Essence Music Festival
En Vogue performing on the main stage at the Essence Music Festival
GenreR&B • Soul • Funk • Gospel • Blues • Hip-Hop • Jazz • Reggae • New Jack Swing
Dates4 July weekend
Location(s)Caesars Superdome
New Orleans, Louisiana
Years active1995–2019, 2021 (virtual)–
Attendance500,000
WebsiteEssence.com

The Essence Festival, known as "the party with a purpose", is an annual music festival which started in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence, a magazine aimed primarily towards African-American women. It became the largest African-American culture and music event in the United States.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Locally referred to as the Essence Fest, it has been held in New Orleans, Louisiana, since 1995 except in 2006, when it was held in Houston, Texas, due to Hurricane Katrina's effect on New Orleans and 2020 when it was cancelled. A spinoff iteration of the festival was also held in Durban, South Africa, in November 2016. The festival features artists simultaneously performing on a main stage as well as four standing-room only superlounge stages.

In 2008, for the first time since its 1995 inception, the festival was not produced by the original producer team. Instead, Essence Communications, owner of the festival and the Essence magazine, contracted Rehage Entertainment Inc.

Starting 2013, Solomon Group became the Producer of Essence Festival.[8]

In 2013, MSNBC broadcast live from the Essence Festival.[1][9] MSNBC returned for the 2014 festival.[10]

2020 saw the event get cancelled with the COVID-19 pandemic to blame; the 26th is deferred to 2021, virtually.

Essence announced its return in 2022 to live event with The Walt Disney Company serving as sponsor.[11]

Much of the 2017 film Girls Trip was filmed on location during the 2016 festival, casting over 5000 background actors[12] with several scenes filmed afterward to recreate elements of the festival.

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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Essence Music Festival.

References

  1. 1 2 "MSNBC at Essence Festival: a view from Studio Square | MSNBC". Tv.msnbc.com. 2013-10-13. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  2. ↑ "Street closures possible downtown during Essence Fest, city officials say". Nbcnews.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  3. ↑ "MSNBC to Broadcast Live from 2013 ESSENCE FESTIVAL". Tv.broadwayworld.com. 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  4. ↑ "Essence Music Festival with Mary J. Blige". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  5. ↑ "Essence, MSNBC Team For 2013 Fourth Of July Weekend Festi | Shadow and Act". Blogs.indiewire.com. 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  6. ↑ "On the Concert Stage Bet Festival Offers a Broad Brand Experience". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "Essence This Time: A Festival Evolving". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
  9. ↑ Whitaker, Morgan. "Steve Harvey talks success and manhood at Essence Fest". MSNBC. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  10. ↑ "Growing Hope at the ESSENCE Festival™". MSNBC. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  11. ↑ Osbourne, Aussie. "Walt Disney To Be Exclusive Entertainment Sponsor Of 2022 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture". Aussie Osbourne. Aussie Osbourne. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "Casting for 'Girls Trip' During Essence Fest". Central Casting. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  13. ↑ "Essence Festival 2014 - Artist Schedule | Essence.com". Archived from the original on July 19, 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  14. ↑ "Essence Fest 2016: See the day-by-day lineup". Nola.com. April 20, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Essence Festival: 2018 Nightly Concert Lineup Announced". App.com.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "How Patti LaBelle Commanded the Essence Festival 2022 Stage With Just One Louboutin". Vanity Fair. 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 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.

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