2012 Essence Music Festival In New Orleans [VIDEO]

They don't call it a party with a purpose for nothing. The Essence Music Festival has been a staple in the New Orleans area since 1995.

The only exception was win it was held in Houston in 2006 due to the damage hurricane Katrina left on the city. Other than that, Essence belongs to New Orleans. FYI, it is THE largest event celebrating African American culture and music in the United States. The 3-day festival takes place every year during the 4th of July holiday and every year the line-up is out of this world.

HERE'S A LITTLE SAMPLE FROM LAST YEAR!

NEW EDITION

BOYZ II MEN

MARY J. BLIGE

JILL SCOTT

This year the schedule is as follows:

FRIDAY BLOCK PARTY

Get in on the Festival Block Party Second Line! Meet us on Friday, July 6 at 2pm at Canal and St. Charles Streets as we kick of the FREE Block Party. Dance with celebrities, performers and New Orleans own Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club all the way to Champions Square. Sponsored by Verizon Wireless:

Amanda Seales - HOST

Doug E. Fresh

Carla B. Ferrell - From the Steve Harvey Morning Show

Beverly Bond

Kourtney Heart

DJ Captain Charles

FRIDAY-MAIN STAGE-HOSTED BY NEPHEW TOMMY

CHARLIE WILSON

D'ANGELO

TREY SONGZ

KEYSHIA COLE

THE POINTER SISTERS

FRIDAY-SUPER LOUNGE

Coca-Cola Super Lounge features Rebirth Brass Band, Stephanie Mills and Gary Clark Jr.

Ford Super Lounge features SWV and Goapele.

McDonald's Super Lounge features Marsha Ambrosius, Q Parker, Super Jay, Greta Prince and Khris Royal & Dark Matter.

Verizon Wireless Super Lounge features Kindred The Family Soul and Vivian Green.

SATURDAY - BLOCK PARTY

Doug E, Carla, DJ Captain Charles and Amanda all return along with

MC Lyte

Dee-1

SATURDAY-MAIN STAGE-HOSTED BY NEPHEW TOMMY

MARY J. BLIGE

KEVIN HART

LEDISI

TANK

MARY MARY

SATURDAY- SUPERLOUNGE

Coca-Cola Super Lounge features Dru Hill and The Original Pinettes Brass Band.

Ford Super Lounge features Big Sam's Funky Nation, Stephanie Mills and Leah LaBelle.

McDonald's Super Lounge features Eric Roberson and Teedra Moses.

Verizon Wireless Super Lounge features The Stylistics and Robert Glasper Experiment

SUNDAY - BLOCK PARTY

Doug E, Carla, DJ Captain Charles and Amanda all return along with

Spinderella and F. Stokes

SUNDAY-MAIN STAGE

ARETHA FRANKLIN

CHAKA KHAN

ANTHONY HAMILTON

FANTASIA

KIRK FRANKLIN

SUNDAY- SUPERLOUNGE

Coca-Cola Super Lounge features Estelle and Luke James

Ford Super Lounge features Raheem DeVaughn and Bridget Kelly

McDonald's Super Lounge features Melanie Fiona, Carl Thomas and Alex Boyd

Verizon Wireless Super Lounge features Eve and The Stooges Brass Band

The empowerment seminars take place each day of the festival at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Join in on the unforgettable discussions on the power of family, community and the power of your spirit with the people, policy makers, performers, thinkers and leaders that matter most to your world. This is free for all. Doors open at 9 a.m. Pre-show from 9 to 11 a.m. Opening remarks begin at 11 a.m. See and here from the likes of Steve Harvey, Michelle Williams,Trina & Tamar Braxton, Shirley Strawberry, Lisa Raye, Soledad O'Brien and many many more! Get more details on tickets, times and places here 2012 Essence Music Festival