DJ Domo set the tone with twerk anthems for ESSENCE After Dark’s closing concert at Republic NOLA.

Mellow Rackz, of Young Money Entertainment, claimed the stage and opened the night. “The gang turned up, and it was lit!” Mellow Rackz shared after her performance. She describes herself as an emerging artist, inspired to support women. “I like in my songs for the ladies to feel good. You realize, we wish all women to feel beautiful, and music is one other technique to empower ourselves.”

Omeretta the Great did just that and graced the space with a powerful presence. Rooted in Atlanta pride, Omeretta calls herself “the toughest.” She said that Hip Hop began from people within the hood telling their stories, and he or she’s keeping the tradition going. “I feel like that’s a type of therapy for me. Anytime I’m going through something, I’ll pull up a beat and check out to get it out the easiest way I can.”

Kali kept the Black girl magic poppin on stage—literally. Fans lit up and chanted her lyrics. She reported being very excited to be at ESSENCE Fest and is manifesting greatness for her growing profession. “I see myself being the most important, the primary, you already know. So, I all the time see that image in my head.”

DJ Mannie Fresh hopped in after midnight and surprised the audience with bounce classics. The gang and performers were in awe. He closed his quick set sharing, “I like y’all. I f*** with y’all of the good distance, ya heard me?”

Our favourite Material Gwrol hit the stage, and it was clear who was next up! Saucy Santana said they were feeling saucy and spicy—and did! The dripping commenced, and Saucy brought the gworls on the stage to point out what they may do. But there have been rules to follow: “no scary or bougie” business. Saucy exited the stage to a protracted line of VIP guests excited to point out love and praise. 

Erica Banks, the flow queen herself, kept it bussin’. Whether an affirmation or a friendly challenge, Erica’s lyrics encouraged everyone to shake. “Are you want that? Are you nasty?” Folks were bent over, bouncin’, and throwin’ it within the air. 

When Latest Orleans’ own HaSizzle entered to shut out the night, the church of twerk rolled on and on and on and on. He yelled, “Give them something to have a look at,” and it was up from there! The gang screamed, “Oh Na Na Na,” on cue and if you happen to didn’t Getchu Sum before the doors closed, you missed out.

Take a look at highlights from the night in the photographs above. For more of all the things you missed on the 2022 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, visit our official video content hub HERE.