Who runs the summer of 2013? Most likely Mrs. Carter. The queen of the charts returns stateside (she’s kicked off her tour in Europe) with the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (June 28-August 5) and a headlining stop at the ESSENCE Fest on Sunday, July 7. She also returns to the charts with her fifth studio album, although no release date has been announced.
They’re calling themselves “Legends of the Summer” and who can really dispute that Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake’s tour won’t be all everyone’s talking about this season. Their month-long tour kicks off July 17 in a city near you.
The lineup for this two-day Jay-Z-curated festival on Labor Day weekend is surely one of the best ways to close out the summer. We’re talking Beyonce, Solange, Miguel and Kendrick Lamar. Not to mention it’s in the city of Brotherly Love.
Four years can seem like an eternity when waiting for new music, but India.Arie’s new album Songversation (out June 25) is well worth the wait. She’s happy and loved and every song, including the lead single “Cocoa Butter,” is a testament to her new peace. We’re already calling her slick, party-starter “Just Do You” our summer anthem.
Chrisette Michele returns with her fourth studio album Better (June 11). Expect a lot more edginess from the neo-soul darling who’s all grown up. You can also catch her at the ESSENCE Fest.
Just imagine being Beyoncé’s opening act, performing at the ESSENCE Festival (on Sunday, July 7), all before releasing your debut album. The New Orleans native is finally ready to give his fans a concise taste of what he’s about on his debut album, Made to Love (out July 18).
Mr. West is squeezing in some summer performances before taking on daddy duties later this year. He, along with Nas, Erykah Badu and more, take over New York Randall’s Island for one of the summer’s most eclectic music festivals.