Three weeks after the cancellation of the Lovers & Buddies Pageant in Las Vegas, the prayers of Usher followers are being answered. Billboard can completely report that the eight-time Grammy Award winner will now carry out his basic album Confessions throughout a particular one-night-only efficiency on the 2024 Essence Pageant of Tradition. Introduced by Coca-Cola, the annual four-day occasion will happen July 4-7 in New Orleans at Caesars Superdome.
Confessions’ twentieth birthday isn’t the one anniversary being saluted that weekend. Below the theme of celebrating 30 years of “We Love Us,” Essence itself is marking the pageant’s personal milestone birthday with a star-studded lineup that features R&B/pop icon Janet Jackson, a particular efficiency by Birdman & Buddies Presents 30 Years of Money Cash Millionaires, three-time Grammy winner Victoria Monét and eight-time Essence Pageant veteran Charlie Wilson. Tank and the Bangas will even be a part of a New Orleans takeover with a curated efficiency alongside particular friends and fellow New Orleans natives Teedra Moses, HaSizzle and Daybreak Richard.
One other spotlight will likely be a tribute to Frankie Beverly & Maze, who reigned because the pageant’s closing act throughout its first 15 years. “As we commemorate this yr’s pageant, Essence will give flowers to the entertainers who began the all-white Sunday-night custom,” states the press launch of the tribute that will even embrace a “passing of the torch second” curated by Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Bryan-Michael Cox. The collection of night concert events will likely be hosted by Keke Palmer, Fairly Vee, Huge Tigger, Punkie Johnson and Kenny Burns with particular DJ units from Raj Smoove, DJ Clark Kent and DJ Beverly Bond.
DJ D-Good will convey his common Membership Quarantine to the Superdome as nicely. That multi-genre lineup will function Technique Man, Sheila E., Huge Boi, Donell Jones, Tweet, Machel Montano and Lloyd. Every evening will even showcase specifically curated performances that embrace Grammy-winning band The Roots & Buddies that includes Ari Lennox, Mickey Guyton, particular visitor T-Ache and the reunion of R&B supergroup TGT (Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank). Rounding out the record of night performers: Ayra Starr, SWV, Busta Rhymes and Jacquees. Extra expertise will likely be introduced within the coming weeks.
“For 3 a long time, the Essence Pageant of Tradition has blossomed right into a pillar of our tradition,” stated pageant vp Hakeem Holmes in a press release. He continued partially, “Because the pageant approaches its 30-year milestone, we’re excited to welcome and have a good time with all of our closest household and pals around the globe. It guarantees to be an enriching 4 days of daytime and night experiences. Final yr, we proudly generated $316 million for New Orleans and Louisiana, and we look ahead to one other yr of latest reminiscences. That is your formal invitation to affix us … for a celebration of unparalleled Black pleasure.”
Main companions within the 2024 Essence Pageant of Tradition embrace AT&T, L’Oréal Groupe, McDonald’s USA and Goal Company. For extra data and updates, go to ESSENCEFestival.com.
