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 NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The celebration of black music and culture at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans will provide comfort to artists and fans alike after a tough week following Michael Jackson's death.
Singer Lionel Richie, a longtime friend of the pop superstar and festival headliner, says performing at Essence will give him and others a chance to regroup.
"We'll celebrate his life and come together as a family down there," Richie said. "It's New Orleans. The spirit of what the music business is all about is there. It really is to me one of those places that's like visiting my foundation."
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