The 2023 Essence Festival had many amazing moments that attendees will never forget. From live performances to activations and everything in between, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Hosted annually in New Orleans, the Essence Festival is a celebration of Black culture from all over the country. It is a multi-day event that combines music, art, and empowerment, which attracts a vast demographic of people yearly. The festival showcases performances in genres including R&B, hip-hop, and gospel. There are also several panel discussions, workshops, and fireside chats by influential figures. Above all else, attendees every year say that it feels like a family reunion mixed with a lit weekend in Nola!
If you missed out on this year’s Essence Festival, dont worry. Here are some of the top moments everyone is talking about.
Best Essence Festival Moments
Not much needs to be said about Megan Thee Stallion. She always gives an amazing performance and of course her Essence Festival performance was no different! She performed several of her hits including “Captain Hook” and “Big Ole Freak.” One moment of the show that fans and social media users thoroughly enjoyed was when she allowed people on stage to twerk. The rapper typically does this at all of her shows, but this time was different. She invited up new music duo Flyana Boss on stage with her. The duo has been taking over social media lately and many fans were excited to see an artist as big as Megan show them support.
Jill Scott is another performer who always gives an amazing performance. During her Essence Festival set, Scott sang a revised version of the national anthem. In her version, she focused the song on the Black people who created the foundations of this country with their blood, sweat, and tears. Of course, Scott received nothing but praise not only for the song but her entire performance.
Essence Festival, just like many other Black events and outlets, decided to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. They were able to bring out acts such as Ludacris, T.I., Lil John and Missy Elliot to put on amazing performances of their hits. They even brought out Salt N’ Peppa who reunited with Spinderella for their performance.
Lastly, Janelle Monae tore down the house with her performance. Not only did she perform songs from her new album, “Age of Pleasure,” but she also gave fans a show they would not forget. The singer has been causing quite a stir on social media lately by showing chest in music videos and performances. During her performance of “Yoga” at Essence Festival she lifted up her top to expose her chest with neon-colored pasties covering her.