NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 5: Erykah Badu performs onstage during Night 2 of the 2025 Essence Festival Of Culture at Caesars Superdome on July 5, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by ...

"Essence Fest is losing its essence." The Grammy-winning artist didn't mince words about the Essence concert schedule running hours behind Friday, forcing Lauryn Hill to perform in the wee hours of ...

Lauryn Hill closed 2025 Essence Fest's first night at 3:37 a.m. The Superdome was empty. The entire night, which also featured Maxwell, Babyface, the Isley Brothers and GloRilla, ran late.