Are you tired of going to that same 4th of July BBQ your Uncle Lester has every year? Head to New Orleans for the Essence Music Festival and check out performances from Beyonce, Al Green and Uncle Charlie instead!
Billboard recently announced that Charlie Wilson, Lionel Richie, Ryan Leslie, Melanie Fiona, and Little Freddie King have joined previously announced acts Beyonce, Al Green, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Maxwell, Robin Thicke, En Vogue, Keri Hilson, Janelle Monae, Jazmine Sullivan, Salt-N-Pepa, Raphael Saadiq, The Knux and Eric Benet on the lineup for the 2009 Essence Music Festival which takes place July 3-5 in New Orleans.
The festival will also include a special Essence tribute to Frankie Beverly and Maze, who will close out the weekend festivities. Frankie Beverly and Maze have been a part of the event since it began in 1995 and they're definitely a must see live performance. Here's a quick peek at last year's event:
I haven't been back to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, but I attended Essence Music Festival the year the Hurricane hit, in 2005. I had a great time, saw a lot of great shows and had some of the best meals I've ever eaten (nothing like the N.O. for music and food).
Who else has been? How was your Essence Music Festival experience? Talk to me :)
I've been hearing a lot of talk about Melanie Fiona and I understand why. I love her song "Give It To Me Right". I've been waiting for the right time to introduce her and I'm so glad she's been added to the Essence Music Festival lineup. Check out her EPK below:
That's a great EPK, I think the last one I saw that I liked that much was Chrisette Michele's. I definitely look forward to hearing more from Melanie Fiona. What did you guys think of her?
And since we also mentioned Lionel Richie, I should probably tell you that Nicole's dad just premiered his new video for "Just Go" featuring Akon.
I know y'all peeped Evan Ross in the video, I bet Diana and Lionel had an interesting chat about that move :). Lionel Richie + Akon = pretty damn melodic and catchy. It's good to see Lionel bridging the gap. Are you guys feeling the song?
Naw, cause all my uncle BBQ's be off da damn meat rack!!! It's more then just a BBQ, it's more like a block party...And that joint be like dat!!! What I am tired of though is Beyonce's ass....If I hear "Put a Ring On It" one more time I'm gonna divorce my wife...Lmao!!!
On a lighter note..After watching that Melanie Fiona piece, it felt like I just fell in love all over again...I guarentee once she touches US soil, she gonna be snatched up by some lame in the industry...
HELL YEA I WILL BE THERE BECAUSE THE QUEEN SASHA FIERCE IS HEADLINING.... I MEAN IM NOT SURPRISED....................LOL...LMAO...... AND CLO-FRESH GET USED TO IT FAGGOT BOY.........................
I went to the EMF last year. It was great.. they keep you busy with events at the convention center and the concerts were great. Friday's performance was for the younger crowd( Chris Brown Rhianna, and Kanye) Saturday was PATTI LABELLE... how can you top that .. and Sunday was Chris Rock and MJB.. Keyshia Cole also performed at did well considering!! They also have lots of events in the super lounge. Mary Mary debuted their Gospel song GET UP there ... they had motivational speakers and vendors.. They kept you busy..it was great fun.. My good friend and I went ..and we want to make it a tradition.. they announced the last night that Beyonce was going to be the headliner...so the build up has been tremendous...its a great time .. you wont see much of the devasation to the 9th Ward since everything in near the superdome...
I think its a trip worth making... expect to spend about 2k in all at minimum
Going to the EMF and need a hotel room for a reasonable price? Stay at the Marriott Springhill Suites at the Convention Center New Orleans for 3 nights $600 total. Limited rooms available. Contact Far Moore Travel at Farmooretravel@hotmail.com