Posted by Jermaine Dupri and Dallas Austin are prepared to headline the inaugural R&B Soul Picnic Festival in Atlanta, GA. The two-day affair taking place on April 2nd and 3rd is described as a weekend of healing meant to promote mental health while shining the spotlight on some of the top DJs in the game. In addition to Dupri and Austin, participants include DJ Baby Yu, DJ Trauma, DJ Mars and many more.
“We’ve all had a bad couple of years surviving this pandemic,” Dupri said in a statement. “We lost loved ones and hope in the process. Our souls need some healing, what better way to heal our souls than some good ole R&B music, I mean music period.”
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Jacob and Ais York, the event’s creators, say the festival will also be providing a healthy space for attendees to receive “musical, spiritual and/or emotional” healing.
“This is a weekend to forget all your worries and troubles. And come out, dance, and love being a part of a community again,” Jacob says. “We wanted to build an inclusive festival where we can all escape and enjoy one another’s energy with a whole lot of amazing music. All are welcome with open hearts and open minds. Can’t wait to see you there.”
Also included will be a “Soul Healing Center” activation that will include wellness resources, homeless prevention resources, anti-drug abuse and suicide prevention resources as well.
The activation will also include therapy chats with mental health professionals and will feature local vendors and a special “Soul Healing Center” activation. The activation will have many wellness resources, including homeless prevention, substance abuse, suicide prevention, yoga, and therapy chats with certified mental health professionals.
Earlier this year, Dupri was in the news for more competitive reasons. When a rumored Verzuz between his So So Def label and Sean Combs’ Bad Boy, Dupri shot down the idea. He told the New Rory & Mal podcast that because of the live format, Bad Boy would be at a disadvantage. “[You can bring out] The LOX, but you can’t have nobody do Big’s verses!” Dupri said. “And I don’t know that Ma$e would come out with him no more, so I don’t think that it would happen based on that.”