Kanye West will headline the 2011 Essence Music Festival in July.
Kanye will hit the stage during the three-day festival, which will also feature performances by Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic, Irma Thomas, MC Lyte, Charlie Wilson, Fantasia, Boyz II Men, Rebirth Brass Band, TBC Brass Band others.
The President of Essence Communications Inc was quoted saying
“Essence is proud to present our most beloved and rising talent across all R&B categories for our first announcement. We listen to our audience and the performers in our first roll-out are the musicians they want to see under one roof over the Fourth of July weekend.”
“Our mission this year was to celebrate community through the prism of the art form that continues to tell our reader’s stories: R&B.”
Over 400,000 people are expected to attend the 2011 Essence Music Festival, which will take place on July 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
According Ebanks, more artists will be announced in the months and weeks leading up to the Essence Music Festival, which celebrates its 17th year.
