Usher is set to take the stage at the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, performing a special one-night-only concert celebrating his acclaimed Confessions album. The R&B singer joins a star-studded lineup for the festival’s 30th anniversary, held in New Orleans from July 4-7, 2024, at Caesar’s Superdome. The concert series is described as “rooted in legacy and evolution, to represent the festival’s journey throughout its rich history to today.”
Usher Adds to the Star-Studded Essence Fest Lineup
In addition to Usher, the festival features performances by Janet Jackson, Birdman and Friends, Charlie Wilson, Ari Lennox, T-Pain, TGT, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, and more. Rising R&B star Victoria Monét is also set to perform despite recent health issues. Hosts for the event include Keke Palmer, Pretty Vee, Big Tigger, Punkie Johnson, and Kenny Burns, with special DJ sets from Raj Smoove, DJ Clark Kent, and DJ Beverly Bond.
The daytime experience will bring attendees to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for events such as the ESSENCE Food & Wine Festival, BEAUTYCON: @ESSENCEFEST Edition, AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA, ESSENCE Film Festival by ESSENCE STUDIOS, ESSENCE Stage, SOKO MRKT by ESSENCE, ESSENCE Authors, ESSENCE GU CREATORS HOUSE, GBEF HQ, and more.
This year, ESSENCE also includes The Suede: Men’s Experience, centered around the Black man and exploring topics like money, fatherhood, creativity, health, travel, fashion, and sports. Hakeem Holmes, Vice President of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, explains, “For three decades, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ has blossomed into a pillar of our culture. It spans generations and echoes life stages, growing at the vibrant intersection of art, culture, freedom, and justice.”
“New Orleans is our home, my hometown, and we look forward to embracing this community once again. Last year, we proudly generated $316 million for New Orleans and Louisiana, and we look forward to another year of new memories,” Holmes added.
Launched in 1995 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine, the festival has evolved into the world’s largest celebration of Black women, culture, and communities, convening more than 530,000 people annually over the July Fourth weekend in New Orleans.