New & Next


ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO PERFORM AT THE 2019 ESSENCE FESTIVAL®
ESSENCE® is seeking the next generation of hit makers to battle it out on Center Stage! Winner will get a chance to perform in a Superlounge at the 2020 ESSENCE Festival®!

The Next & New Contest begins on
Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 12:01AM EDT and ends on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 11:59PM EDT.

How to Enter

Entry
Post a 1-minute video of yourself singing an original song on Instagram using the hashtags, #iamnewandnext and #contest. 3 finalists will be selected to perform on Center Stage at the 2019 Essence Festival®.

Selection Criteria

  • Vocal technique/ability
  • Performance/presentation
  • Originality of the song

FINALIST NEXT STEPS
Finalists will be notified on Monday, June 6th via Instagram DM. They will also be featured in an announcement article on essence.com.

Finalists will be responsible for their hotel and travel fare to New Orleans, LA for the 2019 ESSENCE Festival®, July 4th-7th.

ONSITE JUDGING
The finalists will perform on Center Stage on Saturday, July 6th. The winner will be determined based on the highest noise level/excitement that that is ignited from the audience.

Finalist PRizes

2 tickets for 3 nights of Superdome concerts

2 VIP All-Access Passes in the Superdome for 1 night of Festival

Opportunity to compete live on Center Stage for the ”2020 New & Next ESSENCE Festival Artist” title

Finalists

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FREE & REQUIRED REGISTRATION for guests 18+ for entry into the 2019 ESSENCE Festival® festivals, conferences, and exhibitions.

Presented by

Major Sponsors

Host Committee