Grammy Award winning recording artist Janet Jackson has been announced as the headliner for the upcoming 2010 Essence Music Festival, due to be held this July in New Orleans, Louisiana. This will be Janet’s ONLY concert appearance of the year and her FIRST since 2008. This will also be her first major show since the death of her brother, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson and will coincidentally be held just 1 week after the 1-year anniversary.

Jackson–who has sold over 100 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling artists of all time–joins Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys on the all-star lineup. Jackson is scheduled to perform on July 2nd, the opening night of the festival. The announcement was made today in celebration of Jackson’s iTunes release of “Nothing,” the theme song she performs, co-wrote and co-produced for Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married Too?” opening nationwide April 2, 2010. Jackson’s appearance adds more star power to the 40th anniversary celebration of ESSENCE, the first magazine to grace Janet Jackson on its cover.

ESSENCE