![Frankie Beverly, Usher, Victoria Monét ESSENCE Fest 2024](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.vibe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/vibe-split-2024-07-08T082837.440.png?w=910&h=511&crop=1)
ESSENCE Festival 2024 will forever be stamped as a moment in Black music history.
From July 5-8, attendees from all demographics took over New Orleans to witness the likes of Birdman, Janet Jackson, Victoria Monét, Raphael Saadiq, Usher, Charlie Wilson, TGT (Tank, Ginuwine and Tyrese) and SWV while celebrating the legacy of Frankie Beverly and Maze, as Beverly retires from performing at the tender age of 77.
In additional to the nighttime events, festival goers had a host of experiential activations to choose from, including traditional Creole cooking demonstrations and indulging in a visual art tour.
The weekend kicked off with D-Nice‘s Club Quarantine Live After Dark featuring Eric Benét, R&B group Jade, J. Valentine, Mike Phillips, Ruff Endz, Sunshine Anderson, and Raheem DeVaughn—hosted by Deon Cole and Bryan-Michael Cox.
The following day, Vice President Kamala Harris surprised the crowd to express her excitement about the 30th anniversary of ESSENCE Fest. Panels about what’s like being a Black actress and Black beauty were among the most notable, as Tank and
J. Valentine hosted a live taping of their R&B Money podcast. That evening, Birdman was joined by Mannie Fresh, Juvenile, B.G. and more to celebrate 30 years of Cash Money. Lil Wayne did perform, but wasn’t a part of the larger reunion.
Saturday and Sunday were dedicated to R&B.
Panels and other pop-up events aside, Tank, Ginuwine, and Tyrese finally reunited as TGT, and all egos were left outside. Usher headlined the concert on Saturday night to commemorate 20 years of his magnum opus, Confessions. Nearly each performance streamed live on ESSENCE’s official website or their YouTube channel except for Charlie Wilson, which was a special treat for in-person guests.
NOLA legends, Tank and The Bangas, Teedra Moses, and Dawn Richard put on for their city as they kicked off the concert that night. Victoria Monét embodied being a student of Janet Jackson, and they both tore down the house. The weekend concluded with a tribute to Frankie Beverly, curated by B. Cox. Doug E. Fresh, Bilal, Anthony Hamilton, Luke James, Jagged Edge, and more came through to pay homage to the crooner, as he bowed out for the final time.
Check out more highlights from the jam-packed weekend below.
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TGT (Tyrese, Ginuwine, Tank)
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Usher
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Victoria Monét
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Frankie Beverly
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Dawn Richard, Teedra Moses
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SWV
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Bilal, Anthony Hamilton, Luke James
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Sleepy Brown, Big Boi
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Method Man
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Lucky Daye, Victoria Monét
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Victoria Monét
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Usher
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Charlie Wilson
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Lil Wayne
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Sheila E.
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Machel Montano
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Lloyd
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D-Nice, Big Boi, Sleepy Brown, Donell Jones, Machel Montano
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Raphael Saadiq
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Donell Jones
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Usher
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Tweet
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Tyrese
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Ginuwine
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Tank
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Method Man
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Victoria Monét
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Victoria Monét
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Charlie Wilson
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Sheila E., Machel Montano
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Usher
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Usher
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Usher
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Usher
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Usher
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Usher
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Usher
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Usher
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Amber Riley
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Jacquees
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Busta Rhymes
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Busta Rhymes
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Mickey Guyton
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Black Thought of The Roots
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T-Pain
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Ari Lennox
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Raheem DeVaughn
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B.G.
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Mannie Fresh
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Jadakiss
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The Lox
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Sheek Louch, Jadakiss of The Lox
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Juvenile
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Birdman, B.G.
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Birdman, B.G.
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Birdman
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2 Chainz
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Juvenile, Mannie Fresh
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Juvenile
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Musiq Soulchild
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Arin Ray
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Tank and the Bangas
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Tarriona “Tank” Ball of Tank and the Bangas
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Durand Bernarr, Teedra Moses
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JT
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Jai’Len Josey
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Josh Levi
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Durand Bernarr
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Jagged Edge
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Doug E. Fresh
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Luke James, Bryan-Michael Cox
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Keke Palmer, Big Tigger
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McKinley Freeman, Emayatzy Corinealdi and Morris Chestnut from ‘Reasonable Doubt’
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Vice President Kamala Harris
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Tatyana Ali, Keshia Knight Pulliam
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Lela Rochon, Garcelle Beauvais
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Kenny Lattimore
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Kevin Ross
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Bre-Z
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Aml Ameen
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Malik McIntyre, Deandre Brown
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Tisha Campbell, Janet Hubert
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Regina King
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Regina Hall, Sanaa Lathan
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Eric Benét and D-Nice
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MC Lyte and Van Van
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Omar Dorsey
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Woody McClain and Amari “Monster” Marshall
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Reyna Roberts
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Ryan Destiny
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Kendrick Sampson
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Aldis Hodge
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Essence Atkins
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Danielle Pinnock
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Ava DuVernay
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Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
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Natasha Rothwell
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Tank and J. Valentine
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Queen Afua, Mýa
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Sarah Jakes Roberts
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Danielle Brooks
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Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict
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Congresswoman Maxine Waters
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Rev. Al Sharpton
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Don Lemon
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LeToya Luckett
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Donell Jones
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Questlove
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Avery Wilson
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Colman Domingo and Kendrick Sampson
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Serena Williams
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Big Freedia
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Wayne Brady
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30 Years of ESSENCE Fest
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