Rapper Kendrick Lamar headlined the 2015 Essence Music Festival to a packed out audience of energetic fans and gave a truly dope concert filled with energy, passion, and West Coast fun. The rapper that’s being called the Tupac of our time left New Orleans pondering on the power of passion filled music and the power of an authentic story teller in the realm of today’s hip hop.
The 2015 Essence Music Festival was truly a celebration of music, community, and the great recovery of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. The theme of the fun filled weekend was “Bring the Love” a mantra that turned into a compelling hashtag that echoed throughout the weekend. Rapper Kendrick Lamar seemed to be the perfect musician to close out the musical weekend because his music is full of passion, community empowerment, coupled with a compelling capacity to tell magnificent stories of disenfranchised people while sparking a feeling that everything will truly be “Alright”.
The audience was thrilled to see the “Poetic Justice” rapper who kept the crowd engage with hit after hit after hit. Kendrick Lamar spoke candidly about the plight of urban living and how he feels so thankful to be a voice for not only Compton but for all people living and surviving in urban America. Fans hung on to his words and rapped every lyric with him. Kendrick Lamar expressed his happiness with the Essence Festival’s reception for him and his music; he shared,
“This is my second time performing at the Essence Music Festival. My first time I had about 200 fans who rocked out with me and today I have an arena full. I can’t believe the love I am recieving in New Orleans it feels like Compton!”
The night was truly one for the memory book.
The 2015 Essence Music Festival was powered by Coca-Cola, Ford, McDonalds, My Black is Beautiful, Samsung, Statefarm, Verizon, and Walmart.
Check out the rest of the photos here.
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