March 6, 2008 19:11

Kanye West to headline New Orleans festival

Chris Brown, Mary J Blige will also perform at Essence Fest

Photo Gallery: Kanye West
Photo: Pa Photos

Kanye West will headline this year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, it was announced today (March 6).

The three-day festival is set to take place July 4-6. It is billed as "the nation's largest annual African-American event celebrating Black music and culture."

Also set to perform are Mary J. Blige, Chris Rock, Chris Brown, Jill Scott and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Additional artists are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Approximately 200,000 people attended last year's festival.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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