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Home • 2014 ESSENCE Festival

Nas Shuts Down the Now Playing Concert Stage!

To kick off the 20th Anniversary of the ESSENCE Festival, headliner Nas tore down the stage with his performance from his critically-acclaimed album Illmatic. Take a look at Nas as he hits the ESSENCE Festival stage, as well as the other awesome Now Playing Concert performers.
By Essence · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
Jesse Boykins

Newcomer Jesse Boykins opened the show and warmed the crowd up for Jazmine Sullivan.

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02
Jazmine Sullivan Backstage

Miss Sullivan gives us some face backstage. 

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03
Jazmine Sullivan on Stage

If she takes time off to come back and sing like she did Thursday night, we don’t mind waiting. 

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04
K. Michelle on Stage

K. Michelle happily strutted on stage and sang her heart out.

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05
Jazmine Sullivan and Monica

R&B’s biggest voices pose together backstage. 

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06
K. Michelle

K. Michelle loves to talk to her fans during her performances. 

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Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
07
Trey Songz

Yeeeeah! Trey took the stage and it wasn’t long before he took his shirt off. 

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08
Trey Songz, Kevin Liles and Tank

 Star power! The singers and the music executive kicked it backstage at the NOW PLAYING concert.

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09
Nas on Stage

The Illmatic emcee came out to roaring applause. 

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10
Jazmine Sullivan and Jesse Boykins

The two were all smiles backstage after bringing the crowd to their feet.

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11
Nas

In a touching moment at the end of the show, Nas dedicated his performance to Maya Angelou. 

Check Out Photos From the Now Playing Concert