Calls For The Black American Community To Boycott The Essence Fest Because It Has Changed Its Focus From A Black American Women's Cultural Festival To A Nigerian Centered "Global" Cultural Festival

TabithaSpeaksPolitics, July 8, 2025
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnDtoL9CEKU "One Last Thing And Then It’s Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming!!" posted by TabithaSpeaksPolitics, Jul 10, 2025 

Among other points, In that video Tabitha provides information about The Solomon Group, an almost totally White American organization that has produced, managed, and promoted the Essence Festival.  

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest update- July 11, 2025

This pancocojams post showcases the July 8, 2025 video from TabithaSpeaksPolitics' vlog in which Tabitha presents the results of her online research as to why a number of Black Americans consider the Essence Fest 2025 that was held from July 4-6to have been a flop.

Information about Essence Magazine and information about the Essence Fest are included in this post along with selected comments from this video's discussion thread. Most of these commenters are Black Americans. However, there are also commenters from Africa or from the Black African Diaspora.

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to TabithaSpeaksPolitics for focusing on this subject and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. 

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INFORMATION ABOUT ESSENCE MAGAZINE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essence_(magazine)
"Essence (stylized in all caps) is an American monthly lifestyle magazine covering fashion, beauty, entertainment, and culture. First published in 1970, the magazine is written for African-American women.[2][3]

History

Edward Lewis, Clarence O. Smith, Cecil Hollingsworth and Jonathan Blount founded Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) in 1968. It began publishing Essence magazine in May 1970.[4][5] Lewis and Smith called the publication a "lifestyle magazine directed at upscale African American women". They recognized that black women were an overlooked demographic and saw Essence as an opportunity to capitalize on a virtually untouched market of black women readers.[2] Its initial circulation was approximately 50,000 copies per month, subsequently growing to roughly 1.6 million.[6] Gordon Parks served as its editorial director during the first three years of its circulation.

In 2000, Time Inc. purchased 49 percent of Essence Communications Inc.[7]

In 2005, Time Inc. made a deal with Essence Communications Inc. to purchase the remaining 51 percent. The deal placed the ownership of the 34-year-old Essence magazine, one of the United States' leading magazines for women of color, under widespread ownership, rather than black ownership.[8] In January 2018, the magazine returned to a fully black-owned publication after its acquisition by Richelieu Dennis, the founder of Sundial Brands.[9]"...
-snip-
Here's an excerpt that provides some background information about Richelieu Dennis
From https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/richelieu-dennis-1969/
"A successful entrepreneur, Richelieu Dennis, was born February 25, 1969 in Liberia the son of Mary Dennis. Dennis grew up in Liberia during the civil wars, a time of violence and disruption. However, he was able to attend elementary and high school in Liberia and Sierra Leone where his family occasional fled for safety from the violence of Liberia. In the 1980s he attended Babson College in Babson Park, Massachusetts, a small college noted for mentoring entrepreneurs. In 1991 he graduated from Babson with a degree in Finance, Investment, and Entrepreneurial Studies.

Due to the Liberian civil war Dennis was not able to return to Liberia after graduation. He partnered with his friend, Nyema Tubman, and mother to create natural bath and hair care products for Black women. Many of the products they created were based on recipes used by his grandmother in Liberia. His grandmother, Sofi Tucker, was widowed at age 19. To support her family, she began making homemade beauty products and selling them in the local market. These recipes became the basis of Sundial Brands created by Richelieu, Nyema and Mrs. Dennis. Initially their products were sold on the streets of Harlem."...

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE ESSENCE FEST (Also known as "Essence Music Festival")

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essence_Music_Festival
"The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is the largest African-American culture and music event in the US.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The annual music festival started in 1995 in New Orleans, Louisiana to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine. The festival features artists simultaneously performing on a main stage as well as four standing-room only stages"...
-snip-
Most of this Wikipedia page features annual lists of concert line-ups. Here's the concert line up that is given on that page for 2025:

"Boyz II Men

Davido

Maxwell

Master P.

Buju Banton

Donell Jones

GloRilla

The Isley Brothers

Muni Long

Nas

Summer Walker

“Essence Flowers” - Jermaine Dupri Honors Quincy Jones"
-snip-
Only three of these performers-GlorRilla, Muni Long, and Summer Walker are female. Each of these women are Black Americans.

With regard to the men on that last, Davido is a Nigerian-American singer who lives in Nigeria and Buju Banton is a Jamaican singer. All of the other men are Black Americans.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VLOG'S DISCUSSION THREAD
All of these comments are from July 8, 2025. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKOmKs1izCE

1. @carolbryan7494
"Tabitha, thank you for sharing this information on the Essence Festival.🥰"

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2. @shay-shay8012
"Bye bye Essence fest!  It was wonderful while it lasted! 

Thanks Tabitha for your thorough research!  Love our Black American people!💪🏾"

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3. @moniquemitchell6894
"So they chose to take over a renowned event that was established by us and represented our culture; to then minimize our involvement, influence, and representation. Wow! They could have done the right thing and embraced what we cultivated as they should have and then included elements of our African ancestry to bring us together. A this vs. that approach was misguided and divisive. Well now we know. Thank you for the deep dive into this Tabitha."

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4. @Ms.Peach77
"I am heartbroken.  Essence magazine was created by Black Americans for, and to celebrate Black American women.  The Essence Festival was created by Susan Taylor (a Black American woman) who was editor in chief.  For many years, I’ve enjoyed going to Essence Fest, our Black American culture, our food, our music and our people were all celebrated.  I don’t mind inviting our African brothers and sisters to enjoy our culture, but not take over what we built.  Wow, what a shame."

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Reply
5. @Commonsense-v4z
"They sold it to a company owned by wyt investors. Here in lies the problem."

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6. @Nifemum
"O wow. How did that take over even happen 🤔A Nigerian and a Kenyan taking over an original Black American Festival. That's crazy.

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7. @lexingtonwalker1174
"Tabitha, I am not Black American, but you are on point. We non-Black Americans need to appreciate and respect Black American culture and not seek to erase it in any way, shape or or form. The key word is "RESPECT"."

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8. @Kewlchick366
"THIS THIS Is So Disgusting and Disrespectful. A Liberian Man, and a Kenyan Woman Running a Black AMERICAN Festival 😐😞🙄It Sounds like a Extremely Bad Joke BUT Unfortunately Its Real. We Need to RECLAIM OUR BLACK AMERICAN Festival Without the ESSENCE NAME."

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9.@derekm4819
"Since the Essence Festival has been compromised/co-opted, we need to completely detach from it, and create another version of our own, highlighting Black American culture, achievements and business promotions. Creation is one of the things we do best."

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10. @Melbee500
"I AGREE 🎯💯"

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11.@avisrobinson452
"So, Essence Ventures will not be about the American Black culture. It's going to be about what THEY think American Black culture is without finding out what the American Black culture is. smh 🤔

Black America will no longer be the focal point. Horrible"

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Reply
12. @radmommact3683
"ALL SKIN FOLK AIN'T KIN FOLK"....

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13.  @TheTrevis_
"Aren’t these the same people that were warned not to engage with Black Americans? Who allowed this mess to happen? I am not happy because I was planning to go to The Essence Festival next year. Essence magazine was created for upscale AFRICAN AMERICAN women. No offense to our African brothers and sisters, but, WE…..BLACK AMERICANS, created this ecosystem for us because of the lack of Black AMERICAN representation in somewhat mainstream media. I’m so disappointed in this and I will not be supporting and this is EFFED UP. Come at me because I’m ready for it. I’m not the one!"

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14.@dorothymccaskill7221
"Tabitha also Essence excepted money ($300K) from target! This also could be a reason Black folks didn’t show up to Essence fest this year. "

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15. @momi1610
"So, that can be later sold off too? Other folks aren't the issue -- it's us. When many of us get to a certain level, we don't hold onto "our culture" or "our things." Black Americans, as a collective, have been trained to be staunch capitalists. We've also been trained to not see as much value in us as other people do. The Essence brand is just an example of many other areas where this has already been done."

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16. @christinerichardson1756
" @momi1610  This is true. Like BET! THROW MILLIONS AT US AND WE FOLD."

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18. @MichelleLove-uo7de
"@momi1610 this is it right here!!!  That’s what happened to BET. We can’t just sell our stuff off to people who don’t make our culture a priority. In fact, why even sell it off, pass it down to continue legacy and preserve culture!  As soon as our stuff gets sold off it gets watered down, diluted, and misvalued. Let’s stop this practice, immediately!"

