The 2015 Essence Music Festival is upon us on July 2-5 at New Orleans’ Superdome and this year’s lineup is hot! With known favorites like Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar headlining the event, expect to also see confirmed artists like Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Esperanza Spalding, Teedra Moses, Bilal, Goapele, Lianne La Havas, Elle Varner and hip-hop icons Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, and Kool Moe Dee performing.
On-the-rise and talents including #TeamBeautiful fave Mali Music, SZA, Nico & Vinz, and Avery*Sunshine will be joining the roster too. And we saw a noticeable name we haven’t heard new music from in awhile…Tweet! She’s going to be there! Be sure to have her Southern Hummingbird album on deck on your way to the show!
Additional festivities will be a day party with Salt-n-Pepa’s Spinderella and Funkmaster Flex on the 1 and 2’s, and Kevin Hart will host a “Now Playing” concert.
Lawd, we’re excited for this! Bring on that neo-soul summer!
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, February 25.
Up Next: Big Sean’s New Single Features Kanye & He Mentions Chris Brown & Karrueche
Big Sean‘s Dark Sky Paradise is out February 24 and the track “All Your Fault” features a cameo from his G.O.O.D. Music boss Kanye West. Featured in West’s verse is a reference to the publicly tumultuous duo Chris Brown and Karrueche (aka #Chrae).
This couple regularly spills the tea on their good and bad days, but what was West calling out exactly by mentioning them? Peep the lyrics below to decide…
That’s that don’t play, whoo, that’s that new Ye
People sayin’ I’m the closest thing to Mike since Janet, whoo
Tom Cruise, homie, we jumpin’ up on them couches
That’s a fresh house, is that a guest house
Your house got another house
Your b*tch got a b*tch, your spouse got another spouse
Young Walt Disney, I’ma tell you truthfully
If you leave Mickey you gon’ end up with a Goofy
I imagine that’s what Chris told Karrueche
Girls be actin’ like it’s diamonds in they c**chie
I don’t give a f*ck, I don’t give a f*ck
Check out the love-bashing track below:
Up Next: Drake Is Out Here Pullin’ Beyonces & Setting Records
Drake‘s surprise album If You’re Reading This Its Too Late delighted his fanbase, even though we still can’t decide if the best tracks are the radio-single “Energy,” “Jungle,” or “6 God.” In just three days (from February 12), it sold 535,000 copies and 495,000 of those were digital sales. On Spotify, he set a new record for having the most album streams in its opening week, exceeding 17. 3 million plays.
Dayum! Well if you are late to the Drizzy party, at least get familiar with confrontational “Energy” that’s been blowing up!
Up NExt: TLC Exceeded Their Goal!
Remember when TLC announced they had launched a Kickstarter campaign for their next and final album? Their original goal of $150,000 has been trumped by a grand total of $430,255! 4,201 fans donated funds, including famous ones like Katy Perry who dropped $5,000 and their upcoming tour mates New Kids on the Block who gave $20,000.
T-Boz and Chilli campaigned endlessly on their Twitter page, where after they surpassed their goal, offered fans rewards to claim on Kickstarter, Meet and Greet packages and exclusive events to sign for, such as a T-Boz Slumber Party! They previously shared a statement to PEOPLE magazine about how much the support from music colleagues and their fans has meant to them: “Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for our fans for all of their amazing support. We feel so blessed to know that not only do our fans love us, but they believe in us.”
We’re definitely down to hear some new music from one of our favorite groups! Now what producers you think are going to be on the album?
