Usher, the headlining act at this year’s Essence Festival, chose to make quite the statement during his Saturday evening performance.
The singer dawned a leather jacket that read, “Have we truly achieved our independence?” written on the back and a “Juneteenth” t-shirt with “July Fourth” crossed out during the independence day set. Juneteenth, the day (June 19th) that celebrates black emancipation from slavery, isn’t an official federal holiday, but — according to Usher’s T-Shirt — it’s the only day worth celebrating when it comes to independence. Both the leather jacket and t-shirt were custom-designed by Kirby Jean-Raymond for luxury sportswear brand PyerMoss.