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19. @Chiquita-lq8go
"I agree and it needs NOT to be sold to anyone if they are NOT Black American FULLY"

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20. @tondelayoperkins4895
"He better ask Target, we will quickly boycott"

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21.@nnolaa
"Not them colonizing Essence and undermining the Target boycott. That's so disrespectful."

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23. @neptunepisces
"92%er here and New Orleans Louisiana resident essence was absolute garbage even the locals said it was garbage it was in the off vibe it was absolute garbage it wasn't by us it wasn't for us"
-snip-
"92%" refers to the percentage of Black women who voted for Kamala Harris for President of the United States in the November 5, 2024 national election (according to exit voting interviews throughout the nation). 

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24. @Historia-10k
"That is really disappointing. I am Jamaican and admire the culture and tenacity of the Black American community. Essence focus should have been on centering the BA culture in the festival and bring the diaspora together. That's a mistake they'll regret and I would be offended too. That's like saying let's remove jerk chicken and other known Jamaican dishes from our celebration and replace it with Mcdonalds happy meal."

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25. @sabrinawilson5244
"Make them respect OUR CULTURE through the absence of OUR DOLLARS. Any disrespect will be dealt with accordingly no matter who you are."

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26. deborahgiles3649
"Essence Fest is a part of Black American life and history. Mr. Dennis, if you want to experience the full impact of Black American dollars on an international level, it would be prudent for African (Nigerian) people to not step on us as a people. We have paid our dues time and time again. You have shown us disrespect in our own country. An apology would be nice and inclusion in your plans to showcase black excellence internationally. Respect us and we will respect you. You had attendees this time, because expectations were high based on past experiences. We are protective of our unique heritage and culture. Please be mindful of that. You have every right to run your organization as you see fit; however, we will spend our dollars where we deem to be fit. Include us."

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27. @keishaj.2001
"Because he's made Essence Festival an African affair versus African-American two different cultures"

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28. @MzSparkle01
"We need to pull OUT‼️ Let them have that‼️ And, we CREATE A NEW SPACE‼️"

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29. @MrsBlack8998
"Wow! We must boycott!"

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30. @stargazer2.3
"And spread the word quickly."

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31.@renahgade1750
"“jollof vs jambalaya” speaks volumes"
-snip-
In Tabitha's comments about the Essence Fest 2025, she shared that there were no New Orleans food vendors, but one of the features of that festival was a jollof vs jambalaya cook off.  Jambalaya is a New Orleans, Louisiana specialty. Jollof is a rice dish that is popular in Nigeria, Ghana, and other West African nations. (There’s a friendly and not so friendly competition between these nations as to which nation’s jollof taste the best).

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32. @chickychic4644
"Where is the macaroni and cheese? The collard greens?"

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33. @jojoone1099
"Who goes to New Orleans to eat Jollof rice? Cultural festivals should reflect the local culture."

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34. @the2924lp
"OLD INFORMATION New Orleans vendors were  not invited last year so moving forward we should do the same as we did Target. STOP  GOING, STOP buying the magazine."

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35. @JocelynCamilleTV
"Whenever we stop inviting just any one to cookout, and start gate-keeping more this stuff will stop happening."

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36. @Aprioritynotanoption
"I’ve been saying this for a while.  Black Americans need to stop being so forgiving and inclusive and start gatekeeping more.  This is why you have all these other groups and communities running around claiming they created everything Black Americans actually  created and popularized."

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37. @nikkinanette8807
"I’m not African American, but this just doesn’t sit right with me. It’s not about excluding other Black people from joining—it’s about preserving the integrity and original mission of what was built. Some traditions should be honored, not hastily changed.

I truly wonder if the previous owners considered how quickly things might shift once it was sold to individuals outside the African American community. Unfortunately, one of the fastest ways to dismantle something meaningful is to alter its core purpose from the outset.

Inclusivity goes both ways—and what I’m seeing now doesn’t reflect that. This has been a long-standing issue with our motherland brothers and sisters, I truly hope the new leadership takes time to reflect and recalibrate."

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38. @stargazer2.3
"Its too late. The boycott is in full affect."

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39. @Sunkissed_Michelle
"I’m from the diaspora. Jamaica to be exact and I fully support you because I would not want anyone to come into Jamaica and change any of our celebrations we got going on. I’ve been to Essence Fest and I specifically went to enjoy the culture, music and food, so I can’t be mad about what you’re saying."

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40. @girlygirllocssoul
"Yeah… 6 months ago, I subscribed to Essence Magazine.  As a Black American, this will be a one and done type of subscription for me. Even the magazine’s vibe is off.  I miss Susan Taylor’s vibe for the magazine.  Such a shame."

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41. @apembertonfowler
"Our culture was built on our blood, tears, death,exploitation, and oppression. Like Langston Hughes said, “Everybody wants to sing my blues but nobody wants to live my blues.”  The world takes from us and we’re so generous that we say, come on in, we’ll share with you. Then we get shanked. Idk what to do about this, but I know I have to do something. I’m sick of being exploited and I don’t care from whom. Thanks Tabitha for educating me today. ❤️

✌🏽🙏🏽"

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42. @cihi5385
"Being going since 1998. Spent 25 years of my wedding anniversaries there July 5th. Haven't been in a few years since their are no old school artists that I love to see.

Essence is owned by Africans I think."

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Reply
43. @i-am-root
"Yes, that is exactly what Tabitha documents, you don't need to "Think it* now you can "know it" 😮"

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44. @marysabally563
"As an African woman i have great respect for black people all around the world especially black American, i just don't know why it so hard for us to believe that our culture are all the same let love each other please black people.

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45. @basbleupeaunoire
"@marysabally563  I love everyone, and I respect our cultural roots. But our culture is not the same.

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46. @betsy5889
"Yes Richelieu Dennis is African. Liberian ❤"
-snip-
This comment was written in response to Tabitha's statement that Richelieu Dennis is African and possibly Nigerian.

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47. @Sunrise6410
"Thank you, Tabitha! Essence was a BLACK AMERICAN MAGAZINE for BLACK AMERICAN WOMEN created by FOUR BLACK AMERICAN MEN. The Essence festival use to cater to BLACK AMERICANS! I'm over it."

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48. @EvanescenceEverythingOh
"NO WE HAVE YOUR MAGAZINES IN FRANCE IT WAS FOR EVERYONE WHO CAN BUY

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49. @jamessneed8789
"Boycott Essence Ventures until they get it right."

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50. @karenl7786
"I love my African continental, Caribbean and African Diaspora brothers and sisters. But we all have our unique characteristics and branches of culture. Why wouldn't you put African- Americans in charge of an African- American festival if you're going after African-American customers and "buying power"? Appreciation and respect must go both ways, or you WON'T get ours."

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51. @ZebraLens
"👆🏾😌This comment right here!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥"

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52. @MWilliams-iy5gf
"Standing on business Tabitha. Thank you always for presenting the FACTS with receipts. The truth will always prevail."

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53. @toddfrench600
"COOOOKKKK MRS. TABITHA! COOOOKKKK MADAM! COOOOKKKK!"

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54. @kellyknight1773
"Caribbean diaspora member here, and I don't feel no way about this because EVERYTHING you said is true. A lot of us are too damn disrespectful and try to take over Black Anerican stuff. That's why y'all have to GATEKEEEEEEEP! GATEKEEEEEEP!  GATEKEEEEEEP!

And what pisses me off is there is never an attempt to take over white people's sh-t*, which, if we're going to take that route, is what we should be doing."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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Reply
55. @LeslieWilliams-z7x
"Just boycott it period 😢

What are they doing for us besides taking our money 💵 😢

Just saying and we know they don’t like us like that 😂

Yeah just saying 🤭🫡🌞"

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56. @butterflymcqueen1860
"At a Puerto Rican Day Parade - I deeply doubt there would be a cookoff between Gallo Pinto

(popular Nicaraguan rice dish) & Puerto Rico's Arroz Con Gandules.

Nicaraguans wouldn't THINK to do it - and Puerto Ricans wouldn't allow it.

Black Americans are a bottomlessly gracious & welcoming people, but therein lies the root of the matter: we hand out our highly valued support, and even Cookout invites like promoters used to hand out Club Flyers in the 90s.

"Givers need to set limits because takers rarely do." "

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57. @charletholley6536
"This made my stomach hurt. 

