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Home · 2013 ESSENCE Music Festival

2013 ESSENCE Festival Lineup

Music's biggest and brightest stars will perform at the 2013 ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans July 4-7. Check out who's slated to rock the house of the Mercedes Benz Superdome!

By · January 8, 2013October 28, 2020
01
Beyonce

Beyonce is returning to the same venue where she rocked the Super Bowl halftime show to give EMF-goers another headlining performance!

Kevin Mazur/ Wire Image – Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
02
Jill Scott

Expect Jill Scott to bring “The Real Thing” and “Golden” to NOLA.

Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
03
Trey Songz

The ladies are in for a treat when ESSENCE Festival veteran Trey Songz hits the stage. 

David Wolff – Patrick/Redferns via Getty Images
04
Maxwell
Maxwell is set to make all the ladies swoon in Nawlins!
D Dipasupil/Getty Images
05
Solange

Expect Solange to perform new songs from her latest EP, True.

JB Lacroix/WireImage
06
Keyshia Cole

With a new album on the charts, Keyshia Cole is ready for her return to the ESSENCE Festival for the second year in a row.

Mark Davis/Getty Images
07
Brandy

Brandy will sing her way through nearly 20 years of hits! She’s ready to “Put It Down!”

Kevin Winter/Getty Images
08
Faith Evans

Expect Faith Evans to rock the Super Lounge stage with songs like “You Used to Love Me” and “Love Like This.”

Roger Kisby/Getty Images
09
Steve Harvey

Last year, Steve Harvey spoke at the ESSENCE Empowerment seminars, and this year he’s coming back to share laughs and knowledge at the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images
10
Bridget Kelly

Jay-Z’s protegee, Bridget Kelly will make her second ESSENCE Festival appearance this year.

Johnny Nunez
11
Charlie Wilson

ESSENCE Festival fan-favorite Charlie Wilson will be getting the party started yet again.

Michael Rowe
12
Jody Watley

Grammy Award-winning artist Jody Watley will take a trip down memory lane on stage!

Steve Granitz/WireImage
13
LL Cool J.

LL Cool J will rock the house with all of his hits from the ’80s to the present.

Kevin Winter/WireImage
14
Iyanla Vanzant

Expect to hear only the truth about life, love and family from ESSENCE Empowerment Experience speaker Iyanla Vanzant.

Michael Rowe
15
Big Daddy Kane

Legendary rapper Big Daddy Kane will bring the crowd to its feet with a bevy of hits.

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
16
New Edition

New Edition will hit the main stage again for the first time since 2011! Can’t wait!

Isaac Brekken/WireImage
17
Leela James

With a hot new album celebrating the legacy of Etta James, Leela James is ready to light up the Essence Fest stage.

Earl Gibson III/WireImage
18
F. Stokes

The hip-hop artist and high-energy performer returns to the Essence Fest stage for the second year in a row.

Skip Bolen/WireImage
19
Les Nubians

Helene Faussart and Celia Faussart of Les Nubians make their debut at the Essence Festival.

Johnny Nunez/WireImage
20
Kourtney Heart

The 18-year-old R&B singer and New Orleans native returns to the Essence Festival for the second year in a row.

Douglas Mason/Getty Images
21
Anthony David

The Grammy-nominated singer will bring his soulful sounds down to New Orleans a few months after releasing his fourth album, Love Out Loud.

Jeff Fusco/Getty Images
22
Mia Borders

Her blend of blues, funk and soul make Mia Borders one of the most exciting new performers out of New Orleans. The 24-year-old makes her Essence Fest debut this year.

Erika Goldring/FilmMagic
23
Blackstreet

The beloved ’90s group will reunite on the EF stage. No diggity, no doubt we’re excited about this reunion.

Paul Bergen/Getty Images
24
Donnie McClurkin
Donnie McClurkin
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
25
Tremaine Hawkins

The legendary singer will be honored during the ESSENCE Fest’s annual all-star Gospel tribute.

26
Mint Condition

The beloved R&B group will return to NOLA to perform at the Essence Fest Superlounge.

27
Mali Music

Gospel rapper Mali Music will make his debut on the Super Lounge stage.

Leon Bennett/WireImage
28
Kenya Moore

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore will talk beauty, entertainment and being “Gone With the Wind Fabulous” at the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.

Jemal Countess/Getty Images
29
Rachelle Ferrell

Rachelle Ferrell is no stranger to the ESSENCE Festival, and she’s returning to New Orleans this year to perform on the Super Lounge stage.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
30
Tamia

Expect Tamia  to hit the Super Lounge stage with her catalog of hits like “Officially Missing You,” “Stranger In My House” and “So Into You.” 

Steve Granitz/WireImage
31
Denise Warren

Denise Warren will talk all about healthy body, mind and spirit at the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images
32
Karen Peterson

Karen Peterson will stop by the New Orleans Convention Center to participate in ESSENCE’s Empowerment Experience.

33
Kim Burrell

Expect gospel singer Kim Burrell to bring words of advice and inspiration to the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.

Mark Sullivan/WireImage
34
Kurt Carr

With 25 years in the music industry under his belt, gospel singer Kurt Carr has plenty of knowledge to share with festival-goers at the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.

Michael Rowe
35
Bishop Noel Jones

Bishop Noel Jones is traveling to New Orleans to share wisdom at the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.

Leon Bennett/WireImage
36
John Lewis

In addition to all the musical guests, the festival will include a lecture by legislator John Lewis at ESSENCE’s Empowerment Experience.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
37
Isaac Carree

Award-winning gospel recording artist Isaac Carree will be making a much-anticipated stop in New Orleans.

Erika Goldring/Getty Images
38
Dr. Denese Shervington

Look forward to Dr. Shervington’s words of wisdom on the issues that matter to you most. 

39
Greta Prince

Meet Greta Prince, the singer who won last year’s ESSENCE R&B Star contest and opened for Mary J. Blige. This year, Prince will rock the SuperLounge stage on Sunday, July 7. Don’t miss this burgeoning talent!

Michael Rowe
40
Daley

The British soul singer will perform in a superlounge on Sunday, July 7. Get ready!

Michael Rowe
41
Janelle Monae
The May cover star will grace the mainstage just before Beyoncé on Sunday, July 7.
42
Emeli Sande

The British sensation will peform in a superlounge on Friday July, 5. It will be Sande’s first time at the festival!

Dave M. Benett/Getty Images
43
Luke James

This will be James’s second time at the Festival. The rising star will on the superlounge stage on Sunday, July 7.

Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images
44
TGT (Tyrese, Genuine and Tank)
These sexy soul men will the ladies moving and the hearts racing with their set. TGT is scheduled to grace the mainstage on Sunday, July 7.
Getty Image
45
Pj Morton
The uniquely talented singer will fill Saturday night’s superlounge with sweet music!
46
Maya Azucena

Maya Azucena is set to grace one of the four superlounges on Friday, July 5.

Cindy Ord/Getty Images
47
Simphiwe Dana

Simphiwe Dana will command audiences in one of Friday night’s superlounges.

Howard Denner/Photoshot/Getty Images
48
Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs

Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs will party and boogy in a superlounge on Saturday, July 5.

Roger H. Sassaki/FotoArena/LatinContent/Getty Images
49
Avery*Sunshine

Avery*Sunshine will bring her bright smile and upbeat tunes to one of Saturday night’s superlounges.

Jeff Fusco/Getty Images
50
Alice Smith

New and Next featured arist Alice Smith will share her gift with folks in a superlounge on Sunday night.

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