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Usher, Jennifer Hudson, & Fantasia Kick Off ESSENCE Music Festival

Fantasia

Thousands of music fans packed the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on Friday for the start of the 17th Annual ESSENCE Music Festival. The jam-packed lineup for Day 1 included Miguel, Tank, Charlie Wilson, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, and Usher.

“American Idol” alums Hudson and Fantasia shared the bill on the Main Stage. A glammed-up J-Hud delivered material from her latest album I Remember Me, while Tasia kicked off her shoes and took fans to church during her stirring set. ’90s groups Boyz II Men and Dru Hill resurfaced with nostalgic performances that appealed to older festivalgoers.

Headliner Usher closed out the day with his last big show of the year, tweeting, “To everybody that came to the show tonight…much love! I had an incredible time…as I told ya’ll last show this year on that level.”

LeToya Luckett soaked up the soulful sounds with fellow Houstonian Slim Thug and Mary J. Blige was honored for her philanthropic efforts at the 365 Black Awards.

Kanye West will headline tonight and Blige will round out the festival on Sunday.

Posted in ESSENCE Music Festival, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Photos, Usher | Permalink

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27 Comments

  1. Usher, Jennifer Hudson, & Fantasia Kick Off ESSENCE Music Festival | Flymindstate.com
    July 2nd, 2011 at 8:53 am

    [...] Hip-Hop and R&B Music, News, Photos, Interviews, & Videos [...]

  2. Lisa
    July 2nd, 2011 at 9:51 am

    I know Tasia kilt it!

    [Reply]

    listen Reply:
    July 3rd, 2011 at 9:04 am

    @Lisa, does she STILL have those braces!? damn!

    [Reply]

    kii Reply:
    July 5th, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    @Lisa, Yea, she kilt it all right! The buffet line backstage that is, sis!

    [Reply]

  3. tass
    July 2nd, 2011 at 10:03 am

    a lot of people on twitter said fantasia was off the chain

    [Reply]

  4. Marlon
    July 2nd, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    OMG I was here and Fantasia was the bomb.com… sorry Jennifer, sorry Usher..Hell Fantasia should have definitely headlined this festivial… i have a new found respect for her.. This woman is undeniably the Queen of R&B!!!! FANTASIA FANTASIA FANNNNNTASIA!

    [Reply]

    Charles Reply:
    July 2nd, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    @Marlon, I was here also and yes Tasia was good. However, so was all the others. Fantasia a headliner at the Essence Fest I don’t think so! She was good, but not great. Jhud and Usher did an amazing job. Tashia is no queen of anything in R&B period.

    [Reply]

    charles Reply:
    July 3rd, 2011 at 6:37 am

    @Charles, bitch shut the fuck up ho! she IS the queen..u QUEEN! sissy

    [Reply]

    Marlon Reply:
    July 5th, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    @charles, — Man please! i know i know, you the Queen.. Anyway bastard..I never said the others weren’t good, or had talent, nor was that my implication… She was the best! Alot of people are saying it, and yes MF, she is the Queen of R&B…period! J-hud didn’t outshine Fantasia… sorry,quit hating! Check out twitter..thats all you need to know..prag!

    [Reply]

    Diego Reply:
    July 3rd, 2011 at 9:28 am

    @Marlon, Exuse me Fantasia is good but dont disrespect the queen Mary J Fantasia has not had to hits to be deemed the queen Mary was named by Billboard Magazine the most successful Female R&B artist of the past 25 years. Fantasia can sing yes but her impact on R&B is nothing compared to Queen of R&B Mary J Blige

    [Reply]

    Marlon Reply:
    July 5th, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    @Diego, OMG do i have to educate you too! First of all, you don’t disrespect Fantasia.. She has been in the game working hard for 7 long MF years. She is a queen in her own right! No disrespect to Mary J.Blige either. She’s been in the game since like what 92… She is the Queen of “Hip Hop/Soul” and like many before her.. Aretha the Queen of Soul, Patti, Chaka.. all of them have vocally called Fantasia the new Queen and the best of her generation! Thats all you need to hear about that!! All hail the new Queen of R&B/Soul FANTASIA

    [Reply]

  5. uusher king of r&b ever
    July 2nd, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    usher the king forever number one

    [Reply]

  6. southizback
    July 2nd, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Ya know when ya girl gotta kick off her shoes that means she aint playin!!!!! True story

    I want some vids

    [Reply]

  7. Hugh
    July 2nd, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    Sisqo! He hasnt aged much in 10 years

    [Reply]

  8. norma
    July 2nd, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    Jhud known as the voice, and she did not disappoint. Her vocals are so easy on the ears. Its sound soooooo effortless. Jen is both amazing and incredible on the mic. There is never a need to second guest this singing sensation.

    [Reply]

    Marlon Reply:
    July 5th, 2011 at 5:15 pm

    @norma, LOL….wrong Norma! I’ve never heard anyone call Jhud the voice but in London, thats what they call Tasia.. Google it! and don’t get me wrong, Jhud is stunning and was great at the festivial. Ya’ll trippin like i’m trying to take something away from her by giving Fantasia props!! Fantasia just did a better job at entertaining.. thats all

    [Reply]

    kitty Reply:
    July 20th, 2011 at 12:55 am

    @norma, LOL “tasia just did a better job at entertaining”.
    That’s right! Fastasia was da bomb!
    JHud could have stayed home. Big voice and she does not know how to use it, and has NO personality!
    If anyone is still questioning how Tasis beat JHud on AI, go check out video from Essence 2011!
    Fastasia was da bomb, and YES she’s also da queen!!

    [Reply]

  9. charles
    July 3rd, 2011 at 6:35 am

    go tasia

    [Reply]

  10. Tracie
    July 3rd, 2011 at 8:07 am

    Fantasia is a true talent but she is looking hella bad these days. Maybe these are just unflattering pictures *shrugs*

    [Reply]

    Marlon Reply:
    July 5th, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    @Tracie, She doesn’t have a say in the pics they choose tracie.. maybe your mouth and the hate is unflattering.. not everyone is a dime sweety

    [Reply]

    kitty Reply:
    July 20th, 2011 at 12:56 am

    @Tracie, Fantasis has beautiful legs !

    [Reply]

  11. cj
    July 3rd, 2011 at 8:28 am

    Jennifer Hudson is a class act. Everything with and about her is so genuine. Love love love Jen!!!

    [Reply]

    kitty Reply:
    July 20th, 2011 at 1:00 am

    @cj, good somebody gotta love her, because she is not
    a “live” entertainer! What you’re calling a class act,
    I call it BORING!

    [Reply]

  12. Kshhhh
    July 3rd, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    Yes Jhud is a class act and will continue to go far. I wish them all great success…

    [Reply]

  13. Haiku
    July 4th, 2011 at 1:10 am

    THE PICTURE?!!!

    [Reply]

  14. Monica A
    July 5th, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    Sorry ya’ll but i have to definitely agree with Marlon.. Fantasia did the business and she kept me on my feet the entire time she was up there! Fantasia is so underrated and in my opinion as well, vocally, and entertainment wise, she was the best!! God bless everyone!

    [Reply]

  15. Rand0528
    July 6th, 2011 at 9:27 am

    Fantasia was the best at Essence that night. If I had to list in order it would be:#1-5; Charlie Wilson, Fantasia, Usher, BTM, JHud.
    Jhud was okay she just slowed down the night, people started leaving to see Tank. However Charlie lit-it-up again.
    Fantasia always brings it- true performer.

    [Reply]

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