The festival will no doubt turn into a Nigerian festival moving forward.  Nigerians have historically “snubbed” (to put it nicely) American Africans.  They know damn well what our history is here, so Mr Denni$ is collaborating with other Nigerian$ to exploit/redesign the culture.  That is blatant disrespect. 

Given the current political climate Mr Dennis would have to mostly depend on our dollars. Will Nigerians even be allowed to enter the country.  Yes, there are many Nigerians in the US however, so is ICE.  I submit he hasn’t factored in how the melanin people of THIS land will shut it down.

Thank you, Tabitha for letting us know that moving forward Nigerian Essence Festival will be formally known as the Essence Festival."

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Reply
58. @Nopeimp
"I agree...We have our own Black culture which should be addressed in so many ways, food,art,history, health,businesses and to Love ourselves"

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59. @wildswan662
"I live in New Orleans and I can tell you for sure this year there were a LOT less people in town for Essence"

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60. @NaturallyAprilH
"It’s just not the same… Haven’t been since 2019. Noticed several vendors and entertainers cancelled their appearances"

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61. @kofoblue3172
"Y'all know what to do now that we know what's going on. I don't even need to spell it out."

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62. @sharonjasper5792
"YAASSSSS!!!! We Know The Assignment. We Got This."

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63. @chickychic4644
"Target was a sponsor. That’s a hell no!"

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64. @janetgmedia
"That part ☝"

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65. @liddie75
"They have been a sponsor for years.."

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66. @chickychic4644
"@liddie75 It’s time to say goodbye to Target! Bye!"

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67. @NaturallyMsTasha
"That was CRAZY after the political climate but now makes sense why they were booked."

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68. @KJWright1979
"Essence lost its essence in 2005 when Edward Lewis, co-founder, sold all his shares to Time (Magazine) Inc. We have to stop selling our culture to the highest bidder."

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69. @stephaniemartin9253
"Dare I say, are they the new colonizers? This is truly wild. I know so many people who opted out at the last minute. Now I know why…"

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Reply
70. @Starr601
"I agree 100%"

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71. @mercedes7566
"If he wanted our money, he would have a Black American CEO, and he would have created branches for Nigeria and Kenya. There’s no need to colonize what we built. I was planning to go next year, but after what I heard this year, I’ll save my money and do something else. I’ve already stopped supporting She’s Moisture and I’ve stopped supporting Essence Magazine because it just hasn’t been the same.
-snip-
"She's Moisture" = "Shea Moisture"-a product that is made and sold by Richelieu Dennis' company.

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72. @gretaberry4983
"Now you know what we’ve too do?  what is that! BOYCOTT."

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73. @heatherclark3632
"I haven’t been to Essence Fest in years but what I will say is if they change the “essence” of the festival our people will not support, it will go under. Full stop"

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74. @ZebraLens
"🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♀️I am one of those people that missed it also! There was too much going on in social media, and not as much advertising from Essence this year, compared to previous years."

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Reply
75. @renahgade1750
"not that I was planning to go the festival but you’re right, usually you’d see information/promo of the festival flooding social media, how odd"

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76. @ronbrown2678
"Thank you Tabitha for shedding light on that because I was a maze of the response that I was hearing to it as well that it just was not the same..."

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77. @LFG-g2w
"Thanks for the info, Tabitha and now we know why the vibe was off at the
Essence Festival!!👈🤨"

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78. @palaviye
"I'm part of the diaspora and all I'm going to say is that this is not the way to go.

This is highly disappointing in the disrespect being shown. There are better ways to build bridges and unite the diaspora. Coopting a black American event is doing unnecessary harm to black Americans and to our relationships across the diaspora. Smh."

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79.inaluedke9779
"I stopped messing with essence a long time ago. I really stopped when I wasn't seeing any Black Americans at the top."

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80. @61msbell
"Well it's up to us as Black Americans to get our own fest started and not let them take our money for them."

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81. @dorothymccaskill7221
"Tabitha also Essence excepted money ($300K) from target! This also could be a reason Black folks didn’t show up to Essence fest this year."

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82. @NolaFlower
"Thank you for this.  As a native New Orleanean, we have been talking about the shift all weekend.  I welcome a Nigerian festival, but don't take our event and hijack it.  This is disrespectful"

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83. @Opune623
"I am a Nigerian and I totally agree with you. They should have incorporated African American history while highlighting Nigerian culture as well."

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Reply
84. @reneestevens7337
"They should have incorporated Black American history while highlighting Nigerian culture??? That makes absolutely no sense. Black American history/culture shouldnt have been incorporated. The festival should have been all about Black American history and culture. Nigerian culture shouldn’t have been included at all. Essence has nothing to do with nigerian culture."

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Reply
85. @Opune623
"@reneestevens7337 well that’s is wrong, when you acquire a company, it’s the new company’s discretion to incorporate anything from the old company. Most companies fire all the employees and hire their own employees. A good example is twitter, when it was acquired by the new owner, most of the twitter employees were fired. So I totally disagree with you on that one."

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86. @kevinmoten6566
"It's hard to complain because when essence changed ownership no black businessmen or women stepped up to the plate and bought it and took control. Someone from Africa saw an opportunity and bought it. You can't control what you don't own"

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Reply
87. @kimroberts2583
"Stop going and spending your money."

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88.@Gigi_Said_That
"I love you Tabitha❤ That  is an awakening. Black women built Essence Magazine. I was (canceling today)  a subscriber since the age of 12.  The colonization of Black American culture is wrong regardless of the skin color. Keep up the revelatory work."

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89. @tuwannaekpe8993
"Don’t leave out that Target was a sponsor for the first time which for me was a slap in our faces. Very good reporting Tab."

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90. @gkan07
"Thank you Tabitha for getting to the root of what’s happening! Also, I know how to withhold my dollars regardless of who is doing the disrespecting. Disrespect learned from the colonizers receives the same treatment even if dripping with melanin."

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91. @cynthiamanning8737
"Nigeria, you messed up.

 Essence Festival, for decades, was amazing.  Why couldn't you leave 'it' alone?  Why?

 Essence will go the way of Target.  We bust our behinds working nonstop to make things happen, and you want to push us aside and assume the position (like we won't care).🤨

 Well, you won't see any of our 1.8 trillion dollar economy."

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92. @nitaparker2056
"Never been to the Festival,  but in light of this takeover,  Black Americans should stop spending theirr money to support Essence in any capacity."

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93. @santaprice8488
"I reside in New Orleans, the vibe has been off for years, I was watching the reviews on how empty the concerts were every night.  Thank you Tabitha for bringing this to the forefront because we as black Americans need to know the real behind the scenes of why things are not vibing."

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94.@mamatee4489
"Support Black America, agree with your commentary and I am a Black African."

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95 @claudettebirden5267
"Ppl remember BET same thing what's going on with us giving up our ownership to others make it make sence"

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96. @SBanyo
"Oh well time for us black folk to get another festival. The Essence festival will not survive without us."

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97. @dr.g2628
"Just boycott Essence Ventures in 2026.  Nigeria will leave quickly in 2027 (Target is an example of Black American economic power)."

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98. @ipeefreely9865
"I stopped buying Shea Moisture, when he played in Black American women's faces with the disrespectful ad campaigns, before the company started marketing to non Black folks. I haven't been to Essence Fest either. I've heard similar complaints. Everyone said it was much better when Susan Taylor was leadership in Essence. And a lot of Africans are quick to separate themselves from Black Americans culturally and socially. 😒🙄"

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Reply
99. @marieh9627
"Same here. Once Shea Moisture let it be known they did not want to be associated with the ethnic hair section, I dropped them.  Everyone sells out—eventually."

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100. @cinnamonswirl99028
"Well Essence will be over if that is where they want to go. They must not know about US."

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101. @Randi-n4s
"Sounds like a FAFO boycott lesson is about to  ensue. 😊😊"

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102. @coursecorrection4105
"We are now speaking with our dollars. No one is owed our money. If we aren’t respected, we won’t be bringing our dollars"

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Essence Festivals (2022 & 2023): Black Girl Magic Fashions & Fun (videos & comments)

GIRLS TRIP: Essence Fest 2022 | HIGHLOWLUXXE, Jul 6, 2022 

#highlowluxxe #neworleans #essencefest2022

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases two vlogs of Jenee Naylor & friends on a Girls trip to Essence Festival 2022 and Essence Festival 2023.

