Essence Festival 2024: A Vibrant Celebration of Culture and Community

The 2024 Essence Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans lasted from Friday to Sunday. Its musical lineup honored the past and embraced the future, celebrating its 30th anniversary with iconic figures and rising talents, many of whom hail from New Orleans.

Many people gathered in NOLA for the 2024 Essence Festival, enjoying a weekend filled with curated festivities. The event included star-studded concerts featuring Usher, Lil Wayne, and Ciara, insightful panels, engaging events, and vibrant activations celebrating Black women.

Stylists, celebrities, musicians, actors, and influencers celebrated Black culture, embodying Essence’s theme of “commemorating Black joy, vibrant music, and New Orleans’ rich culture.” The city buzzed with energy all weekend, featuring top-notch panels, concerts, fashion displays, and more.

Here’s a nightly breakdown of the Dome’s events on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday:

On day one, The SUEDE stage at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture provided a supportive space for men to unwind and connect. Cleveland Browns stars Grant Delphitt and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo opened with a candid discussion on football and financial strategies, stressing hands-on financial management, especially during the rookie contract phase. 

The event featured panels like “Find Your People – Building Community in Creative Spaces,” where influencers Dre Brown and Malik McIntyre discussed brand partnerships and mental health support. The “Real Men Cook” segment showcased chefs like KJ Johnson and Omar Dorsey sharing their culinary journeys. Kendrick Sampson led a fireside chat on “Leading by Example,” focusing on acting, activism, and nationwide empowerment efforts. 

Bryan “Birdman” Williams closed the evening celebrating 30 years of Cash Money Records, with performances by Juvenile and anticipated appearances by Lil Wayne. Musical acts such as Raphael Saadiq, the Roots, Busta Rhymes, Jacquees, and others highlighted ESSENCE’s dedication to cultural celebration. Pretty Vee and Punkie Johnson skillfully hosted, adding energy and engagement to the festival.

Day two of the 30th ESSENCE Festival began with discussions on redefining beauty standards at the Beautycon stage. Led by senior beauty editor Akili King, WNBA athlete Kysre Gondrezick shared her journey of embracing natural beauty, including removing lip fillers and breast implants and celebrating a ’90s beauty aesthetic. Following a size-inclusivity chat sponsored by Victoria’s Secret, Serena Williams joined sports journalist Cari Champion to discuss her new active beauty brand, WYN Beauty. 

Williams highlighted how she transformed her iconic beauty moments into a Black-owned beauty empire that reflects her personal style and identity. Shea Moisture and L’Oreal hosted panels on festival hairstyles and Black maternal health. Actress Ryan Destiny and hairstylist Lacy Redway showcased festival-ready hairstyles while discussions on Black maternal health addressed critical issues.

Artist JT and content creator Simi Moonlight joined ESSENCE VP of Content Nandi Howard to explore the intersection of style, beauty, and authenticity in the Beauty Interrupted panel. The day they concluded with Texture on The Runway, a collaboration between Beautycon and L’Oreal featuring editorial, and runway braided styles crafted by hairstylists Tippi Shorter, Dharius Thomas, and designer Theophilio.

Looking ahead, the ESSENCE Festival promised more exciting programming and pop culture moments, including Raymond Usher IV’s headline set celebrating the 20th anniversary of his album “Confessions,” R&B legend Charlie Wilson’s performance, a revue-style showcase hosted by DJ D-Nice, and performances by TGT, Ayra Starr, and more.

To conclude the 30th anniversary of the ESSENCE Festival, the Beautycon stage opened with cosmetic chemists Javon Ford and Sister Scientist debunking major beauty myths. In their segment “In The Lab,” moderated by senior beauty editor Akili King, they explored the complexities behind “clean beauty” ingredient sourcing and discussed controversies like the Youthphoria Foundation scandal. Following this, new mothers Aimee Simeon and Chanen Johnson shared their experiences in “Beauty After Motherhood.” 

They discussed the challenges of finding moments for self-care amidst busy schedules, debunking the pressures of a “bounce-back” culture. In a masterclass session, beauty guru Uche demonstrated a matte makeup look on model Ayana Forbes, revealing insider tips and tricks for achieving flawless makeup. To close the day, Essence Ventures chairman Richelieu Dennis and PDC Brand CEO Tarun Malkani engaged in the Passion to Profit series. They discussed the future of Black beauty entrepreneurship, scaling business ventures, and overcoming challenges in the industry. 

The 2024 ESSENCE Festival finished with anticipation building for headliner Janet Jackson’s performance at the Superdome, marking the festival’s 30th-anniversary celebration. Closing the weekend, there was a tribute to Frankie Beverly & Maze and other early Essence legends, featuring performances from Maze and various artists. Attendees were encouraged to wear all-white in homage to Beverly’s iconic stage attire. Joining Janet Jackson on Sunday’s lineup was up-and-coming R&B singer Victoria Monét, followed by SWV and Grammy-nominated New Orleans band Tank & the Bangas, ensuring a vibrant and memorable conclusion to this year’s festival.