Bevy Smith Reports: The 15th Annual Essence Music Festival
By Bevy Smith
Hey Bay-bay, it’s Ms. Bevy straight from the city that gave us beignets, po-boys, hurricanes (the cocktail & that bitch Katrina) and jazz music, New Orleans!
I was down in the Big Easy for the 15th Annual Essence Music Festival. This year's fest was hotter than a Bourbon Street pole dancer, with performances from headliners like John Legend, accompanied by my favorite British import since SoHo House, Estelle. John graciously allowed Estelle to perform her hit “American Boy” and the crowd saluted her like she was the Queen Mum! Lionel Richie (aka Nicole Richie’s dad for you toddlers) reunited with his old group The Commodores and his heir apparent, Neyo! You might be “So Sick Of Love Songs” but Neyo is damn sure the cure, an amazing songwriter and performer.
The festival wasn’t all soft R&B crooning; we had a chance to get down & dirty with Ms. Sasha Fierce aka Beyonce! At one point during her performance, she grabbed her crotch, dropped to her knees in a frenzy and twirled her hair like a whirling dervish. She was possessed and had us captivated, “If I Were A Boy,” Jay-Z would be in trouble!
Speaking of the Knowles, PAPER cover girl Solange Knowles hit the Lincoln Super Lounge and illustrated ONCE again why she’s her own girl by covering Bjork’s “It’s Oh So Quiet” and infusing it with a gospel tinge, complete with rousing organ solo! Swan dress not required, Hallelujah!
Fiercely stylish newcomer Keri Hilson had the crowd turned out when she performed her hit, “Turning Me On”! Also performing in the Lincoln Super Lounge was Raphael Saadiq, whose influences range from the '80s straight into the present. Raphael is firmly leading a soul music renaissance hearkening back to the days of Motown and Stax. He performed hits from his new CD The Way I See It paying homage to the '60s complete with a mustard yellow skinny suit and dance steps to rival The Temptations. Take that Amy Winehouse!
The festival was a phenomenal a gumbo of the amazing talent, young and old! I worked up a black sweat the entire trip and came back just as doughy as a Café Du Monde beignet! See you next year Nawlins!
Your Comment
Posted at 9:40 on Jul 13, 2009
I hate that I missed the Essence festival this year, but your awesome coverages makes me feel like I was there!
Posted at 9:47 on Jul 13, 2009
I MUST MUST MUST go next yr! It'll be my 1st Nawlins trip. Thanks Bevy!!
Posted at 10:03 on Jul 13, 2009
GREAT recap Bevy!! I felt like I was there; I plan on going next year and working up a black sweat; so much talent, mad I missed it.
Posted at 10:14 on Jul 13, 2009
Great review Bevy!!!
What about Maxwell? Let me tell you my thoughts on this guy! His tardiness was unacceptable! Poor Anita was up there trying to extend her encore, just so Maxwell's peoples can get his act together! Then he takes another 1 hour to bring his a$$ out! I know the folks at Essence were nervous trying to figure out how the hell they were going to refund all these people.
But around 1:45ish in the morning... here comes this looney tune. As much as I wanted to stand up and sing along... I just couldn't (Ok, I did for one song...but that was it). He didn't even apologize for being late!! Sigh!!!
My girls and I thought the holdup was his shoes... He couldn't find his shoes! This brother came out with some white shoes and a black suit. Was that on purpose? Hmmmmm....
As for his highly-anticipated album... I'll get it one of these days. I almost bootlegged it due to his Essence shenanigans.
Natalie Naomi
Posted at 10:25 on Jul 13, 2009
Sounds like it was fun. Thank you for keeping us updated
Posted at 10:35 on Jul 13, 2009
Well Ms Bev i think this year was hot also but can we talk about Mr. Maxwell was it just me or was he hot as very. I think the Queen B did her thing. I love seeing her in concert. I still trying to get back into the swing of things at school i am party out for that week end. Well until next.
Posted at 3:25 on Jul 13, 2009
Bevy, this articles was just as entertaining as the Essence fest. But just like the weekend, much too short. Good job.