The 2008 Essence Music Festival Presented by Coca-Cola: The Ultimate Party Weekend with Headline Performances by Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Chris Rock, Rihanna, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, Keyshia Cole, Jill Scott, J. Holiday, LL Cool J, Musiq, Morris Day and the Time and Patti LaBelle

The 2008 Essence Music Festival Presented by Coca-Cola: The Ultimate Party Weekend with Headline Performances by Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Chris Rock, Rihanna, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, Keyshia Cole, Jill Scott, J. Holiday, LL Cool J, Musiq, Morris Day and the Time and Patti LaBelle

 NEW YORK, July 3 /PRNewswire/ --                               SATELLITE FEEDS:    Saturday, July 5, 2008     Sunday, July 6, 2008     Sunday, July 6, 2008   4:00 AM - 4:15 AM ET       4:00 AM - 4:15 AM ET     2:00 PM - 2:15 PM ET   HORIZONS 2 15K slot E      HORIZONS 2 15K slot E    HORIZONS 2 15K slot E   KU-Band (digital)          KU-Band (digital)        KU-Band (digital)   Downlink Frequency:        Downlink Frequency:      Downlink Frequency:   74.05 degrees West         74.05 degrees West       74.05 degrees West   11922.5000 V               11922.5000 V             11922.5000 V   14222.5000 H               14222.5000 H             14222.5000 H   Data Rate: 9               Data Rate: 9             Data Rate: 9   FEC: 3/4                   FEC: 3/4                 FEC: 3/4   Symbol Rate: 6.1113        Symbol Rate: 6.1113      Symbol Rate: 6.1113    Monday, July  7th, 2008    Monday, July  7th, 2008   4:00 AM - 4:15 AM ET       2:00 PM - 2:15 PM ET   HORIZONS 2 15K slot E      HORIZONS 2 15K slot E   KU-Band (digital)          KU-Band (digital)   Downlink Frequency:        Downlink Frequency:   74.05 degrees West         74.05 degrees West   11922.5000 V               11922.5000 V   14222.5000 H               14222.5000 H   Data Rate: 9               Data Rate: 9   FEC: 3/4                   FEC: 3/4   Symbol Rate: 6.1113        Symbol Rate: 6.1113     FORMAT:  News Package With Extra Soundbites and B-roll.   

STORY SUMMARY: The 14th Annual 2008 Essence Music Festival presented by Coca-Cola, taking place this Fourth of July weekend (July 4, 5, 6) will return to New Orleans to convene the country's largest gathering of African-Americans to celebrate black music. The 2008 Essence Music Festival features performances by the largest assembly of black musical talent in the world, augmented by community-oriented Essence Empowerment Seminars led by the country's most prominent African-American leaders.

The 2008 Essence Music Festival will feature an amazing line-up. Kicking off the musical extravaganza on July 4: J. Holiday, Rihanna, Chris Brown and Kanye West. Another stellar lineup of artists will appear on July 5 including: Musiq, LL Cool J, Jill Scott, plus a star-studded celebration of living legend Patti LaBelle featuring original LaBelle members Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx; Angie Stone; Ledisi; Chrisette Michele; Ruby Amanfu; and more. Closing out the Festival on July 6 will be: Morris Day and the Time, Keyshia Cole, Chris Rock, Mary J. Blige and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Some of the Essence Empowerment Seminar participants include: Tyler Perry, Rev. Al Sharpton, Tom Joyner, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Louisiana Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, Lynn Whitfield, Regina Belle, Roland S. Martin, Soledad O'Brien, Dr. Juanita Bynum, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Bishop Debra Morton, Tye Tribbett and more.

   SOUNDBITES:   -- Various celebrity sound bites   -- B-ROLL INCLUDES: Concert footage and celebrity footage    VIDEO PROVIDED BY:  Essence Communications Inc.  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Essence Communications Inc.

CONTACT: FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL Glenbrook Earth Station,
+1-203-965-6371, or Sheila Harris +1-917-941-1947; FOR STORY INFORMATION OR
HARD COPY, CALL Sheila Harris, +1-917-941-1947, sharris@essence.com or Dana
Baxter, +1-917-439-3359, dbaxter@essence.com, both of ESSENCE

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Profile: International Entertainment