Black culture, in all its glory, will be on full display over the 4th of July weekend as the Essence Festival of Culture returns in New Orleans.
Kicking things off Thursday with a stand-up performance by Kevin Hart, Essence Fest will be a weekend of concerts Friday through Sunday. Nicki Minaj, will be headlining the festival for the first time Friday along with another first-timer, country singer Mickey Guyton. Music icon Janet Jackson will be headlining on Saturday and fan favorite, New Edition, will close the event on Sunday. Artists also set to perform include Jazmine Sullivan, City Girls, Summer Walker, The Roots, The Isley Brothers, Method Man, Tems, Patti LaBelle and Stephanie Mills.
The festival will also feature free experiences including a tech summit, an opportunity for men called “In His Zone,” a marketplace highlighting local vendors, a beauty carnival and more.
“As the nation’s largest festival by per day attendance, the Essence Festival of Culture is a staple that celebrates community and empowers equity,” Essence CEO Caroline Wanga said in a statement to the Associated Press. “We are excited to welcome the family back to New Orleans and thrilled to connect with more of our diasporic family through new digital experiences.”
Essence Fest returns after a two-year in-person hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While not being able to meet in person, the festival was held virtually since 2020.
This year’s theme is “It’s The Black Joy For Me” and the 2022 festival will also offer an option to connect virtually along with its in-person experiences.
“We know the festival is an opportunity for people, all over the world, to come together, to unite a culture, whether that’s through fashion or music or food or all the wonderful other ways we express ourselves,” Erika J. Bennett, chief marketing officer for Essence Ventures, said. “Particularly after some really hard years of not being together, our theme of Black joy, really resonates,” Bennett said.
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