ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL: JULY 2, 3 AND 4 IN NEW ORLEANS HAS ADDED ALICIA KEYS AND MORE THAN A DOZEN ACTS TO 2010 LINE-UP

ESSENCE
CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY AND
40 YEARS OF MUSIC WITH
ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL
THIS JULY 2, 3 AND 4
IN NEW ORLEANS

ALICIA KEYS
ADDED TO 2010
ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL
LINE-UP

ESTELLE, WAR, LL COOL J, TREY SONGZ,
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, MINT CONDITION,
MARY MARY AND MORE THAN A DOZEN ACTS
ADDED TO ANNUAL WEEKEND-LONG CELEBRATION
OF MUSIC, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

Grammy Award-winner and multi-platinum superstar Alicia Keys is the latest headliner announced for the 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL set for this July 2, 3 and 4 in New Orleans.  The three-time ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL performer joins a line-up featuring some of today's greatest African-American artists including previously announced headliner and official spokesperson Mary J. Blige, along with Earth, Wind and Fire, Gladys Knight, Keri Hilson, Jill Scott, Raphael Saadiq, Charlie Wilson, De La Soul, Chrisette Michele, Joe, Laura Izibor and Melanie Fiona.  

This year’s multi-generational list of performers not only celebrates ESSENCE’s 40-year commitment to music, but also honors the local music of New Orleans.  Other acts just added to the annual weekend-long celebration of music, culture and community include Arrested Development, Big Sam's Funky Nation, DJ Soul Sister, Estelle, Hot 8 Brass Band, Irma Thomas, Irvin Mayfield and NOJO, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers, Lalah Hathaway, Leo Jackson and the Melody Clouds, Little Freddie King, LL Cool J, Mary Mary, Mint Condition, Monica, Rebirth Brass Band, Sam & Ruby, Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Trey Songz and WAR.

Last year, the ultimate destination for entertainment, empowerment, culture and community celebrated its 15th anniversary with a record-breaking 428,000 attendees.  What began in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ESSENCE magazine has now grown into one of the country's "Top 10 Leading Brand Events" by Advertising Age.  

The ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL is the nation's largest annual gathering of African-American music and culture; in its 16-year history, it has featured an array of performers including Alicia Keys, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Chaka Khan, Destiny's Child, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight, LL Cool J, Jamie Foxx, John Legend, Kanye West, The Isley Brothers, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, Maxwell, The O'Jays, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Toni Braxton, Patti LaBelle and Yolanda Adams.

The presenting sponsor for the 2010 Essence Music Festival is Coca-Cola.   Other 2010 sponsors include Coors Light, CoverGirl Queen, Ford, McDonald's, Olay, Pantene, U.S. Army and My Black is Beautiful.

The 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL is executive produced by Essence Festivals LLC and produced by Rehage Entertainment. Essence Festivals LLC is a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI).

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.:
Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media and communications company dedicated to African-American women.  With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is “Where Black Women Come First”.  The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood, Window on Our Women (WOW I & II) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 40 years, ESSENCE magazine, which has a brand reach of over 8 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women’s lives.  Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.

ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL: ESSENCE CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY AND 40 YEARS OF MUSIC WITH ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL THIS JULY 2, 3 AND 4 IN NEW ORLEANS; ALICIA KEYS ADDED TO 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL LINE-UP; ESTELLE, WAR, LL COOL J, TREY SONGZ, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, MINT CONDITION, MARY MARY AND MORE THAN A DOZEN ACTS ADDED TO ANNUAL WEEKEND-LONG CELEBRATION OF MUSIC, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY