Chance The Rapper performs at Essence Festival 2017

Chance The Rapper performs at 2017 Essence Festival in New Orleans

Photo: WireImage.com

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Music Festivals 2017: Essence Fest In New Orleans

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From superstar headliners to the next generation of hip-hop and R&B tastemakers, dive into our interviews and coverage from the 2017 Essence Music Festival
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
Jul 6, 2017 - 5:50 pm

Check out our comprehensive 2017 Essence Music Festival coverage, with interviews, photos and more!

Friday, June 30

Saturday, July 1

Sunday, July 2

- What makes Essence Fest so magical? Rhonda Ross, JhenéAiko, Ari Lennox, MC Lyte, Napoleon Da Legend, and Elle Varner share their thoughts on why Essence Music Festival is a powerful celebration of African-American culture and music.

Why Essence Festival is a true celebration

- Victorious. Chance The Rapper toasts his triumphant headlining set at the 2017 Essence Music Festival. The rapper closed his set with "Blessings," a track from his GRAMMY-winning album, Coloring Book.

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- Rap legend Master P on stage for the No Limit Reunion at Essence Festival 2017.

- GRAMMY-winner Solange expresses gratitude to an energized Essence Music Festival crowd on closing night.

- Backstage at Essence Music Festival 2017 in New Orleans, singer/songwriter Elle Varner praises Burt Bacharach as a major influence and discusses her plans for a new acoustic album

Elle Varner talks new music at Essence

- Paris-born, Brooklyn-based rapper Napoleon Da Legend stopped by backstage at Essence Music Festival 2017 to explain how the soul of jazz is integral to hip-hop, name-checking his influences from both styles: Miles Davis, A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul.

Napoleon Da Legend on jazz and hip-hop

- Reunited, and it feels oh so good. Xscape are "Just Kickin' It" as they get ready to bring some '90s nostalgia to the Sunday performance lineup at the 2017 Essence Music Festival. 

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Saturday, July 1

- Saturday night headliner Mary J. Blige treated a packed house at Essence festival to a set that left no questions about how she earned her 9 career GRAMMY awards.

- 3-time GRAMMY winner Jill Scott left her heart on stage last night at Essence fesitval. Did you catch her set?

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- Who joined singer Ari Lennox on stage for the final song of Essence festival's #LadiesNight?

- How can an artist stay focused and healthy while touring? Backstage at Essence Music Festival 2017, GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Jhené Aiko discussed her regimen, which includes rest, burning incense and protein shakes.

Jhené Aiko's Therapeutic Journey

- Backstage at Essence Music Festival 2017, GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriters Jhené Aiko and Remy Ma, and recording artist/actress Teyana Taylor give their perspectives on why self-confidence is more important than ever to a female artist's livelihood and career.

Remy Ma, Jhené Aiko talk confidence at Essence

- Chance The Rapper is going to make it a night to remember for a special group of fans. Ahead of his Sunday set at Essence, the GRAMMY winner announced via Twitter that hearing impaired fans have the opportunity to attend his set for free. Spreading the word on how people can protect their hearing is a cause close to the heart of The Recording Academy's health and human services charity, MusiCares. Read more about how visuals are playing into helping hearing-imparied people enjoy concerts. 

- Get all the behind-the-scenes action with Jazmine Sullivan.

Friday, June 30

- Check out what artists Yuna, Goldlink, Coline Creuzot, and Rhonda Ross have to say about current trends in hip-hop.

What trends dominate hip-hop today?

- PJ Morton is on the ground at Essence.

- Singer/songwriter Yuna dishes on her upcoming album. Get the inside scoop.

Yuna reveals next project plans

- Watch headliner Diana Ross show you how it's done at Essence!

- John Legend delivered a killer set at Essence, which was also the last stop on his North American tour.

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- We spoke with India.Arie about what makes Essence so special. Find out why it feels like her world!

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India.Arie interview | Essence 2017

- Mary J. Blige was among the participants in the Essence Festival's "Strength Of A Woman" panel, a discussion titled after the GRAMMY winner's 2017 album of the same name. During the panel, which addressed themes of self-reliance and perseverance, Blige echoed some of the sentiments she shared with GRAMMY.com in a recent interview about the the obstacles she overcame while making her new LP. "In fighting for my life I discovered my strength, my real strength as a woman," said Blige on Friday. 

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- Essence Festival is underway. Check out the festival's official teaser video and stay tuned for more updates from New Orleans.

