Golden Coast 2025: A New Era for Rap and Inclusivity in Dijon
Every year, music festivals continue to shape the cultural heartbeat of France. In 2025, all eyes turned to Dijon, emerging as the country’s newest rap capital with Golden Coast—a groundbreaking event that fuses sound, creativity, and community. More than just booming speakers and vibrant crowds, this festival sparks an essential conversation: how truly inclusive are major music events for diverse and queer communities?
With its electric atmosphere and deeply personal moments, Golden Coast 2025 took a bold stride in redefining what an inclusive music experience can look like.
🎶 Dijon Welcomes One of France’s Biggest Rap Gatherings
From September 5 to 7, Parc de la Combe à la Serpent on the edge of Dijon transformed into a pulsating hub of rap, beats, and expression. In just three years, Golden Coast has climbed the ranks to become one of France’s largest rap festivals, rivaling global heavyweights in terms of production and prestige.
The 2025 edition brought together a stellar roster, including IAM, Gazo, Bigflo & Oli, SDM, MC Solaar, Zola, Dinos, Shay, and Ninho. The lineup struck a masterful balance—celebrating both legendary pioneers and exciting newcomers, echoing the festival’s ambition to connect generations under the rap umbrella.
The energy was magnetic.
Despite occasional showers, more than 60,000 people filled the grounds, transforming Dijon into a vibrant French “Golden Coast” full of warmth, unity, and celebration.
🧭 Rap as a Common Language of Identity
Golden Coast was founded on a clear belief: that rap is more than music—it’s a powerful avenue of self-expression.
Launched by France’s independent urban scene, the festival set out to include all facets of hip-hop culture, from old-school classics to trap, drill, afro, RnB, and conscious rap.
By 2025, this vision deepened. Golden Coast proudly embraced diversity in both sound and crowd. Whether it was the emotionally charged tribute to Népal, the electrifying performance by Shay, or sets from women and non-binary DJs on side stages, the festival became a platform for broader artistic and personal identities.
“We want everyone to feel at home—regardless of gender, color, or orientation,” shared a member of the organizing team. It’s a powerful statement in a genre long criticized for lacking inclusivity.
🌈 Inclusivity Takes Center Stage
Golden Coast 2025 stood out not just for its epic visuals or flawless sound, but for the rich diversity among festival-goers.
Young rap fans vibing to drill, nostalgic millennials cheering for IAM, entire families singing along to Bigflo & Oli—and importantly, a strong, visible presence of the queer community and allies.
Rainbow flags waved proudly, not as defiance, but as joyful expressions of belonging. Many attendees remarked it was “the rare rap event where you could truly dance and be yourself without fear of judgment.”
The blend of cultures and identities felt fluid and genuine.
Though there wasn’t yet an official safe space on site (like at Dour or We Love Green), local organizations were present with booths dedicated to consent, wellness, and inclusion—a meaningful move in a genre still working to evolve past outdated stereotypes.
🏳️🌈 Expanding the Definition of Hip-Hop
Diversity in rap is no longer niche—it’s becoming a generational necessity.
The culture has faced criticism for promoting hypermasculinity and often excluding marginalized voices. But things are shifting fast.
Emerging queer and ally artists, including Lala &ce, Kalika, Zed Yun Pavarotti, and Lean Chihiro, are leading this transformation. Golden Coast 2025 reflected that change by offering space to boundary-pushing performers and collectives.
All over the festival grounds, spectators discussed topics like LGBTQ+ representation in music and swapped queer-friendly playlists. The consensus was clear: hip-hop can evolve into an empowering, inclusive force—not just a mirror of past norms.
💬 Voices from the Crowd: “This Feels Like Freedom”
Camille, 24, from Lyon
“I’m a lesbian and I love rap, but I usually feel judged at other festivals. Not here. I felt safe. I danced. I laughed. I felt like I belonged. Golden Coast proves you don’t have to change who you are to enjoy hip-hop.”
Khalil, 29, volunteer
“For the first time, I saw more diversity backstage: in staff, logistics, even DJs. There’s more work to do, but we’re moving forward. Seeing queer couples just being themselves in the crowd? That’s powerful.”
These testimonials capture what Golden Coast 2025 accomplished: creating a welcoming, safe environment in a space that hasn’t always offered one.
🎤 A Brave and Balanced Lineup
Golden Coast thrives on its ability to marry the mainstream with the underground. The 2025 edition delivered a bold, genre-spanning lineup that thrilled every kind of rap fan.
Friday spotlighted Marseille royalty—IAM, Alonzo, and SCH—drawing cross-generational cheers. Saturday leaned toward the new guard, with Zola, Ninho, and the fierce Shay. The night closed with The Nuits Blanches collective, delivering a late-night DJ set that celebrated queer artistry.
Sunday brought emotion and fireworks, led by Bigflo & Oli‘s heartfelt performance. But the real gems? The smaller stages. Queer DJs, inclusive communities, and rising underground names delivered sets full of raw intensity and unforgettable vibes.
💡 Dijon Emerges as France’s New Hip-Hop Hub
Once known mainly for mustard and wine, Dijon is now gaining recognition as a rap and culture capital. By merging tradition with innovation, the city offers a unique setting for artistic emergence.
La Combe à la Serpent, a green amphitheater-like park, proved the ideal venue for an immersive musical journey that felt both natural and larger than life.
Local benefits ripple out across the region:
- Hotel stays rose by 25% during the festival weekend,
- local shops and restaurants saw booming business,
- and regional artists got stage time to shine alongside national headliners.
Emerging acts from Dijon and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté were featured on secondary stages, blending local flair with mainstream appeal.
♻️ Music With a Mission: Sustainability and Social Awareness
Golden Coast isn’t just about music—it’s about mark-making.
In 2025, the festival expanded its reach with strong commitments to eco-consciousness and social responsibility.
- Implementation of composting toilets,
- recycling stations throughout the grounds,
- and a focus on local food vendors and ethical merch.
The event also partnered with community groups to raise awareness on <