The Essence Music Festival is the largest event celebrating African American music and culture in the United States.  This year commemorates the 15th anniversary of the festival.  The all star line up features Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire, LL Cool J, DJ Soul Sister, Gladys Knight, Charlie Wilson, Monica, Jill Scott, Keri Hilson, Trey Songz, and many more!

For a complete list of artist performances, seminar schedules, marketplace information, travel accommodations and all things festival related, visit essencemusicfestival.com.

BET’s viewer poll currently has Rihanna slated to win with 56% of fan votes. Beyonce is runner up, snagging 35%. Even though the fan poll is unofficial, take the chance to voice your opinion on who you think should win!

The BET awards ceremony will air live on Sunday, June 27th at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. It will be hosted by Queen Latifah.

Currently, Mary J has been working towards the premier of her new eyewear line, Melodies. Keep checking back for more Mary J Blige news.

“When I was growing up, it wasn‘t cool to be educated, so I fell into that slump. When you‘re in a peer-pressure situation where you‘re forced to do what everyone else does to survive, then you end up like I did,” Blige told Oprah.

One of the things she’s done to better the lives of others since she struck it big is founding the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, which provides opportunities to women seeking education and support.

“From mothers to daughters to aunts, black, white, it doesn‘t matter who you are,” Blige said. “If you need help, the Mary J. Blige Center for Women is here.”

Check back soon for more Mary J Blige tickets and news!

Blige is committed to doing justice to the role and has been taking acting lessons to help her portray the tortured genius. She will also re-cut several classic songs for the film.

“Playing a character like her is like playing myself,” Blige says in a recent Rolling Stone excerpt, “because Nina Simone was a manic-depressive, drug addict, alcoholic, cursing wild maniac like I was.”

The movie is scheduled to come out in 2012, so don’t look for Mary J. Blige tickets anytime soon.

Blige has asked fans to tell her what her next single should be on her website, mjblige.com.  The singer gives the option between “Tonight,” “Good Love (Feat. TI),” “Each Tear,” “I Love U (Yes I Du),” “We Got Hood Love (Feat. Trey Songz),” and “In the Morning.”

The Queen of R&B, who was spotted on “The Ellen Show” today (her birthday) to talk about her new album Stronger with Each Tear, has found much success in the collection, including hit singles “The One (Feat. Drake)” and “I Am.”  The latter was included on the soundtrack for the feature film Precious.

Jeezy has a reputation for bringing out big names at the show - last year he introduced Kanye West, The-Dream and Usher. On Saturday, June 22nd, he showcased Lil Wayne and Mary J. Blige.

He addressed the crowd with high praise, “The Queen of Hip-Hop, Soul, Mary J. Blige. Thank you, baby, for coming through. Me and Mary were at the crib, chopping up some Patron shots. Then we came through the bash, blew it up. Mary is real big for my career. I was listening to her when I was coming up. For her to come up and bless me for my city, it meant everything for me.”

Tickets are now available, and if you won’t be anywhere near the Qwest Center mid-October, don’t worry! Her tour stretches from Baltimore to Hawaii, and everywhere in between.

Her article covers everything from her dislike of American Idol (“Honestly, it’s not giving most of them a real chance to become an artist for the rest of their lives. They are on national TV every night. They have automatic fame. All of the greatest artists had to struggle for their success.”) to the death of Aaliyah in 2001.

Check it out for yourself at www.vegasmagazine.com.

“Each artist performed a stellar full-length set, and whenever they shared the stage they showed great chemistry. There wasn’t a single weak song or lackluster moment in the whole 2 1/2-hour performance,” said Jim Harrington in a recent mercurynews.com concert review.

Blige’s last three shows before she heads off to Europe are going to be at Madison Square Garden and Moheghan Sun Arena. Get your tickets now, because this may be your last chance to check out Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z share the stage.

Blige’s May and June Concert Dates and Locations:

5/6/2008

New York, NY—Madison Square Garden Arena (with Jay-Z)

5/7/2008

New York, NY—Madison Square Garden Arena (with Jay-Z)

5/8/2008

Uncasville, CT—Mohegan Sun Arena (with Jay-Z)

5/18/2008

Zurich, Switzerland—Hallenstadion Zurich

5/20/2008

Munich, Germany—Zenith

5/23/2008

Copenhagen V, Denmark—Tivoli Concert Hall

5/24/2008

Stockholm, Sweden—Hovet

5/26/2008

Hamburg, Germany—Stadtpark

5/28/2008

Rotterdam, Netherlands—Ahoy

5/29/2008

Berlin, DEU—Zitadelle

5/30/2008

Duesseldorf, Germany—Philipshalle