Some of music’s biggest voices are headed to New Orleans. Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, and Fantasia have been announced as performers for this year’s ESSENCE Music Festival.

Celebrating “The Power of Our Voice,” the 18th annual event will be held at the Louisiana Superdome during the weekend of July 6-8. This year’s lineup boasts veterans and newcomers including Aretha Franklin, Charlie Wilson, SWV, Dru Hill, Ledisi, Stephanie Mills, Raheem DeVaughn, Estelle, Goapele, Vivian Green, Kindred the Family Soul, Luke James, Eric Roberson, The Stylistics, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Bridget Kelly, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, The Stooges Brass Band, and Khris Royal & Dark Matter.

The legendary Aretha Franklin, who performed at the Festival in 1995 and 2005, will also be honored with “The Power Award.”

“The theme of this year’s Essence Music Festival celebrates our most powerful voices. Whether it’s Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul commanding respect or Rep. Maxine Waters demanding better conditions for our community, these powerful voices resonate with our audience like no other,” said Michelle Ebanks, president, Essence Communications Inc. “As we all face a new reality in these critical times, we want to inspire our Festival-goers to leave this year’s Festival even more resilient and motivated so that they can be empowered to create change in their own communities.”

Weekend ticket packages are available now.

The ESSENCE Music Festival came to a close on Sunday with headliner Mary J. Blige. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul reigned over the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans with a retrospective of her hits, ranging from “Real Love” to “The One.” Earlier in the evening, Trey Songz catered to the mostly female audience with his sexy set and New Edition reunited onstage for the first time since 1996. Other acts on the final day’s lineup included Kelly Price, MC Lyte, and George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic.

Kanye West capped off Day 2 of the ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans with an unforgettable evening of artistry. ‘Ye, who’s been playing festivals around the world, performed a similar set to Coachella, opening with “POWER” against a Greek art-deco backdrop. Dressed in a white blazer, jeans, and black fringe sneakers, he delivered an epic performance that included ballerinas, lasers, and fireworks. He closed with the emotional “Hey Mama,” leaving over 40,000 concertgoers in the Louisiana Superdome with a deeper appreciation for his musical genius.

According to Ryan Seacrest, a new single from Watch the Throne will arrive by mid-July with the long-awaited album to follow in August. There are also talks of a potential Kanye/Jay-Z tour to follow.

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.

Kanye West and Mary J. Blige are headed down south. The superstars have been tapped to headline the 17th Annual ESSENCE Music Festival, taking place from July 1-3 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

The three-day fest will also feature performances on the main stage from Trey Songz and Jill Scott, as well as Fantasia, Charlie Wilson, and Boyz II Men. Others set to entertain festivalgoers include Macy Gray, Dwele, Tank, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Mint Condition, and more.

Last year saw performances from Janet Jackson, Blige, Estelle, and a pregnant Alicia Keys. Tickets for this year’s festival are on sale now.

Before making his way to the ESSENCE Festival, Kanye will headline the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., on April 17.

The ESSENCE Music Festival went down in July in New Orleans, but professional footage of the show has recently become available online. If you weren’t at the Louisiana Superdome, catch Janet Jackson’s much-talked-about headlining set, from her 1989 hit “Rhythm Nation” to last year’s ballad “Nothing.” Trey Songz and LL Cool J provided eye candy for the ladies. The 25-year-old heartthrob made his female admirers sweat with his slow jams, while the original ladies man licked it up with “Doin’ It” and “Rock the Bells.”

Trey Songz celebrated Independence Day by performing on Day 3 of the ESSENCE Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. He and Mary J. Blige set off sparks when they dueted on their collaboration “We Got Hood Love.” “Just got off stage wit MjB…life is great!! Happy Independence Day, once again. I’m on cloud 99,” an overjoyed Trey tweeted.

Jill Scott, Earth, Wind & Fire, Estelle, and Melanie Fiona also participated in the final day of the festival.

Alicia Keys may sing about “Fallin’,” but this time she really did it. The pregnant songstress fell backwards while performing “Love Is Blind” at the ESSENCE Music Festival on Saturday (July 3). But Ms. Keys kept it moving, getting right back up and playing the piano. A concertgoer can be heard asking, “Did she mean to do that?” Now that’s when you know you’re a true pro!

Keri Hilson graced the ESSENCE Music Festival stage for the second straight year, singing her own hits and songs on which she’s featured, including Trina’s “Million Dollar Girl” and T.I.’s “Got Your Back.” But the biggest surprise came when she brought out comeback kid El DeBarge to duet on “I Like It” at the Louisiana Superdome.

Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, T.I., Trey Songz, Mystikal, LL Cool J, and Gladys Knight also made appearances on Day 2 of the festival in New Orleans.

After being asked numerous times over the last 15 years to perform, Janet Jackson finally accepted ESSENCE’s invitation to headline this year’s ESSENCE Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on Friday (July 2). “They’ve asked me for a while to be a part of the festival and my schedule never really permitted it,” Ms. Jackson explained to CNN.

The pop superstar, dressed as a futuristic dominatrix, pleased old and new fans with material including “The Pleasure Principle,” “Control,” “Rhythm Nation,” and her latest single “Nothing.” She even catered to one lucky male fan onstage in an S&M sequence, complete with whips and a straitjacket.

Monica, Charlie Wilson, Raphael Saadiq, and Chrisette Michele also performed earlier in the day.