This post includes selected comments from the discussion threads for these vlogs. In addition to its other content, many of these selected comments highlight the use of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). However, I don't point out or provide definitions for these AAVE words in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural and linguistic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Jenee Naylor for her cultural influence and thanks to all those who helped produce these showcased vlogs. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-essence-festival-from-classy-to.html for another perspective about the 2023 Essence Festival. That pancocojams post is entitled "The Essence Festival: From Classy To Trashy (Article Excerpts & Comments About The 2023 Essence Festival)".

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SHOWCASE VLOG #2 - GIRLS TRIP | ESSENCE FEST VLOG 2023 | HIGHLOWLUXXE

Jenee Naylor, Jul 5, 2023  #highlowluxxe #garnier #fashion

#essencefestival #fashion #highlowluxxe

Hey Queens ✨,

Time for the Essence Fest vlog! This one is short & sweet: giving straight vibes and fashions😆! This year, I had the absolute pleasure of going to Essence #loreal and #garnier; and when I say they truly rolled out the red carpet; they rolled out the red carpet!

****

SELECTED COMMENTS FROM SHOWCASE VLOG #1
Unless otherwise noted, all of these comments are from 2022. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. Pinned by Jenee Naylor
@jeneenaylor
"Hey Queens✨!

I know it's been a while, but I'm sooooo incredibly excited to share my vlog from ESSENCE FEST!!! This was my very 1st time attending Essence Festival and it was absolutely amazingggg. I had the pleasure of going with some amazing women, courtesy of Pandora, and we absolutely had a time! Check out all the summer fits, events, and NOLA magic and let me know your comments below!"

**
Reply
2. @DeeSweetest
"It was amazing seeing your first experience at Essence!!! So glad you had a great time! Essence is a vibe no matter the budget. We know how to kick it!! Every look was GIV-ING!!😘😘"

**
Reply
3. @LL-zw2qb
"You left too early Sis, you should have stayed for the New Edition concert because it was everything!"

**
Reply
4. @jeneenaylor
"There is so much to do! I will definitely be back next year"

**
5. @melgreen4255
"Love the vlog. I’m definitely going to Essence next year."

**
6. @yvetteanderson5504
"I’ve never attended Essence Fest. This video was so nice…I had to watch it twice. 👏🏽👏🏽"

**
7. @thoughtsofatherapist66
"Well done. & good job to all the other ladies who were with you. I love seeing our people in the spotlight ✊🏾. And you all had fun. It’s the Melanin for me!  😍 Okay, Essence Fest, I see what it was giving."

**
8. @carinebelle4356
"Great vlog, I have really enjoyed watching the behind the scenes. The Essence fest was lit. I loved all the outfits as usual. Style on style 😀

Thanks for sharing 💛💛💛"

**
9. @queenofthesouth4205
"Hey Jenee, I was at Essence Festival as well. I have family in NOLA so it's always an adventure. 💚💛💜 see you again next time!!! The music, culture and food are always GOOD."

**
10. @dawndixson3922
"Baby !!!!! I love to see it !!! Nola is such a vibe …. I know it rocks at the essence fest !!! Can’t wait til I make one !!! You was killing it"

**
11. @tmr7667
"Amazing work! Thank you for the virtual Pandora + Essence experience!"

**
12. @sincerelyajg5067
"I have gone to Essence 3x previously (05, 08, ‘10…back in the day right out of college) and had an amazing time each time! So glad you enjoyed! Outfits were 🔥🔥🔥"

**
13. @yolandafintak2263
"Great Vlog Jenee!! Awesome content of you and the other Beautiful Influencers at the  Essence Fest! Love This!! Black Girl Magic on 1000!!! 🙂"

**
14. @latonyrad37
"Happy that you enjoyed my city!! Essence was fun! We are happy that it will be in the city permanently!!! Please come back and give us more fashion queen❤️"

**
15. @rere2410
"So so happy you had a great time!  Black girl magic everywhere, last time I went to Essence Fest, when we landed in NOLA the flight attendant said "welcome to Wakanda" LOL"

**
16. @dawnhoward53
"Jenee so glad you were able to attend Essence in my hometown.  I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, and I hope you can visit again, when there isn't an event so you can really experience the culture and the vibe. As always you nailed every outfit with so much class."

**
17. @delle3955
"I have yet to make it to Essence Fest, so I appreciate your vlog, the fashions, and OMG going to a Lauryn and Janet Jackson concert, with a SWV sighting to top it off! Love it all!"

**
18. @shaneemadden135
"I've never been to an Essence Fest but this made me want to give it a try. I loved the behind the scenes of you working, those are my favorite. You killed it Sis!❤🎉"

**
19. @nichebmore4520
"Watching all the vlogs has  REALLY  lit the fire under me to prep for Essence next year. It's definitely an experience I feel like everyone should try....even if you only do it once."

**
20. @DeeSweetest
"It was amazing seeing your first experience at Essence!!! So glad you had a great time! Essence is a vibe no matter the budget. We know how to kick it!! Every look was GIV-ING!!😘😘"

**
21.@henriettaross6430
"This was absolutely everything!!! Essence Fest is magical and I think you captured all of the magic in this video! You are an inspiration, thanks so much for sharing!"

**
22. @jenniferblue4972
"This video was everything! You looked absolutely beautiful and it was so cool to see all “the girls” together. True black girl magic and excellence. Beautiful!"

**
23. @tinalulumack378
"Essence Festival is so fun...I've been once!! That copper dress was amazing and you looked stunning!! Hell you were stunning the whole trip. There are no words on the food!😝😛"

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM SHOWCASE VLOG #2
All of these comments are from 2023. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. Pinned by Jenee Naylor

@jeneenaylor
"Happy Wednesday Queens!!! Sharing the highlights from Essence Fest in todays vlog, hope you love it🥰🥰"

**
2. @thee_nakikke
"Hey Jenee'. Awesome vlog. I didn't make it in time at the meet n greet before the line shut down. But I saw you, girl! I had the best time at Essence Fest. Looks like you did too but ya'll put in some work!"

**
Reply
3. @jeneenaylor
"@thee_nakikke  so sorry I missed you!! Glad you enjoyed yourself🥰🥰"

**
4. @yeamaneal5652
"Wowsi!! Your outfits were 10 across-the-board each time. Some of my friends that attended this year said it was super,duper hot as you stated. Thanks for providing these pleasurable escape for us each time and also thanks to Josh and Mia for their dedication to making you a superstar. We see how hard you work and this African aunty (Liberian) appreciate it!"

**
5. @TACo-281
"You rocked every look at ESSENCEfest. 🔥

Thanks for giving us a vlog because you were giving us content the whole time with the outfits.

I would have loved to see a little more like last year but i enjoyed what you gave us. It looks like you had a great time!"

**
6. @AshleyWashington-en6vq
"My only complaint is that I wanted this to be longer because I was enjoying it so much! I am absolutely convinced that I need to get my a** to ESSENCE next year and I'm not sure why the hell I haven't been thus far! Love your vlogs, keep up the great work Team Jenee'!"

**
7. @sophiaosei1980
"You are flying high Jeneé with ESSENCE fest trip sponsored by Pandora and L'Oreal/Garnier!!   The Balmain loan was DRAMA!  Your shoot with Jackie Aina exemplifies Boss Ladies🤎"

**
8. @meciesmoments6550
"Yaay! 🎉 Looks like this year's Essence Festival was everything!! 😍⚜️💕 Thank you for sharing your lovely experiences!! 🤗 Wishing you continued success! 🌟"

**
9. @EmorettaRobinson
"Essence Fest looked like it was a lot of fun. You looked stunning. And your outfits and accessories were 🔥."

**
10.@arethacrandell3360
"Jj you are my inspiration  everything I see you as my lil sister in my head represents  the dark-skinned girls out here..we are being more noticeable  now since you and every other dark-skinned girl showing off our beauty and style..thank you❤"

**
11. @swonsley245
"Just WOW!!! Jenee!!!!     I am going to Essence next year w/hopes to see you on one of those stages!  You're a fashion Rock Star!"

**
12. @shoedeeva4355
"You are simply fabulous in every outfit. Slay slay slay. The black and white Balmain was my favorite"

**
13. @LindaFennell-nz7el
"QUEEN WAS QUEENING!!!

Continued success!!!👌👑"

**
14. @godisgood28
"Talk about a VLOG of just Beautiful melanin queens! Keep shining cause you are making your mark in this fashion industry! ❤️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 # icon"

**
15. @chandamochaswirl
"Hope my city treated you well   Every look you slayed 💯🥂"

**
16. @ms.inspiration385
"I followed your Essence adventures on Instagram, and it looked like such a wonderful time.  Your fashions were always on point, & I particularly loved the Monroe Steele/Something By Sonja White dress & the Lorvae sunglasses.  I also enjoyed the concerts and y'all impromptu sing-a-longs as that seemed like such a fun time.  Finally, just seeing Blacks altogether in harmony was just a delight.  Congratulations on reaching 400k on Instagram. Thanks for sharing a fantastic weekend!  P.S. YOU AND JACKIE AINA TOGETHER WAS WOW!!!"

