Tag Archives: Estelle

Bruno Mars to Headline This Year’s Essence Festival of Culture

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Bruno Mars is sharing his essence in a big way…

The 34-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has been named one of the main stage headliners for the Essence Festival of Culture.

Bruno Mars

Mars will co-headline the event with Janet Jacksonas Essence celebrates its 50th anniversary. 

Mars’ appearance will be his first time performing at the festival — and his only 2020 U.S. festival performance.

Essence Festival of Culture will expand for the first time from three to five days (July 1-5) in New Orleans, marking one day for each decade. This year’s theme is “Own Our Power.”

Jackson will be making her third appearance at the festival. Her appearance will take place during her newly announced Black Diamond World Tour, titled after her upcoming 12th studio album.

In addition to Jackson and Mars, the festival’s three-night concert series will include the following lineups at the Louisiana Superdome:

Main stage: Ari Lennox, Janelle Monae, Patti LaBelle, Raphael Saadiq (performing songs across his entire career from Tony! Toni! Tone! through his solo albums, including Jimmy Lee), Estelle Presents Reggae & Afrobeats Link Up featuring Afro B, Chronnix, Elephant Man, Kranium, Max Glazer, Maxi Priest, Shenseeaand more, Summer Walker,  Swizz BeatzPresents In the Zone featuring guest artists. 

Hosted by Loni Love with music by D-Nice, the main stage lineup will salute music icons each night, including a special anniversary celebration on July 4. 

Superlounges: Casmé, D Smoke, Demi Grace, Doug E. Fresh Presents The Real Hip-Hop and R&B Party, Elah Hale, Goldlink, Jac Ross, Jamesdavis, Jidenna, June’s Diary, Kiana Lede, Kitty Cash, Leikeli47, Masego, Mr Eazi, Oswin Benjamin, Rapsody, Saweetie, SiR, Smino, Stokley, Tamia, Tank and the Bangas, TeaMarrr, The New Respects and Umi.

 “This is a milestone year for Essence and our community as we celebrate 50 years of creating opportunities for our culture to shine and the role of black women in making it possible for us to do what no other brand has done,” said Michelle Ebanks, CEO of Essence Communications, Inc.“To be able to say that at 50 years, we are black-owned, diversified across media, technology, commerce and live events, and impacting our culture in new and even deeper ways than ever before is a blessing – and one that comes with a tremendous responsibility to our community to continue to evolve, innovate and transform. That remains our focus and commitment as we work to ensure that we are here serving black women deeply and advancing black culture, economic ownership and inclusion globally for the next 50 years.”

Regarding Mars and Jackson, Ebanks added, “These two powerhouses, along with our robust slate of programming, performances and tributes, will continue our legacy of cultural excellence and dynamic, only-at-Essence experiences that excite, elevate and inspire.”

For more information, visit Essence.com/festival.

Smollet’s “Empire” Soundtrack Reaches No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart

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Jussie Smollett is a chart-topper…

The 31-year-old Brazilian actor/singer and the stars of Fox‘s Empire have reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, as the breakout hit series’ soundtrack debuts atop the list.

Jussie Smollett

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

The Empire soundtrack was released March 10 through Columbia Records and bows at the top spot with 130,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending March 15, according to Nielsen Music.

Empire Soundtrack

It’s the first television soundtrack to debut at No. 1 since 2010, when three different Glee albums arrived atop the list.

Empire features contributions from its newcomer cast, like Smollett, as well as hitmakers like Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Estelle, Rita Ora, Juicy J and Courtney Love (all of which have guest-starred on the show).

Empire earned 17,000 units from track equivalent albums (thanks to the strong performance of the set’s multiple Billboard Hot 100 hit singles like “You’re So Beautiful” and “Conqueror“), while it tallied another 3,000 units from streaming equivalent albums.

Also helping matters: During release week, Smollett performed on TV’s The Ellen DeGeneres Show (March 9) and on Fox’s American Idol three days later (joined by fellow cast member Yazz).

Nunez to be Honored by Ne-Yo’s Compound Foundation

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Johnny Nunez is being recognized for fostering a bright future for children in the foster care system…

The half-Venezuelan celebrity photography and founder of Nubuzzphoto will be honored by singer-songwriter Ne-Yo and his Compound Foundation at the 2nd Annual Fostering A Legacy Benefit taking place Saturday, August 17.

Johnny Nunez

Co-hosted by actor/comedian Kevin Hart with a special performance by Grammy-nominated singer Estelle, the gala will celebrate the strength and creativity of youth in foster care.

The night’s award ceremony will honor exemplary individuals and corporations for their leadership in foster care, adoption and community work.

Nunez, who grew up in the foster care system and was adopted at the age of five by a Puerto Rican family, is one of the most renowned celebrity photographers to work with some of the most influential figures including President Barack Obama, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey , Mick Jagger , Swizz Beatz and Clive Davis to name a few.

“Johnny Nunez… has been an advocate of our cause for years,” states Ne-Yo, founder of the Compound Foundation.

Following the awards and its ongoing effort to support its youth in foster and group homes, Compound will ask guests to participate in its Balloon Legacy Auction raising funds for the foundation’s important programs.