Missy Elliott 

Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images

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Go Behind The Scenes Of ESSENCE Fest's 25th Anniversary: Party With A Purpose

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Check out who stopped by backstage with the Recording Academy for exclusive interviews and more
THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Jul 6, 2019 - 8:11 pm

ESSENCE Fest is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and its pulling all the stops at the New Orleans' Superdome to show out. This year's fest, appropriately titled Party With A Purpose, brought out the some of the most iconic names in music, politics and other aspects of black culture. Check out who stopped by backstage with the Recording Academy for exlusive interviews and more below.

GRAMMY winner PJ Morton stopped by to talk about his history-making performance. The singer/songwriter and musician is the first artist to have recorded a live album at the fest. He told the Recording Academy that for him it was a coming full-circle moment.

GRAMMY-nominated artist Rapsody sat down with us to talk about the influential musical lineage of Black women who inspired her new album, Eve. Find out how she hopes to keep the tradition alive in our exlusive interview.

BJ The Chicago Kid came to ESSENCE Fest on a mission: "Ya'll need to know how important this album is," he tells the Recording Academy about his new album 11/23, which comes out July 26. Find out who he was excited to collab with on his forthcoming album in our chat with him. 

Missy Elliott celebrates the 20th anniversary of the GRAMMY-nominated Best Rap Album Da Real World and was inducted in the Songwriters Hall Of Fame last month by delivering a unforgettable main stage performance on Friday.

DaniLeigh stopped by the Recording Academy corner for a glamour shot. The artist was one of the performers of ESSENCE's After Dark performance series.

MAJOR. hung around backstage Friday night and stopped by for a snapshot. 

GRAMMY nominated rap pioneer MC Lyte is a busy woman. She took a quick minute backstage at the 25th ESSENCE Fest this weekend to talk about her latest projects, including curating “Women In Hip-Hop” for the festival. Check out who it featured in our interview. 

Sunday's main stage belonged to Mary J. Blige, who gave the Superdome crowd all the hits they could handle.

Angelica Vila brought her glowing vibe backstage at the Recording Academy photobooth. 

We caught up with GRAMMY-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Elle Varner backstage at ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans, where she told us what she hopes fans take away from her new album.

Water Seed stepped into the room all smiles and good vibes. 

Kenyan band Sauti Sol was in the house Friday night and stopped by the Recording Academy's corner backstage.

Saturday saw main stage headliner and GRAMMY winner H.E.R. deliver an electrifying set in an electric green outfit. 

Singer Nicole Bus performed at one of the ESSENCE After Dark series and stopped by to say hello.

Yung Miami of rap duo City Girls came through backstage to chat with us about writing with her partner JT, collaborating with Cardi B, what ESSENCE means to her and more.

Mumu Fresh sat down with us backstage to talk how she began to rhyme, what she learned as a back-up singer from groups like the Roots, what she loves about ESSENCE Fest and more.

Afrobeats artist Ayoinmotion, who puts on a live performance that dares you to stay still, brought his music and energy to the 25th ESSENCE Festival and stopped by for an interview. 

London's NAO first time at ESSENCE Fest included a chat with the Recording Academy. The singer felt right at home at the Party With A Purpose.

Rotimi's first time performing at ESSENCE Fest had him hyped during a chat with the Recording Academy. 

Singer Lucky Daye came to ESSENCE Fest ready to light up the stage. 

Jacquees caught us up on what he's working on and more. Expect his next album Round 2 soon. 

Christian "King" Combs brought his legacy to the fest. The rapper spoke with the Recording Academy about his new Cyncerely EP out now.

GRAMMY-nominated sensual singer Ro James dropped by to talk his much-anticipated next album. 

Rapper Bone Crusher had everyone laughing backstage. 

Tanzanian musician Rayvanny came through back stage with a big smile.

The Party With A Purpose would not be the same without South African rapper Nasty C. 

New York's very own emcee Oswin Benjamin was in the house as well.

Party With A Purpose: 5 Things To Get Excited For At ESSENCE Fest 2019 

Normani

Photo: Josh Brasted/FilmMagic via Getty Images

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Normani Talks Solo Debut, Learning From Fifth Harmony & Touring With Ariana Grande

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"Even though I'm a new artist, I've also taken what I've learned from the last seven years that I was in Fifth Harmony," the singer told the Recording Academy
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 12, 2019 - 12:18 pm

Emerging singer Normani was right at home during her ESSENCE Fest performance on Sunday. The New Orleans native, who recently hit the road for the first leg of Ariana Grande's Sweetener tour, has experienced plenty of success since her former pop group Fifth Harmony went on indefinite hiatus last year—and performing in her hometown only added to the glow. 

"I'm stronger than I give myself credit for," the singer says about one of the things she learned since going solo. "There's so many things I've learned not only as an artist, but also as a business woman."

Normani has built her name around major collabs that tug at your heart strings: "Dancing With A Stranger" wth Sam Smith and "Love Lies" with Khalid. Her latest single, "Waves" feat. 6lack, lets her powerfully magnetic vocals shine alone. 

"Even though I'm a new artist, I've also taken what I've learned from the last seven years that I was in Fifth Harmony," she said. Regarding openning on tour for the "7 Rings" singer, she said they have more than a working relationship.

"It's been amazing. It's been the best experience ever and I'm just really grateful that I get to support such an amazing artist, I mean the biggest pop star in the world right now ... I genuinely can call her a friend of mine and I don't take that word lightly."

Her solo debut album is in the works and it's something she's been taking her time with. While her fans are at the edge of their seat, taking it slow has meant she's been able to put her all into it, as she said: "I want this album to represent and encompass all that Normani is."