**
17.@crochetbabe829
"You slayed those two white outfits so good, where is the fashion police!!!!!? Both of the were absolutely bomb!!! A d that black dress was a stunner!!!"

**
18. @ruthmc3936
"Fabulous content...delivered ..period🎉 classy!!❤"

**
19. @daretoberare6435
"Sooo good, you ladies are beautiful queens"

**
20. @journeywithjell1594
"Great video Love love  all your looks and the sisters."

**
21.@happybeautywithob6
"This was way too short...lol Just stunning all of ya'all. 👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥❤❤❤ Thank you for sharing."

**
22.@Ccgemini
"Thanks for sharing. I know it was 🥵🥵🥵AF but you served some 🔥🔥🔥looks"

**
23. @yolandafintak2263
"Gorgeous and Giving The Gurls Want We Need At Essence.  The pics with you and Jackie were Fabulous X 's 100!!!🤍💜🤍💜💥💥"

**
24. @mochabetty
"That shot with both you and Jackie Aina was 🔥🔥🔥🔥"

**
25. @onetreeurbanjungle6100
"Missed this year but great to see other folks pics. You all be fabulous, 1/2 my fits be sandals and shorts. Lol! blessings !"

**
26. @seymonetko1958
"OMG! I commented before I saw you and Jackie! :) :) :) So inspiring."

**
27. @styledbypg
"I was in the line for L’Oreal to see you and the Yusefs.  But they cut the line and said it was closed 😩

Hopefully next time!"

**
28. @MsSocialLeslie
"Hunnaaaaayyyyyy you slayed every luuuukkkkk 😂"

**
29. @Tastywisewife
"Yes it so damn hot!!!! I’m so happy it’s finally raining here in New Orleans. My AC was crying for help😂"

**
30. @bandilenzimande4235
"Josh and Dennis shooting content for y’all 😭😭😭😍❤️❤️❤️"

**
31. @char90303
"Swear I didn’t recognize Jackie Aina 🫣 that body was bodying 😅 whew chile. Loved all your outfits. Your style speaks to me."

**
32. @traceyrobinson7502
"This was blog was everything🔥"

**
33. @ICreateThoughts
"When Chocolate people get together 🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾"

**
34. @tttenterprisewaiters6329
"U stay FLY"

**
35. @dineosibiya2123
"Beautiful  , your style woooo, that black silky dress ,stunning, thank you l see in South Africa."

**
36. @kellialexander4080
"Yassssssssssssss Queen!!!!"

**
37. @daintychick461
"10 mins Jenee...gurl😂"

**
Reply
38. Jenee Naylor
"I cut out all the rambling and just showed the fun parts😂😂😂"

**
Reply
39. @daintychick461
"@jeneenaylor  we love the ramble friend❤️"

**
Reply
40. @meciesmoments6550
"@jeneenaylor It was short, sweet, and beautiful! 😍⚜️💕🎉 Thanks for sharing! 🤗"

**
Reply
41. @jeneenaylor
"@daintychick461  somebody said I talked too much in the last one so just testing out a shorter format!"

**
Reply
42. @jeneenaylor
"@meciesmoments6550  thank you!!🥰"

**
Reply
43. @thetiredfemme3652
"@jeneenaylor ”who said dat” PorshaVoice 😂😂"

**
Reply
44. @daintychick461
"@jeneenaylor  whaaat....clearly they're not day one Queens lol"

**
Reply
45. @jemaki6746
"@jeneenaylor  it’s a lie! absolutely love every part of your sharing, and depends what someone’s here for if it’s just the fashions then mute, but I absolutely love the way you think about things and share, it makes you you, literally why I’ve loved your videos from the beginning"

**
Reply
46. @pmhartfield
"@jeneenaylor  whoever said that isn’t a day one Queen. The ‘talking to the camera check ins’ makes us feel apart of the trip. Ps: the new camera is great! 👌🏽"

**
Reply
47. @charleebelfonte8977
"I’m here for the ramble! Would def love to hear audio of your interactions with the other girls, your thoughts on the events, concerts, etc. For someone who has never been, those things make me feel like I’m there. The fashions are great but I can see what you’re wearing on other platforms. I come to YT for life in motion. Thanks for sharing, though. I’m a Day Oner ❤"

**
48. @deejames7031
"Listen......y'all did that!!  Josh we see you with the drome!  Out here making a whole GD MOVIE staring yo WIFE 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🔥🔥🔥💨💨♥️♥️🫶🏾💯✌🏾"

**
49. @JMariesFace
"I enjoyed this Vlog like I do all of ur vlogs and why made me smile harder was seeing u and Jackie omg so cute 2 superstars black & beautiful 🫰 🫰"

**
50.@judithedwards1413
"Hey Mr Mayor Jenee is here to shut yr city down just give her the Keys to the city the trophy and the belt.. I approve this msg 💯❤❤💘"

**
51. @queenofthesouth4205
"NOLA was hot enough to fry an egg...on the sidewalk.💜💛💚"

**
52. @amiem6480
"So chic and so fly!"

**
53. @karenhebert9016
"I’m from here and we never experienced 100 degrees that heat will assault you but I see you enjoyed yourself ❤"

**
54. @lasharondavis3138
"Great vlog as usual but the attire oh my always on point.  ❤"

**
55. @olgaharris1103
"🌺 That black dress was 🔥 fire! 🤗🥰…Had to come back and include the white dress also, and of course you are the BEST DRESSED of em ALL!  🤗😎"

**
56. @Poshpash
"My fav influencers linked up 😢❤! I love it"

**
57. @deniseoates7147
"Looks like you got some fun time in there with some work.   It was good to see some familiar faces like you stated.  You really did some great planning of your outfits.  Back in the day I had at least 2 to 3 changes a day because it was so hot there.  I might try to go one more time before I call it off for old age (performers not my cup of tea) and we don't have the energy to walk around.  Thanks for sharing and blessings to you and all in the days to come."

**
58. @tonyatiffanyofficial
"Babeee your whole blog is a VIBE!!!!!! Keeping making great QUALITY CONTENT!!!!"

**
59. @veronicawise4648
"Beautiful outfits and you looked fabulous as always. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the weather, events and girl time together. Thanks for sharing the Essence experience this year."

**
60. @kathleenharris8824
"Loved this Essence Fest Vlog! All of the fits head to toe glamorous. That looked like it was so much fun."

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

The Essence Festival: From Classy To Trashy (Article Excerpts & Comments About The 2023 Essence Festival)

Rivah TV, July 28, 2023

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the Essence Festival (also known as "the Essence Fest) that has been held annually in New Orleans, Louisiana since 1994.

This post showcases a YouTube vlog about the backlash that singer India Arie received when she posted an online comment about her concerns with the lack of decorum that was displayed during two performances at the 2023 Essence Festival. 

This post quotes India Arie's online comment about those performances and presents an excerpt from an article about this subject. This pancocojams post also presents selected comments from the discussion threads of three YouTube vlogs about the 2023 Essence Festival.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-history-of-essence-magazine-and.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post showcases a YouTube video and presents general information about the Essence Fest from several online article. An excerpt from the Wikipedia article about Susan L Taylor is included among the quoted information about the Essence Festival.

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the producers and publishers of this embedded video.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/09/essence-festivals-2022-2023-black-girl.html for another perspective on the Essence Festival. That pancocojams post is entitled "Essence Festival 2022 & 2023: Black Girl Magic Fashions & Fun".

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INDIA ARIE'S INSTAGRAM COMMENT ABOUT SOME PERFORMANCES AT THE 2023 ESSENCE FESTIVAL 
(quoted on multiple YouTube vlogs about that festival)

"The issue is what is CONTEXT. Humanity does EVERYTHING. But does EVERYTHING BELONG IN A STAGE, No, is everything for KIDS? No, is everything for EVERY BODY? so when we as a culture make something like this main stream ~ it shows a lack of discretion [and] discernment.

