Essence Music Festival: Maxwell, Anita Baker Join Beyonce As Headliners

"The 15th Annual Essence Music Festival" may very well turn into an old episode of 'Soul Train' come this Fourth of July weekend.

In addition to the aforementioned Beyonce, the much anticipated "Party With A Purpose" has also added Maxwell, Anita Baker, Al Green, John Legend, Teena Marie, En Vogue, Jazmine Sullivan, Janelle Monae, Raphael Saadiq, Robin Thicke, and Salt-N-Pepa to their star studded line-up.

Notorious' Afterparty

Antonique Smith, who plays Faith Evans, alongside Jamal Woolard, who's Biggie Smalls. Photo taken at the afterparty for the premiere of 'Notorious' at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on January 7, 2009.

Notorious signs were layed throughout the Roseland area along with posters of the Notorious B.I.G.
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Anthony Mackie, who recently was seen in 'Eagle Eye', play Tupac Shukur and Antonique Smith, who plays Faith Evans in the film. Photo taken at the afterparty for the premiere of 'Notorious' at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on January 7, 2009.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs met his mother Janice Combs at the afterparty for the premiere of 'Notorious' at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on January 7, 2009.

Record producer Kedar Massenburg came to the afterparty for the premiere of 'Notorious' at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on January 7, 2009.

Don't they look alike? Faith Evans and Antonique Smith. Photo taken at the afterparty for the premiere of 'Notorious' at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on January 7, 2009.

Andre Royo,who was memorable for his role in HBO's The Wire, and friend had a blast at the afterparty for the premiere of 'Notorious' at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on January 7, 2009.

Angela Bassett had a wonderful time playing Violetta Wallace, Christopher's mother. Photo taken at the afterparty for the premiere of 'Notorious' at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on January 7, 2009.

Marc John Jefferies enjoyed playing and hanging out with
Lil Cease at the afterparty for the premiere of 'Notorious' at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on January 7, 2009.

Angela Bassett who plays Violetta Wallace and Naturi Naughton, who plays Lil' Kim. Photo taken at the afterparty for the premiere of 'Notorious' at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on January 7, 2009.

As if that wasn't enough, ladies and gentleman who are donning their finest threads can also attend various seminars which will take place at New Orleans' Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Keynote speakers include activist Bill Cosby, Juanita Bynum, Tom Joyner, Hill Harper, Roland Martin and Sheryl Lee Ralph among others.

With such a diverse line-up of activities and performances, Essence Communications president, Michelle Ebanks wanted to make sure their 15th anniversary is represented in the proper perspective.

"To mark the Essence Music Festival 15-year anniversary, we wanted to really celebrate all the forms of music that have been central to the event's history," she said. "Our audience is truly loyal, and we made every effort to come up with a special line-up that's multi-generational and spans diverse genres; it brings together heritage artists, new chart-topping acts and local favorites in New Orleans."

Other performers include Solange, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Brand New Heavies, and Keri Hilson. "The 2009 Essence Music Festival" takes place July 3, 4 and 5 in New Orleans.