The Magic Of ESSENCE 25th Anniversary Celebration: "It's Like A Family Reunion Even Though You Don't Know Everybody Here"

Ro James 

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Ro James Is Rested And Ready To Drop His Sophomore Album

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"I've just been in my creative space for a little while figuring out how to make sure I make the greatest [album]," he told the Recording Academy backstage at ESSENCE Fest
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 10, 2019 - 3:12 pm

It's been two years since GRAMMY-nominated sensual R&B singer/songwriter Ro James released an album, but after some time off, he says now is the time to put it out. 

"I've just been in my creative space for a little while figuring out how to make sure I make the greatest [album] and being honest with what I feel at the moment," he told the Recording Academy backstage at ESSENCE Fest. "I took my time and took a little break and fell out the energy, lived a little bit, so now it's time to put it out."

Ro James Talks Next Album At ESSENCE 2019

James said the album will drop in September and will be a reflection of "growth and evolution, good energy [and] positivity." The German-born Panamanian artist wants fans to know that although his inspiration is always love, this one won't be like his debut, 2016's Eldorado.

"Every album that I put out, I want people to look at it as a painting in a gallery; everyone is different, you appreciate everyone for whatever," he said. 

King Combs On His Star-Studded New EP, His Father's Bad Boy Legacy & ESSENCE Fest

Jacquees

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Jacquees On Forthcoming Album 'Round 2': "It's Sexy"

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The Atlanta-based R&B singer gave the Recording Academy some details about his next album at ESSENCE Fest 2019
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 9, 2019 - 3:25 pm

Atlanta-based smooth R&B singer Jacquees is hard at work on his next album, Round 2. While hanging out at the 25th annual ESSENCE Fest, he stopped by to chat with the Recording Academy, giving us a sneak peek of what's in store on the follow-up to 2018's 4275.

R&B Singer Jacquees On New Album 'Round 2'

"It's sexy, it's super sexy" he said backstage of the New Orlean's Superdome. "It's just vibes, I ain't keep it too slow, I got a couple of up-tempos."

Fans can get a taste of what's to come via "Who's" and his collab with Lil Baby "Your Peace." Check out Jacquees' interview in full above. 

City Girls' Yung Miami Talks Black Girl Magic, Cardi B & More At ESSENCE Fest

Mary J. Blige

Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

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The Magic Of ESSENCE 25th Anniversary Celebration: "It's Like A Family Reunion Even Though You Don't Know Everybody Here"

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"Being able to celebrate black culture at this magnitude means everything because we've never had anything like this," MC Lyte said
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 8, 2019 - 5:57 pm

New Orleans' Central Business District looked starkly different Monday morning as city locals hurried to work in ties and business attire. Gone were the crowds of people walking around in the heat of the southern city in their most fabulous summer outfits as R&B, hip-hop, soul and more took over the Big Easy's Superdome once again for ESSENCE Fest 25th anniversary. 

This year locals and those from far and wide came together to watch performances from iconic artists like Missy Elliott and Mary J. Blige and hitmakers like Pharrell Williams and Timbaland to emerging artists like Normani and H.E.R at the biggest festival celebration of black culture in the country that took place July 5–7. But the festival was more than just music, it was a space where conversations around food, politics, business and more.  

ESSENCE Fest 2019: Recording Academy On The Road

While the fest has happened in New Orleans since its inception, this year was different for great reason. The fest, born out of ESSENCE magazine aimed mostly to its black female readership, celebrated 25 years of brining different parts of black culture under one roof and the musical artists performing reflected on the milestone. MC Lyte, who curated one of the ESSENCE events that took over the venues all over the city, with women in hip-hop broke down why the fest means so much. 

"Being able to celebrate black culture at this magnitude means everything because we've never had anything like this. Growing up, we certainly didn;t at least in my era and even now to date. The ESSENCE Music Festival is truly one of a kind," she said. 

For some performers like New Orleans native  PJ Morton, the 25th anniversary was a very special moment as it brought him back full-circle.  

"I've been going to this festival since I was 14 years old and really changed my life as far as wanting to be a musician and seeing how it was presented, " he said. "When ESSENCE asked me to be a part [of the festival] again, I said 'I just don't want to play it again, I've played it before, let's do something special. Especially to kind of commemorate all these things, winning the GRAMMY award this year and me being able to come home. Part of winning that GRAMMY and writing those songs and making that album was me leaving L.A. and moving back home to new Orleans three years ago, so for me it was just a perfect full-circle moment to do a recording."

The singer made history during the night of his performance by recording a live album at the fest for the first time ever.

But he wasn't the only local with special ties to the fest. Rising star Normani, also a big easy native and first time performer at the fest, shared why the fest is so special to her.

"I'm grateful that I can finally be a part of it. For as long as I can remember growing up ESSENCE was ESSENCE and it's just really coolfor me to be a prt of it. My grandmother, she came, my nanny came,  my uncles they came out too and it's beautiful for me to be able to really represent my city in such a way, she said."

The opportunity to talk and have conversations with other women in particular is what excites singer Mumu Fresh the most about the festival. "[Women] who are affirming you and just sharing their stories."

"It's like a family reunion even though you don't know everybody here.They've shared your experience and everyone's just loving and gorgeous, all day long I've been walking by strangers who have been like 'YES hair, YES shoes YES face' and I'm like 'Awww heeyy, you too.' It's really fun, it's really beautiful."

NAO Talks Vulnerability & Being Black And British At ESSENCE Fest