Gia Peppers Archives

2016 ESSENCE Festival

Secrets of Slayage: How ESSENCE Fest Duo St. Beauty Look and Feel Fierce!

From the inside to the outside, here are the ways that St. Beauty—who will perform at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival, June 30-July 3 in New Orleans—live up to their name.

2016 ESSENCE Festival

How ESSENCE Festival Artist Dej Loaf Went from Scrubbing Floors to Winning in Hip-Hop

With fans like Drake, Dej Loaf—who will perform at ESSENCE Festival, held June 30-July 3 in New Orleans—has become one of the hottest new female MCs in the game.

2016 ESSENCE Festival

Secrets of Slayage: ESSENCE Fest Artist V. Bozeman Shares Her Beauty Must-Haves

From vitamin E to detox water, here are five ways that the singer and Empire actress—who will perform at ESSENCE Festival, June 30-July 3 in New Orleans—keeps looking fierce and flawless.

2016 ESSENCE Festival

Puff Daddy & the Family, Common Added to ESSENCE Festival Lineup, Plus Single Night Tickets

It's official: Puff and Common will be bringing you classic hip-hop flavor at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival.

2016 ESSENCE Festival

Let's Do This! ESSENCE Festival Night-By-Night Schedule Announced

Check out the night-by-night schedule to see when your favorite artist is set to perform at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival.

Celebrity

ESSENCE Festival Speaker Misty Copeland's Odds-Defying Moves

We already know how fierce ballerina Misty Copeland is; after all, she graced our September 2015 cover. But we will get to be inspired by this force of nature on a whole different kind of stage when she serves as a speaker at the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience during this year's ESSENCE Festival. But before the big weekend, June 30-July 3 in New Orleans, let's marvel at Copeland's amazing mind- and body-bending abilities. And buy your tickets to 2016 ESSENCE Festival here.

2016 ESSENCE Festival

The Slay is Real: See 10 of Tyra Banks' Fiercest Looks

From beginning her modeling career at 12 to becoming a new mom (to son York) in January, Tyra Banks 42, has been giving us life for three decades. And after 16 seasons of America's Next Top Model and countless catwalks, the one-woman brand—who will be working the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience Stage at ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans June 30-July 3—is now winning in the business world with a beauty line, books and more. But once a supermodel, always a supermodel, so let's look back on 10 of her fiercest looks.

Celebrity

15 Iyanla Vanzant Quotes to Inspire You Right Now!

Author, talk-show host and motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant has become a staple at our ESSENCE Fest Empowerment Experience. Every festivalgoer who attends her packed sessions, where she dispenses tough love and inspirational words, leaves with a sense of empowerment. And this year she will be back to deliver more Oprah-approved messages in New Orleans over July 4th weekend.

2016 ESSENCE Festival

R&B Newcomer Kehlani Added to the 2016 ESSENCE Festival Lineup

It's official! R&B newcomer Kehlani will be joining us in the SuperLounge at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans this July 4th weekend.

Celebrity

Jill Scott On New Album 'Woman,' Her Son Jet & Advice for New Artists

Read our new interview with Jill Scott after the release of her fifth studio album, "Woman."

Celebrity

Jill Scott on Sandra Bland: 'I Am Disgusted On a Cellular Level'

Jill Scott speaks on the case that's rocking the nation.

Celebrity

10 Reasons Why Kevin Hart's #ESSENCEFest Periscope Stream Is the Cutest Thing Ever

Kevin Hart uses Periscope to give his fans a live, behind the scenes look at his busy, high profile schedule. When he arrived in New Orleans, the almost 36 year old dad and fiancé told his fans he had been shooting since 4:30am the day before, and barely got any sleep. Still, the show went on and he performed in front of thousands to close out the NOW PLAYING concert of the 2015 ESSENCE Festival.

2015 Essence Festival

Kendrick Lamar's 'Alright' Video Could Be the Wake Up Call the Music Industry Needs

#EssenceFest headliner, Kendrick Lamar's new video, Alright, was released earlier this week. Watch the powerful piece, inside.

2015 Essence Festival

15 Reasons We're SO Happy You're Back

The ESSENCE Festival headliner is celebrating her 44th birthday today, and we are celebrating her comeback. We can't wait to see Misdemeanor light up the Essennce Fest stage in New Orleans this weekend.

2015 Essence Festival

Watch Janet Jackson Accept BET's First Ever Ultimate Icon Award

#EssenceFest alum, Janet Jackson made her way out on to the BET Awards stage to accept the first ever Ultimate Icon award, and not one celebrity in the room could hold their composure. Watch the moment, here.

2015 Essence Festival

ESSENCE Fest Performers Rock the BET Awards Red Carpet

The 2015 ESSENCE Festival® is days away and our performers are ready to take over New Orleans with their biggest fans. But before they make their way to NOLA, a few of our most celebrated performers hit the red carpet at the BET Awards in Los Angeles to show up and show out.

In honor of our big week, we wanted to gather a round up of a few of our favorite performers of this year. If you don't have a ticket yet, you are in luck! Single Night Tickets are still available, now.