LL Cool J, Rev. Run & Star-Studded Tribute Highlight Cincinnati Music Festival’s Final Night
The Cincinnati Music Festival concluded on July 26 at Paycor Stadium with a series of electrifying performances, surprise collaborations, and a poignant tribute to the late Frankie Beverly, despite a brief weather-related pause.
A Night of R&B and Hip-Hop Icons
The three-day event showcased a diverse lineup of R&B and hip-hop legends. The Bar-Kays kicked off the evening with their signature funk sound, delivering hits like “Soul Finger” to a receptive crowd. Following them, 112 took audiences on a nostalgic journey through the golden age of boy bands, punctuated by a heartfelt tribute to The Notorious B.I.G.
Lucky Daye, a newer headliner, captivated the audience with his neo-soul sound, while Toni Braxton mesmerized fans with her powerful vocals and a collection of her greatest hits. But it was LL Cool J’s set that truly ignited the night, even amidst unforeseen circumstances.
Weather Delay & A Resilient Crowd
After energizing the crowd with classics like “Rock the Bells” and “Doin’ It,” LL Cool J was forced to halt the show due to a severe lightning threat. “There’s a lightning order, so we gotta stop,” he announced to the audience. An announcement over the stadium intercom soon followed, advising attendees to seek shelter.
Despite the interruption, thousands of fans remained steadfast, braving the elements for approximately 45 minutes before returning to their seats. As one attendee noted, “ladies really do love Cool J.” LL Cool J himself expressed gratitude for the crowd’s dedication, acknowledging the promoters for their commitment to continuing the show despite the challenging conditions. “Shout out to the promoters for giving us that love,” he said.
A Surprise Reunion: LL Cool J & Rev. Run
The energy surged once more when LL Cool J brought out a special guest: Rev. Run of Run-DMC. The duo delivered a high-octane performance of Run-DMC classics, including “Rock Box” and “It’s Tricky.” Rev. Run took a moment to address the Cincinnati crowd, stating, “I love y’all, Cincinnati.” He then pointed to a jumbotron displaying a photo of himself and LL Cool J from 1986, remarking, “LL, that’s us in 1986. That’s how long we been rocking. Look at that. I’m about 19 years old.” LL Cool J responded with a warm embrace, saying, “I love you, boy.”
A Moving Tribute to Frankie Beverly
LL Cool J continued his set with a string of hits spanning the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s, including “Loungin’,” “Love You Better,” and “Around the Way Girl,” accompanied by impressive breakdancing performances. He dedicated his performance of “The Vow” to the late Frankie Beverly.
The festival culminated in an extended tribute to Beverly, led by the TMF Band (formerly known as Maze). A constellation of artists – Jubu, Ronald Isley, Joe, After 7, Dave Hollister, and Raheem DeVaughn – each contributed renditions of Beverly’s timeless songs. The tribute concluded with a powerful rendition of “Before I Let Go,” performed by Hollister.
112 Navigates a Sensitive Landscape
Earlier in the evening, 112 took the stage, delivering a performance that acknowledged their history with Bad Boy Records while navigating the complexities surrounding its founder, Sean “Diddy” Combs. Combs was recently acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges on July 2, 2025, but convicted on charges of transportation to engage in prostitution and is awaiting sentencing on October 3.
While 112 has distanced itself from Combs following his arrest and subsequent legal battles, they chose to focus on celebrating the legacy of another Bad Boy artist, The Notorious B.I.G., performing a medley of his hits, including “Juicy” and “Big Poppa.” However, LL Cool J briefly referenced the situation during his own set, rapping a verse from his 2024 song “The Force” that included the line, “Bad Boys before P. Diddy and the Pistons.”