 

2016 Essence Festival Recap

Fourth of July weekend in New Orleans means one thing: Essence Music Festival.

Now in its 19th year, Essence is bigger and fiercer than ever in its mission of celebrating African-American women and culture through music. This year's can't-miss headliners include recent Best New Artist GRAMMY winner Chance The Rapper, the legendary Diana Ross, the undeniable Mary J. Blige, and R&B crooner John Legend.

But the essence of Essence Music Festival goes way beyond these household names. The lineup includes several stages full of rising stars, genre-bending artists and local New Orleans flair — not to mention the myriad of activities, discussions and events that take place at the concurrent Essence Path To Power Conference. Simply put, it's the place to be.

The Recording Academy will be on the ground in New Orleans again this year, bringing you exclusive interviews, video and photos from front stage to back. Visit this page over the course of the weekend to keep up to speed and get an inside look at the action.

As we gear up for the festival weekend, we also take a look back to our Essence coverage in 2016. Last July we spoke with Common, Andra Day, Jidenna, and many more backstage. We also caught up with a pair of sensational artists on the rise.

New Orleans' own Tank & The Bangas would go on to win NPR's 2017 Tiny Desk Contest, but during their exclusive performance at Essence, the group's magic was already evident.

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Tank And The Bangas perform "Rollercoasters" | Essence 2016

Likewise, Beyoncé protégés Chloe X Halle treated us to two stunning performances that would prove their promise. Take a look and listen, and get excited for this year's Essence Music Festival, June 29–July 2.

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Chloe x Halle perform "Fall" | Essence 2016

Want more music festival coverage? 17 must-attend music festivals in 2017

Bonnaroo 2018

Bonnaroo 2018

Photo: Douglas Mason/Getty Images

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Bonnaroo Music Festival Has Been Rescheduled To September 2021

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The beloved Tennessee music festival was originally set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in June 2020, and after two prior date changes, will now be happening September 2–5, 2021
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 30, 2020 - 11:45 am

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will now be taking place September 2–5, 2021.

The eclectic Tennessee music festival was originally set to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year on its annual second weekend of June dates, but was rescheduled to September 2020 due to COVID-19. The date was then pushed to June 2021 and is now set for next September.

Read: Bartees Strange On 'Live Forever' & Why "It Shouldn't Be Weird To See Black Rock Bands"

Bonnaroo is offering refunds for ticket holders who cannot attend the new dates, although they are encouraging fans to hold on to their tickets for the new dates. Those who can attend the new dates do not need to take any action to rollover their tickets. You can find more information on refunds and rollovers here—the period to request a refund is Sept. 30–Oct. 31.

The 2021 lineup, as well as info on purchasing tickets for those who hadn't yet, will be announced at a later date. Tool, Lizzo, Tame Impala, Miley Cyrus, Flume, Lana Del Rey and others were slated to headline Bonnaroo 2020.

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Coachella 2019

Coachella 2019

Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella

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Report: Coachella & Stagecoach 2020 Rumored To Be Postponed Due To Coronavirus Concerns

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Riverside County, home to the fests' famed Empire Polo Club, has already declared a public health emergency following the first locally contracted case of coronavirus last week
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Mar 10, 2020 - 1:39 pm

Amid the rampant spread of coronavirus fear, more domestic cases and the cancelation of Ultra Miami, SXSW and a growing number of events, rumors abound over the possible cancelation of Coachella 2020. At the time of this publishing, Goldenvoice, the organizers behind Coachella and Stagecoach (which is also rumored to be in the works for postponement) have not officially canceled or postponed either event, although many outlets have spoken to sources who claim that a plan will be announced soon.

Read More: Going Viral: The Music Industry Grapples With The Worldwide Coronavirus Outbreak

Over the weekend, Riverside County, home to the fests' famed Empire Polo Club, officially declared a public health emergency, following the first locally contracted case of coronavirus. A total of three cases are currently reported in the county, while the California total has hit the 174 mark. According to Billboard (dated March 9), conversations between Goldenvoice, local Riverside officials and artists' talent teams began this weekend in an attempt to save the fest.

The outlet alleges that the two-weekend event, currently slated for April 10-12 and 17-19, may be rescheduled to Oct. 9-11 and Oct. 16-18. Stagecoach, which is slated for April 24-26, may be moved to Oct. 23-25. According to sources, organizers hope to make a final decision by tomorrow, March 11, around whether the event should be pushed to the fall or will need to be canceled this year.

