THE 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKEND SETS THE PACE, ONCE AGAIN, FOR EVENTS TARGETING THE BLACK AMERICAN MARKET.

2010-07-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

THE BUSINESS OF ENTERTAINMENT REPORT™

JULY 2010 ISSUE

Singer-Songwriter Keri Hilson. Photo courtesy of Arianne Frazier

Web Log by Jennifer Johnson

The entertainment line-up at the 16th Annual ESSENCE Music Festival did not disappoint. The festival floods South Louisiana each year with excitement - for both festival attendees and for local and state business.

ON THE BUSINESS SIDE

This year I tried to make this Essence experience more of a girls' trip than for business. However, as a Louisianian, I couldn't help but to observe (and thank) businesses, big and small, for fueling our economy at a time when our state is still recovering from recent hurricanes and the oil spill in our Gulf. According to the Festival, it expected 400,000+ visitors, and local and state economic stimulation of $200 million (Essence Music Festival Press Kit).

ON THE ENTERTAINMENT SIDE

When considering that you can get a reasonable ticket to the festival for under $100 per night (if memory serves me right from the last time I checked through Ticketmaster), you get the chance (for a little of nothing) to experience a lot of amazing performances by talented artists.

But let's start with Miss Jackson!

This IS the best Janet Jackson has ever looked, in my opinion...and she always looks great. (Michael would be so proud.) Out the gate, she brought the house down with her hits through the years. To transition into her latest hit and into a stunning, studded lilac gown, she took us down memory lane with clips from her acting career. From Penny to Charlene to "Fame" to "The Klumps". She kept the audience in awe the entire performance...especially when she pulled a young man from the crowd. Let's just say Janet made it tough for that young man's wife that night and I will leave it at that.

R&B legend Charlie Wilson lit the spot up! Nothing about his performance would let on that he has survived cancer, drug abuse, gaining and losing his money...and bouncing back better than ever.

In the press room, singer-songwriter Keri Hilson illuminated just as brightly as a model, as she is a hot future music legend.

When asked by one reporter who was her fashion idol, she stated that it is her mom that influences her the most. She admittedly found herself tearing up as she spoke in great admiration about her mother. Hilson felt she let her Freudian slip as she reflected on her mom's days as a model for Black America's cornerstone magazine, Ebony Magazine. Don't worry Keri. I don't think Essence would (and shouldn't) mind the mentioning of the magazine that kicked open the doors for Essence and other Black magazines to follow!

Check out more Essence Press Room photos below.

Hip Hop Powerhouse and "CSI Los Angeles" star LL Cool J

Comedian Christopher "Kid" Reid, formerly of hot 90's rap duo Kid N' Play

Cast of TV One's Reality Series "The Ultimate Merger"

New Orleans Native and Rap Artist Mystikal

Hip Hop Legends De La Soul

Gospel Artist Brian Courtney Wilson

From "Good Times" fame, Actress/Author BernNadette Stanis

Irish recording artist Laura Izibor treated the press to an a capella impromptu.

Photos courtesy of Arianne Frazier and Jennifer C. Johnson. Written by Jennifer C. Johnson. Johnson is the founder of The Business of Entertainment Report™, a publication of overnitesuccess.com. She is a brand strategist/account executive for The Radio Group in Shreveport, Louisiana (KDKS, KBTT , KOKA). Johnson is also executive Producer and Founder of flipmOuth.com, the Online Television Channel.

Special thanks to Rehage Entertainment, Jerry Williams of The Radio Group, and Telley Madina of Red and Blue Consulting LLC of New Orleans .

::THE BUSINESS OF ENTERTAINMENT REPORT™

THE 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKEND SETS THE PACE, ONCE AGAIN, FOR EVENTS TARGETING THE BLACK AMERICAN MARKET.