Are you ready for the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival? The party begins down in the Big Easy on Thursday, kicking off four days of fun including music’s brightest stars. As a headliner for EMF three years in a row, Mary J. Blige (pictured in ESSENCE’s offices during her stint as a Guest Editor for the magazine) brings her own brand of hip-hop soul to the fête every year. This time, Mary will close out Saturday night’s show on July 7 with hits like “No More Drama,” “Family Affair” and “Just Fine.” Let’s take a peek at who else will hit the stage down in New Orleans.
Is there ever a bad time to hear songs like “You Dropped the Bomb,” or “Yearning for Your Love”? We don’t think so either — which is why we’re too excited to see Charlie Wilson perform all of his hits, including those from his years as the leader of the funky Gap Band, on Friday, July 6.
Born in Liverpool, England, Marsha Ambrosius has an American soul and proved it with her longtime residence in Philadelphia. The former Floetry lead singer is prepping her sophomore follow-up to her Late Nights and Early Mornings album, which is slated to come later this year. We just can’t wait to hear her lovely alto during her SuperLounge performance on Friday, July 6.
The brainchild of Tameka “Tiny” Harris, the OMG Girlz, comprised of Miss Star (Zonnique Pullins), Miss Beauty (Bahja Rodriguez) and Miss Baby Doll (Breaunna Womack), have been sharpening their skills on the stage and in the studio for a little while now. This year, the trio will perform on EMF’s very first New & Next stage, highlighting young and fresh talent, on Thursday night.
A tried and true comedian, Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles is co-hosts The Steve Harvey Morning Show with the comic who brought us Think Like a Man. Tommy has hosted the ESSENCE Music Festival for two years, and he will bring the funny between ESSENCE’s brightest stars this weekend in New Orleans.
Is it just us or does MC Lyte seem to look younger as the years pass? Between her, Sade and Jada Pinkett Smith, we want to know the secret! Catch the flawless Lyte at the first ESSENCE Music Festival Block Party on Thursday, July 5, alongside Doug E. Fresh. If you’re not in the house, you’re paper thin.
Following the release of his latest album Mister Nice Guy in 2011, Eric Roberson is hitting the ESSENCE Music Festival stage for the first time this year. According to the New Jersey singer-songwriter, we can expect him to have a ball on the SuperLounge stage on Saturday, July 7.
Yes, Leah LaBelle is young, but this Seattle native — who is signed to L.A. Reid’s Epic Records — has a voice to rightfully claim a spot near Taylor Dane. Ms. LaBelle’s upcoming debut album is the collaborative brainchild of both Pharrell Williams and Jermaine Dupri. Make sure you catch what she’s working with at the SuperLounge stage on Saturday, July 7.
A former host of BET’s 106 & Park, Terrence J is doing quite well for himself, Joining the cast of The Game recently as well as landing a starring role in Steve Harvey’s box office hit Think Like a Man. This baby-faced actor will be stopping by the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience on Friday, July 6, for the sure-to-be-hot panel “What Men Want.” Oh boy.