Mia X Pulls Out of Master P’s Final Essence Festival Performance Over Payment and Mismanagement Dispute
Fans hoping to see Mia X take the stage at Master P’s final performance at the 2025 Essence Festival will be disappointed, as the iconic No Limit Records rapper has officially pulled out of the show. The highly anticipated event, scheduled for July 6 in New Orleans, was set to be a celebration of No Limit’s legacy, but Mia X has cited serious business and communication issues as the reason for her withdrawal.
According to a statement shared by Mia X on social media and reported by AllHipHop, the veteran rapper detailed a series of frustrations with Master P’s management team. She described mismanagement, poor communication, disrespect, and a lack of formal agreement regarding her appearance. Despite promotional materials listing her as a featured artist well in advance, Mia claims discussions about her involvement only began last week.
“It’s still unbelievable that I’m actually saying this,” she wrote. Mia explained that initial conversations with Master P’s management were dismissive of her performance fee. Although she spoke directly with Master P on June 26, where he attributed the issues to a busy schedule and miscommunication, Mia felt the situation had already crossed a line. “I felt disrespected because the show had been booked for many months. And I had been advertised as a featured artist,” she said.
Her concerns deepened when she realized there was still no rehearsal schedule, no contract, and no deposit. The rushed nature of the arrangements and the lack of professionalism reminded her of similar problems she experienced during No Limit’s 2018 Essence Festival appearance.
By June 27, Mia says she was presented with an insufficient contract that didn’t reflect her value or meet her expectations. “I was also still insulted by the dismissal of my fair fee, considering Essence paid big,” she added. The New Orleans rapper, known for her work ethic and resilience even through health struggles, expressed frustration over how the situation was handled publicly. “I’m quiet about a lot of things and I keep family squabbling in-house. But this is about business, names, brands, and the fans,” she explained.
Mia X also took issue with Essence Festival organizers for allegedly using her name in promotional materials without securing proper permission or finalizing her agreement. She emphasized that the situation was not only about money but also about respect and professional treatment.
“I work in sickness and in health, and I appreciate the support from the people who have enjoyed my music over the years,” she wrote. “I stand by doing good business, and I’ve been done dirty. And that PR spin before even speaking to me is diabolical. Again, I’m sorry to all expecting to see me, and I hope you enjoy your festival weekend.”
While fans will undoubtedly miss her presence at this landmark event, Mia X’s decision highlights ongoing concerns about artist treatment and transparency within the industry.
