The official ESSENCE Fest Instagram account just released the official night-by-night lineup for this year’s festival, and it’s stacked with a little something for everybody. The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is bringing back the SuperLounges, giving festivalgoers a chance to catch intimate sets from some of your favorite artists — old and new — away from the mainstage madness.
From big-name headliners to cult favorites and hometown gems, here’s who’s hitting the stage:
Friday, July 4
Mainstage: Maxwell, Babyface, Glorilla, The Isley Brothers, Psiryn — with more to be announced.
SuperLounge: Lucky Daye
Saturday, July 5
Mainstage: Jill Scott presents A Philly Jawn with Jazmine Sullivan and Patti LaBelle, plus Davido, a special performance by Erykah Badu, Buju Banton, Summer Walker, and Moliy.
SuperLounge: Donnell Jones
Sunday, July 6
Mainstage: Boyz II Men, Master P & The No Limit Soldiers (Mia X, Silkk the Shocker, Dru Hill, Keri Hilson), Nas, Doug E. Fresh, and Jermaine Dupri’s Quincy Jones Tribute featuring Tyrese, Robin Thicke, Al B. Sure!, Xscape, MC Lyte, The Pharcyde, Mobb Deep, and SWV.
SuperLounge: Muni Long
That’s it. That’s the lineup. ESSENCE did mention there’s “more to come” on Friday night — but for now, that’s the full breakdown.
Now … let’s talk about it.
It’s always exciting when the nightly lineup drops. But honestly? I don’t know how I feel about this one.
There are definitely some choices that leave me scratching my head.
Let’s start with Muni Long. I was surprised to see her moved to the SuperLounge. I mean, not to say it like that, BUT — she was on the main stage in 2023 following the massive success of “Hours and Hours.” Granted, she’s not charting heavy these days, but the SuperLounge still feels like a step down, not up. No?
And then there’s Keri Hilson and Dru Hill, both listed under Master P & The No Limit Soldiers tribute. ‘Scuse me, whet? How? Why? They’re not from New Orleans. They’re not part of No Limit. Make this make sense. I’m not mad at the lineup — not at all, but some of it feels a little all over the place.
The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture takes place in New Orleans, July 4 – 6. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit essence.com/essencefestival2025.
Will you be at ESSENCE Fest this year? Drop your thoughts on the lineup in the comments — I wanna hear what you think!
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