Other outlets, as well as users on Reddit and Twitter, have also widely reported on this rumor over the past 12 hours or so, including the music writer who claims to have broken the rumor in the tweet above.

In the case of both Ultra (and the adjacent Winter Music Conference in Miami) and SXSW, which were canceled on March 6, both events were previously still slated to occur later this month until local officials declared a state of emergency. Coachella Valley news outlet Desert Sun notes that while the county has declared a state of emergency, as of today, local health officials are not urging for cancelation of either Coachella or Stagecoach, as scheduled for April. While Coachella has not issued an official statement on the event's status yet, they have been keeping a winking eye on the Twitter talk.

Frank Ocean, Rage Against The Machine, Travis Scott, Calvin Harris, Lana Del Rey, FKA twigs, Flume, Thom Yorke are all are on the bill as major performers at Coachella 2020. Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett and Eric Church are slated to headline Stagecoach 2020. Whether the events continue as planned or are rescheduled or canceled, it is not yet known who will perform. At the time of this publishing, no artists have officially dropped out of either event.

A growing number of artists, including Madonna, Khalid, BTS and many others have postponed or canceled some of their 2020 tour legs and/or other shows due to all the uncertainty around the coronavirus and ability to travel and gather in large crowds.

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Gov Ball 2019

Gov Ball 2019

Photo: Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for American Eagle

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Gov Ball 2019: What Went Down Before Mother Nature Took The Headline Slot

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Go On The Road with the Recording Academy as we revisit the magic of the big N.Y.C. music festival, from exclusive interviews with rising stars like Jessie Reyez and Cautious Clay to Nas closing things out before the rain did
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jun 4, 2019 - 6:14 pm

Another Governors Ball is in the books and, except for Mother Nature taking over Sunday's headlining slot, the New York City summer-starting festival once again delivered a weekend of great music on Randall's Island.

Governors Ball 2019: Recording Academy On The Road

The Recording Academy went On The Road and on-the-ground at Gov Ball 2019 with host Alina Vission, to bring you exclusive backstage interviews with an array of artists just before or after they hit the stage.

We shared in the excitement of the fest as we spoke with breakout pop songwriters Jessie Reyez and NJOMZA, Brooklyn's own Cautious Clay and emerging rapper Tyla Yaweh.

You can look forward for more exclusive conversations coming soon to GRAMMY.com, including with R&B future star Amber Mark and rising dance outfit Louis The Child, who we also caught up with at the fest.

More Fests: Your 2019 Guide To The Best Summer/Spring Music Festivals

Friday featured a trio of big hip-hop headliners—Tyler, The Creator, Lil' Wayne and BROCKHAMPTON—who relentlessly electrified the N.Y.C. crowd. Saturday's upbeat vibe was provided by top-billed acts Florence + The Machine, Major Lazer, The 1975 and 61st GRAMMY Awards Album Of The Year Winner Kacey Musgraves, plus the first ever Gov Ball Pride Parade. 

Sunday's show was cut short due to inclement weather, but not before N.Y.C. hometown hero Nas and Chicago DJ duo Louis The Child got the audience going underneath the New York rain. Graciously, Governors Ball is offering refunds to Sunday ticket holders. 

Stay tuned as we go On The Road all summer, bringing you exclusive coverage from the hottest music festivals everywhere.

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Photo Illustration: Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

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Tinder Teams Up With EDC, Gov Ball & More Music Fests For "Festival Mode"

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Tinder users looking for potential dates at music festivals can switch on "Festival Mode," which links users up in advance
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
May 2, 2019 - 10:50 am

Tinder users looking for singles at music festivals will now be able to link up with people in advance, the dating app has announced.

As of May, "Festival Mode" will allow app users to select "badges" belonging to the festival of their choice and see other users attending. Users will then be able to match with each other before the festival begins. Partner festivals include EDC Las Vegas, The Governors Ball, Bonnaroo, Hard Summer, Lovebox in the U.K. and more. 

2019 Music Festival Preview: Noise Pop, Coachella, Ultra & More

To unlock the mode, users will have to look for the festival mode card and swipe right. Access to the festival badges will begin roughly three weeks before each fest.

For more information on how to unlock festival mode, visit Tinder's website. 

The Woman. Collective Wants Music Festivals To Be A Safe Space For "Every One"