Drake opened his three-night headline run at London’s Wireless Festival on July 11, 2025, with a performance built around R&B, nostalgia and collaborations across generations. Rather than focusing only on his biggest rap hits, the first night highlighted the melodic side of his catalogue and brought several notable guests onto the stage.
From PARTYNEXTDOOR’s opening set to a surprise appearance by Lauryn Hill, these were eight moments that helped define the first night.
1. PARTYNEXTDOOR Set the Mood Before Drake Arrived
PARTYNEXTDOOR played an important role in establishing the evening’s atmosphere. His set drew on material from different points in his career, including songs such as “No Chill,” “For Certain” and “Wus Good / Curious.”
His appearance was more than an opening act before the main attraction. PARTYNEXTDOOR’s music shares a melodic sensibility with Drake’s R&B catalogue, making the transition between their performances feel natural. When he moved into “Come & See Me,” the connection between the two artists became especially clear.
Their long-running creative relationship has helped shape OVO’s sound, so beginning the night with PARTYNEXTDOOR made sense for an event centred on R&B.
2. Drake Revisited the Songs That Built His R&B Reputation
Drake’s catalogue stretches across rap, pop and R&B, but some of his most enduring records are the quieter, more introspective ones. During the opening night, songs including “Jungle,” “Feel No Ways,” “Marvins Room” and “Passionfruit” brought that side of his music into focus.
These tracks demonstrate how Drake often blends conversational lyrics with melodies that carry the emotional weight of a song. Hearing them together also highlighted the variety within his catalogue, from the reflective mood of “Jungle” to the breezier feel of “Passionfruit.”
For longtime listeners, the selection offered a reminder that Drake’s musical identity has never depended on rap alone.
3. Ty Dolla $ign Celebrated Leon Thomas
Leon Thomas received a memorable co-sign when Ty Dolla $ign joined him onstage and praised him as the “King of R&B.” Thomas has developed a reputation as both a vocalist and a musician, and his performance included songs such as “Not Fair” and “Yes It Is.”
The moment mattered because it placed a rising artist in front of a large festival audience while recognising the work he had already been doing. Thomas’s musical background and vocal ability give him room to move between contemporary R&B and more traditional influences.
A public endorsement from an established artist can attract attention, but the performance itself is what gives the moment meaning: it gives audiences an opportunity to hear the artist rather than simply hear someone praise him.
4. Nippa and KWN Showed the Range of UK R&B
The festival also gave UK R&B artists a chance to demonstrate their own styles. Nippa performed songs including “One More” and “Unfair,” moving between a more upbeat sound and material with a more reflective mood.
KWN brought a different energy to the stage. Her performance included “Worst Behaviour (Remix),” and Kehlani joined her for the song.
These appearances helped broaden the evening beyond Drake’s own catalogue. A festival audience may arrive primarily for its headliner, but performances from artists at different stages of their careers can introduce listeners to music they might not otherwise seek out.
The presence of UK talent was particularly fitting for a London festival, where local artists could share the bill with established names from the United States.
5. Sailorr and Karri Added Another Perspective to the Lineup
Sailorr and Karri brought their own identities to the festival’s R&B programming. Sailorr performed tracks including “Down Bad” and “Cut Up,” while Karri showcased his melodic approach with “3 AM in Oakland.”
Their performances added variety to a night already moving between nostalgic favourites, contemporary R&B and collaborative appearances. Rather than treating the genre as one fixed sound, the lineup presented several approaches to melody, songwriting and stage presence.
Moments like these can be important at a large festival because they give emerging artists exposure to people who may not yet know their music. A strong live performance can turn a casual listener into someone willing to explore an artist’s catalogue afterward.
6. Summer Walker Reconnected With a Memorable “Session 32” Moment
Summer Walker’s appearance brought an emotional element to the evening. Her music often centres on vulnerability, complicated relationships and intimate songwriting, making “Session 32” a natural focal point for a performance that encouraged audience participation.
The song has a particularly personal place in Walker’s catalogue, and its live appeal comes partly from the way listeners can connect their own experiences to its lyrics. When an audience sings along to a track with that kind of emotional weight, the performance becomes a shared experience rather than simply a reproduction of the studio recording.
Her appearance added a more introspective mood to a festival night that also featured larger-than-life collaborations and energetic performances.
7. Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR Previewed Their Collaborative Chemistry
Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR reunited for material associated with their joint project, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. Their performance included songs such as “CN TOWER,” “SPIDER-MAN SUPERMAN” and “SOMEBODY LOVES ME.”
The pairing works because their styles overlap without being identical. Drake often moves between rap and melodic phrasing, while PARTYNEXTDOOR brings a more atmospheric R&B sensibility. Together, they can move between different moods without abandoning the sound that connects their music.
For fans following their collaboration, the performance was also a chance to see how the songs translated to a live festival setting. The chemistry between the two artists helped reinforce why their partnership remains a significant part of the OVO musical universe.
8. Lauryn Hill Made the Night’s Most Unexpected Guest Appearance
One of the evening’s most notable moments came when Lauryn Hill appeared during Drake’s set. The performance connected several generations of music, drawing on Hill’s work with the Fugees and her solo catalogue.
The set included “Ready or Not,” followed by a combination of “Ex-Factor” and Drake’s “Nice for What.” The pairing was especially interesting because Drake has long drawn from R&B and hip-hop traditions, while Hill’s music has influenced artists across both genres.
Her appearance gave the night a connection to an earlier era of hip-hop and soul while showing how those records continue to resonate with contemporary audiences. It was the kind of collaboration that can make a festival performance feel distinct from a standard tour set.
For more details about the surprise appearance and the night’s setlist, read [The Source’s report on Drake’s Wireless Festival performance].
FACT also published a review of Drake’s opening night, discussing the R&B-focused set, guest appearances and overall festival atmosphere. Read [FACT’s review of Drake at Wireless 2025] for another perspective.
Final Thoughts
Drake’s first night at Wireless Festival was built around a clear idea: celebrate the R&B influences that have shaped his music and create room for artists whose sounds connect with that tradition.
PARTYNEXTDOOR helped establish the mood, emerging performers brought different perspectives to the lineup, and established guests added moments of recognition and surprise. Lauryn Hill’s appearance provided a particularly striking link between generations, while Drake’s own catalogue demonstrated the lasting appeal of his melodic records.
The night was also a reminder that a festival headliner can shape more than the main performance. By bringing different voices together, Drake helped turn the opening night into a broader showcase of R&B’s many forms.
Reporting note: This article covers the first night of Wireless Festival on July 11, 2025. Guest appearances and song titles should be checked against reliable event reporting before publication.
