Jay Z To Headline The Global Citizens Festival In Central Park

Jay-Z will serve as headliner of the annual Global Citizen Festival in Central Park this year.

For the third time, the free fest will come to the Great Lawn — this time on Sept. 27 — with the mission to raise awareness and inspire action to end extreme poverty all around the world.

"Change only takes place when and where there is action," Jay-Z said in a statement.

"I'm joining the 2014 Global Citizen Festival because I believe through actions, whether it be by raising awareness, getting involved or educating ourselves, the goal to end extreme poverty by 2030 is possible."

This year's bill will also feature Carrie Underwood, No Doubt, fun., electronic DJ Tiesto and The Roots.

It's by far the most diverse array of performers for a Global Citizen event. Last year, Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys headlined the show, with John Mayer and Kings of Leon taking the stage. In its initial year, 2012, rock dominated, with sets from The Black Keys, Foo Fighters and headliner Neil Young.

The event is expected to bring 60,000 fans to the Great Lawn, though anyone can watch it through a wide variety of streaming outlets. As always, it's timed to coincide with the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York.

As in years past, tickets for the event have no monetary cost but they do have to be earned: Fans must visit the event's official site, globalcitizen.org, where they can perform tasks, like sending tweets on the subject of global poverty, watch official videos or pledge individual actions.

Over the past year, the cause has expanded its reach with Global Citizen Nights, offering smaller shows in places such as Chicago or Columbia, Maryland, featuring artists from The Fray to Aloe Blacc.

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