Master P To Host Celebrity Basketball Game & National Day of Peace Rally At Essence Music Fest – Tha Wire

Today in Tha Wire the 2017 Essence Music Festival goes down in the N.O. in a couple of weeks, from June 29 - July 2.  Quite honestly this year's line-up, is one of the best in recent years.  It's so good, concert goers will find it extra hard to go from stage to stage and catch all their favorite artists:

John Legend, Chaka Khan, Chance The Rapper, Xcape, Mary J. Blige, Ro James, MC Lyte, Remy Ma, Lalah Hathaway, Michel'le, Monica, Kelly Price, Jill Scott, Solange will all be in the house, and that's just scratching the surface on this years performing artists. Not to mention all the New Orleans legends like Trombone Shorty, to Mystikal, Mia X, Silkk The Shocker, Cymphonique Miller, and her famous father Master P.  

By the way P is doing something HUGE at Essence this year, and I'll get to that in a moment.  First things first...if you've never been to this festival you're gonna need to be prepared, especially if you want to see specific artists when the concerts kick off at the dome.

There's a total of 5 stages, 1 main stage and 4 super lounges, and each night the performances take place simultaneously.  So if you know like I know, the very first thing you wanna do is get the Essence Fest schedule.  Trust me, you'll need this because there's a ton of things going on during the 4-day event.  The easiest way to keep up and enjoy the full Essence experience is to download the free app.  That way, you go all the details at your fingertips.  You can also get a schedule booklet at the Superdome.

Okay, back to Master P.  He's always doing something for the kids and this year his Team Hope NOLA Foundation is joining Essence to promote peace around the world, and in our communities with a “Day of Service”.

Allhiphop reports it all goes down Thursday June 29, with a celebrity basketball game, benefiting local students in New Orleans.  The Master P Hope Nola Celebrity Basketball Game will feature stars like his son Romeo Miller, Juvenile, Trey Songz, Ray J and the NBA's Robert Pack, Ben Gordon, Chris Jackson, Caron Butler and many more!  For more info about Master P's foundation, visit www.teamhopenola.org.

The rap icon said of the event, “I reached out to some of my colleagues and friends and told them what we are doing to help raise money for the children in New Orleans and the response has been overwhelming,” P continued. “It is extremely important to be able to help the young people from my hometown – these children are challenged with so much. This is just my way of giving back and we can have some family fun doing it.”

The game will take place June 29, at the Xavier University of Louisiana Convocation Center, so save the date.  Doors will open at 3 p.m. and the game will jump off at around 4 p.m.  Ticket prices aren't bad either ranging from $25 general admission, to $100 for court side seats.  To purchase tickets to the big game, click here.

After all the fun and games, on a more serious note, there will be a National Day of Peace Rally, in honor of Dequante Hobbs Jr.  The 7-year old was killed in his own house, after he was struck in the head with a stray bullet that passed through a kitchen window.

The rap legend said the situation touched him adding, “When I heard of this horrific tragedy, I had to reach out to his family,” he said. “As a father, I can only imagine what she (Norment) must be going through. I wanted to do something special for her.  Inviting her to New Orleans as my guest during Essence is just a small gesture to try and put a smile on her face. We are calling for peace. We need to send a strong message to communities across America: this senseless violence must stop.”  Amen!

Don't miss Essence 2017!  For more on entertainment, get the daily scoop with Tha Wire on the People's Station 107 Jamz.