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Home · Photos

2009 ESSENCE Music Festival

2009 ESSENCE Music Festival Gallery
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
2009 Essence Music Festival Begins

The movers and shakers behind the ESSENCE Music Festival gathered for a group picture, which includes president Michelle Ebanks, editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray, general manager Joy Collins, mayor Ray C. Nagin, and CNN’s Roland Martin.

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02
Her Majesty Is in the House

Queen Latifah arrives backstage to the Ernest Morial Convention Center to speak during the ESSENCE Music Festival empowerment seminars.

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03
Beauty Is…

Cover Girl spokesperson Queen Latifah gives real beauty advice with celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine.

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04
Glory! Glory!

Dr. Juanita Bynum arrives backstage to the Ernest Morial Convention Center to speak during the ESSENCE Music Festival empowerment seminars.

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05
Dynamic Divas

ESSENCE beauty director and cover editor Mikki Taylor and Dr. Juanita Bynum.

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06
Sister Love

Dr. Juanita Bynum and fitness guru Donna Richardson show each other love.

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07
Picture Perfect

Queen Latifah, ESSENCE editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray and makeup artist extraordinaire Sam Fine pose for the camera.

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08
He Is Legend

Grammy winner and singer-songwriter John Legend arrives at the convention center festivities during the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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09
Holding Court

Senior Editor Patrik Henry Bass leading Friday’s ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.

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10
Front Row Access

Attendees get a first row advantage at Friday’s ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.

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11
Screen Sirens

“Image vs. Reality” panelists (from left) Lisa Wu–Hartwell, Sharon Quinn, Holly Robinson Peete, NeNe Leakes and Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth.

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12
Group Hug

It’s all smiles for Sharon Quinn, (at far left) winner from “Mo’Nique’s Phat Chance,” “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast member Lisa Wu–Hartwell (second from left), General William E. Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, based in Stuttgart, Germany (center) and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast member NeNe Leakes (at right).

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13
Happy Times

Lisa Wu–Hartwell gets love from her hubby Ed (at left) and ESSENCE.com managing editor Emil Wilbekin, backstage at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.

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14
Nothing But Love

Reality TV stars NeNe Leakes, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth and Lisa Wu–Hartwell make nice with fitness star Donna Richardson (far right).

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15
Let’s Hear it for the Girls

Donna Richardson (at far left), NeNe Leakes (second from right) and Lisa Wu–Hartwell (right).

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16
Power in Threes

ESSENCE.com managing editor Emil Wilbekin, Donna Richardson and ESSENCE president Michelle Ebanks.

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17
Backstage Bonzana

(From left) Steve Harvey, Roland Martin, Finesse Mitchell, LeBron Joseph, Angela Burt-Murray, Ginuwine, Malik Yoba, Ed Gordan, Holly Robinson Peete and Lamman Rucker.

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18
May I Have Your Attention Ladies?

“Black Men Unplugged” moderator Malik Yoba.

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19
You Have Our Attention

An audience sits captivated at Friday’s ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

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20
Sideway Swagger

Ginuwine gets ready to tell it like it is during the “Black Men Unplugged” panel.

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21
Man of the Hour

CNN’s Roland Martin

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22
These Good Men

“Black Men Unplugged” panelists (from left): Lamman Rucker, Roland Martin, Ginuwine, Finesse Mitchell, Malik Yoba and Ed Gordon.

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23
Young Love

ESSENCE magazine columnist Finesse Mitchell and his wife get cozy at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.

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24
The Boys, They Love Me

Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth gets adored by CNN’s Roland Martin and ESSENCE.com managing editor Emil Wilbekin.

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25
We Have Energy for Keri Hilson

Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson has her hands on Keri Hilson’s debut album at the Walmart booth, inside the Morial Convention Center.

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26
Miss Keri Baby

Keri Hilson gives her fans some love at the Walmart booth during the ESSENCE Music Festival festivities inside the Morial Convention Center.

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27
Sign My Name

Singer-songwriter Keri Hilson signs copies of her new album “In a Perfect World.”

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28
“I Love in Your Book When You Wrote…”

TV actress Holly Robinson Peete and Steve Harvey talk Hollywood biz backstage.

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29
Remember Act Like a Lady…

Steve Harvey and “The View’s” Sherri Shepherd share a moment backstage at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.

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30
Fans, They Love Me

Steve Harvey embraces a loving fan backstage at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.

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31
They Send Us Swinging

Mint Condition performs at the McDonald’s booth at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.

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32
Nothing But Mint

Mint Condition jam at the McDonald’s booth inside the Ernest Morial Convention Center, during the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.

