I arrived in a beloved city with only one hour to quickly check in, drop off my belongings, and rush to our first event. Whenever I travel, I make it a point to listen to the radio as it keeps me informed about the city’s happenings and helps me prepare accordingly. However, this particular trip proved to be different. It wasn’t the usual announcements and commercials that caught my attention, but rather a captivating song called “We Outside.” Curiously, every time we got in the car, that song played, almost as if it was destined to be the soundtrack for our weekend. Intrigued, I decided to google the artist behind it. I discovered it was none other than Flagboy Giz, a whole park legendary.
How are you going to come to Essence Fest and not experience the “Essence” of New Orleans? Determined to fully immerse myself in the essence of New Orleans during my visit. I reached out to Flagboy Giz via Instagram. Where I saw the post about the block party taking place at Congo Square. So I pulled up and seen the hottest song in the city performed live. However, just as I was about to head out, Reid mentioned that I shouldn’t miss out on seeing Freedia perform. I’ve known of her and didnt know she was performing so S/O Reid. Bg Freedia‘s, a Grammy Award-winning, larger-than-life ambassador of New Orleans Bounce music. It’s worth noting that Bounce music is distinctly different from Flagboy Giz’s style, as his music is influenced by the rich traditions of Mardi Gras Indian music, a unique heritage exclusive to New Orleans that combines various musical elements. It felt like a musical gumbo, a delightful fusion of different artistry.
The lineup of artists at the block party provided an exceptional experience, with the event being graciously hosted by none other than the esteemed Mayor Cantrell, who is affectionately referred to by the locals as Mayor Teedy. I was particularly impressed by how Mayor Cantrell took the time to engage in conversations and take pictures with anyone who desired it, including myself. Her genuine interest in connecting with the community was evident, leaving a lasting impression on me. Stay tuned for more adventures to come as my journey continues.
