This year’s Essence Festival in New Orleans celebrates “The Power Of Our Voice” and on Independence Day weekend, some of today’s biggest and brightest crooners will take the stage at the popular festival, which will honor Aretha Franklin with “The Power Award”.

Bridget Kelly, Mary J. Blige, SWV, Keyshia Cole, Fantasia, Luke James, Estelle, Ledisi, Dru Hill, Raheem DeVaughn, Goapele and so much more are set to perform during the three-day weekend. The show is not only recognizing ‘powerful’ voices in music, but in political action, community and civil leadership as well.

“The theme of this year’s Essence Music Festival celebrates our most powerful voices. Whether it’s Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul commanding respect or Rep. Maxine Waters demanding better conditions for our community, these powerful voices resonate with our audience like no other,” said Michelle Ebanks, president, Essence Communications Inc. “As we all face a new reality in these critical times, we want to inspire our Festival-goers to leave this year’s Festival even more resilient and motivated so that they can be empowered to create change in their own communities.”