Entertainment Powerhouse Queen Latifah Added To 2018 Essence Festival Concert Series

First-Ever ESSENCE Fest Performance Rounds Out All-Star Roster of Iconic Women including Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Xscape and More

NEW YORK, April 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — For the first time in the event’s history, a special performance by multi-talented rapper, singer, actress and producer, Queen Latifah, has been added to the all-star line up for this summer’s ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola concert series, taking place July 6-8 in New Orleans, LA.

Commemorating three decades in the entertainment business, the Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy and SAG Award recipient will be performing alongside Mary J. Blige and Xscape during the Festival’s second evening on Saturday, July 7in the Louisiana Superdome. Queen Latifah rounds out a stellar performance roster spotlighting women, including Janet Jackson, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and more. The full night-by-night lineup is available here. Single-night tickets are on sale now.

Since the debut release of her classic album All Hail the Queen, Latifah has consistently promoted a message of positivity, empowerment, leadership, fearlessness and unity among women–specifically, young women of color. Fans will be treated to a slew of the Queen’s most popular records including U.N.I.T.Y, Ladies First and Bananas [Who You Gonna Call?], along with a few thrilling surprises.

Join the Festival community by following us on Twitter, @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2018 ESSENCE Festival^® on Facebook. For more information about ticket sales and accommodations and for the latest news about the ESSENCE Festival^®, visit www.essencefestival.com,

The ESSENCE Festival^® is executive produced by ESSENCE Festivals LLC, a division of ESSENCE Communications Inc., and is produced by Solomon Group.

Sponsors of the 2018 ESSENCE Festival^® in New Orleans include presenting sponsor Coca-Cola and major sponsors AT&T, Ford, McDonald’s, State Farm and Walmart.

About Essence Communications Inc.

Essence Communications is the number one media company dedicated to Black women and inspires a global audience of more than 15 million through diverse storytelling and immersive original content. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, experiential and online, ESSENCE encompasses its signature magazine; digital, video and social platforms; television specials; books; as well as live events, including Black Women in Music, Black Women in Hollywood, Street Style and the ESSENCE Festival. Essence Communications is owned by Essence Ventures, an independent African-American owned company focused on merging content, community and commerce to meet the evolving cultural and lifestyle needs of women of color.

SOURCE Essence Communications Inc.