Greg Hersey Plays Essence Festival of Culture with Doug E. Fresh

The Essence Festival of Culture was hosted in New Orleans June 29-July 3, featuring Missy Elliott, Megan Thee Stallion, and Lauryn Hill.  The lineup also included Juvenile, Wizkid, Lil Wayne, Ice Cube, Big Boi, T.I., and many more. The Essence Festival of Culture showcased curated and hosted performances, including the “50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Curation” curated by Doug E. Fresh.

Greg Hersey, ESJ Director of Instrumental Music, was contacted by Doug E. Fresh, after discovering his viral video of “Teach Me How to Dougie.” Mr. Hersey posted this video (recorded in the Deming Theater) on his Instagram page, achieving over 12 million views and the attention of producers, celebrities, major corporations, and more.

Doug E. Fresh hand-selected Mr. Hersey to perform at the 2023 Essence Music Festival in front of a live crowd of 60,000 people, in addition to five million streaming the event on Hulu. Mr. Hersey shared the stage with hip-hop pioneers and legends Sugar Hill Gang, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, Bonecrusher, EPMD, GMF and The Furious Five, and many more.

“This performance was an opportunity of a lifetime, to perform at a festival of this caliber alongside some of the greatest names in hip hop was something I could’ve only dreamt of,” said Mr. Hersey. “Through the influence of my parents, I grew up listening to these old-school hip-hop songs and artists. It’s been a major influence on my playing and approach to music. Was I nervous? Not so much. I felt as though most of my musical training led up to that moment before I took the stage in front of an enormous crowd, just myself and Doug E. Fresh. I performed a live version of the beat from “Teach Me How to Dougie” while Doug E. Freestyle rapped over it. We then transitioned into a beatbox/drum battle, as he would beatbox a musical phrase/rhythm and I would have to emulate his rhythms(mind you none of this was rehearsed) Talk about spotlight! I am eternally grateful for this opportunity. I’d like to thank my wife, family, friends, and ESJ community for all of their support. Dream big and love what you do.”