To those in the comments who laugh at anyone who wants these things for our culture you certainly have that right. Just as many folks have the right to want our MAINSTREAM International export – out Music – to show us in a respectful light. “Id like to go on the record saying : this wont age well and thats my issue. i LOVE Janelle AND Meg the way i love us all — AND i dont like this moment. Dont bother debating me lol idc and I DO this. for 25 yrs i’ve done THIS. so. read ponder or don’t.”

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EXCERPTS FROM AN ONLINE ARTICLE ABOUT INDIA ARIE'S COMMENT AND ITS BACKLASH
From https://thegrio.com/2023/07/06/india-arie-comments-on-janelle-monae-megan-thee-stallions-essence-fest-set/

Arie said a sexually charged portion of Monáe’s Essence Fest set is part of what should be deemed “adult entertainment” becoming more mainstream.

TheGrio Staff, Jul 6, 2023
"India.Arie voiced her opinion on Megan Thee Stallion and Janelle Monáe’s performance at this year’s Essence Festival. She commented on Monáe and Megan Thee Stallion’s sexual presentations at the festival, calling it a “lack of discretion.”

On Tuesday, Essence Fest posted a video clip of Megan’s performance on its official Instagram page. With the caption, “Hot girl bootcamp was in full effect last night. It’s @janellemonae with the encouragement for us,” the video featured several women twerking on stage for the crowd, with Monáe cheering them on.

Arie expressed her feelings about the clip in the post’s comment section. The four-time Grammy Award-winner wrote a lengthy post about Megan and Monáe’s performance and what they portrayed to the Essence Fest attendees.

[…]

The “Strength, Courage, and Wisdom” singer said while there may be many people in the culture who want see the type of performances and presentations that mirror Megan and Monáe’s performance, there are just as many people who want to see Black music displayed “in a respectful light.”

[…]

The singer-songwriter’s comments went viral, prompting criticism on social media. The backlash compelled Arie to respond via her Instagram Story on Wednesday. She clarified her statement, insisting that she was talking about the context of Monáe’s performance only, saying that what she considers more “adult entertainment” was becoming more mainstream."

“I HATE defending simple logic, so I’m going to just say this,” Arie posted. “THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH ANY OF MY SISTERS. PERIOD.”….

****
SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT THE ESSENCE FEST AND/OR THE 2023 ESSENCE FEST AND OTHER RECENT ESSENCE FESTS

These comments are numbered for referencing purposes only.  All of these comments are from 2023.

Discussion thread #1
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trn9U_dEGEA
[This is the discussion thread for the vlog that is embedded in this pancocojams post.]
1. @sharonwomble-davis6117
"I am a 65 year old Black Woman from New Orleans and I attended Essence year after year and it's obvious that the positivity of the Brand has shrunk. PERIOD!!! The twerk lessons were not appropriate for what that Brand use to stand for. However these new owners have missed the mark. PERIOD! No CLASS, NONE.

**
Reply
2. @YT4Me57
"You spoke truth! I was a young girl when Essence magazine came out. I poured through every one, from cover to cover. It helped me define and navigate Black womanhood. I'm now 68. When I saw that video, I was appalled! My parents trusted their daughter to the messages Essence once laid at my feet. If i had been present at that concert, I would have gathered myself and mine up and left...and demanded my money back. These young people don't understand that whatever enterprise is behind the brand today isn't interested in the uplifting of our people. They're literally selling their bodies on the auction block. When our ancestors went through that, it was traumatic and the shame was a generational curse. Now, do we willingly give ourselves away in that manner? WAKE THE H🔥LL UP!!! 😡"

**
Reply
3. @MoonLightOnWater1
"I totally agree with India Arie: the Essence Fest was NOTHING like this when I was growing up.  But let’s be clear, The Essence Fest is reflecting the culture today.  It is clear that the brand of Essence and the festival is not for folks my age (60).  I was shocked when I saw that video at the Essence Fest….what the hell has happened to our culture?? it’s a freaking race to the bottom.😢"

**
4. @user-sf6xn5rv8o
"She was right...PERIODT! That Essence Festival video was a whhhooolllleee mess! I was disgusted watching that video. Essence should know better."

**
5. @yvettewhite4107
"I totally agree. I blame the agents and the executive show producers that signed off on that performance. I would kick them off my branding team and recruit recent  marketing graduates who can say,”this is the message we send when we do this…. this could impact future revenue… or disqualify us from future prestigious events…” I guess you don’t put money in something you don’t know you need."

**
6. @felicia393
"I have loved India Arie since I was introduced to her FIRST Album. She has always been a genuine soul and I will forever be a fan. I personally agree with her, there is a time and place for everything. I have always wanted to go to the ESSENCE festival but that clip was a turn off for me. I'm glad I didn't get my tickets because I also didn't know that they had been sold. Honestly, if I had seen that clip alone not knowing where it came from and had to guess the ESSENCE festival wouldn't have even made my list. It's giving Freaknik or Girls Gone Wild"

**
7.@cheriefields372
"How did we get to this place of classless, disrespect, and vulgarity? None of this represents essence. India, keep sharing your music of self love. Sadly, the decadence will burn."

**
8. @sabrinastallworth6443
"India Arie, is correct,and I support her comments.  The Essence Festival,isn't the same it's  been brought out by the big industry,and it's exploiting the culture of our people."

**
9. @eebb7112
"I’m so glad I saw the clip, I’ll never waste my money going to the Essence Festival. While the females were twerking on stage, what was the clapping for??? As India stated….this  was not the place for any of that. WOMEN we have more to offer than twerking and exploitation. You’re so much better than what I just viewed😏😫"

**
10. @twarren20
"Well, just cancel the Festival because that's what's going to happen if you don't like change. Let's be honest, I don't care how many pretty words you speak to uplift the Essence festival...how many tickets has it been selling in order to keep it going? At the end of the day, India and others have their opinions and they should be able to express them..JUST BE READY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR OPINION OF YOUR OPINION. I absolutely hate when people think that having an "opinion" immediately makes people not have an opinion of your opinion. If you're speaking YOUR truth, why be bothered that people don't accept YOUR truth? HAHA. You're getting mad because you feel like you're getting canceled when in actuality they're just doing the same thing you're doing, expressing their opinions and executing the right to not support you any longer.  At the end of the day, I guess Africans who have been twerking for centuries shouldn't be in the limelight as well.  So, I guess only people like India Arie who sing certain songs and have certain messages are the only people who love our culture should be the only people seen and heard on this platform. That's like saying church people should be the only people praying for you  or going to church when church people can be some of the most HATEFUL people out there. Lady, get off your high horse. If you're a certain TYPE of woman, stop trying to judge others. That doesn't make you right or better than anyone. I've met STRIPPERS with better hearts than women like YOU. All this "this generation" of people speaks volumes to how judgemental and narcissistic people like you are. Why can't the Essence Festival represent a diversity of talent, culture, expression, independence, love, and charity? It boggles my mind and I'm glad they ate India up. She feels that her outlet is being threatened when that's not the case. Then the same artists are mad when they are home, broke, forgotten about, and bitter because they refuse to adapt and accept that things, not just Black people,'s culture change. We are our own worst enemies because we're too stuck on trying to control everyone else's narrative. Moral of the story: MIND YOUR DAMN BUSINESS."

**
11. @eileenwatt8283
"Essence is cancelled not India Arie."

**
12. @ReinventingEnergyAndLove
"Essence,  more importantly is a celebration of our foundational culture....,

The Culture Of Soul!❤

We must,  Reinvent our Energy And Love.....✊🏿"

**
13, @barbjohnson6268
"These are the last days. This video should make Essence as well as BET take notice. They have really changed and their "different direction" is affecting our people. Keep speaking."

**
14. @nolandhazzard3999
"Had to endure being sold/stoled from Africa into slavery. Had to overcome Jim Crow, lynchings, segregation and unequal treatment for nearly 400 yrs and "twerking" becomes the fruit of our ancestors labor??!!!??.... My people my people 😡"

**
15. @theundralivingston9458
"I agree with India Arie & support her stance 100%. There is a time & place for everything. The Essence Music Festival is for the grown and sexy; and not the trashy. I said what I said."

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Discussion Thread #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG61Q8ohcTw&t=42s India.Arie calls out Essence Festival organizers for Meg The Stallion, Janelle Monae performances, published by Roland S. Martin, Jul 6, 2023 ...

India.Arie sounded off on Megan Thee Stallion and Janelle Monae’s performances at this year's  Essence Festival.

