See Stephanie Mills perform at the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival Ford Superlounge.

See Big Sam’s Funky Nation performance from the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival Ford Super Lounge.

Watch Bridget Kelly's performance of "Special Delivery."

See Leah LaBelle's performance from the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival.

See Goapele's performance from the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival Ford Super Lounge.

The 2013 ESSENCE Music Festival returns to New Orleans July 4-7.

See Raheem DeVaughn's performance from the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival Ford Super Lounge.

See SWV's performance from the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival Ford Super Lounge.

A roundup of the ESSENCE Music Festival 2012 sponsors. 

This year's festival featured performances from Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin and more.