The Essence Festival doesn’t disappoint with its 2012 star studded lineup. Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Bilge will headline the July 6-8 show in New Orleans, Louisiana. Other notables include Fantasia and SWV. A new batch of artists was also just announced: Marsha Ambrosius, Kirk Franklin, The Pointer Sisters, Teedra Moses, Kirk Franklin and R&B singer Tank all join the lineup.
It’s not just music in the Essence Festival lineup — there’s more than few unique speakers scheduled like Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Reverend Al Sharpton, and Steve Harvey.
Tickets to the 2012 Essence Festival range anywhere from $120-$750 for the weekend depending on how close you want to be the stars. There’s also hotel and VIP packages on the official Essence Festival website.
See the most current lineup in our the MFW Essence Festival Guide.
Essence Festival 2012 Lineup
Aretha Franklin
Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Bridget Kelly
Charlie Wilson
Dru Hill
Eric Roberson
Estelle
Fantasia
Fred Hammond
Goapele
Keyshia Cole
Khris Royal & Dark Matter
Kindred the Family Soul
Kirk Franklin
Ledisi
Luke James
Marsha Ambrosius
Mary J. Bilge
Mary Mary
Maurette Brown Clark
Raheem Devaughn
Stephanie Mills
SWV
Tank
Teedra Moses
The Original Pinettes Brass Band
The Pointer Sisters
The Stooges Brass Band
The Stylistics
Vivian Green
via Essence Festival