What happens when vision meets hustle? You get history made—and that’s exactly what went down at the Up The Smoke Festival in Concord, North Carolina on 4/20.
With over 8,000 people in attendance, a sold-out crowd, and a lineup that brought out heavy hitters like Kodak Black, DaBaby, Rubi Rose, Babyface Ray, DDG, 310babii, and more—the energy was undeniable.
But this wasn’t just another festival. This was the kind of moment where music, culture, cannabis, and community all came together in a way the Carolinas had never seen before.
Black Cannabis Magazine was on the ground for this one—tapped in, tuned in, and witnessing history up close.
A Dream Manifested
For Yung LB, co-founder of Runtz and one of the key forces behind the festival, Up The Smoke was years in the making. After first connecting with the team at Imported LA over two years ago, the idea of doing something major in Charlotte started as a conversation—and turned into a full-blown movement.
“Chief said, ‘I wanna bring you out to Charlotte.’ I said, ‘Let’s do a festival,’ and he was like, ‘What are you talking about, L?’ But he heard the vision. We made a plan and executed it. It was a heavy four to five months of planning, but WE DID IT! Alhamdulilah,” LB shared.
That faith in the process—and the grind behind the scenes—pushed this dream into reality.
Independent Artists Set the Tone Early
The day opened with a lineup of independent artists repping North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, giving local talent a real stage to showcase their sound. Hosted by media personality Stephen “The Dream” Smith, the early hours stayed energized with performances by Jewels, Jass Clutch, Benton, and more.
Brandon Lee also stood out as one of the top emerging acts of the day, grabbing the crowd early and making sure his name stayed on their minds.
Between sets, 48 Riqq and DeeJay Trap kept the vibes going, blending 420 classics like Afroman’s “Because I Got High” with regional anthems like Big YBA’s “Miss It.” Official DJs like DJ PartyBoy (DJ for Glorilla) and DJ E Sudd(2 Chainz’s official DJ) helped keep the crowd lifted all day long.
Cannabis, Culture, and Community Collide
As we moved through the festival grounds, one thing stood out—the intentional love shown to cannabis culture. From Imported x Joke’s Up to Charlotte’s Black Diamond and Flora Distro, brands showed up heavy with giveaways and activations. Yung Marley, the creator of Sharklato, wasn’t just vending—he was standing ten toes down beside his brother Yung LB, making the family connection feel even stronger.
The food? Top tier. We personally tried a few of the local vendors—trust, the plates were hitting just as hard as the performances. Shoutout to Atlanta Seafood, Nothing But Love, Turkey Hustlerz and the full lineup of food trucks and chefs who brought flavor to the festival experience.
Big Moments, Bright Stars
As the sun dipped and the stage lights came up, the festival leveled up. Rubi Rose brought dance floor energy, linking with Karrahboo during her set for their On The Radar freestyle.
DDG had cameras swarming as he streamed his set live to millions of YouTube fans, showing love to Blueface mid-performance.
When Babyface Ray touched the stage, the momentum only grew—but one of the most talked-about moments was seeing Yung LB join him to perform “Runtz Yo Life Up” in front of the packed-out crowd. Right there beside him?
It wasn’t just a performance—it was a statement.
When the Headliners Hit, It Was Up
DaBaby pulled up in two Tesla Cybertrucks and made it clear why Charlotte calls him one of their own. Running through hits like “Suge,” “BOP,” and “Masterpiece,” he gave the home team a performance worth remembering—bringing a young fan on stage during “Rockstar” for a feel-good moment that felt straight from the heart.
Kodak Black closed out the night on his own time and in true Kodak fashion—switching fits on stage, enjoying a piece of fried chicken mid-set, and throwing his shirt and hat into the crowd before taking time to personally connect with fans.
Throughout the day and night, safety stayed locked in thanks to the organizers’ partnership with the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Department, making sure the vibes stayed peaceful while the crowd stayed lit.
History Made—And This Is Just the Start
It’s one thing to throw a festival. It’s another to sell out your first 4/20 event and bring out thousands of people to witness history where it’s never been done before. But that’s exactly what Yung LB and Imported Productions did—and we were there to see it.
“We went from touring with artists, trappin’ on tour, pop-ups to now doing festivals and concerts. Yesterday’s price is NOT today’s price—STOCCS WENT UP!” LB shared.
The Carolinas felt it. The culture felt it. And if this is how Up The Smoke starts, best believe the tour is only going to get bigger from here.
