Aaliyah Essence Fest Tribute To Be Curated By Missy Elliott In New Orleans
Missy Elliott is preparing to honor Aaliyah’s legacy at this year’s Essence Festival, bringing a deeply personal tribute to the New Orleans stage.
Essence announced that Elliott will curate a special celebration for the late singer and actress during the festival’s July 5 closing night. The tribute marks two major milestones in Aaliyah’s career: 25 years since the release of her self-titled album and 30 years since her groundbreaking sophomore project, “One in a Million.”
For Elliott, the tribute carries history. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer was not only one of Aaliyah’s closest collaborators, but also one of the creative forces behind some of her most memorable music.
Essence said Elliott was chosen because of the role she played in helping shape Aaliyah’s sound and image. In a social media announcement, the festival wrote, “Her creative collaboration with Aaliyah gave us some of the most iconic moments in music history.”
The tribute also has the support of Aaliyah’s family. Essence said the celebration is being done with the “deepest love, support, and blessings” of Aaliyah’s mother, Diane Haughton, and brother, Rashad Haughton.
Remembering Aaliyah’s Impact 25 Years Later
Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001 at just 22 years old, but her influence on R&B, fashion, dance and pop culture has only grown in the decades since.
Elliott, now 54, has continued to publicly honor her friend’s memory. When she became the first female rapper to receive the MTV Video Vanguard Award in 2019, Elliott used the moment to shout out Aaliyah, saying, “I love you, we miss you.”
Later, Elliott told Essence that she believed Aaliyah would have been proud of her milestone.
“I know that she would have been happy,” Elliott said. “She would have been proud because she knows the hard work that I’ve done.”
Essence Fest Moves Forward After 2025 Turmoil
This year’s tribute also comes as Essence Festival continues moving forward after a difficult 2025 event that drew criticism over delayed performances, production issues and broader questions about leadership and cultural representation.
Former Essence Ventures CEO Caroline Wanga, who announced she was stepping down amid the fallout, has since taken the matter to court. Wanga filed a defamation lawsuit against Essence Ventures and Sundial Media on June 11 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, claiming the company allowed a public narrative to grow around her role in the 2025 festival backlash despite her being on medical leave.
The controversy followed last year’s Essence Festival in New Orleans, where fans celebrated performances from major artists while also raising concerns about long delays, communication breakdowns and the direction of the festival’s cultural identity.
Essence Fest Lineup Includes Cardi B, Latto, Brandy And Monica
Essence Fest is scheduled for July 3 through July 5 in New Orleans. This year’s lineup includes Cardi B and Latto, who are both making their Essence Festival debuts.
The festival will also feature performances from Brandy and Monica, Kehlani and Patti LaBelle. Teyana Taylor is serving as chief curator for the event.