The Grammy Award singer proclaimed on social media that the performances of Meg and Monae’  are "degrading" the culture.
1.@reginaldporter7321
"I am from new Orleans and the essence festival was always ran with class what those women did was bs black women are losing their minds where are our black queens what about our children taste less black women grow up"

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2. @jeffreyhawkins3023
"IF,.........😳😲The People of the Essence Award wish to fill all them empty seat's by catering to the clear AGENDA'S of those folk's 👿 dismantling the Black Culture destroying the very integrity of what The Essence Award once stood for in the first place ........ Maybe A Name Change should be put in place.

Class to Trash. The clear Agenda."

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3. @kimfloyd6171
"Thank you, India. Lately, our culture has been moving away from classy to trashy, and its sad 😢"

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4.  @robertjohnson6071
"It's simple,.. If I want to go to a music c concert, I'll purchase a ticket or pay at the door with a set of expectations.

If I want to go to a strip club or attend an orgy, that's a different venue, and my expectations will be aligned towards that event. There might be a time and place for either one, but the differences should be noted, and respectively appreciated."

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5.@CoachSherri
"Frankie Beverly and Maze were the close of the Essence Festival for years.  I think this conversation should be about who is legendary enough now to close?  For this recognition of hip hop 50 years, a collaboration or someone like Dougie Fresh would’ve been great.  Meg had a place there, just not as the close."

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6. @tenayaellison8376
"The essence is know for it's classy  respectful uplifting black Queens it's for the much older generation and I feel it was distasteful and I agree with India if this is how the essence is going to be I won't be watching we see this distasteful act everyday day with our black women and we have to change something for something to be different I like Meg too but it just wasn't a gud act for this particular event I'm sorry I'm not sorry India said what she said to have it taken all out of context but I'm glad she said it"

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7. @HouseOfHaute
"There's a time and place for all things. That behavior belongs at Freak'Nic. Essence Fest was known as the grown and sexy event of the year. You can be classy and sexy at the same time without being trashy and perpetuating the oversexualiztion of Black women. Good discussion Roland. -Toni"

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8. @user-fn5ji1ny8b
"She was absolutely right!   Furthermore, and in my opinion, we have to realize who pushes the narrative of "US" being trashy.    Essence is NOT owned by us anymore.  When we owned it, that would not have been allowed.  So now the narrative is for our young women to be empowered by being raunchy and trashy?  Make it make sense!  It was also disrespectful the the elders that were there as well. IJS"
-snip-
"She" in this comment refers to India Aire.

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9. @angelaf2079
"I was a student at D.U when Essence started during Susan Taylor Days and it represented Black women in excellence! This is  not Essence it's Nothingness"
-snip-
Susan L. Taylor served as editor-in-chief of Essence from 1981 through 2000. Read some information about Susan L. Taylor in Part I of this pancocojams series. 

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10. @user-co4oq3zk2i
"The Essence I grew up with was classified as "Classy" "Beauty" "Empowered" "Tasteful" of our Black Women. This is Tacky, Gutterish, Ratchet and downright Stank. Shame on Essence. When i was a young girl the magazine Jet was considered the raunchy one and Essence was the classy one. Im appalled,embarrassed, and annoyed by our black women direction is going. Its So Sad😕"

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11. @annettenunnally2308
"Could this problem be because Essence is not owned by Black people anymore?  Maybe because of the ownership, our interest is not considered.  Are we seeing differences in BET, Ebony as well because of a lack of Black ownership?"

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12.  @d-rj509
"Essence Festival went from upscale with style and class, to ratchet with absolutely no class. India Aria is about ‘legacy’"

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13. @AdrienneBing
"I am personally tired of seeing black women shaking their ass everywhere! I was surprised and disappointed that Essence did this. I am a little disappointed at Janelle Monae these days! A lot of stuff coming out these days is not empowering to women at all. Indie Arie spoke very well and I am glad she did! Why on every platform everywhere black women got to twerk, you do different things in different environments. Meg did what she does they shld not have booked her for this."

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14. @elouisesaunders8302
"Some people make financial sacrifices to travel for this affair.

They deserve their monies worth !!!

Not having to leave because of nasty and vulgar performances"

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15. @crimefreestruggles
"304s Crashed the Essence Festival"

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16. @shaniscott8569
"Essence is an upscale event and should be conducted as such. Once you allow an "anything goes" mentality its starts to bring down the function. Look at Miami they are catching the same problem now with the crowds they are attracting and all the issues they've had recently."

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17. @Aspiring gardeners,
"Black women are being pushed by society into the role of being sluts with no morals..... We got to end this.

Maybe its time to cancel the Essence organization. Its platform and image has changed significantly- Essence has now been endorsing this slut behavior for at least a decade and we are through with it being pushed on us."

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18.@dawngrundy9743
"In 2008, for the first time since its 1995 inception, the festival was not produced by the original producer team. Instead, Essence Communications, owner of the festival and the Essence magazine, contracted Rehage Entertainment Inc.

Starting 2013, Solomon Group became the Producer of Essence Festival."

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19. @user-ye5ku2ws6s
"I remember when celebs used to sing their asses OFF at these festivals. I guess those days are gone because all you see now, are strippers and mumbling gang members with microphones singing  to soundtracks, no live music, no live singing. It's all garbage."

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20. @mamashod6810
"India, is so True. I'm an individual who Attended the Essence Festival Since it started in New Orleans as one of girls Trip. I see now that the Essence Festival has Change and it's so Sad."

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21. @vanessac8105
"Everything has a time and a place.  “ESSENCE” is supposed to bring about “EXCELLENCE”.  India did well in sharing, would never cancel her!"

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22. @AK-vn1zw
"I agree with her Essence used to represent what it meant to be classy women but I guess noone wants to face the fact that this is driving the demise of the black woman. We are more than our bodies and then we get mad at men of all races when they just want to lay us down. I'm sorry I am more than just a pretty face and my body parts."

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23. @elouisesaunders8302
"Let's stop being so mealy mouth about this.

This is not what Essence is suppose to be.

Don't even book these offensive acts for the sake of profit.

Bring back Class

India  💯"

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24. @theresamargraves5323
"Essences need two different festivals.  One for the Hip Hop crowd the other for traditional crowd."

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25. @jeffreyhawkins3023
"🤔 Question should be directed at the person or person's who's actually in charged in the hiring and approval of these highly sexual targeting Acts. Hold them accountable for smeering the Black Essence Image that which was for years. This sends a message of  pushing that sexual deviants AGENDA 👿 set Prestigious Beautifully Blessed Black Women back to the gutter  streets."

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26. @lovelymemories5970
"India Arie was absolutely correct.  "Essence Festival Used to be classy.". The new owners of the festival may not actually not care about maintaining nor promoting respectability within Black culture and communities.  They didn't build it, they simply bought, so if tearing things down is their ultimate goal this display demonstrates that they are n the move."

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27.@teiahill7130
"I agree .Also, Beyonce attire and choreography  are  about the same as Nicki Minaj , Cardi B, and Megan . Children won't be able to attend essence festivals in the future.( Attire , Choreography, lyrics). It's just all going too far. All beautiful black women. We're just going in the wrong direction.

That's just my Opinion, though."

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28. @TheRichmondPlanet
"The sexualization of Black women will never stop.  Especially when the induatry controls the culture. 

The "context" is not the Essence festival per se.  But why and how we end up with a constant stream of "Nicki Minaj(s)" being the vangaurd of Black popular culture. 

Are The "new youth of the  culture" being fed less music nutrition than the youth of the past?

If we say we're not a monolith, then each generation should represent that. On their own accord. Every generation prior has created multiple choices within each segment of Black music.  We had multiple women that performed in clothing and multiple with less.  We had men that crooned and those that gyrated.  Currently you have to go back a decade or two to show our so called  diveraity and creativity .

 So ask ourselves who is filtering this illusion of choice?

In closing:  Why is there no competition for Beyonce?

(she bad.,. But nobody?)

Is Chris Brown the last "double threat"?

Are we locked into creating inspiring styles and never owning them? 

So... You just gonna let K-Pop take the throne? Just like Blues Jazz and Soul.

Is it that young people can't compete? Or is it that the industry ignores those that can in favor of those that are easier to control and sell to the least common denominator?"

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29. @barbarairving1326
"For me, Essence has always represented class and elegance.   Essence has let the music industry imfluence its image in an unfavorabl way."

