The 2017 ESSENCE Festival has just given us a few more reasons to pack our bags and head down to New Orleans this July 4th holiday. The social event of the summer has just finalized the list of entertainers, adding a number of blockbuster performers, up-and-coming stars and even rap royalty to the festivities.
GRAMMY Award-winning rapper, entrepreneur and hell of a guy Chance the Rapper continues his winning streak by debuting at ESSENCE Festival on the Mainstage at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Joining Chance will be a welcome blast from the past with New Orleans hometown heroes and No Limit Records representatives Mystikal, Mia X, Silkk the Shocker and Master P ready to make the crowd say “uhh!” They will be joining the previously announced headliners Diana Ross, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Chaka Khan and more legends. Also coming to this year's ESSENCE Festival to perform in one of the Superlounges is our boy BJ The Chicago Kid, our girl Leela James, rapidly rising star Gallant, British fave Daley, Elle Varner, Emily Estefan, Rhonda Ross and the woman who is always booked, Kelly Price.
If you can’t keep up with all these additions and equations, here’s a list of who will be performing on which stage in alpha order:
Mainstage performers: Ari Lennox, Chaka Khan, Chance the Rapper, Diana Ross, India.Arie, Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Master P, Monica, No Limit Records’ Mystikal, Mia X and Silkk The Shocker, Rhonda Ross, Solange and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Superlounge performers: BJ The Chicago Kid, Daley, Doug E. Fresh, Elle Varner, Emily Estefan, Gallant, Jhené Aiko, June’s Diary, Kelly Price, Lalah Hathaway, Leela James, Lizzo, Michel’le, Moses Sumney, PJ, Remy Ma, Ro James, Shaggy, Sir the Baptist, Teyana Taylor, The Jones Girls Featuring Shirley Jones, Tweet, Yuna
If you’re ready to join us in NOLA for an unbelievable weekend of incredible music, #BlackGirlMagic and #BlackBoyJoy, visit the ESSENCE Festival website for more information and to purchase ticket packages.
