Coca-Cola Brings in Janelle Monae to Deliver Some 'Happiness' At Essence

This year's 15th Anniversary Essence Music Festival saw a host of major talent, including Beyonce, Robin Thicke, Ne-Yo and Maxwell not to mention notable sponsors like Ford, McDonald's and Wal-Mart. But a certain big name beverage company had its fill of some of the festival's hottest offerings.

In addition to hosting a thousand-plus festival goers at a 'Grill & Chill BBQ' with DJ Biz Markie and hosted by New Edition singer Mike Bivins, Coca-Cola brought together artists like Eric Benet and the Blind Boys of Alabama in their Superlounge housed within the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

The soft drink company's 'Open Happiness' campaign spokesperson and Grammy Award-nominee Janelle Monae also performed on July 4 .

The 'Many Moons' singer, who performed two shows on the holiday, tweeted about her first Essence experience on Twitter: "Our Essence fest/New Orleans experience was really cool! Too much to tweet--but we had some wonderful moments there. Very thankful."

Janelle Monae Pictures

Singer Janelle Monae performs on stage during Bonnaroo 2009 on June 11, 2009 in Manchester, Tennessee..Bonnaroo 2009 - Day 1 - Janelle Monae.The Other Tent.Manchester, TN United States.June 11, 2009.Photo by FilmMagic Inc/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (57657745), contact FilmMagic.com

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Recording artist Janelle Monae Giant Step, Hudson & Charity Water present Janelle Monae at the Hudson Luxury Hotel on May 12, 2009 in New York City..Giant Step, Hudson & Charity Water Present Janelle Monae.Hudson Luxury Hotel.New York, NY United States.May 12, 2009.Photo by Bennett Raglin/WireImage.com..To license this image (57426638), contact WireImage.com

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Singer Janelle Monae attends the Chloe Los Angeles Boutique Opening Celebration held at Milk Studios on April 23, 2009 in Los Angeles, California..Chloe Los Angeles Boutique Opening Celebration.Milk Studios.Los Angeles, CA United States.April 23, 2009.Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com..To license this image (57265441), contact WireImage.com

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Singer Janelle Monae performs during the Chloe Los Angeles Boutique Opening Celebration held at Milk Studios on April 23, 2009 in Los Angeles, California..Chloe Los Angeles Boutique Opening Celebration.Milk Studios.Los Angeles, CA United States.April 23, 2009.Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com..To license this image (57265858), contact WireImage.com

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Janelle Monae arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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During her second set at the superlounge in the Louisiana Superdome, the Kansas City native found time to share with her audience two new songs from her forthcoming album, in addition to painting and giving away the piece of art to a reveler. Of course, she closed out her set with her usual crowd-surfing much to the joy and amusement of the eager audience. And, then Monae ran "sprinting like Maurice Green," she tweeted, to see her idol Anita Baker who was performing during both of the singer's sets.

Baker's extended set was said to have been the reason Maxwell didn't take the Mainstage until after 1 AM, but loyal fans never seem to mind waiting or running to catch their favorites. Such are the times at Essence...trying to get in all the performances you can and luckily Ms. Monet did just that.