Stars shine at ESSENCE Fest 2025 as Lauryn Hill, GloRilla, Keke Palmer and more light up the stage in Louisiana

ESSENCE Festival 2025, which took place at Caesars Superdome, in the heart of Louisiana, welcomed the best in music, culture, and entertainment for a weekend of celebration, nostalgia, and breathtaking performances. From R&B legends to emerging stars, the roster did not let down, and fans showed up ready for a good time.

Some of the moments in the festival, which ran from July 2 to 6, included unforgettable performances by Lauryn Hill, GloRilla, Muni Long, Keke Palmer, and others.

ESSENCE Fest 2025 Viral Moments

One of the standout clips from this year's ESSENCE Festival went viral, ranging from GloRilla's pyrotechnic-fueled set to a Quincy Jones tribute that featured hip-hop legends LL Cool J and Jermaine Dupri taking over the stage. Tetris Kelly summed it up best, "Yeah, Glo, serve us Keyshia!" referencing the Memphis rapper's unhinged, crowd-devouring intensity.

GloRilla set the stage ablaze with her energetic performance and unmatched stage presence. Meanwhile, Keke Palmer unlocked full-on vocalist mode and delivered a soulful rendition of "Waiting to Exhale," leaving the audience spellbound. Muni Long's vocals soared too, and as Boyz II Men took the stage, their timeless harmonies had everyone swaying to the beat and singing along, as if momentarily transported back in time.

The Coca-Cola experience also became a trend, featuring artists like Lloyd and Mariah the Scientist on select performances, delivering the fans a more intimate experience off the main stage. The festival was a melting pot of generations, seamlessly bridging '90s throwbacks with Gen Z headliners all under one roof.

But perhaps the most anticipated moment was Lauryn Hill's long-awaited appearance. Though her talent remains undisputed, and she delivered a strong performance, fans gave mixed reactions on social media after she reportedly took the stage nearly two hours behind schedule. Her performance concluded around 3:37 A.M, with only a few hundred of her fans remaining in the Superdome. Although for those who stayed back, the performance was unforgettable, there were meant who took to social media to vent frustration over the delay, which, however, kept Lauret's name trending.

Trending

From Master P's last performance to tribute sets and surprise moments, ESSENCE Fest reminded everybody why it's such a pillar event of Black culture in America.

As the weekend came to an end, her evening show may have raised eyebrows, but her star still reigned supreme. Whether you were there in person or observing from afar, there is no denying the magic that took place in Louisiana. And with additional highlights yet to come, ESSENCE Fest 2025 is anything but over.

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