Essence Festival, the three-night festival of music and culture is returning to New Orleans as part of the magazine’s 50th anniversary celebration. This year the festival is extended to 5 days from July 1st to July 5th with a theme of “Own Our Power”. The Essence Festival 2020 Line-Up features headliners Janet Jackson and first time Essence Fest performer, Bruno Mars.

Janet Jackson returns to the Superdome mainstage as part of her recently announced Black Diamond World Tour. She has confirmed that she will be taking the stage on Friday July 3rd. Bruno Mars headlines the Essence Festival 2020 Line-Up for his first performance at Essence Fest ever, likely on Saturday July 4th. The final headliner has yet to be announced, though in the last few years it has been a rapper. In 2019 it was Jermaine Dupri and an Atlanta focused set.

Other main stage headliners for the 3 nights of concerts are Ari Lennox; Janelle Monae; Patti LaBelle; Raphael Saadiq (performing songs across his entire career from Tony! Toni! Tone! through his solo albums, including Jimmy Lee); Estelle Presents Reggae & Afrobeats Link Up featuring Afro B, Chronnix, Elephant Man, Kranium, Max Glazer, Maxi Priest, Shenseea and more; Summer Walker; Swizz Beatz Presents In the Zone featuring guest artists; and more.
The mainstage is hosted by Loni Love with music by D-nice.

Superlounge performers include Casmé, D Smoke; Demi Grace; Doug E. Fresh Presents The Real Hip-Hop and R&B Party; Elah Hale; Goldlink; Jac Ross; Jamesdavis; Jidenna; June’s Diary; Kiana Lede; Kitty Cash; Leikeli47; Masego; Mr Eazi; Oswin Benjamin; Rapsody; Saweetie; SiR; Smino; Stokley; Tamia; Tank and the Bangas; Teamarrr; The New Respects; Umi. More artists are also expected to be announced.

In honor of the brand’s 50^th anniversary and marking one day for each decade, the Festival will be extended for the first time from three days to five days and will take place July 1-5 in New Orleans, LA. This year’s theme, “Own Our Power,” will be at the center of performances, conversations and activations that span arts, entertainment, music, beauty, fashion, technology, film, food, wellness, advocacy, civic engagement, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

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