Capturing the essence of the Essence Music Festival 2017

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

The essence of the 2017 Essence Music Festival seemed to be all about fun as more than 470,000 gathered throughout the Fourth of July weekend for the annual celebration of women of color, according to figures shared by festival officials.

This year’s Essence Festival featured more than 200 performing artists and speakers, including such acts as Rhonda Ross, who set the tone of the event opening on the big arena stage at 6:50 p.m. on Friday night (July 30). Rather than dreamy, late-night, romantic sounds that often, especially in Essence’s early days, kicked things off, Ross, the daughter of Diana Ross, performed a rhythmic show accented by her very capable, funky drummer. “This is a grown folks party!” she enthusiastically declared of her set.

A bit of disco popped up throughout the festival as well– is it making a comeback? Though India.Arie began her program accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she too took the disco route reviving Gloria Gaynor’s 1978 mega-hit “I Will Survive.”

Later in the evening, the legendary Diana Ross would also perform Gaynor’s chart-topper, though most of the renowned vocalist’s show relied on her and the Supremes’ classics. Ross, looking lovely in her elaborate flowing gowns and capes, wasn’t hesitant to look back to the past and had the crowd dancing to “Stop! In the Name of Love,” which she delivered complete with her signature hand signal. Other crowd-pleasers included “Love Don’t Come Easy” and “My World Is Empty Without You.” Nostalgic, yes, but Ross delivered the repertoire with such enthusiasm that the tunes became elevated beyond a “remember when” showcase.

Monica strode the stage from end to end making it appear to be a simple endeavor with her long legs, features that were highlighted by her mid-thigh boots and shorts. There was no doubt that Saturday was “Women’s Night” at Essence. Not only were all of the headliners female but a large percentage of the audience was too. And those smiling ladies, who knew all of the words, sang along with Monica as well as with all of the performers during the evening. As indicated by the long lines to get into the upstairs Essence Superlounge, some folks opted for a change of pace and scene to catch Grammy-winning rapper Remy Ma. They were back, however, for Mary J. Blige’s centerpiece performance on the arena’s big stage.

Blige, who could be considered Essence’s reigning queen for her numerous, solid appearances at the event and for the audiences’ pure love for her, took center stage in a casually elegant outfit – sparkling camouflage, calf-length paints and a leather, mid-drift halter top. The thing about Blige is that despite her superstar status, her personality makes her feel so approachable – like an old friend. Old school at heart, Blige greeted her fans standing at the very edge of the stage working on tunes like “I’m Goin’ Get Down” – and she did – “No More Drama” – which was filled with drama – and “You Are My Everything.”

Chaka Khan, another Essence veteran, satisfied her followers with her hit “Tell Me Something Good” and was soon joined by Blige, Jill Scott, Jazmine Sullivan and Ari Lennox. Again, a taste of disco seemed to be in the air with the rhythm approach to “I’m Every Woman” suggesting the era.

On the festival’s final night, Solange just kicked a totally innovative, imaginative and what could be described as an art performance set. At last, a band was out of the darkness and fully realized as the energetic vocalist danced, jumped and carried on with stage lighting of dramatic red and orange. The recent New Orleans resident and sister of Beyonce, Solange was refreshingly natural in her attire and attitude. Then out comes some 15 stunningly syncopated and choreographed horn players including several from New Orleans. At this show, Solange showed she’s a fierce force to be reckoned with and deserving of greater recognition.

Making his second appearance on the big stage at Essence, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews expanded his band, Orleans Avenue, to include female vocalists, another drummer and percussionist and more horns. Andrews started things off with the Meters’ classic “Ain’t No Use” and kept up the New Orleans, old school vibe with Rebirth’s “Feel Like Funkin’ It Up” and Allen Toussaint’s “On Your Way Down,” a tune he’s “on spot” rejuvenated and recorded. Fellow New Orleanian, hip-hop artist Juvenile, heated the show up with his “Back that Ass Up.”

Walking down the hallway to the Now Playing Superlounge, strains of “Angel” could be heard evoking a mellow mood. Singing the tune was Jamaican-born, American-raised Shaggy, who perhaps is most widely known to the general public for his totally catchy hit, “Bombastic.” Shaggy was a charming host of his show, which included a tune that helped launch his career, “It Wasn’t Me.” He smiled, danced, jumped into some dancehall, told jokes and captivated the swaying and dancing, reggae-loving audience. Such a laid-back vibe.

It contrasted vividly with the explosion going on in the main area where Snoop Dogg was making a guest appearance with the New Orleans label, No Limit, roster of artists. Then the Southern University Marching Band filed in playing “Do Whatcha Wanna” and it felt as if Louisiana’s musical Black culture filled the Dome. There was a revolution goin’ on down there in the most positive sense of the word.

Chance the Rapper could easily be dubbed Chance the Preacher or Change the Singer – he’s all of that. The Chicago native known widely for his philanthropy and political and social activism displayed this same humanistic and down-to-earth side of his personality during his soulful, often melodic and occasionally African-tinged performance. Like Rhonda Ross who kicked off Essence on Friday, Chance the Rapper brought the fun.

This article originally published in the July 10, 2017 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.