*New Orleans, LA – The 2015 Essence Festival, held July 2nd -July 5th, is now in its 21st year of showcasing incredible musical talent by some of today’s most notable artists in the genres of R&B, hip-hop, neo-soul, soul, jazz, funk, and gospel.
This year’s festival had a record number of attendees, topping out at nearly 500,000! Interspersed with empowerment seminars, information sessions, motivational speakers, lecture series, and daytime as well as nighttime performances, the festival (one of the largest in the country!) attracts people from all over the world as well.
Some of this year’s guest speakers included Iyanla Vanzant, Dr. Steve Perry, Deepak Chopra, Jussie Smollett and Donna Brazile just to name a few. From politicians to exercise gurus, to reality show celebrities, and everyone in between, the 2015 Essence Festival had a multitude of offerings.
With major sponsors such as Verizon, Samsung, Coca-Cola, and McDonald’s, the Essence Festival is a multi-day fete comprised of musical entertainment, food, celebrity sightings, and festivities for all, not to mention the one-of-a-kind experience you get just from being in  New Orleans,  “The Big Easy.”
Some of the main stage performers this year included KEM, Usher, “Uncle” Charlie Wilson, Kendrick Lamar, Floetry, Common, Mary J. Blige, with Missy Elliott delivering one of the most high-intensity and rousing performances ever seen at Essence! Though her set came with technical/production snafus, Missy Elliott still conquered the stage.
As we said in the headline, EURweb had the opportunity to interview serenader KEM immediately after his set, as well as the talented Lalah Hathaway, and new Christian rap artist Dee-1 (a New Orleans native). Take a look below at the video and the many pics of the celebs that stopped by the PR room!
Photos/story by Madge Evans, Atlanta based EURweb Associate
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