The 2011 Essence Music Festival is less than two months away and big name artist like Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Jill Scott, Charlie Wilson, Chaka Khan, New Edition, and Trey Songz are preparing to give event-goers the show of their lives. The 17th annual festival, which will honor “The Roots of R&B,” will kick of July 4th weekend in New Orleans.
“The Essence Music Festival is privileged to have over forty artists spanning the R&B, funk, soul, classics, hip-hop and neo-soul genres gathering to celebrate the Roots of R&B this Fourth of July weekend,” says Essence Communications President Michelle Ebanks. “We are looking forward to three nights of amazing performances, featuring an all-star cast of trailblazers such as El Debarge and New Edition; legends such as Chaka Khan and George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic; and fan favorites like Mary J. Blige and Trey Songz. There will be even more exciting performers announced soon!”
The 2011 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL night-by-night line-up (as of 5/3) is as follows:
Friday, July 1: Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Boyz II Men, Macy Gray, Dwele, Alexander O’Neal and Cherrelle, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Tank, Miguel, Mavis Staples, Irma Thomas
Saturday, July 2: Kanye West, Jill Scott, Charlie Wilson, Chaka Khan, El Debarge, Eric Benet, Timothy Bloom, Mint Condition, Hot 8 Brass Band, Stephanie Mills, Charmaine Neville Band, Naughty by Nature, To Be Continued Brass Band
Sunday, July 3: Mary J Blige, New Edition, Trey Songz, Kem, Hal Linton, Kourtney Heart, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Rebirth Brass Band, Kelly Price, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Trin-i-Tee 5:7, Brian Courtney Wilson, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Shamarr Allen and The Underdawgs
Tickets are still available at http://www.essencemusicfestival.com
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