NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk's Scope Arena was jumping on Saturday night. The first-ever Cousinz Festival turned downtown Norfolk into an R&B lover's dream, with live performances and energy that can only be compared to a family reunion.
"When you talk about family and community, this is how you want to feel," festival organizer Stephanie Walters said. "We have put so much work into this, and a lot of the internal team from Cousinz Festival, we're local. So to be able to have like that local feel, a group of friends, a group of family pull this off."
Headlined by multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated recording artists Erykah Badu and Jermaine Dupri. The one-day music fest sold over 6,000 tickets on Friday. With that many people packing the Scope plaza looking out for everyone in the family was a priority.
"Having water at every vending area, making sure having security in the right places to make sure people aren't passing out, or if an emergency happens, having an emergency contingency plan with medical staff available," Walters said.
The festival is the brainchild of local rappers Pusha T and Fam-lay, and Antonio Dowe. Dowe organized last year's R&B Block Party that drew thousands of people to the area.
Saturday's festival represented everything that the 757 creative scene is all about.
"It's just like it's a great feeling to be reminded where you're from and why you're from, where you're from and more so knowing who you are and where you come from, knowing where you are," DJ Jae Murphy said.
Murphy hails from Chesapeake. For years, he has taken his act on the road. He said there is nothing like performing at home.
"It's deeper when you venture out and come back, it's like a positive reinforcement," Murphy said.
Organizers have said they plan to bring the festival back next year.