T
he annual celebration of black music and culture, Essence Festival, will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, from June 29 to July 3. Some of the biggest names in music are on the program, including Wizkid, Monica, Missy Elliot, Megan Thee Stallion, and Ms. Lauryn Hill. It’s clear why black people are drawn to this celebration of our roots. It’s like a reunion party for Black folks, a home away from home, a spot where you can be unapologetically Black in all your Blackness.
But there are other aspects of the Essence Festival that thrill beyond music. You’ll also find panels and workshops that cover different subjects, including relationships, business, and beauty. Simply put, it is symbolic of Black heritage and culture, and definitely worth a visit by anyone who appreciates the beauty of all that is black.
Here’s a quick history of Essence Fest
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The Essence Festival, also known as “the party with a purpose,” is a music festival that began in 1995 as a one-time celebration of Essence magazine’s 25th birthday. In the years following, what was intended to be a one-time event morphed into the biggest annual show in the United States for celebrating Black culture. Since its onset, Essence Fest has been held in New Orleans, Louisiana, except for 2006, when it was moved to Houston, Texas due to Hurricane Katrina’s impact on New Orleans. And in 2020, when it was postponed due to COVID-19.
In November 2016, a separate version of the festival took place in Durban, South Africa. There are concurrent musical performances on four mega lounge stages. Being a major economic engine for New Orleans, the festival brings in millions of dollars in revenue and creates thousands of jobs. It’s also a major cultural event that helps promote New Orleans as a destination for tourists and businesses.
Essence Festival 2023 lineup
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The Essence Festival of Culture has announced this year’s lineup, and we aren’t surprised at the excitement it has received considering the prominent names that feature. See the full list below:
Friday, 29th June
Hosts
- Deon Cole
- DJ Clark Kent
Performers
- Ms. Lauryn Hill
- Tems
- Doug E Fresh
- Jagged Edge
- DJ Spinderella
- Friends of the Culture
- Ari Lennox
- Tobe Nwigwe
Saturday, June 30
Hosts
- Affion Crockett
- Spice Adams
Performers
- Jermaine Dupri
- Ludacris
- Jill Scott
- Missy Elliott
- Lil Jon
- Coco Jones
- Monica
- Kid Capri
- Big Boi
- Gucci Mane
- T.I.
- Ice Cube
Sunday, July 1
Host
- Janelle James
Performers
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Wizkid
- Angie Martinez Presents: 50 Years of Women in Hip-Hop
- Eve
- Mia X
- Remy Ma
- Salt-N-Pepa
- Kizz Daniel
- Muni Long
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This Essence Festival lineup is a reminder to lock in the event on your summer to-do list. If you’re a fan of Black culture and music, then attending isn’t up for debate. With a lineup like this, you don’t want to be told how the party went down.
Featured image: Michael Rowe via @essencefest/Instagram
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