Entertainment

ESSENCE Festival 2025: A Celebration 55 Years in the Making with Boyz II Men, Maxwell, Master P and More!

Tabitha Brown, Wayne Brady, Kamala Harris captured at 2024 Essence Festival by InquisitiveCarter.com

The ESSENCE Festival of Culture® continues its tradition this summer back in New Orleans, bringing 55 years of culture, music, and nonstop celebration to life.

  • 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Charlie Wilson 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Tank from TGT 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Tyrese from TGT 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Ginuwine from TGT 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Tyrese from TGT 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Ginuwine from TGT 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Tank from TGT 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Tank from TGT 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Donell Jones 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: (L-R) Ginuwine, Tyrese and Tank from TGT and perform 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 Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Big Boi 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Machel Montano 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Big Boi 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)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Tweet 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)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Tweet 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)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Method Man 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Lloyd 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Donell Jones 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: (L-R) Sleepy Brown and Big Boi perform 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Sheila E. 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Charlie Wilson 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Lloyd 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Kareem Grimes speaks during an interview for 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)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Kenny Burns speaks 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 Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Charlie Wilson 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 Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Sheila E. 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 Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Sheila E. 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 Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: (L-R) Sleepy Brown and Big Boi perform 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 Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Donell Jones 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 Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Charlie Wilson 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Charlie Wilson 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Method Man 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Machel Montano 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Big Boi 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Machel Montano 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Sheila E. 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: D Nice 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)
  • 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: (L-R) Regina Hall and Sanaa Lathan speak 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • 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 Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • 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 Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • 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 Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
  • 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 Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

ESSENCE continues honoring its roots while shaping the future, proving once again that what’s Made Like This doesn’t just happen—it’s inherited, intentional, and iconic.

Hosted by Anthony Anderson and Kenny Burns, this year’s ESSENCE Festival of Culture® evening concert series unites legends and next-gen icons in a lineup built to bridge eras.

Capturing New Orleans: Edward Buckles Jr. on ESSENCE Covers, Essence Fest and Film ‘Katrina Babies’:

2025’s main stage will be blessed by R&B legends Boyz II Men and Maxwell, New Orleans’ own, Master P and chart-topping global sensation Davido.

Hip-Hop legend Nas, as well as Summer Walker, Donelle Jones, Muni Long will also grace the stage, including Essence Festival debuts from Buju Banton and Glorilla.

2024 Essence Festival Playlist from interviews to special moments:

A highlight of the ESSENCE Festival weekend, “ESSENCE Flowers” is a powerful tribute to the legendary Quincy Jones, curated by Jermaine Dupri, which will feature artists whose sounds carry the influence of the musical genius.

From Leadership Insights to Star-Studded Performances: Day Three of ESSENCE Festival Delivers Unforgettable Moments with Kamala Harris, Usher, Charlie Wilson & More:

The ESSENCE Festival of Culture® is about more than music—it’s about community, creativity, and culture in full bloom. This year’s expanded programming includes the return of beloved experiences and the debut of new ones, such as:

  • ESSENCE Food & Wine Festival™
  • BEAUTYCON™: @ESSENCEFEST Edition
  • AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA™
  • ESSENCE Film Festival® by ESSENCE STUDIOS™
  • ESSENCE Stage™
  • SOKO MRKT™ by ESSENCE®
  • ESSENCE Authors™
  • ESSENCE® GU® Kickback
  • GBEF® HQ

From culinary delights to beauty showcases, thought-provoking films to community-focused experiences, every corner of the festival reflects Black excellence, heritage, and future.

Secure your weekend pass to the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola®—and don’t forget to download the E360 app for insider perks, live updates, and your custom fest schedule.

ESSENCE Festival of Culture® 2023, captured by InquisitiveCarter.com:

William Carter

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William Carter
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