Legends, Icons, And Final Goodbyes: 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Unveils Star-Studded Lineup – Essence
This summer, the stage is set for one of the most anticipated cultural moments of the year. The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® will once again transform New Orleans into a vibrant symphony of sound, soul, and style—curating not just a concert series but an experience that speaks to the elegance, resilience, and brilliance of Black artistry across generations.
As ESSENCE Magazine celebrates 55 years of shaping the narrative of Black womanhood with unapologetic grace, the second wave of its festival lineup was announced today—and it is nothing short of extraordinary.
The newly added performers are a testament to the festival’s power to pair legacy with forward momentum. Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Babyface brings decades of melodic mastery, while the radiant Jill Scott will host an exquisitely curated Jill Scott & Friends performance—an homage to the city of Philadelphia and its soulful lineage. Joining her are the legendary Patti LaBelle, Jazmine Sullivan; and Scott herself.
Equally compelling is ESSENCE Flowers: A Quincy Jones Joint, a tribute to the man whose genius shaped the architecture of modern music. Under the creative direction of Jermaine Dupri, the tribute will feature a rich medley of artists who have either collaborated with or been influenced by the maestro himself—among them Tyrese, Al B. Sure!, Robin Thicke, SWV, Xscape, The Pharcyde, and Mobb Deep. The performance is set to be a masterclass in cross-genre brilliance and artistic homage, offering an evening that is at once reverent and radiant.
And in what promises to be an emotional farewell, New Orleans’ own Master P will take the Superdome stage for his final festival performance—a moment that not only honors his singular influence in hip-hop but cements his legacy as a pioneer of ownership and self-determination. Joined by the No Limit Soldiers, including Mia X and Silkk the Shocker, and special guests like Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Dru Hill, and Keri Hilson, the set will be a Southern elegy, rich in grit and grandeur.
The festival’s famed Superlounge experience—long known for its role in launching careers and capturing lightning in a bottle—makes its highly anticipated return this year, reimagined with intimacy, edge, and a sense of discovery. It’s the place where tomorrow’s legends whisper their first notes into the world.
The broader lineup reflects the expansive range of Black music’s legacy and future: reggae legend Buju Banton, Grammy Award-nominated superstar GloRilla, the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Isley Brothers, lyrical legend Nas, soulful standout Summer Walker, beloved R&B singer and songwriter Donell Jones, and multifaceted hitmaker Muni Long.
To commemorate ESSENCE Magazine’s 55th anniversary, hip-hop icon Doug E. Fresh will lead a tribute performance—an imaginative mix of freestyle, beatbox, and cultural reflection—honoring the soundtrack of Black life, love, and legacy.
The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® is powered by major partners including AT&T, L’Oréal Groupe, and Target as the official retail partner. Attendees can secure access to daytime experiences via the E360 app, complete with exclusive offers, personalized schedules, and real-time updates throughout the festival weekend.
Weekend packages for the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® evening concert series are available now. As the countdown to New Orleans begins, ESSENCE invites fans to join the conversation on social media at @ESSENCEFest and subscribe to ESSENCE Magazine to stay connected all year long.
Book the flight. Text the group chat. Meet us in New Orleans. This is what it means to be Made Like This.
