Annual music festival
Essence Music Festival En Vogue performing on the main stage at the Essence Music Festival
Genre R&B • Soul • Funk • Gospel • Blues • Hip-Hop • Jazz • Reggae • New Jack Swing Dates 4 July weekend Location(s) Caesars Superdome New Orleans, Louisiana Years active 1995 –2019, 2021 (virtual)–Attendance 500,000 Website Essence.com
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is the largest African-American culture and music event in the US.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
The annual music festival started in 1995 in New Orleans, Louisiana to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine. The festival features artists simultaneously performing on a main stage as well as four standing-room only stages.
In 2006 it was held in Houston, Texas , due to Hurricane Katrina's effect on New Orleans , and the 2020 festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . A spinoff iteration of the festival was held in Durban , South Africa in 2016.
In 2013, Solomon Group became the producer of Essence Festival,[8] and MSNBC broadcast the event live.[1] [9] MSNBC returned for the 2014 festival.[10] Much of the 2017 film Girls Trip was filmed on location during the 2016 festival, casting over 5,000 extras.[11]
In 2022 The Walt Disney Company served as the exclusive entertainment sponsor.[12]
Concert line-up
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Dres of Black Sheep (and some other rappers) turned up for impromptu performances during Doug E Fresh set.
Venue: Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas
2007
2008
All Star Tribute To Patti LaBelle A celebration of Patti LaBelle featuring original LaBelle members Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx -
Kanye West - Chris Brown - Rihanna - J. Holiday - Peabo Bryson - Angie Stone - Mint Condition - Grandmaster Flash - Terence Blanchard - Big Sam's Funky Nation - Rebirth Brass Band - , Ledisi, Chrisette Michele , Ruby Amanfu and more - Jill Scott - LL Cool J - Musiq - Lyfe Jennings - Solange - Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra - Marva Wright - Cupid - Karina - Bamboula - Kermit Ruffins ' tribute to Louis Armstrong - Maze featuring Frankie Beverly - Mary J. Blige - Chris Rock - Keyshia Cole - Morris Day & The Time - Chrisette Michele - Estelle - Raheem DeVaughn - Gil Scott-Heron - Irma Thomas - Preservation Hall Jazz Band 's Gospel Revival - Nicholas Payton - Christian Scott
2009
Beyoncé - John Legend - Ne-Yo - Salt N Pepa - Eric Benet - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Solange - Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars - Keri Hilson - Marva Wright - Big Sam’s Funky Nation - Preservation Hall Jazz Band Revue - Dwele - Maxwell - Anita Baker - Robin Thicke - Charlie Wilson - Jazmine Sullivan - Ledisi - Janelle Monáe - Zap Mama - Irvin Mayfield - Little Freddie King - Maze featuring Frankie Beverly - Lionel Richie - Al Green - Teena Marie - En Vogue - Raphael Saadiq - Lalah Hathaway - Melanie Fiona - Ryan Leslie - Blind Boys of Alabama - The Knux - Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave All Stars - Rebirth Brass Band - Laura Izibor
2010
Janet Jackson - Charlie Wilson - Raphael Saadiq - Monica - Chrisette Michele - Irma Thomas - Arrested Development - Big Sam's Funky Nation - Mary Mary - Irvin Mayfield & The NOJO - WAR - Little Freddie King - Alicia Keys - Gladys Knight - LL Cool J - Keri Hilson - Laura Izibor - Sam & Ruby - De La Soul - Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers - Mint Condition - Joe - Rebirth Brass Band - Earth Wind & Fire - Mary J. Blige - Jill Scott - Trey Songz - Estelle - Hot 8 Brass Band - Lalah Hathaway - Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk - Ruben Studdard - Melanie Fiona - PJ Morton Band - Soul Rebels Brass Band
2011
2011 EMF Logo
