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 and mother to Tracee Ellis Ross and Evan Ross is an Aries. Her birthday falls on March 26.
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.
Getty Images
03
Chance The Rapper
“Summer school get to losing students, but the CPD gettin’ new recruitment.”
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.
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.
Kevin Winter
06
Chaka Khan
Legendary songstress Chaka Khan is joining us again to shut down the Main Stage as only she can.
07
Jill Scott
Jill Scott will bring her chart-topping classics and feel good vibes to the Main Stage.
Fred Lee/ABC via Getty Images
08
Monica Brown
You definitely don’t want to miss Monica on the ESSENCE Festival Main Stage.
09
Jazmine Sullivan
Powerhouse vocalist Jazmine Sullivan is set to send goosebumps throughout the Superdome as she hits the Main Stage.
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.
Manny Carabel
11
IndiaArie
No stranger to ESSENCE Fest, India Arie will bring her effortlessly flawless vocals to the Main Stage.
12
Master P
Hometown mogul Master P has much in store for the Main Stage…you won’t want to miss it!
Josh Brasted/Getty
13
Shaggy
Get ready to groove with Shaggy on the Superlounge stage.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images
14
Gallant
Gallant returns to rock the ESSENCE Festival Superlounge stage.
15
XSCAPE
XSCAPE will reunite for their first full performance in over 15 years!
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!
Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty images
17
Rhonda Ross
Rhonda Ross will bring musical magic to the Main Stage.
18
BJ the Chicago Kid
BJ the Chicago Kid performed at ESSENCE Festival in 2016 and 2017.
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.
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.
Trombone Shorty Management
21
Kelly Price
Kelly Price will celebrate 25 years in music with her very own Superlounge.
Getty Images
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22
Elle Varner
Elle Varner returns to the Superlounge stage with plenty in store.
Erika Goldring/Getty Images
23
Tweet
Never one to disappoint, Tweet’s smooth vocals are sure to have the Superlounge rocking again this year.
Erika Goldring/Getty Images
24
Mystikal
New Orleans native Mystikal will join his No Limit family to light up the ESSENCE Festival Main Stage.
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.
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.
Paras Griffin
27
Sir The Baptist
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.
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.
30
Ro James
Ro James is bringing his multi-talented swag to the Superlounge stage this year.
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.
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.
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.
Charley Gallay
34
Lizzo
Lizzo is bringing confidence, vibrance and a one-of-a-kind sound to the Superlounge stage.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
35
Yuna
You won’t want to miss Yuna as she brings her effortless voice to the Superlounge stage.
Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
36
Emily Estefan
Emily will grace the ESSENCE Fest superlounge stage for the first time.
Alexander Tamargo
37
Coline Creuzot
Coline Creuzot will grace the superlounge stage.
38
Doug E. Fresh
Hip Hop icon Doug E. Fresh is sure to have the crowd super lit in the Superlounge.
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images
39
cymphonique
Cymphonique will bring her talents to Center Stage with an energetic performance.
getty images
40
Mayah Dyson
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 Jones Girls
42
Moses Sumney
The soothingly soulful sounds of Moses Sumney are coming to the Superlounge stage this year.
Ben Horton/Getty Images
43
MC Lyte
Festival favorite and Hip Hop icon MC Lyte will return to the superlounge stage.
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.
45
Chante Moore
Chante Moore will hit the stage for the EEE Gospel Tribute, honoring music icon Cissy Houston.
46
Daley
Daley is set to bless the Superlounge stage with another unforgettable performance.
