Nine-time Grammy winner, Mary J. Blige, is truly “Just Fine” these days — if you overlook the minor annoyance of having to knock hubby Kendu Issacs upside the head recently. With a hot new album, endorsement deals, and now having been chosen as the official spokesperson for the popular ESSENCE Music Festival, she has the game on lock. She’s also the first confirmed headliner for the event, to be held July 2, 3 and 4 in New Orleans.
“We’re thrilled to have Mary J. Blige on board for this year’s Essence Music Festival,” said Michelle Ebanks, president, ESSENCE Communications Inc. “Her history with the Essence brand, both with the festival and the magazine, makes her a great spokesperson for this year’s festival and we’re looking forward to working with her over the next few months.”
The ESSENCE Music Festival is the nation’s largest annual event highlighting African American music and culture, and last year celebrated its 15th anniversary with a record-breaking 428,000 attendees.
This year, the festival will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of ESSENCE magazine, and a limited number of special weekend ticket packages are available now. For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE Music Festival, visit www.essence.com.
This year’s presenting sponsor will be Coca-Cola. –gerald radford
