*Kendrick Lamar will return to the Essence Festival main stage this summer when the 22nd annual concert heads back to the New Orleans Superdome from June 30 to July 3.
Lamar, who recently took home five Grammy Awards, became the first rapper to close out the festival on his first appearance there last year.
Mariah Carey, Ciara, Maxwell and Charlie Wilson are also among the headliners revealed during the Festival’s first-round of announcements.
Additional artists confirmed to perform across five stages over the four-night event: Babyface, BJ The Chicago Kid, 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 Band, St. Beauty, The Brand New Heavies, Tyrese and V. Bozeman.
Festival first-timers include Jeremih, Leon Bridges, The Internet, Def Loaf, Lion Babe and Tink. Additional performers will be announced soon.
The Essence Festival, presented by Coca-Cola, will also stage its first-ever World Music Superlounge this year. Among the featured performers: Zakes Bantwini and Skye Wanda, representing Durban, South Africa. For more information about the 2016 Essence Festival, visit www.essencefestival.com.
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