Kendrick Lamar & More Set for 2016 Essence Festival New Orleans Performance Lineup

Time Inc.'s (NYSE: TIME) highly acclaimed ESSENCE Festival, one of the largest consumer live events in the country, with more than 550,000 attendees, today revealed the first round of its all-star lineup of performers for the nighttime concerts at the 22nd annual celebration, which will take place in New Orleans, LA, from June 30 to July 3.

"The ESSENCE Festival is back in New Orleans with an extraordinary roster of the biggest names and best performers in entertainment-from global music icons to the industry's rising stars," said ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks. "We are welcoming Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey and Maxwell to headline the Superdome main stage. In addition, we will be embracing newcomers like Leon Bridges, Jeremih, Lion Babe, Dej Loaf and The Internet, as well as fan favorite Charlie Wilson for the ultimate cultural experience in New Orleans this July 4th weekend."

Artists confirmed to perform at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival nighttime concerts at the Superdome include: Babyface, BJ The Chicago Kid, Charlie Wilson, Ciara, Cyril Neville, Daley, DeJ Loaf, Digable Planets, Doug E. Fresh, Eric Bellinger, Estelle, Faith Evans, Jeremih, Jidenna Judith Hill, Kelly Price, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Leshurr, Lalah Hathaway, Leon Bridges, Lion Babe, Little Simz, Mali Music, Mariah Carey, Maxwell, MC Lyte, New Breed Brass Band, New Edition, Robert Glasper Experiment, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, St. Beauty, The Brand New Heavies, The Internet, Tyrese, Tink and V. Bozeman. More will be announced soon.

In addition, the ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans will present its first-ever World Music Superlounge, featuring artists from across the globe, including performers Wizkid, Zakes Bantwini and Skye Wanda representing Durban, South Africa (in partnership with the eThekwini Municipality).

For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE FESTIVAL, visit www.essencefestival.com, join the festival community on Twitter @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2016 ESSENCE Festival on Facebook.

The 2016 ESSENCE FESTIVAL is executive produced by ESSENCE Festivals LLC, a division of ESSENCE Communications Inc., and is produced by Solomon Group. GeChar is the executive producer of the 2016 ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.

Sponsors of the 2016 ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans include presenting sponsor Coca-Cola and major sponsors Ford, McDonald's, State Farm and Walmart.

About Essence Communications Inc.

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events and online. The company's flagship publication, Essence magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women, generating brand extensions, such as the Essence Festival, Essence Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 45 years, Essence, which has a brand reach of 14.2 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women's lives. Additional information about ECI and Essence is available at www.essence.com.

About Time Inc.

Time Inc. (NYSE:TIME) is one of the world's leading media companies, with a monthly global print audience of over 120 million and worldwide digital properties that attract more than 150 million visitors each month, including over 60 websites. Our influential brands include People, Sports Illustrated, InStyle, Time, Real Simple, and Southern Living, as well as more than 50 diverse titles in the United Kingdom.