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30. @user-lk2tr7ux8r
"OMG! Essence has never been the same since my role model Susan Taylor left. She is and has always been a spiritual woman of class, character and dignity. Thank you India Arie. You  make black  women proud!"

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Reply
31. @user-ti3vy4mf6p
"Susan was the Essence of the Copper Queen 👑.  What we are seeing now is a blatant

Disregard for The Most HIGH 🙏🏽 who gave

Them the health and strength to be up

There performing.  Why did not they use this opportunity to Lift Up the Most HIGH ❤️ and

LET GOD BE MAGNIFIED.   The enemy are laying traps for them as we speak as most are to incompetent to realize it. Twerking their way straight to the new plantation, the gateway to HELL 😯😔😯 😯🙏🏽"

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32.@neeneemusician9050
"Who owns ESSENCE...yall better recognize"

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Reply
33. @thegraceofalady3629
"Fyi essence magazine is no longer black owned. They simply want to destroy. Our legacy of amazing black female artists being erased."

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Reply
34. @incog4654
"​@thegraceofalady3629  That's incorrect. ESSENCE is actually black-owned just not by Black Americans. Richelieu  Dennis is the new owner of ESSENCE and he is Liberian

 He has appointed a Kenyan queer woman to be its CEO."

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35. @alexism4223
"It was a bad, bad, bad representation for black women.  I feel so helpless because this behavior has gone mainstream. This is not who I am but this has become my representation? Go to Japan, people in the club expecting me to twerk because i'm black, trying to challenge me to a dance off?  I am not that girl!  This bad behavior is far reaching and painting us all as one type of woman."

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Reply
36. @chalabrooks5433
"Oh boy! I didn't realize it went that far. 🤦🏽‍♀️🤔"

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37. @queenbee82
"No truer words have ever been written! Class is where? If you want to lift the culture don’t do performances that look like stripper shows in a family environment- mixed generations present! Girl power up"

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38. @mo-whack6790
"She didn't refer to it as trash. She is saying that the behavior has a time and place. This festival wasn't it. It was adult entertainment and it should have been done in their private concerts not at an event that represents black culture as a whole."

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39. @Lmb-ls5yl
"I attended the Essence Fest & concerts this year and I wholeheartedly agree! Straight trash. I've been in the past and it was a totally different experience. I paid a lot of $ for those tix and did not want to see audience members twerkin on stage! Of course there was some notable artists there for the 50th Hip Hop Anniversary, most of them represented well. IF I go again, I will be much more selective."

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40. @queen_nika8862
"I support India Arie 1,000%....I am so glad she spoke up. Thank You

As a black woman that has children i would be so a shamed to take my two son's and my daughter to that event...seeing that."

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41. @thekusiwaa
"India Arie is right!!!

As a Ghanaian I respect my black Americans especially the culture because it reflects on all of us Blacks world wide so we appreciate that big sis is checking us  all we should do better ❤️🇬🇭🙏"

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42. @andrewright7556
"We have loss our sense of dignity that was respected for Black women by Ms. Susan B. Taylor who was the model of essence as a Black woman of distinction and class. She made the Essence Festival most appropriate."

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43. @dlxinfinite7098
"It's soft core porn. Adult only entertainment. Stripper hop. Getting even more explicit each year. Come on, Essence. Your work is historic and legendary. Many of us are out here are fighting against this very image. India ain't attacking the women, but the Industry"

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44. @roka2031
"Exactly, strip show vibes....and India may not be saying it.. but I am .....those artists can do better...people who attend a show like this are not expecting strip club type entertainment, if they want that they will go to a strip club...."

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Discussion Thread #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDHrXWOXiWE Hot Girl Summer Supporters Mad at India Arie, She Responded to Backlash from Feminists, published by Pink Book Lessons, Jul 27, 2023  #essencefest #neworleans #feminism

Essence Fest Went from Classy to Hot Girl Summer, India Arie Responds to Backlash from Feminists #feminism #essencefest #neworleans

1. @iammonet5408
"I'm riding with Auntie India! I've been a fan of her music and what she stands for since I was a teenager, and I'm in my mid-30s. The Essence Fest was fill of pure degeneracy this year! Janelle absolutely did NOT get consent from the audience and that "twerk fest" was nothing but a bunch of fish in bucket. Disgusting, degrading and simply out of line. I'm proud that I've never carried myself in the manner that these "women" do."

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Reply
2. @Igboman87
"Same here, although I'd call her Big Cousin India as opposed to Auntie, heheh; I'm in my mid-30's too."

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3. @rejavenated
"The issue is that the standard for what is coined “black excellence” is in the dirt. The world shouldn’t think of the gangster or the hyper-sexual woman as the standard for blackness."

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4. @Bitter_Truth_Show
"Gotta give Essence their credit, they're showing the world what black society is about and what they stand for."

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Reply
5. Pink Book Lessons
"🤔"

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Reply
6. @TheEsquireofSports.2.0
"@pinkbooklessons  Gotta be joking."

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7. @Thespokenone
"From what I've seen from Essence magazine as an African in the UK, in some of the hair salons I've been to for my locs, I never ever expected to see this kind of content from them."

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8. @harricoentertainment
"@pinkbooklessons you’re absolutely correct, something is definitely going on.  304 & feminist  culture is being pushed hard in many developing and developed African countries amongst young African women.  They even have a pookie & ray ray culture simultaneously happening in these same areas as well.  Look into the Female DJ culture in Durban & Joburg South Africa and Nairobi Kenya.  Some of those female DJs and club hopping women behave and act no different from the magic city 304s here in the states.  It’s very unfortunate to see African women behave like this and be overly sexualizing themselves.  HOWEVER, thank God that women like this in SA & Kenya and other African countries, are an EXTREME MINORITY.  Most African women are NOT like this at all.  I do believe the agenda is to make this behavior and 304 culture the norm for black women worldwide."
-snip-
-snip-
Here's the slang meaning of a "304"
from https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/what-does-304-mean-on-tiktok-2108891/
" A 304 is a term used to refer to a promiscuous woman or sex worker. If you type the number 304 into an old-school LED calculator and flip it upside down, it should look like the word “h*e,” which some use as a slang word for the profession."

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My definition of a "Pookie & Ray Ray" culture is an African American culture that is represented by lower class, men who either lounge around doing nothing or engage in illegal street activities.
 
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9. @mr.bitcoin1953
"As a Black man over 50  from  S. FLA  and living in ATL,  I've enjoyed the ratchetness of Freaknik, BCR, Black Bike Week,  and the, less just say, somewhat frequent visit to the strip club but I've always enjoyed going to Essense Fest a more mature,  sophisticated gathering of Black women/people especially with the mini concerts, workshops and panels promoting Blk women's empowerment.  I didn't go  this year but I would have been disappointed to see it turn into a 304 twerk party.  There has to be a balance,  let the grown women have their events and let the THOTs have theirs. I'm here for both 😉"

-snip-
Here's a definition for "Thots":
From https://www.dictionary.com/browse/thot
"Thots
Noun Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.
a woman considered to be sexually provocative or promiscuous; a slut or whore."

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10. @izi.z2384
"To put things in CONTEXT as India Arie was trying to do:  She makes a valid point about the fact that Essence Management has changed and the new owners have taken Essence Magazine and Festival in a totally different direction.   Any one who wonders why that matters should do some research on the new/current owner of Essence and his wife and how things have changed from the original mission of Essence Magazine/Festival which has now largely taken the "essence" out of Essence."

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11. @i.can.d
"Meg can’t even be blamed here. Her whole brand is thottin n poppin. Essence needs to take accountability. They booked her because she’s popular and they wanted to sell tickets. Period. Super trifling.

I agree with India."

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12. @vancexel
"The new owners seem to be pushing money above all else. I know we expect these people to help promote good morals and promote the communityin a healthy way, but we have to realize that they sold their souls to money and stop always looking to them for what good character or morals are."

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13. @Igboman87
"The likes of India Arie, Alicia Keys, Fantasia, Heather Headley, Jennifer Hudson, Chrisette Michele, Kelly Rowland, Angie Stone and Jazmine Sullivan should be pushed to the forefront for representation and emulation of Black women. Even Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson, and Whitney Houston (RIP) who had their edgy moments, were at least conscious enough about their images, and did not compromise their morals. These three are also much more attractive than the broads rubbed in our faces these days."

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14. @dforeman8865
"Yeah I’m glad I didn’t go to Essence this year! When I saw the line up 🆙 Me and my fam n friends declined didn’t go! I’m with India Arie!"

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This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.

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