In celebration of Women’s History Month, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola has unveiled the first wave of performers for its 2026 Evening Concert Series, leading with an all-star lineup of powerhouse women. Welcoming icons and chart-toppers including Patti LaBelle, Brandy, Monica, Kehlani, Cardi B, Latto, and more, the festival will light up the Caesars Superdome from July 3–5 in New Orleans.
Returning to the Essence Festival stage is Grammy Award-winning R&B and soul legend Patti LaBelle whose Extraordinary career has spanned more than sixty incredible years. Known for her electrifying stage presence and incomparable vocal power, LaBelle continues to captivate audiences with performances that bridge generations and remind fans why she remains one of music’s most beloved icons.
Former ESSENCE cover stars Brandy and Monica return to a stage that mirrors their lasting cultural impact. Both Grammy Award-winning vocalists helped define modern R&B through their legendary collaborations while forging individual careers marked by vocal precision, artistic growth, and enduring influence. Together and individually, the two artists helped shape the sound of modern R&B, balancing timeless vocal talent with careers defined by reinvention, consistency, and cultural impact.
Among today’s most emotionally expressive voices in R&B, Kehlani brings a deeply personal style of storytelling to the stage. Her music blends honesty with experimentation, creating songs that resonate with listeners who value vulnerability, independence, and authenticity in contemporary R&B.
Grammy Award-winning superstar Cardi B will make her ESSENCE Festival of Culture debut, bringing with her a career that reshaped the commercial and cultural landscape for women in hip-hop. From record-breaking chart achievements to unapologetic ownership of her narrative, Cardi’s rise embodies a generation that transformed visibility into power and influence into legacy.
Also making her ESSENCE Festival debut, Grammy-nominated rap sensation Latto represents the bold evolution of Southern hip-hop. With multi-platinum hits and a rapidly expanding global presence, she has built her brand on lyrical confidence, business savvy, and a clear vision for women leading the genre on their own terms.
This first wave of performers spans generations, genres, and artistic styles—celebrating women whose creativity and influence continue to shape culture across music, media, and beyond. Additional artists, special guests, and expanded programming will be revealed in the months leading up to July.
By day, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center transforms into a vibrant hub where culture and commerce intersect. Across immersive experiences and curated platforms, founders connect directly with consumers, filmmakers premiere new work, beauty innovators set emerging trends, authors meet new readers, and entrepreneurs grow their businesses in real time.
Applications for vendors, creators, and founders interested in participating in SOKO MRKT™ by ESSENCE® and select daytime programming are now open. Entrepreneurs and brands eager to engage face-to-face with audiences at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture are encouraged to apply early.
For more details and to purcahse tickets visit, www.essencefestivalofculture
