Janet Jackson (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Out magazine)

Secure your wigs and get your best shout-singing voice ready because the 2018 Essence Festival is coming with a star-riddled talent lineup.


Queen Janet Jackson and double Oscar nominee Mary J. Blige will be bringing it to the crowd with their headline performances, but it doesn’t stop there.

There will also be a headline set featuring Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, with special guests Snoop Dogg and many others in a special curation by the Roots, Xscape, Fantasia and Miguel.


The festival, which will take place July 5-8 in New Orleans, will boast more than 40 acts that will perform across five stages at the Louisiana Superdome.

The festival will also introduce an Essence Superlounge for the first time, which will feature a unique DJ-curated experience with selections from DJ (and actor) Idris Elba, MC Lyte and more. The Read’s Kid Fury and Crissle will be hosting the Superlounge.

Weekend ticket packages are currently on sale, starting at $150.