Usher reflects on significance of Essence Fest ahead of one-of-a-kind 'Confessions' set

Usher Raymond has been bestowed with another accolade — the 2024 BET Lifetime Achievement Award. And amid a banner year, the superstar says he's ready to bring down the house at the biggest African-American cultural and music event in the U.S. — Essence Festival.

Within the last year, Usher wrapped his groundbreaking Las Vegas residency, created the longest and most watched Super Bowl performance in history and released his ninth studio album, "Coming Home," all while gearing up for his upcoming tour. But he says Essence Fest will be a night like no other.

The Grammy Award-winning singer is set to grace the stage on July 6 in New Orleans for the Essence Festival of Culture's 30th anniversary celebration. And what's more, the one-of-a-kind performance will celebrate his iconic album "Confessions."

"Anytime that I've been able to be a part of the festivities of New Orleans' all-time famous Essence Festival, it's always a celebration," Usher tells the USA TODAY Network. "This year was a little bit more unique because I'm celebrating the 20th anniversary of 'Confessions.'"

And the performance is significant in more ways than one.

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"Just being able to have that environment where it is predominantly minority Black men and women (boys and girls) and to celebrate our culture ... I'm happy for a multitude of reasons, not just because it's just another show. It's a special show," he says.

Released March 23, 2004, "Confessions" racked up accolades and became the best-selling R&B album of the 21st century.

"'Confessions' has such a huge blueprint and marking the aesthetic of who I am as an artist. That's why this one is so special," Usher says. "When I think of this album, it just makes me aware that when you are authentic to who you are and what you feel, you can go all around the world. It doesn't have to be in a specific area. It doesn't have to be in a specific box. You can play in all genres, if you do something major. And this album did that."

And while Usher will kick off his Past, Present, Future tour on Aug. 14, he promised the Essence Festival performance won't be like any other.

"It is a one of one. You're not going to see this show again unless I decide to bring it out during my tour," he says.

The four-day event will also feature the 10-year reunion of Tank, Ginuwine and Tyrese, as well as Birdman and a 30-year celebration of Cash Money Millionaires. Janet Jackson, Victoria Monét, JT, T-Pain, Ari Lennox, Mickey Guyton, Charlie Wilson, Big Boi and more will also perform.

Usher is no stranger to the Essence stage, either. He first performed at the musical festival in 1998 at the age of 19.

"The first time I ever graced the stage was me paying tribute to another iconic artist, and that was Luther Vandross," he says. "And now to be able to look forward all of these years and come back and pay tribute to an album that was significant for my catalog and people even consider me an icon or a legend of this time, it feels good."

With many ventures both behind and ahead of him this year, Usher says it was really important to incorporate Essence Festival in his plans.

"I'm at the foundation of Black culture," he says. "It all started there for me. Rather, it was inspired by artists who were relevant to Black culture, rather it was a movement in Black culture, these are the stages that we only hope to someday to be able to play on let alone be able to headline."

As far as which song from the "Confessions" the singer is looking forward to performing most, he says, "I wish I could pick one. I can't. That's what makes this album unique is that it was a full listen. I think that's probably why it was as successful as it was and why it is to this day."

And if the show is anything like his other gigs, it's bound to be entertaining for all.

"I'm hoping that everybody in the family gets a chance to enjoy this night that grandma, auntie and mom, and the daughters and kids get a chance to come and enjoy this moment because it was really an incredible album," he says.

Essence Festival kicks off on July Fourth.