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Home · 2017 ESSENCE Festival

The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed

Some of the biggest names in music are set to light up the stage at this year's ESSENCE Fest! Have you grabbed your tickets yet?
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Getty images
By Rachaell Davis · Updated October 26, 2020

The 2017 ESSENCE Fest is gearing up to take over New Orleans once again with a host of unforgettable performances from your favorite artists and rising stars including Diana Ross, Mary J. Blige, Chance The Rapper, Solange, John Legend, Master P, Monica, Remy Ma and so many more.

ESSENCE Festival 2017 ticket packages are on sale now! For more info about tickets, accommodations and the latest news, visit our Festival page here

Flip through our official performers gallery to get a sneak peek at all the artists on this year’s star-studded line up.

01
Diana Ross

Iconic Motown singer Diana Ross’s birthday falls on March 26.

The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Harry Langdon/Getty Images
02
Mary J. Blige
The reigning Queen of Hip Hop Soul will headline a star-studded evening of performances from her favorite women in music on the Main Stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Getty Images
03
Chance The Rapper
April 16 is when this Chicago star was born.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Tim Mosenfelder
04
Solange
Solo will give everyone in the Superdome “A Seat At The Table” as she brings her critically acclaimed new album to the Main Stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
NBC
05
John Legend

The Grammy-winning singer was offered admission to Harvard, Georgetown, and Morehouse, but decided to attend the University of Pennslyvania, where he studied English with a focus on African American literature.

The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Kevin Winter
06
Chaka Khan
Legendary songstress Chaka Khan is joining us again to shut down the Main Stage as only she can.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
07
Jill Scott
Jill Scott will bring her chart-topping classics and feel good vibes to the Main Stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Fred Lee/ABC via Getty Images
08
Monica Brown
You definitely don’t want to miss Monica on the ESSENCE Festival Main Stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
09
Jazmine Sullivan
Powerhouse vocalist Jazmine Sullivan is set to send goosebumps throughout the Superdome as she hits the Main Stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for ESSENCE
10
Remy Ma
From earning two Grammy nods, to sharing her love story with the world, Remy Ma has had quite the run over the past few years. This July, we’re elated that she’ll be making her ESSENCE Fest debut with what’s sure to be a lit performance from beginning to end.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Manny Carabel
11
IndiaArie

No stranger to ESSENCE Fest, India Arie will bring her effortlessly flawless vocals to the Main Stage.

The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
12
Master P
Hometown mogul Master P has much in store for the Main Stage…you won’t want to miss it!
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Josh Brasted/Getty
13
Shaggy
Get ready to groove with Shaggy on the Superlounge stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Paras Griffin/Getty Images
14
Gallant
Gallant returns to rock the ESSENCE Festival Superlounge stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
15
XSCAPE
XSCAPE will reunite for their first full performance in over 15 years!
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
DeWayne Rogers
16
Teyana Taylor
Multi-talented songstress Teyana Taylor will heat up the Superlounge stage this year and you won’t want to miss a moment of it!
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty images
17
Rhonda Ross
Rhonda Ross will bring musical magic to the Main Stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
18
BJ the Chicago Kid
BJ the Chicago Kid performed at ESSENCE Festival in 2016 and 2017.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
John Parra/Getty Images for REVOLT Music Conference
19
Jhené Aiko

Jhené Aiko performs on Day 1 at the 2015 Bumbershoot Festival at Seattle Center in Seattle, Washington.

The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images
20
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Another NOLA native, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are sure to bring heart and soul to the Main Stage this year.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Trombone Shorty Management
21
Kelly Price
Kelly Price will celebrate 25 years in music with her very own Superlounge.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Getty Images
22
Elle Varner

Elle Varner returns to the Superlounge stage with plenty in store.

The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Erika Goldring/Getty Images
23
Tweet
Never one to disappoint, Tweet’s smooth vocals are sure to have the Superlounge rocking again this year.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Erika Goldring/Getty Images
24
Mystikal

New Orleans native Mystikal will join his No Limit family to light up the ESSENCE Festival Main Stage.

The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Management (Mystikal)
25
June’s Diary
The ladies of June’s Diary will bring perfected harmonies and Black Girl Magic galore to the Superlounge stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Paras Griffin/WireImage
26
Lalah Hathaway
Nobody does it quite like songstress Lalah Hathaway and she’ll be up close and personal on the Superlounge stage this year.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Paras Griffin
27
Sir The Baptist
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for TIDAL
28
Leela James
Leela James will bring sounds from her new album, as well as music from her existing catalogue, to the ESSENCE Fest Superlounge stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Monica Morgan/WireImage
29
Ari Lennox
Dreamville’s first lady Ari Lennox will grace the ESSENCE Festival Main Stage as part of Mary J. Blige’s night of all-female performers.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
30
Ro James
Ro James is bringing his multi-talented swag to the Superlounge stage this year.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
31
Mia X
No Limit Records’ first lady Mia X will grace the ESSENCE Fest Main Stage for the first time alongside Master P, Mystikal and Silkk The Shocker.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Rick Diamond
32
Silkk The Shocker
Silk The Shocker will grace the ESSENCE Fest Main Stage for the first time alongside Master P, Mystikal and Mia X.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Paras Griffin
33
Michel’le Toussaint
Michel’le is gearing up to take ESSENCE Fest crowd on a stroll down memory lane with a performance of her classic hits on the Superlounge stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Charley Gallay
34
Lizzo
Lizzo is bringing confidence, vibrance and a one-of-a-kind sound to the Superlounge stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
35
Yuna
You won’t want to miss Yuna as she brings her effortless voice to the Superlounge stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
36
Emily Estefan
Emily will grace the ESSENCE Fest superlounge stage for the first time.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Alexander Tamargo
37
Coline Creuzot
Coline Creuzot will grace the superlounge stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
38
Doug E. Fresh
Hip Hop icon Doug E. Fresh is sure to have the crowd super lit in the Superlounge.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images
39
cymphonique

Cymphonique will bring her talents to Center Stage with an energetic performance.

The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
getty images
40
Mayah Dyson
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
41
The Jones Girls Featuring Shirley Jones
The classic R&B sounds of The Jones Girls Featuring Shirley Jones will bring grace and musical magic to the Superlounge stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
The Jones Girls
42
Moses Sumney
The soothingly soulful sounds of Moses Sumney are coming to the Superlounge stage this year.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Ben Horton/Getty Images
43
MC Lyte
Festival favorite and Hip Hop icon MC Lyte will return to the superlounge stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Michael Tran/Getty Images
44
PJ
Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Paris Jones, known as “PJ,” will bring her many talents to the ESSENCE Festival Superlounge stage.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
45
Chante Moore

Chante Moore will hit the stage for the EEE Gospel Tribute, honoring music icon Cissy Houston.

The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
46
Daley
Daley is set to bless the Superlounge stage with another unforgettable performance.
The ESSENCE Festival 2017 Lineup Revealed
Joseph Okpako/WireImage
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