The renown musical band, Sauti Sol, have been representing Kenya at the international level. They seem to have maintained this lane as they will perform at the 25th essence festival at New Orleans, Louisiana.
The 2019 ESSENCE Festival’s three-night concert series at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome includes Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, NAS, H.E.R., Anthony Hamilton, Big Freedia, Davido, Doug E. Fresh, Frankie Beverly, Jermaine Dupri, Ledisi, MC Lyte, Morris Day, Musiq Soulchild, Pharrell Williams, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky & Mike, Sheila E., Teddy Riley, Teyana Taylor, Timbaland, VanJess and more. Hosted by Loni Love. Music by D-Nice.
Additional performers include 702, AlunaGeorge, ALX, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Brownstone, City Girls, El Debarge, Elle Varner, Erica Falls, EU, Force MDs, Ginuwine, Jacquees, Koryn Hawthorne, Lucky Daye, Mase, Nao, Nigel Hall, Normani, Queen Naija, Rakim, Sauti Sol, Scarface, Talk Box, Water Seed and more. Plus, a live album recording by PJ Morton with Jojo, Luke James, Mia X, Pell and The Hamiltones.
When the ESSENCE Festival was founded 25 years ago, it marked a pivotal moment of vision and reverence – a critical acknowledgment of and investment in the power of our culture,” said Michelle Ebanks, Chief Executive Officer of ESSENCE Communications.
“In the years since it has set a standard that many other festivals have aspired to, and today, the ESSENCE Festival has grown to represent an annual homecoming for Black artists from across the globe. In honor of our 25th anniversary, nearly 30 artists per night over 3 epic nights will come together to mount the world’s largest and most extraordinary cultural celebration. To one and all, we say, ‘Welcome to ESSENCE. Welcome home.”
Special performance highlights include two seminal albums thematically brought to life, Mary J. Blige’s ‘My Life’ and NAS’ ‘Illmatic’ – each of which are marking 25-year anniversaries in 2019. ESSENCE will also cultivate a special mainstage moment honoring Frankie Beverly for his lifetime contribution to music.