On Thursday, June 5th, music fans will be treated to a special insider’s concert, which will kick off Black Music Month while also serving as a precursor of what is to come at this year’s Essence Music Festival. At Coca-Cola Celebrates Essence Music Festival @ The Apollo, some of today’s most popular R&B and neo-soul artists will perform on the Apollo’s legendary stage in celebration of Black Music Month. Additionally, the popular, nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show will broadcast live from the Apollo Theater on the morning of June 5th to celebrate the Essence Music Festival and Black Music Month.
Celebrating the broad range of today’s Black Music, headlining performers will include Grammy nominated neo-soul singer Anthony Hamilton, urban jazz/funk artist and former Cosby kid, Malcolm Jamal Warner and rock/soul singer Alice Smith. Anthony Hamilton first rose to fame with his platinum-selling album “Comin' from Where I'm From,” which featured the single "Charlene." He recently made a cameo in the film, “American Gangster” and contributed to the film's soundtrack with the hit single “Do You Feel Me.” With his band Miles Long, actor/performer Malcolm Jamal Warner has performed to packed houses and jazz festivals, and has opened for high-profile acts such as Earl Klugh and Luther Vandross.
Warner recently released the debut EP, "...the miles long mixtape..," where he leads his crew through several head- bobbing tunes with heavy bass grooves and dynamic spoken word. On her solo debut, “For Lovers, Dreamers & Me,” Alice Smith proves she is one of today’s most promising female singer/songwriters with her four-octave range.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Essence Music Festival to celebrate Black Music Month. As we embrace the rich scope of today’s music landscape, we are excited to bring a broad mix of music to fans on the most legendary stage in the country – where stars are born and legends are made – the Apollo Theater,” said Steven Boyd, vice president, Northeast Region for Coca-Cola North America. “What better way to start Black Music Month than with such unique talent as Anthony Hamilton and Malcolm Jamal Warner?”
In addition to the headline performers, celebrities from the worlds of music, sports, fashion and entertainment will join Coca-Cola Celebrates Essence Music Festival, to witness this once-in-a-lifetime lineup. Music fans can win tickets to this performance by listening to WBLS 107.5 FM. The nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show will broadcast live from the Apollo Theater on the morning of June 5th. Listeners can attend this morning broadcast to pick up tickets for the evening’s performance. WBLS On-Air personality Jasmine will host this special Black Music Month performance.
The Essence Music Festival is the nation’s largest annual gathering of African-American musical talent; featuring an unprecedented three days of cultural celebrations and empowerment seminars and three nights of performances by some of today’s greatest African-American artists. Along with long-standing presenting sponsor
Coca-Cola, the Essence Music Festival will be returning to New Orleans July 4-6, 2008. This year's Festival is destined to be the hottest music event of the summer and will feature Rihanna, Kanye West, Chris Rock, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Keyshia Cole, LL Cool J, Morris Day and The Time, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and more.
