The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival

Check out this gallery of the many amazing women in Hip Hop who have graced the ESSENCE Festival stage over the last 23 years.

Bennett Raglin

By Rachaell Davis · Updated October 26, 2020

The last two decades have taught us much about the power of women in music and ESSENCE Festival has proudly been a part of keeping that conversation going, while also providing our ladies with a unique platform to shine each year.

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The presence of women in Hip Hop specifically has continued to evolve with each passing year and there’s certainly been no shortage of ladies who know how to rock the mic at ESSENCE Festival! As we continue to celebrate these fearless trailblazers and prepare to welcome Remy Ma to the Festival for the first time this July, here’s a look back at all of the women in Hip Hop who have graced the ESSENCE Festival stage over the years.

Queen Latifah, 47

The legendary rapper and actress took control her health back in the early ’00s, and has since credited diet and exercise as the key to longevity.

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Lauryn Hill

The incomparable L Boogie first graced the ESSENCE Festival stages alongside her Fugees group members in 1996, before later returning to headline the Festival as a solo act in 1999.

MC Lyte

Another iconic woman in Hip Hop, MC Lyte lit up the ESSENCE Festival stage as part of our “Pioneers of Hip Hop” tribute in 2006, before later returning to perform in 2007, 2011 and 2016.

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DJ Soul Sister

The legendary DJ Soul Sister first graced the ESSENCE Festival stage in 2008 and returned multiple times afterward in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Josh Brasted

Salt N’ Pepa

Trailblazing Hip Hop supergroup Salt-N-Pepa reunited to perform their endless catalogue of hits and fan favorites at the 2009 ESSENCE Festival.

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Arrested Development

Alternative Hip Hop conglomerate Arrested Development, which includes two female members Tasha Larae and Montshoe Eshe, graced the ESSENCE Festival stage in 2010.