-New Urban Media- Janet Jackson Shares Loving Tribute to Father In Concert

( via Instagram @janetjackson) 

This past weekend while performing before thousands at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, singer Janet Jackson made her first public statement in wake of the death of her father, talent manager Joe Jackson.

The singer and new mom, aged 52, explained that just before her NOLA appearance, she was at a crossroads as to whether to cancel the concert and the remainder of her current tour, "State of the World".  She shared that before performing that weekend, she spoke with one of her elder siblings, who helped her remember her father's strength:

In the beginning, and continuing on: Jackson as a small tot with father Joseph, and today as a first-time mom between tour stops earlier this year with baby Issa. 

"A little less than two weeks ago my father passed away. He was comforted by my family and me," she began. "It's always difficult when you lose a loved one, and to be quite honest it was really hard for me... I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to move forward...".

It was one of her brothers who told her to imagine what their dad would tell her during these difficult moments, and the singer tearfully reflected on her father being the strength that propelled a black family from Gary, Indiana into record-breaking success in the entertainment industry.   In the concert clip below, Janet addresses her recent loss & dedicates the song "Together Again" to her late father, who died last month at age 89 after battling cancer. 

Janet Jackson was one of four headliners at this year's festival. With main activities taking place in New Orleans' Mercedez-Benz Superdome and venues in the surrounding area, the Essence fest draws attendees from around the world to present an endless array of performances by leading artists of color in pop, soul,  jazz, and gospel music.   Similarly to internationally acclaimed music events like Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals, Essence Festival features dozens of artists on its roster and additional cultural conferences & seminars for attendees. Jackson headlined the super festival this year with Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Mary J. Blige, with a special festival appearance by Queen Latifah.