The 2010 Essence Music Festival is set to take place July 2-4 in New Orleans,LA and will feature the Grammy-Award winning Janet Jackson as the headliner. This will mark Jackson’s first time performing at the annual festival, and she will be alongside artists such as Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Monica, Alicia Keys, Raphael Saadiq, Earth Wind & Fire, and Trey Songz.

Since its 1995 inception, The Essence Music Festival has become the largest event honoring black music and culture in America. Tickets for the Essence Music Festival are currently on sale, with a Platinum all weekend package priced at $2,250-$3,000. Janet Jackson’s planned appearance comes as surprise to her fans and the music industry.

Jackson has been more focused on her acting and recently announced that she is not working on a new album, despite her year-long recording sessions with Rodney Jerkins. Jerkins gave fans a teaser when he released the track “Heartbeat Love” featuring Pitbull earlier this year.

However, the Oscar-nominee has recently released a new single titled “Nothing”, in support of her Image Award winning role, as Patricia Agnes in Tyler Perry’s: Why Did I Get Married Too?, in theaters now. Jackson’s new track was produced by her ex-beau, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, and will be featured on the soundtrack set to be released on April 27 via Malaco Records.