"It's called music, and it's a universal language," said Gospel artist Kim Burrell.
NEW ORLEANS -- This past weekend, "The Big Easy" was star-studded at the 2015 ESSENCE Music Festival. Hip-Hop, R&B, Jazz, Neo-Soul, and Gospel's finest all performed at New Orlean's Mercedes-Benz Superdome starting on Thursday, July 2 and ending on Sunday, July 5.
Award-winning artists like Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Usher were some of the stars who took the stage during the festival. However, it was Gospel icon Kim Burrell who stole the show during her own tribute.
Kim Burrell tosses the microphone at 2015 Essence Music Festival.
Burrell who is known for her melismas and soft-raspy harmonies took the microphone and invited some of her friends to join her on stage. Music artists India.Arie, Chrisette Michele, Anita Wilson, Lalah Hathaway, Bishop Jason Nelson, Zacardi Cortez, Isaac Caree, and the Walls Group each sang a rendition of the chorus: "I give you heart/ My mind/ My soul/ My praise/ My money". The end result was a multi-genre chorus singing together for the packed stadium.
"I want the world to see how we're supposed to do this," Burrel said, "Ain't no R&B, ain't no Gospel. It's called music, and it's a universal language."
Similar to Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball Sunday Brunch, it was a moment when music wasn't policed by genre but was celebrated by its true purpose: harmony. Watch the entire tribute here.