Usher - Charlie Wilson - Jennifer Hudson - Fantasia - Boyz II Men - Macy Gray - Dwele - Alexander O’Neal and Cherrelle - Mint Condition - Soul Rebels Brass Band - Tank - Miguel - Mavis Staples - Irma Thomas - Kanye West - Jill Scott - Chaka Khan - El Debarge - Eric Benet - Morris Day & The Time - Stephanie Mills - Naughty by Nature - To Be Continued Brass Band - Mary J. Blige - New Edition - Trey Songz - Loose Ends - Hal Linton - George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic - Rebirth Brass Band - Kelly Price - Vanessa Bell Armstrong - Trin-i-Tee 5:7 - Brian Courtney Wilson - MC Lyte - Doug E. Fresh - Hot 8 Brass Band
2012
2012 EMF Logo
Diggy Simmons - OMG Girlz - Coco Jones - Square Off - Charlie Wilson - D'Angelo - Trey Songz - Keyshia Cole - The Pointer Sisters - Marsha Ambrosious - Kindred & The Family Soul - Vivian Green - Stephanie Mills - Gary Clark Jr. - Rebirth Brass Band - SWV - Goapele - Mary J. Blige - Kevin Hart - Ledisi - Mary Mary - Tank - Eric Roberson - Teedra Moses - The Stylistics - Robert Glasper - Dru Hill - Big Sam's Funky Nation - Chaka Khan - Aretha Franklin - Anthony Hamilton - Fantasia - Kirk Franklin - Syleena Johnson - Faith Evans - KeKe Wyatt - Nicci Gilbert - Melanie Fiona - Carl Thomas - Alex Boyd - Eve - Estelle - Luke James - Raheem DeVaughn - Bridget Kelly
2013
Beyoncé - Brandy - Maxwell - New Edition - Charlie Wilson - Keyshia Cole - St Beauty - Daley - LL Cool J - Malu Music - Maya Azucena - PJ Morton - Roman GianArthur - TGT - Trey Songz - Alice Smith - Bridget Kelly - Deep Cotton - Emeli Sandé - F. Stokes - Janelle Monáe - Jill Scott - Kourtney Heart - Leela James - Luke James - Mia Borders - Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs - Simphiwe Dana - Anthony David - Big Daddy Kane - Bilal - Blackstreet - Chrisette Michelle - Faith Evans - Jody Watley - Les Nubians - Marsha Ambrosious - Mint Condition - Rachelle Ferrell - Tamia - Biz Markie - Brass-A-Holics - Carla Ferrell - Cupid - Doug E. Fresh - Gina Brown - Greta Prince - Mike Swift - Solange - Stooges Brass Band - Nephew Tommy - Tweet - Water Seed
2014
Prince - Nas - Janelle Monáe - Nile Rodgers - Mary J. Blige - Jill Scott - The Roots - Ledisi - Tank - Lionel Richie - Charlie Wilson - Erykah Badu - Jazmine Sullivan - Jesse Boykins III - Tevin Campbell - K. Michelle - Tamar Braxton - Trey Songz - 112 - Alice Smith - August Alsina - Big Sam's Funky Nation - Daley - Day26 - Doug E. Fresh - Elle Varner - Estelle - George Tandy, Jr. - Greta Prince - Jagged Edge - Kelly Prince - Kevin Ross - King - Kourtney Heart - Leela James - Liv Warfield - Marsha Ambrosius - Michelle Williams - Naughty by Nature - Raheem DeVaughn - Robert Glasper - Sebastian Mikael - Sevyn Streeter - Stephanie Mills - SWV - Tevin Campbell - The Original Pinettes Brass Band [13]
2015
Usher - Missy Elliot - Kendrick Lamar - Mary J. Blige - Kevin Hart - Erykah Badu - Common - Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly , Charlie Wilson , India.Arie , Kem - Trey Songz - Adrian Marcel - AverySunshine - Lecrae - Doug E. Fresh - Grapple - Kelly Price - Kindred Te Family Soul - Luenell - Nico & Vinz - Slick Rick - Beenie Man & The Zagga Zow Band - Bilal - Elle Varner - Esperanza Spalding - Emily's D+Evolution - Kool Moe Dee - Mali Music - Mystical - Raheem DeVaughn - Sevyn Streeter - Tank - The Bangas - Tonya Boyd-Cannon - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue - Floetry - Andra Day - Dee-1 - Dumpstaphunk - Eric Roberson - Jeff Bradshaw - Lianne La Havas - Mase - Robert Glasper - SZA - Tendra Moses - Tweet
2016
Reference:[14]
Main Stage
Friday: Estelle , Faith Evans , Tyrese , Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds , New Edition , Maxwell
Saturday: Jeremih , Common , Charlie Wilson , Mariah Carey
Sunday: Andra Day , Ciara , Puff Daddy & The Family, Kendrick Lamar
Superlounges
Friday: Digable Planets , Daley , Eric Bellinger , Lion Babe , The Internet , Tweet , Estelle, Mali Music , V. Bozeman , Kelly Price , Zakes Bantwini , Sky Wanda
Saturday: Doug E. Fresh , Tink , Jidenna , Preservation Hall Jazz Band , St. Beauty , Lalah Hathaway Judith Hill Wizkid , Lady Leshurr
Sunday: MC Lyte , Dej Loaf , Cyril Neville , Leon Bridges , Kehlani , New Breed Brass Band, Robert Glasper , BJ the Chicago Kid , The Brand New Heavies , Little Simz
2017
