The Essence Music Festival Lineup Announced

This Fourth of July weekend in New Orleans, the Essence Music Festival will celebrate its 14th year running with star-studded performances by Kanye West, Mary J Blige, Chris Brown, Rihanna, J. Holiday [click to read], Jill Scott, and more.

The 14th annual festival will also feature the Essence Empowerment Series, a series that will consist of several seminars on Friday and Saturday and an afternoon of praise and worship on Sunday; leading the seminars will be Tyler Perry, Bill Cosby, Reverend Al Sharpton, Soledad O'Brien, and others.

"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," Michelle Ebanks, President of Essence Communications Inc. said in a statement. "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."

For more information on the Essence Music Festival including how to get tickets visit Essence.com/emf.

Reported by Danielle Harling.