Angie Stone, Mos Def Shine at SoulFest

Angie Stone at SoulFest

Big Boi from Outkast, Sleepy Brown, Chaka Kahn, Angie Stone, Mos Def and other popular soul and hip-hop artists performed this weekend at Atlanta’s annual SoulFest. Rapper Ludacris was added last minute to the line-up to replace LL Cool J who had to cancel his show due to a family emergency. The two-day festival was held at the Green Lot right behind the Atlanta Turner Field baseball stadium.

Angie Stone was one of the headliners of the event. The neo-soul diva made waves in the mainstream gay press after rumors spread that she supposedly made anti-gay remarks at a concert in 2002. "I've learned over the years that people are people, and the thing that I love is, I'm accepted on all fronts," she told the Advocate earlier this year in an effort to express her support for gays and silence the rumors.

After some technical difficulties, the singer finally hit the stage in front of a cheering audience at SoulFest. She sang songs from her latest album "Stone Love" including "I Wanna Thank Ya" and her new single "U-Haul." The high point of her performance was her duet with newcomer Anthony Hamilton. Their live rendition of "Stay For A While" turned from a soul love song into a blazing gospel anthem.

Stone added that if she had it her way, she would pick that duet as her next single. The singer repeatedly thanked the miracle of the lord for her continued success.

Hip-hop artist Mos Def was another high note at the event. The actor/poet/musician is preparing the release of his much-anticipated sophomore album "The New Danger" in October on Geffen Records.

Def released his last album "Black On Both Sides" in 1999. Since then he has played in movies and appeared in several television shows, including as a host in Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry on HBO. Most recently, he received a 2004 Emmy Nomination as an "Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie" for his critically acclaimed role in HBO Films' "Something the Lord Made."

Def’s performance at SoulFest was full of soul and substance. I was impressed how his grooves candidly reflect the urban reality and struggle for many. He combined singing and rapping in his spirited performance.

Mos Def, Robin Williams, Sean Penn and others will play a “Freedom Concert” October 4 in New York to support the American Civil Liberties Union.

Download Angie Stone "I Wanna Thank Ya":

Download Mos Def "Brooklyn":