Diana Ross - John Legend - Mary J. Blige - Chance the Rapper - Solange - Chaka Khan - Jill Scott - Master P - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue - India.Arie - Monica - Jazmine Sullivan - Mystikal - Silkk the Shocker - Mia X - Rhonda Ross - Ari Lennox - BJ the Chicago Kid - Daley - Doug E. Fresh - Elle Varner - Emily Estefan - Gallant - Jhené Aiko - June's Diary - Kelly Price - Lalah Hathaway - Leela James - Lizzo - Michel'le - Moses Sumney - PJ - PJ Morton - Remy Ma - Ro James - Shaggy - Sir the Baptist - Teyana Taylor - The Jones Girls featuring Shirley Jones - Tweet - Yuna - Heels over Head (SA) - Rafiya - DAVE Everyseason - Lydia Caesar - Napoleon da Great - Cymphonique Miller - Yazz - Xscape
2018
[15]
Main Stage
Friday: Doug E. Fresh with special guest Mia X , Ledisi , Miguel , Snoop Dogg , The Roots curation featuring Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and more
Saturday: Doug E. Fresh with special guest V. Bozeman , Xscape , Queen Latifah presentsLadies First : with special guests Missy Elliott, Remy Ma, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, Brandy, and more , Mary J. Blige
Sunday: Doug E. Fresh with special guest Ashanti , Teddy Riley New Jack Swing Experience : featuring Wreckx-N-Effect, Blackstreet with Dave Hollister, Guy, Kool Moe Dee, SWV and more. , Fantasia , Janet Jackson
Superlounges
Friday: Lloyd , H.E.R. , Damien Escobar, Kelly Price , The Internet , Tweet , Estelle, Mali Music , V. Bozeman , Kelly Price , Zakes Bantwini , Sky Wanda
Saturday: Doug E. Fresh , Tink , Jidenna , Preservation Hall Jazz Band , St. Beauty , Lalah Hathaway Judith Hill Wizkid , Lady Leshurr
Sunday: MC Lyte , Dej Loaf , Cyril Neville , Leon Bridges , Kehlani , New Breed Brass Band, Robert Glasper , BJ the Chicago Kid , The Brand New Heavies , Little Simz
2022
See also
References
^ a b "MSNBC at Essence Festival: a view from Studio Square | MSNBC" . Tv.msnbc.com. 2013-10-13. Retrieved 2015-11-23 .
^ "Street closures possible downtown during Essence Fest, city officials say" . Nbcnews.com . Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2022 .
^ "MSNBC to Broadcast Live from 2013 ESSENCE FESTIVAL" . Tv.broadwayworld.com. 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-23 .
^ "Essence Music Festival with Mary J. Blige" . The New York Times . Retrieved 2015-11-23 .
^ "Essence, MSNBC Team For 2013 Fourth Of July Weekend Festi | Shadow and Act" . Blogs.indiewire.com. 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2015-11-23 .
^ "On the Concert Stage Bet Festival Offers a Broad Brand Experience" . The New York Times . Retrieved 2015-11-23 .
^ "2007 Essence Music Festival 'Coming Home' to New Orleans July 5, 6, 7" . Crt.state.la.us. Archived from the original on 2010-12-04. Retrieved 2007-04-17 .
^ "Essence This Time: A Festival Evolving" . NPR.org . Retrieved 2017-08-04 .
^ Whitaker, Morgan. "Steve Harvey talks success and manhood at Essence Fest" . MSNBC. Retrieved 2015-11-23 .
^ "Growing Hope at the ESSENCE Festival™" . MSNBC. Retrieved 2015-11-23 .
^ "Casting for 'Girls Trip' During Essence Fest" . Central Casting . 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2020-10-02 .
^ Osbourne, Aussie. "Walt Disney To Be Exclusive Entertainment Sponsor Of 2022 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture" . Aussie Osbourne . Aussie Osbourne. Retrieved 3 June 2022 .
^ "Essence Festival 2014 - Artist Schedule | Essence.com" . Archived from the original on July 19, 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-23 .
^ "Essence Fest 2016: See the day-by-day lineup" . Nola.com . April 20, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2017 .
^ "Essence Festival: 2018 Nightly Concert Lineup Announced" . App.com .
^ a b c d e f "How Patti LaBelle Commanded the Essence Festival 2022 Stage With Just One Louboutin" . Vanity Fair . 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2022-07-08 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k Muhammad, Latifah (2022-06-29). "Essence Festival 2022: Where You Can Buy Tickets Before They Sell Out & How to Watch" . Billboard . Retrieved 2022-07-08 .
External links
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