In celebration of Women's History Month, ESSENCE Festival of Culture unveiled the first wave of performers for its 2026 Evening Concert Series.
Cardi B, Patti LaBelle, Kehlani, Latto, and former ESSENCE cover stars Brandy and Monica will take the stage at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans during July 3-5.
Grammy Award-winning artist Cardi B will make her ESSENCE Festival of Culture debut, bringing a career that reshaped the commercial and cultural landscape for women in hip-hop.
Also, making her ESSENCE Festival of Culture debut, Grammy-nominated rap phenomenon Latto represents a new era of Southern rap dominance.
Kehlani, a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, has become one of contemporary R&B's most emotionally resonant voices.
Grammy Award-winning former ESSENCE cover stars Brandy and Monica return to a stage that mirrors their cultural imprint.
Patti LaBelle, Grammy Award-winning soul legend and enduring live performer, returns to ESSENCE Festival of Culture with a voice that has transcended eras.
Additional performers, special guests, and expanded programming will be announced in a series of curated reveals leading up to July.
Tickets for the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture Evening Concert Series are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
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