Posted by | Ray Cornelius

ESSENCE has released the lineup for this year’s highly anticipated ESSENCE Festival and it is fiyah!!!! I am so excited to announce that music icon—Janet Jackson—will be headlining this year’s festivities in New Orleans.  It all goes down July 5-8 with three nights full of unforgettable performances from over 40 acts.

Sharing the stage with Miss Jackson is Oscar nominated actress and history maker Mary J. Blige as well as Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Snoop Dogg, Fantasia and The Roots.  R&B vocalists Miguel, Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius and Dave Hollister will also rock the Superdome along with newcomers—H.E.R., Daniel Ceasar, Kelela, and DVSN.

Atlanta R&B divas Xscape are returning along with music icon Teddy Riley, who will produce a special produced segment featuring Blackstreet, Guy and Wreckx-n-Effect.

This year’s Superlounges will hosts a variety of DJ-curated experiences featuring hip hop icon MC Lyte and award winning actor and heart-throb Idris Elba.

D-Nice will make his debut as this year’s Main stage DJ and comedian Roy Wood, Jr. returns as this year’s Main stage host.

Stay tuned as additional acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Click here to check out coverage from last year’s ESSENCE Festival featuring Diana Ross, India.ArieJohn Legend and more!

Photo Credit: ESSENCE.com

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