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

                               SATELLITE FEEDS:              (PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL FEEDS ARE IN EASTERN TIME)    Monday, July  7th, 2008   4:00 AM - 4:15 AM ET   HORIZONS 2 15K slot E   KU-Band (digital)   Downlink Frequency:   74.05 degrees West   11922.5000 V   FEC: 3/4   Symbol Rate: 6.1113     Monday, July  7th, 2008   10:00  AM - 10:15 AM ET   HORIZONS 2 15K slot E   KU-Band (digital)   Downlink Frequency:   74.05 degrees West   11922.5000 V   FEC: 3/4   Symbol Rate: 6.1113     Monday, July  7th, 2008   2:00  PM - 2:15 AM ET   HORIZONS 2 15K slot E   KU-Band (digital)   Downlink Frequency:   74.05 degrees West   11922.5000 V   FEC: 3/4   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, took place this Fourth of July weekend (July 4, 5, 6) in New Orleans to convene the country's largest gathering of African-Americans to celebrate black music. The 2008 Essence Music Festival featured 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 featured 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 appeared 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 were: Morris Day and the Time, Keyshia Cole, Chris Rock, Mary J. Blige and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Some of the Essence Empowerment Seminar participants included: 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:  

-- 10am feed includes b-roll footage from Friday and Saturday of Rihanna, Chris Brown, Kanye West, Jill Scott, LL Cool J, Musiq, Tyler Perry, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Tribute to Patti LaBelle (featuring original members of LaBelle) and more

-- 4am and 2pm feed includes wrap up of whole weekend

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: Essence Communications Inc.

FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL: Glenbrook Earth Station, 203-965-6371

or Sheila Harris (917) 941-1947

FOR STORY INFORMATION OR HARD COPY, CALL: Sheila Harris, ESSENCE,

(917) 941-1947, sharris@essence.com OR Dana Baxter, ESSENCE, (917) 439-3359,

dbaxter@essence.com

PRNewswire -- July 7
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Essence Communications Inc.

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Profile: International Entertainment