The 19th annual ESSENCE Festival will take place from July 4 through July 7 in the city of New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and quality Hip Hop is not lacking. There will be a long list of artists that are associated with urban culture such as Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie, Beyonce, New Edition, PJ Morton, Trey Songz, Mali Music, Janelle Monae, Jill Scott, Brandy, Solange, Maxwell and more for this event.
Attendees can also expect appearances from world-renowned speakers, authors, innovaters and celebrities for the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience. There will also be opportunities to engage with some of the world’s most esteemed brands. ESSENCE editors and various celebrities will connect with attendees, they will be on display on the ESSENCE Center Stage each day. ESSENCE magazine is looking forward to sharing their brand’s message through live moments.
In news related to artists performing at ESSENCE Festival, Beyonce and Michelle Williams featured on Kelly Rowland’s “You’ve Changed” off her Talk A Good Game album, bringing Destiny’s Child back together for at least one track. Beyonce recently auctioned off a style team opportunity worth $25,000, joined the cast of 3D CG-animated film Epic and performed with her husband Jay-Z, among others, at “Chime For Change: The Sound of Change” concert. LL Cool J dropped his Authentic album on April 30. On June 12 iconic Hip Hop artist Big Daddy Kane rocked the NYC Summer Stage, an event curated by Hip Hop’s founders.
Here is the ESSENCE Festival schedule (Appearances/schedule are subject to change):
07.04
Biz Markie – Family Day Sound Stage
Brass-A-Holics – Family Day Sound Stage
Carla Ferrell – Family Day Sound Stage
Cupid – Family Day Sound Stage
Doug E. Fresh – Family Day Sound Stage
Gina Brown – Family Day Sound Stage
Mike Swift – Family Day Sound Stage
Stooges Brass Band – Family Day Sound Stage
Tweet – Family Day Sound Stage
Water Seed – Family Day Sound Stage
07.05
Maxwell – Superdome Main Stage 11:00pm-12:30am
St. Beauty – Cover Girl Superlounge 7:10pm-8:40pm
LL Cool J – Superdome Main Stage 8:05pm-9:05pm
Mali Music – Ford Superlounge 6:55pm-7:25pm
Maya Azucena – McDonald’s Superlounge 7:25pm-7:55pm
Roman GianArthur – Cover Girl Superlounge 7:10pm-8:40pm
Deep Cotton – Cover Girl Superlounge 7:10pm-8:40pm
Emeli Sande – Ford Superlounge 7:45pm-8:35pm
Jill Scott – Superdome Main Stage 9:25pm-10:40pm
Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs – Coca Cola Superlounge 7:10pm-8:10pm
Simphiwe Dana – McDonald’s Superlounge 8:15pm-9:00pm
Anthony David – Ford Superlounge 8:55pm-11:00pm
Chrisette Michele – Cover Girl Superlounge 9:05pm-10:35pm
Les Nubians – McDonald’s Superlounge 9:20pm-10:50pm
Brandy – Superdome Main Stage 7:00pm-7:45pm
Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles – Superdome Main Stage
07.06
New Edition – Superdome Main Stage 11:30pm-12:45am
Charlie Wilson – Superdome Main Stage 9:40pm-11:10pm
Keyshia Cole – Superdome Main Stage 7:35pm-8:20pm
Avery Sunshine – Coca Cola Superlounge 7:00pm-7:30pm
Roman GianArthur – Cover Girl Superlounge 7:10pm-8:40pm
Deep Cotton – Cover Girl Superlounge 7:10pm-8:40pm
St. Beauty – Cover Girl Superlounge 7:10pm-8:40pm
PJ Morton – Ford Superlounge 7:35pm-8:05pm
Trey Songz – Superdome Main Stage 8:35pm-9:20pm
Bridget Kelly – Coca Cola Superlounge 8:00pm-8:45pm
F. Stokes – Ford Superlounge 8:30pm-8:50pm
Leela James – McDonald’s Superlounge 8:00pm-8:45pm
Big Daddy Kane – Ford Superlounge 9:10pm-11:25pm
Bilal – Cover Girl Superlounge 9:15pm-10:30pm
Faith Evans – Coca Cola Superlounge 9:05pm-10:35pm
Jody Watley – McDonald’s Superlounge 9:25pm-10:55pm
Greta Prince – McDonald’s Superlounge 7:10pm-7:40pm
Solange – Superdome Main Stage 6:30pm-7:10pm
07.07
Beyonce – Superdome Main Stage 10:30pm-12:30am
Daley – Ford Superlounge 7:00pm-7:40pm
TGT – Superdome Main Stage 8:00pm-8:45pm
Alice Smith – Cover Girl Superlounge 7:45pm-8:30pm
Janelle Monae – Superdome Main Stage 9:10pm-10:05pm
Kourtney Heart – Ford Superlounge 8:00pm-8:55pm
Luke James – McDonald’s Superlounge 7:05pm-7:50pm
MIA Borders – Coca Cola Superlounge 7:30pm-8:00pm
Marsha Ambrosius – Cover Girl Superlounge 9:00pm-10:15pm
Mint Condition – Ford Superlounge 9:15pm-10:45pm
Rachelle Ferrell – Coca Cola Superlounge 8:20pm-10:35pm
Tamia – McDonald’s Superlounge 8:10pm-10:25pm
For more information and updates, visit the ESSENCE Festival website.
RELATED: Big Daddy Kane Discusses Las Supper And 1993 Freestyle With Notorious B.I.G., Tupac & Shyhei [INTERVIEW]
