By Julee Wilson & Cristina Coppin ·

ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music gala is a celebration of beauty, soul and sound — which is why it only makes sense that the 8th annual event that took place Thursday night honored Erykah Badu. The Grammy Award-winning singer was joined by a slew of stylish stars — including Yara Shahidi, Janelle Monae, Melanie Fiona, Faith Evans, Goapele just to name a few. Here’s a look at all the must-see red carpet moments. 

01
Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu steps out in style wearing Ashi Studio at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.

The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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02
Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi steps out in style wearing Greta Constantine at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.

The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
03
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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04
Vanessa DeLuca
Essence Editor-in-Chief Vanessa DeLuca steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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05
Chloe x Halle

Chloe x Halle step out in style wearing Uel Camilo Official at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.

The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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06
Bibi Bourelly
Bibi Bourelly steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
getty images
07
Kandi Burruss

Kandi Burruss steps out in style wearing Dolce & Gabbana at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.

The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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08
Mya
Mya steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
getty images
09
LeToya Luckett

LeToya Luckett steps out in style wearing Sherri Hill at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.

The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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10
Melanie Fiona
Melanie Fiona steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
getty images
11
Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Cole steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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12
Faith Evans
Faith Evans steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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13
Kiersey Clemens
Kiersey Clemens steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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14
Woody McClain
Woody McClain steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
15
Keith Powers
Keith Powers steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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16
Luke James
Luke James steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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17
Normani Kordei
Normani Kordei steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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18
Estelle
Estelle steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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19
Mario
Mario steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
20
Goapele
Goapele steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
getty images
21
Tasha Smith
Tasha Smith steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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22
Keesha Sharp
Keesha Sharp steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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23
Eva Marcille

Eva Marcille steps out in style wearing Mistress Rocks at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.

The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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24
Tiwa Savage

Tiwa Savage steps out in style wearing Yousef Akbar at the Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.

The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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25
Serayah

Serayah steps out in style wearing Faith Connexion at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.

The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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26
Lil Mama
Lil Mama steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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27
Cymphonique Miller and Master P
Cymphonique Miller and Master P step out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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28
La’Porsha Renae
La’Porsha Renae steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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29
DeWanda Wise
DeWanda Wise steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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30
Rhapsody
Rhapsody steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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31
Loni Love
Loni Love steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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32
Lalah Hathaway
Lalah Hathaway steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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33
Sibley Scoles
Sibley Scoles steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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34
Gabrielle Dennis
Gabrielle Dennis steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
35
St. Beauty
St. Beauty steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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36
Malina Moye
Malina Moye steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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37
Roman GianArthur
Roman GianArthur steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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38
Pooch Hall
Pooch Hall steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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39
Shantell Martin
Shantell Martin steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
getty images
40
Susan Kelechi-Watson
Susan Kelechi-Watson steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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41
Nicci Gilbert
Nicci Gilbert steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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42
Mona Scott-Young
Mona Scott-Young steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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43
Robinne Lee
Robinne Lee steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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44
Chante Adams
Chante Adams steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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45
Sierra McClain and China Anne McClain
Sierra McClain and China Anne McClain step out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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46
Keke Wyatt

Singer KeKe Wyatt spoke to ESSENCE in 2012 about her experience in an abusive relationship and stabbing her ex-husband in self-defense, “People won’t understand until they walk in my shoes. I felt so bad for what I did, but I couldn’t let it consume me. It was my faith in God, and my family that helped me through this. Those are the people that really know what happened, and they don’t judge me.” 

The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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47
Tamar Davis
Tamar Davis steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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48
Remy Ma

Remy Ma steps out in style wearing OTT and Gucci heels at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.

The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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49
DJ Cassidy
DJ Cassidy steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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50
Tyra Ferrell
Tyra Ferrell steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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51
Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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52
Kriss Mincey
Kriss Mincey steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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53
Macy Gray
Macy Gray steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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54
Franchesca Ramsey
Franchesca Ramsey steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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55
Essence Editor-in-Chief Vanessa DeLuca and Solange Knowles
Essence Editor-in-Chief Vanessa DeLuca and Solange Knowles step out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
The 2017 ESSENCE Black Women in Music Red Carpet Was Lit Per Usual
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