Three weeks after canceling the Lovers & Friends festival in Las Vegas, the prayers of Usher fans are being answered. Advertising sign can exclusively report that the eight-time Grammy Award winner will now perform his classic album Confessions during a special one-night-only performance at the 2024 Essence festival of Culture. Presented by Coca-Cola, the annual four-day event will be held July 4-7 in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome.
confessions' A 20th birthday isn't the only anniversary being celebrated that weekend. Under the theme 'Celebrating 30 Years of Us', Essence itself marks the festival's milestone birthday with a star-studded line-up including R&B/pop icon Janet Jackson, a special performance by Birdman & Friends Presents 30 Years of Cash Money Millionaires. Three-time Grammy winner Victoria Monét and eight-time Essence festival veteran Charlie Wilson. Tank and the Bangas will also be part of a New Orleans takeover with a curated show alongside special guests and fellow New Orleanians Teedra Moses, HaSizzle and Dawn Richard.
Another highlight will be a tribute to Frankie Beverly & Maze, who reigned as the closing act of the festival during its first 15 years. “As we celebrate this year's festival, Essence will present flowers to the entertainers who started Sunday night's all-white tradition,” says the press release for the tribute, which will also include a “passing of the torch moment” curated by the Grammy-winning songwriter/ producer Bryan-Michael Cox. The series of evening concerts will be hosted by Keke Palmer, Pretty Vee, Big Tigger, Punkie Johnson and Kenny Burns with special DJ sets by Raj Smoove, DJ Clark Kent. and DJ Beverly Bond.
DJ D-Nice will also bring his popular Club Quarantine to the Superdome. This multi-genre lineup will feature Method Man, Sheila E., Big Boi, Donell Jones, Tweet, Machel Montano and Lloyd. Each night will also feature curated performances including Grammy Award-winning band The Roots & Friends with Ari Lennox, Mickey Guyton, special guest T-Pain and the reunion of R&B supergroup TGT (Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank). Rounding out the evening's list of performers: Ayra Starr, SWV, Busta Rhymes and Jacquees. More talent will be announced in the coming weeks.
“For three decades, the Essence festival of Culture has blossomed into a pillar of our culture,” festival head Hakeem Holmes said in a statement. He continued in part, “As the festival approaches its 30-year milestone, we are excited to welcome and celebrate with all of our closest family and friends around the world. It promises to be a rich four days of daytime and evening experiences. Last year, we proudly generated $316 million for New Orleans and Louisiana, and we look forward to another year of new memories. This is your formal invitation to join us… for a celebration of unparalleled black joy.”
Major partners in the 2024 Essence festival of Culture include AT&T, L'Oréal Groupe, McDonald's USA and Target Corporation. For more information and updates, visit ESSENCEFestival.com.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/usher-2024-essence-festival-culture-confessions-album-performance-1235692025/