Love, Lyrics, and Raheem DeVaughn Light Up Newark’s Lincoln Park

After the thunderstorms passed and the rain clouds cleared, the 20th Anniversary Lincoln Park Music Festival delivered an unforgettable R&B Night last Friday under a perfect Newark evening sky. A crowd of thousands was treated to a soulful journey that started with a powerful and introspective performance by Grammy-winning poet Malik Yusef, then followed with energetic musical performances by Monifah and the Tia Holt Experience. Headliner Raheem DeVaughn concluded the evening with a show-stopping set.

The Lincoln Park Music Festival is the largest multi-day music festival in the region that pays homage to the African American and Afro-Caribbean diaspora. The FREE festival, part of a citywide coalition of Newark’s most beloved cultural events -- Festivals United Newark (FUN), has become a cultural pillar, fostering community connections while celebrating unity, creativity, and positivity.

Malik Yusef dropped poetic pearls of wisdom and lyrical gems, weaving a narrative about the need for emotional honesty in relationships. “It took me hours to digest, eating humble pie,” Yusef said. “I’m gonna’ go outside in the rain before I go insane … I’m finally not too shy to let my woman see me cry. Most die, before most cry.” Yusef’s messages received thunderous applause.

Next, 90s R&B icon Monifah took the stage with a set of smooth grooves and heartfelt lyrics. As the music pumped through the park, the atmosphere became electric. Monifah performed her hits “Touch It” and “I Miss You”, with festivalgoers swaying to her memorable melodies, timeless rhythms, and new releases from her independent album, “Grace at Midnight.” Audience members threw their hands high into the air, vibing to the rhythm as they sang along and danced to every beat, swept up in the celebration of rhythm and community.

The Tia Holt Experience, a dynamic and soulful music group, followed, delivering a blend of passion and artistry to their performance. Tia Holt, known for performing with artists like Fantasia, The Clark Sisters, Cissy Houston, and Lalah Hathaway, led the group as they mesmerized the audience with their captivating melodies and rhythms.

The crescendo of the evening came when Raheem DeVaughn, Newark’s own Grammy winner and five-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, made a mesmerizing debut at the Lincoln Park Music Festival as the R&B Night headliner. With his sultry melodies and heartfelt anthems, he deeply touched the audience with the emotional depth and passion that have solidified his place as one of this generation’s most beloved voices. DeVaughn, who has built a loyal fan base and earned critical acclaim with chart-topping hits like “You,” “Customer,” and the female-empowering anthem “Woman,” connected electrically with the festivalgoers.

Adding to the excitement, Newark native Tobias Truvillion-Tony, Peabody, Emmy, and Grammy-award winning film star and television actor, served as special guest emcee alongside fashion influencers Lynette LaShawn and Anita Dickens. They kept the festive momentum alive, building anticipation for upcoming weekend events, including House Music Day and Hip Hop Culture Day.