Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, and Babyface are among the latest additions to the Essence Music Festival bill. Set for July 3-5 in New Orleans, the event has also added Yolanda Adams, Musiq, and Kindred to its bill.
They join such previously announced artists as P. Diddy, Maze, Nappy Roots, Smokey Robinson, Jaheim, and Anita Baker at the Coca-Cola-sponsored event. The five-stage Essence Music Festival will take place at New Orleans’ massive Superdome and will feature a different host each night, including Jamie Foxx, A.J. Jamal, and Tom Joyner & the Crew.
Planned appearances by Nelly and the St. Lunatics, Luther Vandross, and comedian Wanda Sykes will not take place. Vandross has been hospitalized since suffering a stroke on April 16. As reported yesterday, Nelly’s sister is suffering from leukemia and he is helping her establish a bone marrow donor recruitment and awareness campaign.
In addition to the evening concerts, gospel star Donnie McClurkin will perform during a July 3 daytime seminar dubbed Living in the Spirit. Seminars, which will include a keynote address by Dr. Juanita Bynum and a speech by author Iyanla Vanzant, will take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Tickets are priced $35-$125 and are on sale now via Ticketmaster. For more information on the festival, visit Essence.com.
Here is the Essence Music Festival lineup:
July 3: (Main stage) Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Babyface, and Yolanda Adams, hosted by Jamie Foxx; (Superlounges) Musiq, Keith Sweat, Dianne Reeves, and Third World.
July 4: (Main stage) P. Diddy and the Bad Boy Family (New Edition, Faith Evans, Carl Thomas, and Loon), Chaka Khan, and Jaheim, hosted by A.J. Jamal; (Superlounges) Biz Markie & Doug E. Fresh, Michael Franks, S.O.S. Band, and Kindred.
July 5: (Main stage) Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Anita Baker, Smokey Robinson, and Heather Headly, hosted by Tom Joyner & the Crew; (Superlounges) Will Downing, Nappy Roots, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers.
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