Durham Will Become ‘All Onyx World’ as Jooselord Honors His Son With Free Citywide Music Festival

 

DURHAM, N.C. — On Friday, October 30, Durham will host the inaugural All Onyx World, a free cultural festival bringing together more than 30 North Carolina artists across seven locations. The event honors the life of Onyx Nyne Williams, the five-year-old son of Durham musician and community activist Raheem Williams, better known as Jooselord.

Onyx died March 3, 2026, after battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Now, the community that rallied around the little boy during his illness is coming together again — this time to celebrate his life and help other families facing childhood cancer.

From a Father’s Plea to a Community Movement

During his son’s illness, Jooselord turned to the community he had built through years of music, activism, and organizing.

His request was simple but deeply personal: help Onyx experience the joy, friendship, and wonder of childhood beyond the limitations of his diagnosis.

The response was extraordinary.

Jooselord’s supporters, affectionately known as the Pirates, joined musicians, universities, sports teams, media organizations, community leaders and strangers in creating memorable experiences for Onyx.

An ABC11 report helped amplify the family’s story, generating an outpouring of support that included Onyx being named an honorary assistant coach at North Carolina Central University and an honorary alumnus of Duke University.

Those acts of kindness demonstrated the power of a community coming together for one child.

All Onyx World is designed to carry that spirit forward.

Seven Durham Venues, One Citywide Celebration

Rather than limiting the festival to a single stage, organizers are transforming multiple Durham locations into connected spaces for music, creativity, and community engagement.

The seven confirmed locations are:

• Durham Central Park

• The Fruit

• North Star Church

• Motorco

• Boom Club

• Rubies

• The Pinhook

Each location will offer a different part of the festival experience, encouraging visitors to explore Durham’s creative spaces while supporting neighborhood businesses.

The celebration will feature live performances, family-friendly activities, visual art, skating, beat culture, local vendors, and opportunities for collective remembrance.

Admission to the entire festival is free, allowing families and community members to participate regardless of their financial circumstances.

More Than 30 North Carolina Artists to Perform

All Onyx World will showcase the diversity of North Carolina’s independent music scene, with performances spanning hip-hop, R&B, alternative, rock, electronic music, and other genres.

The inaugural lineup includes G. Yamazawa, Reuben Vincent, Cyanca, LestheGenius, Shame Gang, 3AMSOUND, CJ Monet, Vacant Company, Pie Face Girls and Lord Fess, with additional artists expected to be announced.

The celebration will also feature a special tribute to Onyx and a headlining performance by Jooselord.

For the Durham artist, the festival represents an extension of the community connections he has cultivated throughout his career.

Jooselord Turns Music and Community Activism Into a Lasting Tribute

A three-time Carolina Music Award winner, Jooselord has established himself as a distinctive voice in Durham’s independent music community.

His music blends elements of hip-hop, punk and protest, often connecting artistic expression with social issues and community action.

He has performed at major regional music events, including A3C, Hopscotch, Bull City Summit and Beats n Bars, and has opened for artists such as Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Ho99o9 and A-Trak.

Through those experiences, Jooselord built relationships with artists, supporters and community organizations.

Those relationships now provide the foundation for All Onyx World — a celebration rooted in the same values of connection and collective support that surrounded Onyx during his illness.

Festival Will Also Support Families Facing Childhood Cancer

While All Onyx World promises an expansive day of entertainment, its purpose reaches beyond the stage.

The festival will also raise awareness for the Onyx Is Hope Foundation, established by Raheem Williams to provide direct assistance to families navigating childhood cancer.

For families confronting a childhood cancer diagnosis, the challenges can extend beyond medical treatment to everyday needs, emotional strain and the difficulty of maintaining a sense of normalcy.

The foundation seeks to provide support to families facing those circumstances.

Organizers are seeking sponsors, community partners, media partners and in-kind supporters who share the festival’s mission and can help keep the experience free and accessible.

How to Attend All Onyx World

A Celebration Built on Hope, Love and Togetherness

The inaugural All Onyx World festival is intended to become an annual Durham tradition, carrying forward the memory of a child whose life inspired an extraordinary response from his community.

Its guiding values — hope, love, community and togetherness — reflect the support that surrounded Onyx during his illness and the mission his father continues through music and service.

For one day, Durham’s stages, gathering spaces and creative communities will come together in his honor.

And through the festival and the Onyx Is Hope Foundation, organizers hope that the love shown to one little boy will continue reaching other families who need it.

Feature image credit: John Michael Simpson