hands. Only Uncle Snoop could get away with such a show!
Check out the amazing photos below:
Grammy-nominated singer Luke James opened the One Music Fest
James set included snippets of MJ’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” and Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing”
Luke James recently opened for Beyoncé and her Mrs. Carter World Tour
Hip-Hop’s D.R.E.S tha BEATnik served as the host for this year’s fest
Indie rapper Joey Bada$$ rocked the mic
Atlanta’s own Ruby Velle & The SoulPhonics hit the stage
Soul music vocalist Joi served as the host for the all day festival
One Music Fest People’s Choice Winner, Methuzulah
Erykah Badu stepped in for Amel Larrieux who wasn’t able to perform
Badu rocked floor length braids
Badu is currently working on a new album
Badu is also a noted actress and has appeared in The Cider House Rules and Blues Brothers 2000
Badu with One Music Fest creator Jay Carter
Soul music vocalist Algebra and Anthony David enjoying the sights and sounds of the Festival
Philadelphia vocalist Res is part of the duo Idle Warship with Talib Kweli
Cee Lo Green of Goodie Mob
Goodie Mob is currently promoting their new album, Age Against the Machine
Bigg Gipp enjoying the crowd at One Music Fest
Cee Lo Green’s new artist and protégé V-Bozeman brought some flair to the Goodie Mob set
Cee Lo Green is one half of the group, Gnarls Barkley featuring Danger Mouse
Snoop Dogg was the headliner of One Music Fest
Snoop Dogg is also known as Snoop Lion and Uncle Snoop
Snoop Dogg will host the 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards taping in Atlanta on September 28
Photo Credit: Megan Alodie for RayCornelius.com