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33
She’s Decided

Solange opens her set at the Lincoln superlounge during the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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34
Solo Star

Solange performs at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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35
Access Granted

Solange backstage during her show at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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36
Ladies First

Sandra “Pepa” Denton and Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt N Pepa were the first act to perform on the ESSENCE Music Festival mainstage.

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37
Girl Power

Salt N Pepa take the audience back to the golden days of hip hop with their classic hits.

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38
On The Wheels…

DJ Spinderella spins the backbeats of Salt N’ Pepa’s greatest hits.

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39
Sexy Serenade

Ne-Yo, in his signature hat, hits the right notes to make the women in the audience scream.

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40
Paying Tribute

Singer/songwriter Ne-Yo belts out a Michael Jackson tune during the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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41
The Year of Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo high steps it on Friday night at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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42
Calling to the Stage

John Legend makes his way to the mainstage for his ESSENCE Music Festival performance.

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43
I Am Legend

John Legend’s performance proves his staying power.

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44
No Ordinary Singer

Singer-songwriter John Legend commands the mainstage.

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45
Give Me the Greenlight

John Legend evolves at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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46
Crazy for Beyoncé

Beyoncéopens with “Crazy in Love” as she closes the Friday night ESSENCE Music Festival.

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47
No. 1 Diva

Beyonce and her backup dancers in 3-D at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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48
Top of Her Game

Beyonce at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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49
London Calling

British artist Estelle supports John Legend for his performance at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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50
Don’t Hurt ‘Em

CNN’s Roland Martin busts a move for TV One correspondent Cynthia Garrett.

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51
Loungin’

ESSENCE’s Mikki Taylor smiles in the VIP Lounge during the Friday night performances.

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52
What a Man, What a Man

BET’s Alisha Renee (at left) and “Access Hollywood’s” Shaun Robinson enjoy a backstage moment with August 2009 cover man Idris Elba.

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53
Real Beauty

(from left) Gabrielle Union, ESSENCE editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray and Sanaa Lathan strike a pose Friday night in the VIP Lounge.

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54
On the Record

John Legend sits for an interview at the Empowerment Seminars during day two of the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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55
EMF New Artist: Ryan Leslie

First-time ESSENCE Music Festival performer Ryan Leslie.

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56
Mighty Brian

Singer-songwriter Brian McKnight after a radio interview at the ESSENCE Music Festival

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57
The Power of Two

Sandra “Pepa” Denton and Cheryl “Salt” James speak at the Empowerment Seminars at ESSENCE Music Festival.

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58
Crowd Pleasing

Audiences wait to see who’s next at ESSENCE Music Festival convention center.

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59
Louisiana Royalty

Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu addresses the Empowerment Seminars at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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60
I’m the One That They Call Queen

Queen Latifah signs pictures at the My Black is Beautiful booth at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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61
My Life in Pictures

ESSENCE’s August 2009 cover model, Idris Elba screams at his first solo cover.

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62
What a Fan

An ESSENCE Music Festival fan gets backstage love from Idris Elba.

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63
It’s So Nice to Meet You

ESSENCE general manager Joy Collins greets Idris Elba.

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64
I Can See Clearly Now

“Meet the Browns” Lamman Rucker (at left) and ESSENCE Music Festival mainstage host Johnathan Slocumb.

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65
Up Next…

ESSENCE.com news editor Wendy Wilson introduces Bill Cosby during the empowerment seminars at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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66
The One and Only: Dr. Bill Cosby

Dr. Bill Cosby at the empowerment seminars during the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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67
Much Love for Bill

(from left) Wendy Wilson (ESSENCE.com), Dr. Bill Cosby, Angela Burt-Murray (ESSENCE), and Tom Joyner.

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68
Let Me Tell You Something

Leonard Murray and Dr. Bill Cosby backstage at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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69
Continuing the Legacy

Etienne LeGrand, president and director of the W.E.B. DuBois Society and Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP president, at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment seminars.

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70
EMF New Artist: Melanie Fiona

Superlounge artist Melanie Fiona at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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71
When Your Spirit Calls

Bishop T.D. Jakes signs his latest book at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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72
Raye of Light

LisaRaye McCoy shows off her new TV One poster.

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73
Family Affair

(from left) Ed Gordon, CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, Malaak Compton-Rock, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, and Dr. Calvin Mackie, after their “State of the Black Family” panel during the Empowerment Seminars at the ESSENCE Music Festival

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74
Better Judgement

Judge Penny Brown Reynolds speaking during the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminars

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75
Class

Malaak Compton-Rock, during her Empowerment Seminar panel at the ESSENCE Music Festival

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76
She’s Got the Look

Lisa Wu-Hartwell shows off her funky patterned dress at the ESSENCE music Festival.

