It was a busy holiday weekend in New Orleans as the 15th annual Essence Music Festival came to town! Our cameras were all over the Big Easy catching up with some of the biggest names in R&B including Maxwell, John Legend, Robin Thicke, and Jazmine Sullivan plus legends like Anita Baker and Teena Marie. Only one web site can give you 36 hours of the Essence experience in five minutes...HipHollywood.com! Check out our Wrap shoot on location in New Orleans!

HipHollywood.com is giving you an exclusive look inside one of the hottest party that jumped off in New Orleans during the Essence Music Festival. The event was hosted by comedian Steve Harvey with a live performance by Brian McKnight. When it became time to hit the dance floor, Idris Elba took over the 1s and 2s. Check it out!

It was a weekend of entertainment in New Orleans at this year's Essence Music Festival, but everyone's minds were still on Michael Jackson. We talked to Anita Baker, John Legend, Robin Thicke, Solange and many more about the passing of the icon. Check it out.

After a seven-year break from the music game, Maxwell is hoping "Pretty Wings" can help him make a comeback. His latest album, BLACKsummers'night is out in stores today and HipHollywood.com is talking to the star about the new album.

HipHollywood.com and Ford are continuing to bring you all-access coverage at this year's 2009 Essence Music Festival. So far we've talked to Maxwell, John Legend, Robin Thicke and Anita Baker just to name a few. We also caught up with Solange and Raphael Saadiq at Sirius Satellite's "The Heat" broadcast. That's where Solange told us why bringing back the Essence Music Festival was so important to the city of New Orleans! Check it out!