Rising R&B star Muni Long has sounded the alarm, accusing ESSENCE Fest producers of deliberately undermining her Saturday night set. Fans attended in anticipation, but technical issues, abrupt delays, and visible backstage tension disrupted her performance, she claims. In a candid social‑media tirade, she expressed frustration over the setbacks.
“I showed up ready to pour my heart out,” Muni Long wrote. “Instead, I faced delays I didn’t cause, sound issues beyond my control, and a stage shut‑off before the final song.”
“It wasn’t talent holding me back. It was production failure.”
A Night Marred by Mismanagement
According to her statement, the trouble began before showtime. Muni alleges she was scheduled as the penultimate act, but that slot got bumped. Backstage, her team reported repeated sound malfunctions during soundcheck. One in‑house engineer allegedly reassured her, “We’ve got this,” only to have speakers distort hours later.
When she took the stage, the monitor mix dropped entirely during the second verse of her opening track. Fans watching from the crowd felt the tension. She paused and announced, “Bear with me, we have sound issues,” before continuing with a stripped‑down rendition. Attendees praised her improvisation, but the damage was already done.
Sources close to ESSENCE Fest producers have declined on‑the‑record comment. However, one insider described a “logistics breakdown” involving stage handoffs between acts, amplified by the festival’s unusually tight scheduling grid. Another anonymous staffer admitted, “There were oversights. Not everything went according to plan.”
Aftermath and Muni’s Demands
Following the show, Muni Long posted an Instagram carousel showcasing behind‑the‑scenes moments — including delayed stage cues, muted back‑tracks, and crew members scrambling. In the caption, she challenged ESSENCE’s commitment to its artists:
“This was more than just a bad night. It felt intentional. I demand transparency, accountability, and proper reparation.”
Her post quickly went viral, drawing supportive comments from peers like Jazmine Sullivan and Lucky Daye. “Nothing but love and respect for Muni. She deserved better,” wrote one fan.
ESSENCE Fest organizers released a brief statement last night:
“We regret the technical problems during Muni Long’s set. We are investigating and will address concerns directly with her and her team.”
The event’s co‑executive producer added in a separate note that “artist satisfaction is a top priority” and promised a follow‑up meeting with Muni Long’s management in the coming days.
Industry Reaction and the Bigger Picture
This incident follows a string of performance issues at major festivals this summer. Lauryn Hill’s 2:30 a.m. headliner delay prompted ESSENCE Fest previously to apologize, stating, “We will take that.” Other artists, including Stephanie Mills and Erykah Badu, have aired backstage grievances.
Live‑music veteran and festival consultant Mara King observed, “Festivals today run like Swiss trains: late sets ripple and magnify technical problems. If one act overruns, the next is pressured.” King adds that under‑resourced production teams often lack contingency plans.
What’s Next
Muni Long’s team is reportedly seeking a makeup performance slot, financial compensation, and a public apology on‑stage during the closing ceremony. While negotiations remain confidential, insiders say ESSENCE Fest may grant a guest appearance on Sunday night’s finale.
At this point, fans and industry watchers await the resolution. Muni’s bold stand may spur broader discussions about artist protections at large festivals. As she concluded in her post, “We deserve stages built for us—not against us.”