Washington, Jun 9 : Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, rapper Queen Latifah and hip-hop band TLC will be headlining The Mandela Day Celebration, scheduled to take place on July 18 in New York.

The three will be joined by Wyclef Jean, Cyndi Lauper, Baaba Maal and Josh Groban, among others, at the upcoming event.

They will be paying tribute to human rights icon Nelson Mandela, reports Contactmusic.

The Madison Square Garden concert marks the first time the U. S. will host a Mandela Day concert following successful all-star shows in the U. K., South Africa, Spain and Norway.

Last year, the celebration was held in London's Hyde Park, and it took place on the former South African leader's 90th birthday.

The 2009 concert will come at the end of a week of Mandela-related events in the Big Apple, including a fundraising gala hosted by former U. S. President Bill Clinton. (ANI)