Every year, hundreds of thousands of music lovers, fashion girlies, and aunties from around the world head to New Orleans for Essence Fest. The festival runs from July 3–6 and always brings something fresh for the culture.
Yes, there were a few bumps in the road this year (which Essence has openly taken accountability for), but the highlights? The highlights reminded us exactly why people keep coming back year after year.
Check out some of our favorite moments below:
Breakout Stars Mariah The Scientist, Leon Thomas, Coco Jones, and Glorilla Take Center Stage
This year, Essence Fest brought the vibes and the Superlounges back, which is a special series of performances for VVIP ticketholders that had the crowd talking.
Friday night opened strong with Ari Lennox setting the tone in the Superlounge, and breakout star of the year Leon Thomas (thanks to his viral single Mutt) took over the AT&T Dream in Black Stage Friday and the Superlounge on Saturday. Fans were hoping he’d hit the main stage after Summer Walker dropped out last minute, but his double performance more than delivered.
Coco Jones lit up the mainstage Friday night with fan favorites from her Why Not More album, including “On Sight” and “Taste”, a Britney Spears’ Toxic sample, and she followed it up with another set Saturday on the AT&T Dream in Black Stage for those who missed the first.
And of course, GloRilla made her ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® Presented By Coca-Cola® Evening Concert Series debut, setting the energy all the way up.
Meanwhile, Mariah the Scientist hit the Coca-Cola stage on July 5th with her new hit Burning Blue, which just got the Rihanna cosign. At the Smurfs premiere, Rih mentioned right now it’s her go to karaoke song and Mariah’s response? “Tell her to call me.”
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