2011 Essence Music Festival Line-up!

R&B divas Chaka Khan and Jennifer Hudson are joining the 2011 lineup for the Essence Music Festival www.essencemusicfestival.com. The festival, which celebrates it's 17th year will be held fourth of July weekend in Beautiful New Orleans!

Festival officials said Tuesday they’ve also added Kem, Marcia Ambrosius, New Edition, Hal Linton, Eric Benet, Doug E. Fresh, Naughty By Nature and Vanessa Bell Armstrong to the roster of artists scheduled to perform in the Louisiana Superdome.

This year's festival headliners are Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, Jill Scott and Kanye West.

"We are celebrating the roots of R&B this Fourth of July weekend," said Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc. "From the powerhouse performances on the main stage to the more intimate jam sessions in the Superlounges, the Essence Music Festival offers blues, funk, classics and neo-soul that our audience craves to renew their spirit and connect to their joy."

Will you be attending the show this year?