Essence Fest 2016 lineup announced: Kendrick Lamar and Mariah Carey among headliners
 

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The 2016 Essence Festival returns to New Orleans this summer for its 22nd annual event with Mariah Carey, Ciara, Kendrick Lamar, Maxwell and many other hip-hop, R&B and funk artists.*Essence Fest performances are at the Superdome June 30-July 3.

Lamar headlined the festival in 2015, and he returned to New Orleans for his intimate, powerful Kunta's Groove Sessions tour in the fall ? both performances followed his acclaimed 2015 album To Pimp A Butterfly, which recently won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, among many other accolades.

Carey ? who in 2015 released her compilation of chart-topping singles, #1 to Infinity ? makes her Essence debut this year, along with rising throwback R&B singer-songwriter Leon Bridgesand Jeremiah, DeJ Loaf, Lion Babe and Tink, among others.

Among the many star performers at the festival are Babyface, BJ The Chicago Kid, Charlie Wilson, Cyril Neville, Daley, Digable Planets, Doug E. Fresh, Eric Bellinger, Estelle, Faith Evans, Jidenna, Judith Hill, Kelly Price, Lady Leshurr, Lalah Hathaway, Little Simz, Mali Music, MC Lyte, New Breed Brass Band, New Edition, Robert Glasper Experiment, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, St. Beauty, The Brand New Heavies, Tyrese and V. Bozeman. The full lineup and show times will be released later this spring.

This year Essence also introduces a World Music Superlounge, as well as empowerment seminars and other events.?