The ESSENCE Festival of Culture has unveiled its wave of performers and it serves as one of the annual spectacle’s most eclectic offerings yet.

Especially with Hip-Hop royalty leading the charge. For, Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, Jermaine Dupri, and Doug E. Fresh will anchor the 2023 edition of the New Orleans extravaganza.

Full story below…

Set to take place June 30 – July 2, the ESSENCE Fest will bring with it one of the first live sets from the Hot Girl Coach and will also toast a number of major milestones.

Hill will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ‘The Mis-Education of Lauryn Hill,’ while the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop will be saluted with a special performance curated by Doug E. Fresh.

Jermaine Dupri will helm the 30th-anniversary celebration of So So Def, which will bring with it a number of guests.

Sizzling sets from the likes of Wizkid, Monica, Coco Jones, and Kizz Daniel will take place too.

Comedy offerings will come from Deon Cole, Affion Crockett, Spice Adams, and Janelle James.

More names are set to join the lineup in the coming weeks.

Vice President of ESSENCE Festival of Culture, Hakeem Holmes, said in a statement:

“For nearly three decades, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture has been an international and joyful gathering that empowers community throughout the global Black diaspora.

As the nation’s largest festival by per day attendance, it continues to be a crown jewel of Black culture and plays a pivotal role in the amplification and celebration of the contributions of the Black community through business, music, and more. As we gear up to celebrate the ’50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop’, we couldn’t think of a better way to honor the contributions that genre has made on global culture and the impressions that these artists and their deep musical catalogs, which we all know so well, have been ingrained into the fibers of our day to day lives. This year, we are excited to have everyone join us in celebrating 50 years of musical excellence, experiencing our diverse daytime and nighttime offerings, and in highlighting the importance of Black economic inclusion.”

For more information on the ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2023, including ticket info, click here.

Your thoughts?