NEWS: Kanye West, Mary J. Blige & Chris Rock Headline Essence Music Fest

By Brandi Hopper

The Essence Music Festival will be bringing some of hip-hop and R&B’s biggest acts to to New Orleans this Independence Day weekend.

Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Rihanna, and comedian Chris Rock will headline some concerts in the evening, while some of the nation's most influential speakers, artists, authors and leaders enlighten festival-goers in the day. Also on the bill are Frankie Beverly, Keyshia Cole, Jill Scott, J. Holiday, LL Cool J, Musiq, Morris Day & The Time and Patti LaBelle.

"The Essence Music Festival is truly the ultimate party weekend this Fourth of July; celebrating Black culture with an unparalleled combination of music, arts, and empowerment," says Michelle Ebanks, President, Essence Communications Inc. "We have an extraordinary line-up of A-List talent in the Louisiana Superdome and the daytime Essence Empowerment Seminars are covering the issues impacting our community with critical examination, motivation and inspiration."

The Essence Empowerment Seminar Series will feature Tyler Perry and friends, Soledad O'Brien, Dr. Bill Cosby, Reverend Al Sharpton, Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Hill Harper, Bishop T.D. Jakes, and Tom Joyner, among other notable figures.

The Festival also offers the Essence Marketplace in the daytime, with quality fine arts & crafts by African-American vendors from all over the world.