ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ 2023 Unveils Stellar Lineup: Wizkid, Lauryn Hill, Monica, and More Set to Perform!

As the 29th ESSENCE Festival of CultureTM, sponsored by Coca-Cola®, returns to New Orleans in 2023 to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, be ready for the ultimate celebration. Through a combination of live and virtual experiences, including daytime programming and nighttime shows, this much awaited event will highlight the enormous influence of hip-hop on contemporary culture.

The festival’s signature evening shows will include a variety of well-known hip-hop performers who have ruled the mic for the previous 50 years. The legendary Ms. Lauryn Hill, who will perform a special rendition of “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in honor of the album’s 25th anniversary, and the multi-talented Megan Thee Stallion, a three-time Grammy Award winner, are the headliners. While Grammy Award-winning super producer and So So Def label founder Jermaine Dupri will celebrate the label’s 30th anniversary with a spectacular performance alongside some of Atlanta’s biggest names in hip-hop, the legendary Doug E. Fresh will curate a special performance featuring hip-hop pioneers. At the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of CultureTM, Wizkid, Monica, Coco Jones, and Kizz Daniel will also perform.

Along with the electrifying performances, each evening will be packed with comedy thanks to the hosts Deon Cole, Affion Crockett, Spice Adams, and Janelle James. DJ Spinderella, DJ Kid Capri, and DJ Clark Kent will also provide the music. Keep an eye out for future exciting announcements about new skills and experiences.