PHOTOS: Raleighwood Fest 2025

Last month, we sat down with Raleigh natives and childhood friends LesTheGenius and DJ Ricky Ricardo to talk about a particularly ambitious undertaking they had set out for themselves in the weeks ahead. On a sprawling, five-acre private property just southeast of the Raleigh beltline, they planned to throw a homegrown hip-hop/soul/R&B celebration of epic proportions: bars and DJ tents, art exhibitions and fair games, and 20+ North Carolina-based artists rocking a massive outdoor stage for nearly 10 hours straight. Even among those familiar with Les and Ricky's considerable track record as promoters and organizers in the Raleigh scene, it would've been reasonable to wonder if they could actually pull it off.

Good ’Wood

SE’s photo editor reflects on Raleighwood Fest 2025.

Super Empty.Jeyhoun Allebaugh

On Saturday, they did that and then some — putting on the kind of polished, large-scale production you'd think came from a city or county's cultural resources office, not two 20somethings and a supporting cast of their friends and family. You can read more notes about the experience from SE photo editor (and wearer of many other hats) Jeyhoun Allebaugh here, but for those who prefer to let the visual imagery wash over them, we've got a collection of his and Isaac Aiello's best shots for your viewing pleasure. To the uninitiated, what follows could be mistaken for just a couple dozen beautiful concert photos. For those who know better, it's a historical record of a night that the 919 arts community should never forget.

-Ryan

Jeyhoun Allebaugh is photo editor at Super Empty, and forever studying film & photo, flash, focus, record. He is interested in how storytelling animates community and is born and bred Durham, NC. You can find him on Instagram @jeyhoun.

Isaac Aiello is a freelance photographer and videographer based in Raleigh, NC. You can follow him on Instagram at @directedbyisaaaac.