Nationwide — Rapper Mia X, the first female artist signed to Master P’s No Limit Records in the 1990s, has announced she will not perform during Master P’s final show at this year’s Essence Festival. She said she felt disrespected after being advertised without clear contracts, payment, or rehearsal plans. In a series of Instagram story posts, Mia X said she was surprised to see herself listed as a featured artist for the July 6 show. Discussions about her involvement only began recently, and she claimed Master P’s team was initially unwilling to negotiate her performance fee, according to Fox 8 Live.
“It’s still unbelievable that I’m actually saying this. I will NOT be performing at Essence Fest as a featured artist in Master P’s set,” she said in the Instagram post
She said she didn’t receive a contract until June 27, which she said is too late to prepare a quality performance. She also expressed frustration over the lack of a rehearsal schedule, no confirmed payment, and what she described as a repeat of poor treatment she experienced at the 2018 festival.
“I felt like once again, no matter who’s saying protect and respect Black women, they always sell us out to the boys club,” she continued.
According to Mia X, Essence Festival organizers told her they only work with the show’s curator — in this case, Master P — and rely on his production team to handle artist bookings.
Master P responded in a video, calling the situation a “misunderstanding.” He said he always supports her and that she’s welcome to perform if she wants. In a separate interview, he called her “the queen of the South” and said he hoped to honor her on stage.
Mia X revealed she hadn’t spoken to him since February, aside from a brief call just days before the festival.
Despite her absence, Master P is still scheduled to close out the Essence Festival on Sunday, July 6.
Mia X, known as the “Mother of Southern Gangsta Rap,” played a pivotal role in shaping the success of No Limit Records in the 90s. As a core member of the label’s roster, she appeared on numerous gold and platinum albums alongside labelmates like Master P, Silkk the Shocker, and Mystikal. Her solo albums Good Girl Gone Bad (1995), Unlady Like (1997), and Mama Drama (1998) collectively sold over 2 million copies, cementing her legacy as one of the most influential female rappers of her era.