Though the initial portion of the lineup was announced earlier this year, some artists added to the roster of the 2012 Essence Music Festival has been raising some eyebrows around the music world.

The most notable is the addition of D’Angelo in what will mark the reclusive R&B superstar’s first U.S. concert appearance in ten years. D’Angelo will appear on the first night of the three day festival, which is July 6.

Other new additions that will appear on the main stage include Trey Songz and R&B act Tank. This year’s performance will mark Songz third appearance in three years. These artist join previously announced acts including headliners Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige, along with Fantasia, Stephanie Mills, Charlie Wilson, Keyshia Cole and many more.

The New Orleans’ festival, which is sponsored by Essence magazine, is billed as one of the largest gatherings of black artists in America. This year’s festival will run from July 6 to July 8 at the city’s convention center.

D’Angelo returned to performing this year when he performed a concert in Stockholm, but his first U.S. appearance is already sparking other comeback rumors. The only official news, however, is that his record label has said that he is working on a new album. No official release date or any other information has yet been released.

The festival began in 1995 when it was planned as a one-time event, but has grown into an annual festival. It has been held in New Orleans every year except 2006, when it had to be moved to Houston because of Hurricane Katrina. An estimated 422,000 people attended last years festival. Previous performers at the event include Prince, Alicia Keys, Al Green, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder. In addition to the music, the festival also feature numerous music seminars and panels.

Trey Songz will hit the road in February and bring Big Sean with him for a short run of concerts across America. Dubbed the “Anticipation 2our,” the opening date will be February 9 in Cleveland. The R&B singer, with Big Sean opening, will then wind his way westward and finish up in Oakland, Calif on February 19. Other cities hit during the eight night tour will be Louisville, Ky.; Chicago; St. Louis; Grand Prairie Texas; Los Angeles and Los Vegas. Though the dates are limited at this point, Songz’s official website and promises that more information on the tour will be “coming soon!”

The tour is named after Songz’s latest mixtape, Anticipation 2, which was released in November. It could also deftly describe the feeling of his fans as they await his next official album, Chapter 5. Though no release date has yet been set, Songz has indicated that the album should be released sometime early this year. The lead single for the album, “Top of the World,” was released on November 1, and also was a track on the singer’s Inevitable EP, which was released November 25.

Songz’s most recent official album was Passion Pain & Pleasure, which was released in September 2010. That album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and was later certified gold. The lead single from that album, “Bottoms Up,” featured singer Nicki Minaj, and cracked the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts, and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart.

Trey Songz was discovered at a talent show in 2000 by producer Troy Taylor. That connection led him to a record deal two years later, and his debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005. Taylor has continued to serve as a producer on all of Songz’s official albums, and is reported to be a part of Chapter 5, as well.

R&B singer Trey Songz has experienced a meteoric rise in the last three months sharing the stage with Jay-Z, having his name on the Grammy nomination list, laying down notes with Stevie Wonder and even doing the Obama fist bump at the White House. In recent interviews, Songz has described his brush with fame surreal and doesn’t feel out of place opening forJay-Z between two rappers – Young Jeezy and the Hova.

Trey Songz, who was born Tremaine Aldon Neverson, is touring in support of his most recent release gold-certified “Ready.” The album was nominated at the Grammy’s for Best Contemporary R&B Album. Singles drawn from the album including “Say Aah” and “Neighbors Know My Name” have seen success on the airwaves and have continued to introduce Songz to new listeners.

Trey Songz participated in the remake of “We Are the World” with the likes of heavyweights like Harry Connick Jr, Natalie Cole and Snoop Dogg, and he participated in the BET Honors 2010 that shone the spotlight on Stevie Wonder.

2010 Trey Songz Concert Tour
March 2010
11 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
12 – Uniondale, NY – Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa Event Center
14 – Auburn Hills, MI – The Palace of Auburn Hills
16 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mellon Arena
18 – Chicago, IL – United Center
19 – St. Louis, MO – Scottrade Center
20 – Indianapolis, IN – Conseco Fieldhouse
22 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
24 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion at San Jose
26 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
27 – Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Concert Theater
30 – New York City, NY – Roseland Ballroom