Cousinz Festival is proof that Virginia is for lovers.

In its second installment, the event, held in Norfolk, Virginia, featured heavy-hitting headliners, including Lil’ Kim, T-Pain and Jeezy; however, the festivities were about much more than the music. It was a place for the collective to commune, whether you had roots in the state or traveled in from out of town; it was a reflection of family love often displayed at backyard cookouts or the annual family reunion, which is why naming it Cousinz Festival was a win.

What is Cousinz Festival?

Curated by Virginia natives Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton, Nathaniel “Fam-Lay” Johnson, and business manager Antonio Dowe, Cousinz Festival initially launched in 2024, with just two months of planning. This time around, Fam-Lay shared that the planning began 12 months in advance. The difference was evident through activations like the green box, located in the festival’s link-up spot, which paid homage to a staple for Black people, particularly among the youth, who would use a neighborhood transformer box as a meeting area to laugh, chat, play and often socialize.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cousinz Festival (@cousinzfestival)

Other key details included a brand aesthetic curated by Have A Good Day, a multidisciplinary brand studio based in the Norfolk and Virginia Beach neighborhoods. From affirming messages like “Cuz you look so good” to cultural questions like “Who made the potato salad?” little touches like these were a driving point to the community, which Fam-Lay noted is the festival’s key mission.

“None of this would be possible without the community,” Fam-Lay told Blavity backstage at the Norfolk Scope, where Cousinz Festival was held. “If you try to attempt it without the community, it shows. It doesn’t work out so well. We’ve been fortunate to have good partners and support from the community, and to be able to listen to what the people want, as well as what we know as part of the community. So, I think we’re fortunate in that way.”

In addition to Saturday’s showcase, hosted by comedian and D.C., Maryland, and Virginia native Chico Bean, as well as Richmond, Virginia’s award-winning radio personality Dominique da Diva, which also included sets from Izzy the DJ, DJ Envy, DJ Clue, the Backyard Band and more, the This is Us Art Exhibition was a curated show by League OTO featuring Black artists from the DMV area, celebrating themes of Black culture, family and legacy.

The power of hometown pride

Musical legends like Pusha T and his older brother, Malice, known to the world as Clipse, along with icons like Missy Elliott, Pharrell and Timbaland, have always taken pride in their hometown roots, originating from the 757 region of the state. They have naturally welcomed cousins and extended family members from various parts of Virginia.

Recently, Pharrell launched his Virginia brand and platform, which encompasses music, fashion and community outreach.

“Virginia is where I’m from, but it’s also who I am creatively,” the “Frontin’” crooner said in a statement during the brand’s announcement. 

Cousinz Fest also invites people and fans from all over to experience the magic of Virginia. During her set, Lil Kim even revealed a personal connection to the area, disclosing that both of her parents were born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, before relocating to have her in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Between her performances of hits like “Lighters Up” and “Get Money,” she proudly exclaimed that this direct connection is why her love for the state runs so deeply.

The fresh cousin

When asked to describe what type of cousin his hometown would be, Fam-Lay said, “the fresh” one, doubling down on the uniqueness that lies within the people with roots and connections to Virginia.

“Virginia is a melting pot of so many things, and I’m sure other areas have that, but Virginia is something else,” he concluded. “Man, we always say we’re like a farm. We have all of the vegetables and fruit; we grow them all. The only thing is, we don’t really have the grocery store to get it out, but we breed and grow the best fruit and vegetables. So, I guess we’d be the fresh cousin.”

Cousinz Festival 2025 was a sold-out event, with an attendance of 10,000 fans from all over, celebrating Black music, culture, legacy and food with the Stormy Blue Food Truck Experience, where fans had the opportunity to vote on their favorites from a collection of vendors including Slutty Vegan, Rebel Taco, Ziggy’s Street Eats, Bit of Maine, Get Lit Catering, Get Lost VB, Stuff Cakes, Verde and Plate Me Please.
The post Virgina Is ‘The Fresh Cousin,’ Per Pusha T And Fam-Lay At Cousinz Festival appeared first on Blavity.



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