ESSENCE Music Festival Portraits

Are you ready for the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival? The party begins down in the Big Easy on Thursday, kicking off four days of fun including music’s brightest stars. As a headliner for EMF three years in a row, Mary J. Blige (pictured in ESSENCE’s offices during her stint as a Guest Editor for the magazine) brings her own brand of hip-hop soul to the fête every year. This time, Mary will close out Saturday night’s show on July 7 with hits like “No More Drama,” “Family Affair” and “Just Fine.” Let’s take a peek at who else will hit the stage down in New Orleans.