Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Ne-Yo will be performing at this year's Essence Musical Festival after being MIA from the music scene for a minute. The star spent the last four months shooting  the upcoming movie "Red Tails" in Praque, which also stars Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding, Jr. He told People.com his moves are "a little rusty," but he will back in the groove before taking the fesitival stage.  The show kicks off his month-long European tour, and he's not leaving without hitting the town and tasting the bayou's favorite dish.

"Gumbo is a must! I won't get on the stage until I get a proper bowl of gumbo," he said.

Beyonce, John Legend and Maxwell are other big names hitting the stage at the festival.--Shavon S. Greene