By Michael Lewis | Austin, Texas

Teddy Riley, Keith Sweat, Cool Moe Dee, Tank, and Guy answering questions and having fun in the Essence’s Festival Press Room during 2018 Essence Festival. © Michael Lewis Global Photography

APRIL 10, 2019 (New York, N.Y.) — The 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival® Brings the 90’s Heat with Special Performances of the Hottest Albums Celebrating 25 years

The ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola, the world’s largest cultural, entertainment and empowerment experience and largest celebration of global Black culture, is set to bring the 90’s heat with special performances that celebrate the 25th anniversary of many of the top albums of the decade. The Festival announced the official night-by-night performance line up for its concert series taking place July 5th to the 7th at the Louisiana Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Timeless hits from the 90’s era of R&B and hip-hop music significantly impacted our global culture, setting musical trends and a standard of excellence that made space for artists to thrive as creators, visionaries, and entrepreneurs. By spotlighting some of the era’s most forward-looking, game-changing albums that are also celebrating their 25th anniversaries, the celebration will reach beyond nostalgia to a new school—with special performances to elevate the groundbreaking sounds that continue to influence the most popular, chart-topping artists of today.
“We are celebrating our 25th anniversary with an extraordinary, multigenerational, cultural celebration featuring nearly 100 Black artists who know that the ESSENCE Festival is ‘home,’” said Michelle Ebanks, CEO of ESSENCE Communications. “Through an imaginative slate of
25th-anniversary curations and a fresh take on our night-by-night line-up, this year’s milestone Festival will creatively represent some of our culture’s most important and influential bodies of work – past, present and future. We are excited to place the spotlight on the music that captivated and inspired our global communities that will take place exclusively for the ESSENCE Festival stages.
Each 25th-anniversary set will be curated and performed by the original artists, including Mary J. Blige’s My Life, Nas’ Illmatic, Brandy’s Brandy, Scarface’s Diary, Big Daddy Kane’s Daddy’s Home, Da Brat’s Funkdafied, Slick Rick’s Behind Bars and Brownstone’s From the Bottom Up.
• Kicking off Friday night are marquee performances from some of music’s biggest acts including Missy Elliott, RBRM (Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike) and more; opening night will also include a 25th anniversary set presented by Doug E. Fresh that will feature Brandy, Ledisi, and Sheila E., MC Lyte, Morris Day, Former Members of New Power Generation, among others.
• Saturday night is anchored by Mary J. Blige, Nas, H.E.R. and more, with 25th-anniversary celebrations by some of the most influential names in hip-hop, including Big Daddy Kane, Scarface, Slick Rick and more.
• Closing night on Sunday will feature a performance by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly with a special tribute to Frankie Beverly delivered by Anthony Hamilton; Jermaine Dupri’s Atlanta-focused curation with performances by Musiq Soulchild, Da Brat, Lil Jon and Dem Franchize Boyz; Teddy Riley’s Legends of Music curation that includes Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Teyana Taylor, MAJOR., Ro James and more; as well as a NOLA-style bounce performance with Mannie Fresh and Big Freedia.
• Each night will be hosted by Loni Love and will feature music by DJ D-Nice.
The ESSENCE Festival takes place July 4-7, 2019 in New Orleans, LA.