“We are not breaking up with the city of New Orleans; Essence is here to stay,” CEO of Essence Carolyn Wagner stated during Thursday’s press conference ahead of the beginning of Essence’s 30th year of the Essence Festival.
Despite the rumors, Essence remains determined and true to the city of New Orleans, celebrating the city and its culture. Vice President of Essence Fest, Hakeem Holmes, also shared a touching story of how he just closed on a home in the city even though his cousin had been recently killed. It’s important to him and the entire team that the culture continues forward in the city of New Orleans.
Essence isn’t just for the aunties anymore. With activations and exhibits from major players like Disney, Coca-Cola, and Target to performances by Victoria Monet, City Girl’s J.T., and internet personalities Raymonte and Clarke Peoples, Essence is still for the aunties but now making a little room for millennials and Gen Z.
See our top moments from this year’s Essence Fest below:
Vice President Kamala Harris Urges People to Vote
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 06: (L-R) Caroline A. Wanga, CEO, Essence Ventures and Vice President Kamala Harris speak onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Vice President Kamala Harris joined a panel with Essence CEO Carolyn Wagner urging people to vote. Harris was greeted by a standing room of hundreds, which featured appearances from Maxine Waters and Jenifer Lewis. She called this year’s election “probably the most significant election in our lifetime.”
She continued, “In 122 days we have the power to decide what kind of country we live in.” In the 30-minute sit-down, Harris did not focus on Biden’s not-so-stellar performance during the debate but instead highlighted the dangers of a second Trump term and the positive work the Biden-Harris Administration has done in the last four years. She made a strong case to Black women, declaring her belief that come November, we will win.
Serena Williams Is Also Listening to ‘Not Like Us’
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 06: Serena Williams speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Serena Williams, draped in Gucci, let it be known that Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is the song of the summer. The 42-year-old tennis superstar spoke on a panel this year with moderator Cari Champion.
This isn’t all that surprising considering Drake and Serena were romantically linked back in 2015, and Drake took shots at Serena’s now-husband Alexis Ohanian on his 2022 collab album with 21 Savage, Her Loss. Premiering on Wednesday, July 10th, on ESPN+, fans can now watch In The Arena: Serena Williams, a new TV docu-series about her career and post-retirement.
Usher Performs His “Confessions” Album for the 20th Anniversary
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 06: Usher performs onstage during Day 2 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Yes, if you can believe it, it’s officially been 20 years since Usher’s Confessions, his most successful album to date, selling more than 10 million copies in the US and 15 million copies worldwide.
For one night, everyone in the Caesar Superdome would hear the entire album, including favorites like “Yeah,” “Superstar,” and “Confessions Pt. I & II,” while also hearing deep cuts like “Simple Things,” “Can U Handle It,” and “Do It To Me.” Usher also surprised fans with a few additional songs, including “Good Good” and “Please U” from his latest album.
He closed out his set with “Lovers & Friends,” saying this was for all of the fans who bought tickets to Lovers & Friends before his abrupt cancellation. Fans were expecting to hear more than Confessions and hits from his past albums 8701 and My Way; however, while Usher gave a great performance, he said, you gotta come to the tour to see the rest.
Janet Jackson Is A True Performer
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 06: Janet Jackson performs onstage during Day 2 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Janet Jackson currently holds the title of the number one ESSENCE Fest Ticket Seller of All Time, and it’s not hard to see why. Jackson is what it means to be a true performer. The 58-year-old Grammy winner opened the show with the classic “No Sleeep” and “Got ‘til it’s Gone.” Janet did all of her hits, which included a personal favorite, her one and only duet “Scream” with her late brother, King of Pop Michael Jackson. She closed out her show with the classic “Rhythm Nation.”
Cash Money + Hot Boys Reunion Keep Fans Out Until 2 AM
It’s safe to say that the Cash Money + Hot Boyz reunion was eventful, going past the initial midnight end time (the full concert didn’t end until around 1:30 AM); however, the full reunion didn’t materialize. I had a friend see Lil Wayne backstage, so I knew he was coming, but fans weren’t expecting Lil Wayne after he didn’t join the reunion of Birdman, Mannie Fresh, B.G., and Juvenile. Wayne came on after Juvenile’s set and changed the Cash Money emblem to Young Money.
He performed some of his hits for about 20 minutes, including “A Milli,” “Every Girl In The World,” and “Lollipop.” After his set, all but Juvenile returned to the stage for a final song. After this reunion, it’s still unclear if a Hot Boys album and tour are still in the works.
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9 comments
This year was not it.
Soooooo LiL Wayne can SHOW UP for Michael Rubin but not for Hot Boys/Essence Festival??
Lil Wayne didn’t perform with them.. and he Birdman was cussing lil Wayne out..Busta Rhymes cussed out his audience. Essence is about black women and these rap artists are not made for Essence. Essence festival is going down..down. a lot of misogynistic male artists
It’s called the Essence Festival of Culture and Wayne did not do it for the culture. He knew what New Orleans wanted to hear…needed to hear and he chose his “other” hits. I understand Turk not being there maybe he didn’t want to perform but the city would’ve loved camaraderie.
There is no show without Weezy
I ❤️ Lil Wayne. I feel bad for folks that left during the Cash Money reunion not expecting him to appear since…he didn’t appear at his parts in classic songs.
🗣️🔥🔥 The Cash Money reunion wouldn’t be complete without the one and only Lil’ Wayne! 🎤🐐 From “Tha Block Is Hot” to “Tha Carter” series, Weezy has been a hip-hop icon for decades. Let’s give it up for the GOAT! 🐐🎉
That wasn’t a reunion, he didnt appear with any of them. He waited till after Cash Money did their songs.
Skipping all his cash money verses but having him come out after people left is crazy.