In case you missed it, the 2012 Essence Music Festival was off the chain!  Thousands upon thousands descended on New Orleans for the 4-day party with a purpose, complete with performances and seminars by some of the biggest stars in music, comedy, radio and film.

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Talk about luck.  Me and my girls knew she was somewhere in the convention center and we had literally walked around the whole thing trying to catch her.  We finally gave up and while on the way to the "What Men Want" seminar with the brotha's of VH1's "Single Ladies", Lisa was coming from the Sirius/XM stage and I happened to be standing there.  It was kinda crazy because as she was passing me I tried to snap a picture, but it didn't come out right.  She graciously stopped and posed to try and give another chance and then said "come take it with me girl" and that's how I got it.

 

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Kevin Hart was a stand-out this year. Not only was his it his birthday weekend, but he killed it on the main stage during his first performance at Essence.  It was straight up Panamanian when Denzel Washington walked the red carpet as one Kevin's many celebrity guest. Here's a peak at the folks that stopped by his birthday party Friday and him dropping it like it's hot on stage with Nephew Tommy.

 

 

Here's couple of folks I ran into along the way.

 

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Kevin wasn't the only first timer at Essence. Here's a look some of the other artist that rocked the Essence stage for the first time.

 

 

Get More: Eve, Music News

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As you can see the party was swinging! But lets not forget that the Essence Music Festival is truly a party with a purpose. The empowerment seminars are without question entertaining, educating and inspiring. Going to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is a absolute must. If you can go each day of the festival to experience something new and rejuvenating. Here's a look at the scene at the Essence Market at the Ernest n. Morial Convention Center.

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