Janet Jackson Headlining Essence Music Festival 2010 in July

by Jacob Zinn | March 30, 2010 at 09:00 am

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Janet Jackson will headline the first night of this year’s Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, happening July 2 to 4.

Jackson announced March 30 she will be playing the main stage of the contemporary African American music festival with Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys.

This will be the festival’s 16th year since it was started by Essence, an African American women’s magazine.

This year's Essence Music Festival line-up is headed up by 3 of the most talented and powerful women in music today,” said Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc.”With the return of both Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys, and the first-ever performance from Janet Jackson, I can't think of a better way to celebrate Essence [magazine]'s 40th anniversary.

Other main stage acts include:

Earth, Wind & Fire
Keri Hilson
Gladys Knight
LL Cool J
Monica
Jill Scott

The festival also has a lounge with such acts as Arrested Development, Estelle, De La Soul and War. As well, seminars on women’s celebration and African American education will be held by such outspoken celebrities as Steve Harvey, Bill Cosby and Reverend Al Sharpton.

Janet Jackson's New Album, Film and Tour

Recently, Jackson recorded a song titled Nothing for the Tyler Perry film, Why Did I Get Married Too?—which she stars in—and is making a music video for the song. She has been making appearances on talk shows such as The Tonight Show, The Today Show and Oprah to promote the film.

Last year, Jackson announced she is planning a European tour to accompany her upcoming album, due to be released this year. She released her second greatest hits compilation, Number Ones, in November.

She also has a self-help book coming out titled True You.