On the last night of Essence Fest I fell in love…but no, not with Beyonce. That’s who the sold-out crowd was there for, but to these ears it was Janelle Monae who made the night—and her set ranked ...

Across 31 years of covering every Essence Festival — including the 2006 Essence-in-exile in Houston — I’ve seen some slow nights. But the just-concluded 2025 Essence Festival of Culture was the first ...

I’ve heard the whispers on Beyoncé’s internet, the murmurs suggesting that Essence Festival has somehow lost its “essence.” And while it’s true that the experience has evolved, and there’s always room ...

In tiaras, cowboy boots and thrifted T-shirts, festivalgoers used style to celebrate identity, joy and community. “Boots on the Ground” proved to be a reliable ...