Mary J. Blige

Some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop and R&B took the stage this weekend at the Superdome in New Orleans for the 2008 Essence Music Festival which ran from July 4th-6th. An estimated 270,000 people converged upon the crescent city, to attend three days of music, partying, and empowering seminars.

Chris Brown

Stars such as Patti Labelle, Mary J. Blige, Chris Rock, Chris Brown, and Rihanna performed for standing room only crowds as the event drew it’s largest number of attendees since the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe. Also performing were Kanye’ West, Keisha Cole, LL Cool J, Jill Scott, and J. Holiday. It was the perfect blend of new school meets old school, and both the audience and the artists reflected it.

Rihanna

The Essence Festival is the largest African American music festival in the country, and this was the 14th year that the event was hosted in the BIG Easy. The festival began in 1995 as a one time event to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence Magazine. It has since grown to become one of the most branded events in music.

The three day event not only features the most popular music and the biggest stars, but also presents empowerment seminars, with some the most motivational speakers ever to take a stage. This year, Bill Cosby, Tavis Smiley, Tyler Perry, Bishop T.D. Jakes, and syndicated radio jock, Tom Joyner addressed audiences.

Keisha Cole

The festival committee didn’t take long to get back to work after the event ended, announcing today the headliner for next year’s event. Beyonce’ will be making her third appearance at the festival in 2009.