Now Playing Jussie Smollett On The Ups And Downs Of Touring
Jussie Smollett On The Ups And Downs Of Touring
Singer/actor Jussie Smollett is best known for his role as queer R&B star Jamal Lyon in the hit musical drama series Empire. While he has been acting since a young age, music has always been his biggest passion. This year he let that passion shine when he released his debut solo album, Sum of My Music, on March 2. We caught up with him backstage at Essence Festival 2018 to hear him talk about the shift from filming to touring.
Exclusive: Jussie Smollett On The Ups And Downs Of Touring
Lucky Daye On His Debut Album 'Painted,' Sensitive Music & ESSENCE Magic
The soulful singer/songwriter talks backstage at ESSENCE Fest about his new album, making sensitive music and more.
King Combs On His Father's Bad Boy Legacy, His Star-Studded New EP & ESSENCE Fest
Christian "King" Combs stoped by backstage at ESSENCE Fest to talk about his new EP, Cyncerely, C3, what it was like working with City Girls and how he's inspired by his father's Bad Boy legacy.
City Girls' Yung Miami Talks Writing With JT, Black Girl Magic, Cardi B & More
One half of the fire-hot Miami rap duo tells us how she and JT write songs, how natural it was working with Cardi, what being at ESSENCE Fest means to her and more.
ESSENCE Festival 2019: Recording Academy "On The Road" In New Orleans
Join us in the Big Easy for exclusive backstage interviews and coverage from the 25th ESSENCE Festival.
Inside Afrobeats Artist Ayoinmotion's Journey To ESSENCE Fest
The infectiously energetic entertainer tells us how he got connected with the festival and what fans can expect from his heart-racing live show.
Mumu Fresh On What She Learned From Working With The Roots, Rhyming & More
The singer stopped by backstage at ESSENCE Fest to talk about her background and more.
MC Lyte Talks "Women In Hip-Hop" At ESSENCE
We took a beat with Lyte backstage to hear about the all-star female rap event she put together for the 25th ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans and much more.
Elle Varner Teases 'Ellevation' & Says Why She Comes To ESSENCE Every Year
A week ahead of the release of her second album, 'Ellevation,' Elle Varner told us why she keeps coming back to ESSENCE: "You get to be with your people in such a loving, welcoming, rich environment."
BJ The Chicago Kid On The Honor Of Playing ESSENCE, His Forthcoming Album & More| ESSENCE Fest 2019
Find out who's joining BJ The Chicago Kid on his upcoming album, how he feels about playing ESSENCE and more in our exclusive backstage interview with the GRAMMY nominee at the the 25th ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans.
Rapsody On The Black Women Who Inspire Her & What Makes Essence Fest Special
GRAMMY nominated artist Rapsody sat down with us backstage at the 25th ESSENCE Festival to talk about the influential musical lineage of Black women who inspired her new album, Eve.
Ellie Goulding On Songwriting, Skrillex & Loving Electronic Music
The Recording Academy sat down with the prolific pop singer/songwriter to learn more about her creative process, working with Skrillex and the music she grew up listening to.
Kool & The Gang Talk Turning 50, The Joy Of "Celebration" & More
We go behind the scenes at the GRAMMY Museum with the legendary decades-spanning, GRAMMY-winning funk/R&B group to learn more about the magic behind their music that still keeps the party popping.
Louis The Child On Exploring New Sounds, Upcoming Debut LP & KAOS Debut
The Recording Academy went On The Road to catch up with the upbeat electronic duo before their Sunday evening performance at Governors Ball 2019.