NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —

VH1’s beloved, popular franchise, “VH1 Divas,“ announced today additional performers to join this year’s tribute to soul music. Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Boyz II Men, Estelle, Marsha Ambrosius and Travie McCoy will join VH1’s “divas” in paying homage to these cities and soul music’s timeless classics at New York City‘s Hammerstein Ballroom. “VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” premieres Monday, December 19 at 9 PM/8c on VH1.

“We
are so excited to feature these diverse and multi-talented women and
men joining our ‘Divas’ roster this year to showcase the global impact
of soul music and how influential and inspirational the music is to
today’s chart-topping artists,” said Lee Rolontz,
EVP, Original Music Production & Development, VH1 and VH1 Classic.
“Celebrating the soul music borne out of some of the world’s greatest
cities being performed by today’s top artists with the iconic legends
that put soul music on the map prove this year’s ‘Divas’ will be a
must-see event.”

“VH1
Divas Celebrates Soul” will bring together some of the best singers
across the globe, men and women alike, to honor the soulful cities that
inspired these divas and their art.  The headlining “divas” were
announced at an earlier date including: Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Florence + The Machine, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J. and Jill Scott.

The cities honored include: Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis and Philadelphia.
Accompanied by one of the most exciting groups of modern soul, The
Roots, with Questlove as musical director, each diva will pay tribute
through not only their own soul-inspired songs, but some of the greatest
classics that have shaped a genre.

As in previous years, this edition of “VH1 Divas” will benefit VH1 Save The Music Foundation and its programs to restore music education in public schools.  For more information, please visit www.vh1savethemusic.org.

This year’s sponsors for “VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” include: AT&T, COVERGIRL, GEICO, Hershey®‘s, Old Navy, Samsung and The Wendy’s Company.

Additional performers, presenters, special guests and sponsors will be announced as they are confirmed. 

Visit DIVAS.VH1.com and Twitter at @VH1 and #VH1DIVAS for more information.

Premiering
on VH1 in 1998, “Divas” became synonymous with some of the most
memorable, live, female vocal performances in television history.  The
show quickly became a highly anticipated annual phenomenon, generating
speculation among music fans and industry executives on who would be
part of that year’s telecast.  Last year, the “Divas” saluted the armed
forces with “The USO Presents: ‘VH1 Divas Salute the Troops” with Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Sugarland, Keri Hilson, Paramore and Grace Potter and The Nocturnals. Previous featured performers over the years included Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Cher, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Chaka Khan, Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Leona Lewis, Jordin Sparks and numerous others have graced the “VH1 Divas” stage.

“VH1 Divas” is executive produced by Greg Sills for Chloe Productions and Lee Rolontz, Rick Krim for VH1.

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