Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion have been tapped to headline the 2023 Essence Festival in New Orleans. The pair will perform alongside artists like Monica, Wizkid, and Coco Jones. They are in good company, as previous headliners have been iconic artists like Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, and Pharrell. Both Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion are iconic in their own right, so they should feel right at home among the previous headliners. It's a cause for celebration for both artists, albeit for very different reasons.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the release of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, a legendary debut album. It sold more than 10 million copies in the United States alone, earning it a diamond certification. Rolling Stone called it the best rap album ever. It also debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. For those who don't follow Lauryn Hill, it may come as a bit of a surprise that she has never released another studio album. Professional and personal troubles led her to shy away from the limelight, but her debut album is still considered by many to be one of the best of all time. To commemorate the 25 years since its release, Hill will be performing the album in full at the festival.
Another Headlining Gig For Megan Thee Stallion
The announcement of Megan Thee Stallion as a headliner is another win for the artist, who has also been announced as a headliner for LA's 2023 Pride In The Park Festival. In December, her trial against Tory Lanez wrapped up when he was found guilty of shooting her in 2020. The pair had been leaving a party at Kylie Jenner's house when they got into an argument, which resulted in the shooting. So, although Megan hasn't necessarily disappeared from the public eye, much of the news surrounding recently has been related to the Tory Lanez incident. Earlier today, Lanez filed for a retrial. If the previous verdict is upheld, he could be facing more than 20 years in prison; Megan, however, is moving forward with her life. In addition to her headlining gigs, she also announced recently that she is working on new music.
The Essence Festival began in 1995 and has since become a New Orleans staple. The list of esteemed artists that have been hosted at the festival since its inception is intimidating, with performances by everyone from Destiny's Child to Aretha Franklin. The 2023 lineup is already shaping up to be a good one, but it seems that Essence has more even announcements to come. In an Instagram post announcing the headliners, they told followers to "keep [their] notifications on, as this is the FIRST of many announcements." Will you be at the 2023 Essence Festival? Who do you hope to see join the roster? Let us know in the comments.