R&B Newcomer Kehlani Added to the 2016 ESSENCE Festival Lineup

The ESSENCE Festival is known to break, and spotlight, some of the hottest artists in music each year. While our mainstage celebrates the musicians we’re all familiar with, the Superlounge is where Festival attendees get to discover new artists. Today, we’re announcing an addition to our lineup you can’t miss.

R&B newcomer Kehlani got her start on the primetime show, America’s Got Talent in 2011. At the time, she was performing with a group called PopLyfe and even got to share the stage with her idol, Stevie Wonder.

Soon after leaving PopLyfe, she stepped out on her own and released a mixtape called Cloud 19 in 2014 to the legions of fans she gained from America’s Got Talent. The next summer, the Oakland native released her second project, You Should Be Here on Soundcloud. Within 24 hours, it had over a million plays..

Check Out the FULL 2016 ESSENCE Festival Lineup

Now, the 20-year-old singer is setting out on her first international tour to meet with the very fans who got her where she is today. One of the most important stops she will make is at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her.

Purchase your tickets, here and keep up to date with more artist announcements by following @ESSENCEFest on Twitter.