Essence Music Festival
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. It was also held in Durban, South Africa in 2016. The festival features artists simultaneously performing on a main stage as well as four standing-room only superlounge stages.
Essence Music Festival | |
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![]() 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) | Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans, Louisiana |
Years active | 1995–2019, 2021– |
Attendance | 500'000 |
Website | Essence.com |
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.
Concert line-up
2001
- Angie Stone
- Bilal
- Brenda Russell
- Carl Thomas
- Clarence Carter
- Destiny's Child
- Donald Harrison
- Eric Benét
- Erykah Badu
- Irma Thomas
- Jeffrey Osborne
- Jill Scott
- Joe
- Kelly Price
- Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
- Patti Austin
- Patti LaBelle
- Rebirth Brass Band
- Solomon Burke
- Steel Pulse
- Steve Harvey
- Teena Marie
- The Dells
- The O'Jays
- The Roots
- The Whispers
- Tower of Power
- Vintage
- Yolanda Adams
- Zion Golan
2002
- Al Green
- Alicia Keys
- Angie Stone
- Average White Band
- Babyface
- Big Al Carson
- Brian McKnight
- Cedric the Entertainer
- Denise LaSalle
- De La Soul
- Etta James
- Faith Evans
- Femi Kuti
- Friends
- Gerald Levert
- Glenn Lewis
- India.Arie
- Kindred the Family Soul
- King Floyd
- Luther Vandross
- Mary J. Blige
- Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
- Me'Shell Ndegeocello
- Mike Phillips
- Myself
- Oleta Adams
- Rahsaan Patterson
- Steve Harvey
- The Brothers Johnson
- The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley
- The Ohio Players
- The Roots
- Tom Joyner & the Morning Show Crew
- Tyrone Davis
2003
- All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross
- Anita Baker
- Ashanti
- Biz Markie
- Bobby "Blue" Bland
- Chaka Khan
- Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers
- Dianne Reeves
- Doug E. Fresh
- Dwele
- Erykah Badu
- Faith Evans
- Gerald Levert
- Groove Theory
- Heather Headley
- Jaguar Wright
- Jaheim
- Jamie Foxx
- Keith Sweat
- Kelly Price
- Kindred the Family Soul
- LL Cool J
- Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
- Michael Franks
- Mo'Nique
- Musiq Soulchild
- Nappy Roots
- Patti LaBelle
- S.O.S. Band
- Smokey Robinson
- Stevie Wonder
- The Bushwhackers
- The Gap Band
- Third World
- Will Downing
- Yolanda Adams
2004
- 112
- Anthony Hamilton
- Chanté Moore
- Common
- Dazz Band
- Dionne Farris
- Donnie McClurkin
- Freddie Jackson
- Gladys Knight
- Irma Thomas
- Kem
- Kenny Lattimore
- Lalah Hathaway
- Ledisi
- Little Milton
- LL Cool J
- Mary J. Blige
- Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
- Millie Jackson
- Morris Day & The Time
- New Edition
- Ohio Players
- O'Jays
- Prince
- Rebirth Brass Band
- Sinbad
- Solomon Burke
2005
- Alicia Keys
- Aretha Franklin
- Black Eyed Peas
- Bobby Blue Bland
- Carl Thomas
- Destiny's Child
- Doug E. Fresh
- Fantasia
- Floetry
- Jamia
- Jeffrey Osborne
- John Legend
- Kanye West
- Lionel Richie
- Lyfe Jennings
- Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
- Me'Shell Ndegeocello
- Mint Condition
- Mo'Nique
- Regina Belle
- Ruben Studdard
- Slick Rick
- Talib Kweli
- Teena Marie
- Terrence Blanchard
- The Roots
- The Wailers
- Vivian Green
2006
- Bobby Brown performed alone and with New Edition
- Brand New Heavies
- Cedric the Entertainer
- Charlie Wilson
- Chris Brown Missed flight so did not perform.
- Doug E. Fresh
- Earth Wind & Fire
- Goapele
- Jaheim
- Jamie Foxx
- Keyshia Cole
- Kindred the Family Soul
- LL Cool J
- Loose Ends
- Mary J. Blige
- Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
- Michael Ward
- Mo'Nique
- Musiq Soulchild
- New Edition
- Rebirth Brass Band
- Slick Rick
- Steve Harvey
- Toni Braxton
- Yolanda Adams
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
- Angie Stone
- Anthony David
- B-Legit
- Barack Obama
- Beyoncé
- Chanté Moore
- Ciara
- Chris Brown
- Common
- Cupid
- Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley
- Jermaine Paul
- Kenny Lattimore
- Kelly Rowland
- Kindred the Family Soul
- LeVert
- Lionel Richie
- Ludacris
- Lyfe Jennings
- Mary J. Blige
- Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
- MC Lyte
- Mint Condition
- Najee
- Ne-Yo
- Nuttin' But Stringz
- Pieces Of A Dream
- Public Enemy
- Rachelle Ferrell
- Rahsaan Patterson
- Rebirth Brass Band
- Robin Thicke
- Roi Anthony
- Ruben Studdard
- Smokie Norful
- The O'Jays
- Slum Village
- Solange Knowles
- Steve Harvey
- Sunshine Anderson
- Vanessa Bell Armstrong
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
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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
![](../I/EMF_2012_Logo_b.png.webp)
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[11]
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: [12]
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
[13]
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
See also
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Essence Music Festival. |
- List of hip hop music festivals
- List of blues festivals
- Hip hop culture
References
- "MSNBC at Essence Festival: a view from Studio Square | MSNBC". Tv.msnbc.com. 2013-10-13. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
- "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.
- "Essence Festival 2014 - Artist Schedule | Essence.com". Web.archive.org. 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.
- https://www.app.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/04/04/essence-festival-nightly-lineup-announced/488345002/
External links
- 2020 Essence Festval of Culture July 1 - 5, 2020
- 2017 Essence Festival Concerts Tickets, Parties and Events Guide in New Orleans, LA
- Essence Music Festival 2010 Review by UnRated Magazine
- Essence returns with Kanye West, Chris Rock and a new producer
- Essence '08 highlighted by new stage
- Essence Fest Holds a "Coming Home" Party
- Reviewing the Essence Festival's First 20 Years
Media related to Essence Music Festival at Wikimedia Commons