The Essence Festival of Culture 2025 brought all the vibes—live music, powerful conversations, endless dancing, and a celebration of Black culture in every form. Held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from July 4 to July 6, this year’s festival embraced the theme: “Boundless. Limitless. Made Like This.”
Each day kicked off with a guided meditation to center the mind and set the tone, followed by a full schedule of experiences from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—packed with music, DJ sets, performances, thought leadership, and of course, line dancing all across the venue.
While reports noted a dip in ticket sales and some vendor pull-outs, the festival remained lively and well-attended, with vendors of all kinds showing out—from Black-owned bakeries to beauty brands, health and wellness products, fashion, and more.
Day 1 Highlights
Bobby Carter, host of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, offered an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Maxwell’s Tiny Desk performance—joined on stage by the artist himself.
The cast of The Chi—including Luke James, Lynn Whitfield, and Jason Weaver—hosted a special screening and fireside chat, offering fans a glimpse behind the scenes of the beloved series.
A standout moment was the powerful presence of New Orleans native and mogul Master P, who shared insights into his mindset, hustle, and journey from the Calliope projects to becoming a business icon. He spoke of how basketball saved his life, why community reinvestment matters, and how legacy outweighs fame.
Now serving as President of Basketball Operations at the University of New Orleans, Master P also announced that his July 6 performance would be his last time performing “Make ‘Em Say Uhh,” as he shifts his focus to mentorship and community impact.
Netflix presented “A Special Look at the Tyler Perry Universe,” featuring Terri J. Vaughn, Bevy Smith, DeVon Franklin, and Tyler Lepley, along with a sneak peek at Madea’s Destination Wedding, releasing July 11.
Rising R&B star Leon Thomas lit up the AT&T stage with a stripped-down, soulful set. Armed with just his guitar and raw vocals, he captivated fans with hits like “Mutt,” “How Fast,” and “Yes It Is”—proving live talent still reigns.
The Caesars Superdome evening concert was a night of stars: Coco Jones, Lucky Daye, Ari Lennox, GloRilla, and legends like The Isley Brothers, Babyface, Maxwell, and Lauryn Hill closed out the night with a medley of her classic hits—yes, a little late, but well worth the wait.
Day 2 Highlights
Day 2 balanced fun with purpose, offering a mix of innovation, music, and soul-nourishing conversations.
Twitch creator Zoe Spencer led a session offsite at ‘Common House New Orleans,’ discussing how streaming is reshaping interactive entertainment.
Raheem DeVaughn, celebrating 20 years of The Love Experience, reflected on longevity, staying grounded, and his advocacy work around HIV testing and prevention. Now hosting The Original Quiet Storm on 96.3 WHUR, he remains one of R&B’s hardest-working voices—and his ‘Quiet Storm Lover Tour’ continues to connect with fans.
Mariah the Scientist and Coco Jones brought more music to life at the Coca-Cola and AT&T stages, respectively.
Nick Cannon and Courtney Bee brought humor and culture with a Spades tutorial for those needing to sharpen their skills—because yes, your Black card depends on it.
On the Global Black Economic Forum stage, powerful voices like Melanie Campbell, Derrick Johnson, Janai Nelson, and Marc Morial addressed the state of civil rights, 61 years after the Civil Rights Act.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson joined Linsey Davis for a keynote reflecting on leadership, legacy, and her historic rise to the U.S. Supreme Court.
TV One and CLEO TV celebrated Black food and lifestyle through engaging content and appearances from Chef JJ, the Smollett siblings, Tamar and Evelyn Braxton, and more.
The evening culminated in a soulful hometown celebration as Jill Scott presented “A Philly Jawn” with fellow Philly legends Jazmine Sullivan and Patti LaBelle — a powerhouse collaboration that paid tribute to the heart of Black music and sisterhood.
Day 3 Highlights
The final day closed out strong. Keke Palmer and Kandi Burruss took the main stage for a live taping of Palmer’s podcast “Baby, This is Keke Palmer,” which included a first look at her upcoming Prime Video film “The Pickup.”
Comedian Druski opened up about entrepreneurship, brand-building, and staying authentic in a raw and humorous conversation on the SUEDE: Men’s Experience stage.
Sheryl Swoopes spoke candidly about leadership, legacy, and the power of sports in culture.
An all-star panel of women from ABC shows like Grey’s Anatomy, 9-1-1, and Will Trent took the stage for a dynamic conversation on representation in television.
At the Essence Film Festival, Beyond the Headlines: The NABJ Journey was screened, honoring 50 years of advocacy, truth, and equity from the National Association of Black Journalists.
The evening concert—hosted by Keke Palmer and LaLa Milan—was a finale to remember:
Honey Bxby kicked off the night with energy and fresh vocals. Muni Long delivered a soul-filled set. Doug E. Fresh, with surprise guests Slick Rick and Teddy Riley, brought the old-school heat.
Waiting to Exhale – A Special Concert Curation by Adam Blackstone featured tributes from Andra Day, Yolanda Adams, Deborah Cox, and more. A touching Quincy Jones tribute, curated by Jermaine Dupri, featured performances from Tyrese, Robin Thicke, XSCAPE, MC Lyte, Mobb Deep, and SWV—with a surprise set from LL COOL J. Nas delivered a lyrical masterclass, reminding the crowd of his unmatched influence in hip-hop.
Master P took the stage one last time with The No Limit Soldiers, joined by Romeo, Cymphonique, Silkk the Shocker, and others—closing his performance legacy with hometown pride.
Finally, Boyz II Men brought the house down with their signature harmonies, wrapping up the weekend in soulful fashion.
55 Years Strong
For over five decades, Essence has hosted this iconic festival—a living, breathing celebration of Black excellence, creativity, resilience, and unity. In 2025, it reminded us once again that when the culture shows up, it shows out—and that the Essence Festival of Culture is more than a party—it’s a movement.
For more on the Essence Festival of Culture 2025 click here.
* (Photo Credits: Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Great Job Kandice Bell & the Team @ ThisisRnB.com – New R&B Music, Artists, Playlists, Lyrics Source link for sharing this story.
