Thousands of R&B fans trekked to Metropolitan Park for the 2025 Funkfest 25th Year anniversary celebration. This year’s R&B headliners included two days of top performers that included Charlie Wilson, Marsha Ambrosia, 112 Trey Songz and others. Halfway into the evening weekend concert, ticket holders were asked to leave the park due to heavy rains and thunderstorms on days. Although the crowd was disappointed to leave the park, once the coast was clear, ticket holders reentered the park for a showstopping performance by R&B veteran Charlie Wilson and other headliners.
Saturdays concert featured 803 Fresh and a rap set by Louisiana rapper Boosie. Boosie continued his rap reign on stage rapping his hits and had the crowd singing his lyrics in unison. As Boosie paused for the Funkfest cause, he was awarded two honorary doctorates in music composition/management from Florida based Kingdom Heritage University and acknowledged for his hip hop career and advocacy.
After being put out the park, the grumbling guests hung out in the food court and on the streets while some even took to the internet to express their disappointment. “They had us out their like funky hyenas,” said Arielle Jenkins. Some even threatened lawsuits as few performers didn’t even hit the stage at all.
Since 2002, the Funkest has funked up Jacksonville with star studded acts, even though this year the inclement weather was a factor with ticketholders expressing disappointment, Funkfest promoters were specific in stating whether rain or shine the show goes on and going on it did!!