The Atlanta Hawks 2025 Fan Fest presented by CareSource brought the city's signature blend of hoops and hip hop to life Thursday night at State Farm Arena, where basketball, beats, and community collide for the 2025-26 season. From the moment fans poured through Gates 2, 4 and 5, the energy in the arena felt like Atlanta in its purest form, warm, loud and full of love for the home team.
Source: Paras Griffin/Getty
From Courtside Drills to Cultural Excitement
According to the Atlanta Hawks organization, Fan Fest gave fans a preview of the 2025-2026 roster during practices, scrimmages and on-field games led by Head Coach Quin Snyder and his staff. New additions showcased their chemistry alongside returning players as families and super fans filled the stands. With five-dollar tickets benefiting the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, the night was more than a kickoff to the season; it was a statement of purpose rooted in giving back.
Roscoe Dash brings an Atlanta Classic Feel
After the Hawks Entertainment team got the crowd moving, throwing T-shirts, getting hype and keeping the tempo high, Atlanta's own Roscoe Dash took center stage. The rapper delivered a nostalgic yet high-energy performance that instantly transformed the arena into a pulsating pep rally.
Dash ran through a string of hits, including “All the Way Turnt Up” and “No Hands,” with fans dancing and singing every word. After his set, he stepped off the stage to meet fans and take photos, creating a full circle home moment that connected music, sports and culture under one roof.
“It's been a while since I've done anything, for lack of better words, I'll say like pep rally related,” Dash told me. “So I feel like I'm part of the kickoff.”
The Atlanta native, who is currently building off his recent work with Metro Boomin, said the collaboration has reignited his creative spark. #FuturisticSumma
“It's been great. We've been moving a lot, still shooting videos, working on the next step,” he said. “Putting everything together and continuing to build the camaraderie that was on that project.”
When asked about the rise of AI in music, Dash kept his answer grounded in perspective.
“Art is art. You know what I'm saying? So the people who might frustrate it, but like, we do this. I just make the music and keep doing what I'm doing.”
He also shared advice for aspiring artists.
“Keep being different. Keep getting those left-handed layups in. We can pray for things, but we can't control how it comes. You can just say, 'I love music,' and it snowballs into something bigger. You have to be out of your own way to make these kinds of things happen.”
Dash, which was first known in 2008 and 2009, reflected on longevity and legacy.
“I love being in this building. I love being part of the culture and what the city is going into. To be in 2025 and we still have a hand in the culture, that's what it's all about.”
CareSource about health, access and impact
In addition to entertainment, the event also spotlighted community wellness through CareSource, the presenting sponsor.
BOSSIP spoke with Brandy YarboroughLife Services Manager for the organization, about the importance of being part of Fan Fest for the third consecutive year.
“The energy has been fantastic,” Yarborough said. “All the Hawks fans have come to the stand. The excitement is contagious.”
CareSourcea non-profit managed care organization serving over four hundred and thirty thousand Georgians, focuses on addressing social determinants of health such as housing, transportation and employment.
“We have partnered with the Atlanta Hawks since 2022 to make a meaningful impact through initiatives that promote health and wellness for Atlanta families and communities,” she explained. “We are proud to support the Foundation's efforts to strengthen local communities and provide opportunities that lead to lasting change.”
She noted that CareSource offers personal life coaching and assistance for members navigating Georgia's Pathways to Coverage program.
“When someone loses their job or their benefits, our life coaches help them find work opportunities so they can remain eligible for health care,” she said. “We have dedicated staff to help members when they have barriers so they can stay focused on their health and families.”
A City United by Spirit
Between the cheers of fans, the music echoing off the walls of the arena, and the on-court energy of the Hawks' new lineup, Fan Fest captures everything Atlanta represents: resilience, rhythm and connection. As the 2025-26 season approaches, it's clear the Hawks aren't just preparing to play; they set the stage for something bigger.
Because in Atlanta, every slam dunk comes with a soundtrack, and every partnership, from CareSource to Roscoe Dash, tells the story of a city that rises, rises and gives back.
You had to be in the room
What stood out most was how natural the mix of basketball and culture felt. Watching the new Hawks roster take shape while Roscoe Dash performed songs that defined an Atlanta era was like watching two generations of energy collide. From the t-shirt tossing to the on-field drills, the crowd lapped up every moment. It could only bring you back to why the spirit of Atlanta feels unmatched.
There's a rhythm to the way our city celebrates its own, whether it's a player, a performer or a partner like CareSource that gives back. Fan Fest wasn't just about the game; it was about the heartbeat of the city that makes the game matter.
