All articles tagged with #essence festival
The 2025 Essence Festival in New Orleans experienced significant scheduling delays on its opening night, culminating in Lauryn Hill performing at around 2:30 a.m. to a nearly empty arena. Organizers acknowledged the delays were not Hill's fault and praised her performance, which included engaging with remaining fans and taking requests. Subsequent nights ran more smoothly.
Lauryn Hill performed late into the night at the Essence Festival in New Orleans due to scheduling delays, but the festival defended her, emphasizing her legendary status and the quality of her performance, which included interactions with fans and special song requests.
Lauryn Hill performed late into the night at the 2025 Essence Festival in New Orleans, taking the stage at 2:30 a.m. to a nearly empty stadium due to scheduling delays, but fans defended her, emphasizing that the festival's overall delay was not her fault.
Megan Thee Stallion wowed the crowd at the Essence Festival in New Orleans with her energetic performance, showcasing her twerking skills and delivering a message of empowerment. Other artists like Ludacris and Gucci Mane also made an impact at the festival, leaving rapper Curren$y starstruck.
Jermaine Dupri curated a special tribute set at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival, honoring Atlanta's hip-hop history. He brought out legendary acts like Big Boi, T.I., Gucci Mane, Lil Jon, and more, performing beloved classics and hits that shaped the genre. The set celebrated the South's contribution to hip-hop and paid homage to Outkast's iconic acceptance speech at the 1995 Source Awards.
Atlanta's musical ambassador, Jermaine Dupri, curated a set titled "The South Got Something to Say" at the Essence Festival, showcasing Atlanta's rap legacy and proving that the South is the pulse of hip-hop's past, present, and future. The festival also featured electrifying performances from Atlanta-based artists, highlighting the city's cultural contributions. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized the city's influence in music, entertainment, civil rights, and business. The festival celebrated the South's impact on hip-hop and the importance of Black culture and entrepreneurship.
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the Essence Festival about the Supreme Court's recent decisions on college admissions, student loan debt forgiveness, and LGBTQ+ rights, stating that there is a national movement to attack hard-won freedoms. Attendees expressed concerns about protecting marginalized groups and praised Harris for her active engagement with communities. Harris also discussed her efforts to address reproductive rights and maternal healthcare, sharing stories of women being denied care. In an interview with NPR, she acknowledged the limitations of executive action but emphasized the administration's commitment to taking steps within its power.
Megan Thee Stallion will be headlining the 2023 Essence Festival, which will be streamed live on Hulu. The festival will also feature performances from Lauryn Hill and Missy Elliott. Hulu subscribers can watch the festival at no additional cost, and the streaming service will also be streaming live performances from other major festivals throughout the summer.
The 2023 Essence Festival of Culture, led by Caroline Wanga and Hakeem Holmes, aims to revitalize the festival and reflect a more forward-leaning vision. The festival celebrates hip-hop's 50th anniversary and features headliners such as Ms. Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, and Megan Thee Stallion. Wanga and Holmes emphasize the need for innovation and staying in tune with the Black cultural zeitgeist, even if it means some longtime attendees may not approve. The festival's history has predominantly focused on classic R&B, but this year marks a generational shift and transformation for Essence Fest.
The 2023 Essence Festival will celebrate 50 years of hip-hop with femcee headliners including Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion. The four-day event will feature live performances, activations, and Black-owned businesses to support. The festival aims to honor the contributions of hip-hop to global culture and highlight the importance of Black economic inclusion.
The 2023 Essence Festival lineup has been announced, featuring headliners Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, and Doug E. Fresh, as well as other artists such as Wizkid, Monica, and Coco Jones. The four-day event celebrates hip-hop's rich history through various entertainment stages, panels, and experiences. Tickets are already on sale for the event, which begins on June 29.