The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is the largest African-American culture and music event in the United States. The New York Times called it "an important event in non-hip-hop black pop for an entire generation," citing its high-profile music stages, its panels and keynotes by leading community figures, and its annual turnout of over 500,000 attendees a day, among other offerings.
History The annual music festival started in 1995 in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the Essence Music Festival, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine and provide an event commemorating Black culture. The festival was founded by Essence magazine co-founder Edward Lewis and Festival Productions founder George Wein. It was originally intended to be a one-time event. With 142,000 attendees that year, the organizers decided for the festival to be an annual event.
In 2006, it was held in Houston, Texas, due to Hurricane Katrina's effect on New Orleans.
In 2016, a spinoff iteration of the festival was held in Durban, South Africa.
In 2013, Solomon Group became the producer of Essence Festival, and MSNBC broadcast the event live. MSNBC returned for the 2014 festival.
Much of the 2017 film Girls Trip was filmed on location during the 2016 festival, casting over 5,000 extras.
The 2020 festival was initially canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the 2020 and 2021 festivals were held virtually.
In 2022, The Walt Disney Company served as the exclusive entertainment sponsor.
Controversies In 2023, the festival faced criticism for filing a cease-and-desist against Baldwin & Co., a Black-owned bookstore in New Orleans, which had planned to host a book signing event amid the festival week. While the cease-and-desist was eventually dropped, The Lens reported "immediate backlash from the local Black literary and activist community" and called it "a revealing moment—a flashpoint that exposed the growing gap between Essence’s branding and its behavior."
In 2025, it faced criticism from festivalgoers who, according to Ebony, found numerous logistical issues with the festival's operations as well as an ideological shift away from a "Black American focus" and toward "more pan-African inclusion" which "left some feeling sidelined in a space historically cultivated by and for Black Americans, particularly descendants of slavery in the American South." Ebony also reported "xenophobia between Africans and Black Americans" in the post-festival discourse online. The Lens similarly pointed out "a shift—away from something rooted and spiritual, toward something packaged, curated, and increasingly corporate" and stated that the Essence Festival of Culture had an identity crisis.
Concert line-up
1995
Aaliyah Anita Baker Arethra Franklin B. B. King Boyz II Men Cornel West Frankie Beverly Gladys Knight Jesse Jackson Johnny Cochran Luther Vandross Mary J. Blige Maxine Waters Patti LaBelle The Isley Brothers (substituting for Barry White) The O'Jays (with Gerald Levert)
1996
Al Green Barry White Cameo Etta James The Fugees Luther Vandross Patti LaBelle Peabo Bryson R. Kelly (cancelled) Maze
1997
Ashford & Simpson Bobby Blue Bland Chris Rock Erykah Badu George Clinton & P-Funk Gladys Knight & the Pips The Isley Brothers Kenny G Kirk Franklin Maxwell Maze Morris Day & the Time New Edition (without Bobby Brown) The O'Jays
1998
Brian McKnight D'Angelo The Emotions Frankie Beverly Grover Washington Jr. Jeffrey Osborne K-Ci and JoJo Kenny Lattimore LL Cool J LSG Luther Vandross Mary J. Blige Patti LaBelle The Stylistics Usher
1999
Average White Band Brian McKnight Dru Hill Erykah Badu Etta James Lauryn Hill Maze Patti LaBelle R. Kelly The O'Jays The Temptations
2000
Angie Stone Brian McKnight (substituting for Maxwell) Chaka Khan D'Angelo D.L. Hughley Earth, Wind & Fire Gladys Knight Luther Vandross Mary J. Blige Mint Condition (substituting for Sisqo) Run-DMC
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
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
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
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