First, as a board member, it was an honor to rep Hip Hop Congress (HHC) and its 30yr legacy at #EssenceFest this year. I introduced HHC to HUNDREDS of folks who LOVED what we’re about, and also saw some folks that already been down with us. Got a couple hundred new folks subscribed to HHC’s newsletter and several folks that expressed serious interest in starting new HHC chapters across the country — YAY! 😍🥳 🤞🏾Also got so many folks complimenting and wanting our HHC tees — if y’all want one, go to MERCH at hiphopcongress.com to order! Also got to bring the UTN community hip hop archive project to folks’ attention in preparation for the 2024 big push to collect all of our #hiphop stories which will be digitally archived with the Hip Hop Education Center. Also had to rock my UHHM tee to celebrate #HipHop50 (can’t wait for the grand opening!)
#Essencefest2023 had me out here in these streets doing something I haven’t done in years — partying til 5am! 🥳 For many years Gerald and I have been coming to #EssenceFestival for our anniversary trip. Yea, the weather be hella hot 🥵, the food lines crazy long, the funds get super depleted 😂 but the #BlackJoy I experience is worth it all! Special shout-out to all the Hip Hop legends that rocked the house and in particular D-Nice for an after party to remember.
Essence has provided many first and only experiences for me. I wrote about much of it in a 2008 blog you can read HERE. Some highlights include:
- my first and only time ever being on a plane ✈️ with all Black folks
- being introduced to New Orleans and the special city it is (one of few places I actually like culturally in this country lol).
- the only time I got to see Gil Scott-Heron live (RIP)
- the only times I’ve seen 20k+ electric slide together to Maze feat. Frankie Beverly
- some of the best times partying in a small lounge with the Roots, Doug E Fresh, Biz Markie (RIP), Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Scarface, and other hip hop legends.
- it’s the only place where I’ve seen Kendrick Lamar, Kanye, Beyonce and Ice Cube live along with some of my favorite artists — Luther (RIP) Prince (RIP), Teena (RIP), Lauryn Hill and so many more — too many amazing performances to list.
- seeing friends and beautiful Black families enjoying themselves, including this cutest family of father (assumed) and 3 young kids rocking awesome T-shirts that simply but in vibrant colors said BLACK HISTORY.
Speaking of amazing performances, let me tell you how much hip hop showed up and showed out this weekend! Missy Elliot had an INCREDIBLE set 😍🔥 and there were also super dope performances by hip hop legends representing:
- Pioneers (Melle Mel, Grandmaster Caz, The Sugarhill Gang, Big Daddy Kane, KRS, Slick Rick and the world’s greatest entertainer — Doug E. Fresh)
- The Dirty South (Lil Wayne [surprise guest], Juvenile, Ludacris, TI, Big Boi, Lil Jon and Jermaine Dupri) and
- Westside all stars (including DJ Quik, E-40, Ice-T, Ice Cube and Yo-Yo.
Jill Scott also gave a flawless performance (as always), including an arousing & accurate rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner she wrote when she was 19 years old.
Lauryn Hill also performed her ass off, but the music was too loud and drowned her out some, and she came on super late and went til after 2am 🫠😩 — BUT let the record show it was NOT her fault lol — 1st night the festival was running late (stayed on schedule much better Saturday). We didn’t go to Sunday’s show because we worked all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the convention center, then went to the concerts ‘til 2am Friday and Saturday, and the line up included performers like Megan thee Stallion, Wizkid and others more geared to a younger crowd.
BUT we did go to Harrah’s casino Sunday night for a few, then headed to the D-Nice after party at the Fillmore from 11pm ‘til — WAY LATE (we just didn’t know how late until we got there 😂) …but it was a VIBE 💃🏾🤩 — a Caribbean vibe plus some old school classics. DJs Clark Kent, Max Glazer & of course D-Nice killed their sets, as well as performers Estelle and surprise guests Wyclef and Tweet. Missy, Samuel Jackson, Janelle Monae and Wizkid were all in the club enjoying the vibes as well.
I got the VIP packet that included a meet and greet with D-Nice and table/chairs (cuz I knew I couldn’t do the all-night general admission standing thing at my seasoned age lol). But surprising myself, I was up and dancing 💃🏾 most of the night! I did get tired though, and my feet were starting to hurt around 3:30am…but party went on ‘til after 4am…and THEN the meet and greet happened. I got the chance to thank D-Nice for loving music like he does and sharing that love with the world. 😍🙏🏾❤️
We all need someone or something in our lives that we love like D-Nice loves music…a pure love like no other, which is really the essence of what we really want and need in this life journey. Good music, great food, and Black joy are major sources of pure love for me. And I am grateful I get them all in big doses every time I attend Essence. For video highlight reels, click here.
p.s. Since I’m dropping this on the 4th of July, let me wish all a Happy Frederick Douglass day and include my annual share which you can watch and read here.
