. "The 2012 event marks the seventh battle in nine years, which has attracted artists and students from all over the U.S. since 2005, plus several celebrity guests, presenters and performers, including the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jr., Kanye West, Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire, Sheila E., Solange, Lalah Hathaway, Common, Chris Brown, George Duke, Afeni Shakur, Ernie Barnes, Macy Gray and the U" . . .