The 2024 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans will feature Janet Jackson as one of the headlining acts this summer. Originally scheduled to perform at the Smoothie King Center on July 23 as part of her Together Again Summer 2024 tour, Jackson’s appearance was canceled and she will now be performing as part of the annual festival, which runs from July 5 through July 7 at the Superdome. This will be Jackson’s fourth appearance at the festival, having previously performed in 2010, 2018, and 2022, with her last show reportedly being the highest-grossing night in the festival’s history.
Essence Festival producers have been slowly revealing the lineup for this year’s event, with some fans expressing frustration on social media about the late announcements and the piecemeal reveal. Along with the nightly concerts at the Superdome, the festival will also include programming on various topics such as networking, finance, careers, wellness, fashion, and beauty at venues like the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and other locations around the city. The festival aims to celebrate Black women, culture, and communities, attracting over 530,000 attendees annually over the July Fourth weekend.
A notable addition to this year’s Essence Festival will be a reunion of the Cash Money Millionaires collective, a group of rappers affiliated with the New Orleans-based label Cash Money Records. The reunion will include Cash Money co-founder Bryan “Baby” Williams, also known as Birdman, although specific artists beyond his involvement have not yet been announced. The festival continues to be a significant event for music fans and supporters of Black culture, drawing a large crowd from across the country each year.
Essence Communications Inc. started the festival in 1995 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine, and it has since grown into the largest celebration of Black women, culture, and communities in the world. The event serves as a platform for showcasing Black excellence in various fields and industries, as well as providing a space for networking, education, and entertainment. With a diverse lineup of artists and speakers, the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans continues to be a highlight of the summer for many music lovers and fans of Black culture. This year’s festival promises to deliver another exciting and memorable experience for attendees, with Janet Jackson’s return as a headlining act adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the event.