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Fearless

Jazmine Sullivan, Saturday night at the Superdome, moments before performing chart-toppers from “Fearless”, her debut album.

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79
New Kid on The Block

Jazmine Sullivan performs for the first time at the ESSENCE Music Festival

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80
On Bended Knee

Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan gets down for Festival-goers.

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81
Mayor’s Night Out

New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin enjoying the performances at the Superdome Saturday night.

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82
Dapper

Singer, songwriter Brian McKnight wears white well at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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83
Hallowed Hip-Hop

Bishop T.D. Jakes (left) and hip-hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh in the VIP Lounge at the Superdome Saturday night.

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84
Showing love

ESSENCE president Michelle Ebanks and Bishop T.D. Jakes smile for the camera at an ESSENCE Music Festival event.

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85
Bringing the Funk

Charlie Wilson moves the audience with his mix of funk and soul sounds.

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86
Last Name…

Wilson had the audience singing with him during his performance of “Charlie, Last Name Wilson.”

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87
Super Fly

Sometimes referred to as Uncle Charlie, Charlie Wilson keeps it fresh and clean.

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88
Ryan Leslie

The singer gives CNN a pre-performance soundbite, Saturday night.

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89
“How It Used to Be”

Ryan Leslie performs his signature hit in the ESSENCE Music Festival Superlounge Saturday night.

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90
Work It Out

Ryan Leslie leaves it all on the stage during his performance.

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91
Superstars

Janelle Monae parties with Laurie-Ann Gibson inside the Super Dome.

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Ballin’

Dwyane Wade (left) and Chris Paul in the VIP Lounge at the Superdome Saturday night.

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95
The Evolution of Thicke

From his early days as a long-haired crooner to his recent short crop, Robin Thicke keeps it sexy and cool for his fans.

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96
Blue-eyed Soul

Robin Thicke returns to the ESSENCE Music Festival mainstage.

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97
Must Be Magic

Grammy-award winner Robin Thicke hypnotizes the audience with his tunes.

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98
One More Once

Robin Thicke directs his band during his Saturday night ESSENCE Music Festival performance.

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She Brings Us Joy

Anita Baker shares a laugh with Tom Joyner before she takes ESSENCE Music Festival audiences on a musical ride.

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101
Enraptured

Anita Baker performs her classic hits—“Good Love,” “Giving You the Best That I Got,” and “Mystery”—Saturday night at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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102
Keep Reaching

During her performance, Anita Baker praises ESSENCE magazine for encouraging the city of New Orleans to recover.

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103
BFF 4 Lyfe

Gal pals Sanaa Lathan and Gabrielle Union enjoyed the Festival together.

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104
Who Said Three’s a Crowd?

Sanaa Lathan, LisaRaye McCoy and Gabrielle Union relax in the VIP Lounge Saturday at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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Festival Top Model

The beautiful Eva Pigford backstage Saturday night at the Superdome.

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Whenever, Wherever, Whatever

Maxwell makes his ESSENCE Music Festival debut Saturday night.

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Don’t You Ever Wonder?

After seven years out of the spotlight, Maxwell readies for his new album “BlackSummersNight” on Tuesday, July 7.

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113
The Magic of Maxwell

Maxwell gives the ladies in the audience something they can feel when he performs Saturday night at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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114
Black Is Beautiful

Maxwell brings sexy back in all black at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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115
Sign Here, Please

The sisters of Mary Mary sign autographs for their fans.

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Can I Get an Amen?

Kirk Franklin lifts Him up.

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Stomp!

Kirk Franklin motivates the crowd.

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Cool, Calm and Collected

Kirk Franklin looks dapper on the red carpet.

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Casual Chic

Gabrielle Union doesn’t show any nervousness as she prepares to take the stage.

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Give It to Me Right

Melanie Fiona performs her hit song inside the Super Dome.

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Old School Flavor

Raphael Saadiq serenades the crowd in style.

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Who’s Boss?

Teena Marie proves she still has the fire and desire.

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138
Red Lady

Teena Marie gets down with her band.

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139
Presenting Mr. Green

Al Green croons to the ladies with a red rose in hand.

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Let’s Stay Together

Al Green brings back the good times for the crowd at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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All Night Long

Lionel Richie was worth the wait when he took the stage at the ESSENCE Music Festival.

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143
Reunited

Lionel Richie took the stage with the Commodores to sing some of their hit songs.

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Happy Feelin’s

Frankie Beverly brings the crowd to its feet with Maze’s classic hits.

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Lights, Camera, Action

As Maze featuring Frankie Beverly took the stage, the dazzling light show at the ESSENCE Music Festival wowed the crowd.

2009 ESSENCE Music Festival
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