As culture connoisseurs get ready to put on their flyest fits and kicks, the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of CultureTM presented by Coca-Cola® is rounding out its evening concert series with a night-by-night line-up of musicians, performers, and Hip-Hop and R&B legends at the New Orleans’ Caesar’s Superdome. This year's festival marks our first-ever, all-Black women in Hip-Hop headliner line-up of Ms. Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott and Megan Thee Stallion, which has been previously announced. Festival-goers can check out the full star-studded line-up by purchasing single-day tickets, as well as weekend packages, on sale now at www.ESSENCEFestival.com.

On Friday, June 30th, Ms. Lauryn Hill will headline and take music-lovers back 25 years, when the iconic 5x Grammy-winning “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” album dropped, with a very special performance to celebrate its milestone anniversary. Attendees can also expect to see highly anticipated performances from some of the pioneers of Hip-Hop curated by Doug E. Fresh including Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, KRS- One and Slick Rick. In addition, hitting the stage that night will be performances from Tems, Tobe Nwigwe, Jagged Edge and Ari Lennox, hosted by Deon Cole and musical sounds by DJ Clark Kent. Saturday, July 1st, will be sure to show attendees how to ‘work it’ as the first female in Hip-Hop to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Missy Elliott, graces the center stage for a can’t-miss performance! From Philadelphia to the French Quarter, an injection of Philly Soul will pierce through this year’s festival, when the one and only Jill Scott rocks the mic, to bring some Brotherly...and Sisterly Love. West Coast All-Stars Ice Cube, DJ Quik, Ice T, Yo-Yo, Lady of Rage, J.J. Fad and E-40, will remind, and show, the city of New Orleans that California knows how to party. Jermaine Dupri will curate a special “The South Got Something to Say'' performance highlighting some of the biggest Hip-Hop artists from the ATL with Ludacris, T.I., Gucci Mane, Lil Jon and Big Boi. The second night in the concert series will also include R&B hits from Monica and Coco Jones, hosted by Affion Crockett & Spice Adams, with DJ Kid Capri on the Wheels of Steel.

To close out the festival’s evening concert series on Sunday, July 2nd, 3x Grammy Award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion, will hit the stage and get attendees in the right mood for a ‘hot girl summer’! Radio icon Angie Martinez is bringing a golden celebration of the women who changed the face of Hip-Hop and influenced culture with a curation of performances by Eve, Salt-N-Pepa, Remy Ma, Trina and New Orleans’ own Mia X. Afrobeats hitmaker and Grammy-award winning artist Wizkid will join the closing night along with R&B songstress Muni Long and Nigerian singer- songwriter Kizz Daniel, hosted by Abbott Elementary breakout star Janelle James with throwback jams and remixes, to keep the party going from DJ Spinderella.

But, nah, we’re not finished.

Like Hip-Hop, the ESSENCE Festival of CultureTM presented by Coca-Cola® is more than just the music. While attendees embark on a celebration of Hip-Hop’s rich history across stages, there will be something for everyone in New Orleans and virtually, that will get the people going. From the ESSENCE stage itself to the Food and Wine Festival to programs promoting health and wellness to discussions about love and relationships to the ESSENCE Film Festival to BeautyCon, even an ESSENCE Spades Tournament, there will be plenty for attendees to experience throughout the four-day event, which kicks off June 29th. So, tap into your inner B-Girl, grab your 54-11’s, and be a part of this once-in-a- lifetime event to give a birthday toast to a genre born in the concrete and, through its pavement, grew into a global shifting entity that affects all aspects of people’s lives. The 2023 ESSENCE Festival of CultureTM is presented by Coca-Cola® and major partners, AT&T, Disney and Target.

Attendees can find festival information, sign up for updates, and purchase weekend packages or single- day tickets at ESSENCE.com. Join the conversation on social @ESSENCEFest or experience the festival virtually on ESSENCE.com.