The 2011 Essence Music Festival enjoyed a large amount of support over the holiday weekend. More than 422-thousand people stopped by the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans for the three-day event. The festival, which took place July 1st to the 3rd, featured performances from numerous R&B and hip-hop stars.

Acts like Usher, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, New Edition,  Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, and Jill Scott and many took the stage. New Edition, Macy Gray, and Fantasia were also on hand to perform. And music wasn’t the only thing fans were able to enjoy at the event.

The Essence Empowerment Experience provided people with the opportunity to speak with individuals like Steve Harvey, Soledad O’Brien, and Reverend Al Sharpton.