Other artists on the main stage bill throughout the three-day festival include Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, The Isley Brothers, comedian Steve Harvey, Al Green and Angie Stone.

In addition to the mainstage performances, the Superdome has four “superlounge” stages set up in its hallways where an eclectic mix of hip-hop, blues, funk and world music will be featured. Performers for the superlounge stages include Me’shell Ndegeocello, The Roots, Etta James, De La Soul, Average White Band and Femi Kuti.

The Essence Music Festival initially started as a one-time celebration of Essence Magazine’s 25th anniversary. Its success, however, persuaded Essence to make it an annual event with three days of seminars in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and three nights of concerts in the Superdome.

This year’s event takes place July 4-6. Tickets for reserved floor seats range from $65 to $100, with balcony seats going at $30 to $50.