In honor of HipHop50, ESSENCE Fest looks set to make a splashy return this year in New Orleans, with Ms. Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion headlining this year’s celebrations. billboard can report exclusively.
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From June 29th to July 3rd, ESSENCE Fest will be a rap-centric event featuring Hill performing her seminal 1998 solo album Lauryn Hill’s Mistake. The five-time Grammy winner celebrates the 25th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut. As for Megan Thee Stallion, the slot marks another big headlining performance as she will be performing her first concert of the year at Houston’s March Madness Music Festival this Friday (March 31). Megan will also be bringing her talents to the West Coast later this year, where she will be co-headlining LA’s Pride in the Park.
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ESSENCE Fest 2023 will also feature sets from Wizkid, Monica, Coco Jones and Kizz Daniel for their Festival of Culture stage. There will also be a special performance curation from Doug E. Fresh, while DJ Spinderella, DJ Kid Capri and DJ Clark Kent will take to the turntables during the weekend’s celebrations. Another notable milestone being celebrated over the weekend is So So Def’s 30th anniversary, which is spotlighted in a performance by label owner Jermaine Dupri and Friends.
Music lovers will also be entertained in the evenings when Deon Cole, Affion Crockett, Spice Adams and Janelle James host nightly activations.
“For nearly three decades, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture has been an international and joyful gathering that strengthens community across the global black diaspora,” said newly appointed Vice President of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, Hakeem Holmes. “As the nation’s largest festival by daily attendance, it continues to be a crown jewel of black culture and plays a central role in amplifying and celebrating the contributions of the black community through business, music and more. As we prepare to celebrate “Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary,” we couldn’t think of a better way to honor the contributions this genre has made to global culture and the impressions these artists are making and their extensive musical catalogues, which everyone knows so well, have become entrenched in the very fabric of our daily lives. This year, we’re excited for everyone to join us in celebrating 50 years of musical excellence, experiencing our diverse day and nighttime offerings, and emphasizing the importance of Black economic inclusion.”
The story goes on
More acts will be added to the lineup soon.
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