Mary J. Blige, JHud, Fantasia & More To Appear At The 2011 Essence Music Festival

Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Jill Scott, Kanye West, Charlie Wilson, Chaka Khan, New Edition, and Trey Songz and more are confirmed to appear at the 2011 Essence Music Festival.

“The Essence Music Festival is privileged to have over forty artists spanning the R&B, funk, soul, classics, hip-hop and neo-soul genres gathering to celebrate the Roots of R&B this Fourth of July weekend,” says Essence Communications President Michelle Ebanks. “We are looking forward to three nights of amazing performances, featuring an all-star cast of trailblazers such as El Debarge and New Edition; legends such as Chaka Khan and George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic; and fan favorites like Mary J. Blige and Trey Songz. There will be even more exciting performers announced soon!”

Here’s the night-by-night line-up:

Friday, July 1: Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Boyz II Men, Macy Gray, Dwele, Alexander O’Neal and Cherrelle, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Tank, Miguel, Mavis Staples, Irma Thomas

Saturday, July 2: Kanye West, Jill Scott, Charlie Wilson, Chaka Khan, El Debarge, Eric Benet, Timothy Bloom, Mint Condition, Hot 8 Brass Band, Stephanie Mills, Charmaine Neville Band, Naughty by Nature, To Be Continued Brass Band

Sunday, July 3: Mary J Blige, New Edition, Trey Songz, Kem, Hal Linton, Kourtney Heart, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Rebirth Brass Band, Kelly Price, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Trin-i-Tee 5:7, Brian Courtney Wilson, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Shamarr Allen and The Underdawgs

The theme of the fest this year is “The Roots of R&B.”

If you missed last year’s performances, check out the following:

VIDEO: T.I. & Mary J Rip The Stage At The Essence Music Festival

Pregnant Alicia Keys Takes A Spill At The Essence Music Festival