♥ Essence Music Festival 2008 in New Orleans Posted by Cristia on 15 Apr 2008 | 0 Comments |
The 2008 Essence Music Festival will resonate with the sound of its host city (New Orleans).
Irma Thomas, jazz trumpeters Terence Blanchard, Nicholas Payton, Irvin Mayfield, Kermit Ruffins and Christian Scott, blues belter Marva Wright, the Rebirth Brass Band, trombonist Big Sam’s Funky Nation and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s Gospel Revival are booked for Essence, July 4-6 in the Superdome. They’ll appear on the four “superlounge” stages in the Dome’s corridors.
The festival has also augmented its main stage roster with the Essence debut of Rihanna, the Barbados-born singer whose “Umbrella” ranked among 2007’s biggest hits; R&B diva Keyshia Cole; neo-soul singer Musiq; and rapper LL Cool J.
Rihanna will be performing Friday, July 4, 2008
Credit: RihannaGlam
♥ Rihanna Shocked by Jay-Z & Beyoncé's Wedding Posted by Cristia on 13 Apr 2008 | 0 Comments |
Like many of Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles's friends and colleagues, Rihanna had no idea about the happy couple's hush-hush nuptials last week.
"I didn't know!" Rihanna told PEOPLE at the Escada Moon Sparkle/Island Def Jam benefit for her Believe Foundation and DKMS, the world's largest bone marrow donor center. "No one knew!"
(Although the wedding has not been officially confirmed, sources tell PEOPLE the ceremony did take place April 4 and Knowles has been spotted wearing a huge ring.)
Among those in the audience at Manhattan's Highland Ballroom were L.A. Reid and Rihanna's "friend" Chris Brown. "Chris said it was a good show," the 20-year-old said of her rumored beau. "He really enjoyed it."
After the show, Rihanna met with several young bone marrow transplant patients. "You are so beautiful," she told 15-year-old Camila Mera.