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On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event

ESSENCE celebrated Grammy-nominated Black women in music with a star-studded event in Los Angeles. Go inside the exclusive invite-only soiree. We see you Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Zendaya, and Kelis.
By Yolanda Sangweni ·
01
Andra Day

Andra Day commands the stage at ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music 2016 at Avalon in Hollywood.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for ESSENCE
02
Jazmine Sullivan
Powerhouse vocalist Jazmine Sullivan is set to send goosebumps throughout the Superdome as she hits the Main Stage.
Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for ESSENCE
03
Yara Shahidi

Yara simply couldn’t look cuter as she poses for a pic.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
04
Sheryl Lee Ralph and Ivy-Victoria Maurice

These ladies compliment each other in black and white.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
05
Zendaya

All black everything.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
06
Vivica A. Fox

Vivica A. Fox strikes a pose.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
07
Andy Allo

Andy Allo’s curls are popping!

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
08
Trevor Jackson

Trevor Jackson poses for a super smooth photo opp.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
09
Andra Day

Lady in red Andra poses for a photo.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
10
Yara and Keri Shahidi

Major mother-daughter  #TWINNING.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
11
Ivy-Victoria Maurice, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lalah Hathaway

Three lovely ladies.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
12
Christina Milian

Christina wins for accessory of the night.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
13
Andra Day and Estelle

So much talent in one pic!

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
14
Andra Day and Trevor Jackson

Hanging out in the lounge.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
15
Antonique Smith

Antonique stands out in the crowd.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
16
Andy Allo

Andy Allo poses near the bar.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
17
V. Bozeman

Ms V. owning the night.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
18
Yara Shahidi Chloe Bailey, and Halle Bailey

Selfies with friends are a must.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
19
Yara Shahidi

Our February cover girl was caught being fab!

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
20
Kelis

Kelis brings the fierce.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
21
Tweet

A songbird in yellow.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
22
Vanessa De Luca and activist Johnetta Elzie

Our Editor-in-Chief takes a pic with our February cover girl.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for ESSENCE
23
Zendaya

Too cool for school.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for ESSENCE
24
Queen Latifah and MC Lyte

Two of the hottest rappers ever.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for ESSENCE
25
On the Scene

Essence Beauty Box swag!

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ESSENCE
26
On the Scene

Mixing and mingling.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ESSENCE
27
On the Scene

Play Mr. DJ!

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ESSENCE
28
On the Scene

Goodies galore.

Inside ESSENCE's Black Women in Music Event
Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ESSENCE