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.
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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.
03
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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07
Kandi Burruss
Kandi Burruss steps out in style wearing Dolce & Gabbana at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
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09
LeToya Luckett
LeToya Luckett steps out in style wearing Sherri Hill at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
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11
Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Cole steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
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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.
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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.
15
Keith Powers
Keith Powers steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
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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.
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18
Estelle
Estelle steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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Mario
Mario steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
20
Goapele
Goapele steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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21
Tasha Smith
Tasha Smith steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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26
Lil Mama
Lil Mama steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
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La'Porsha Renae
La'Porsha Renae steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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29
DeWanda Wise
DeWanda Wise steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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30
Rhapsody
Rhapsody steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
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Lalah Hathaway
Lalah Hathaway steps out in style at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event in Los Angeles, California.
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33
Sibley Scoles
Sibley Scoles steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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34
Gabrielle Dennis
Gabrielle Dennis steps out in style at theEssence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
35
St. Beauty
St. Beauty steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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40
Susan Kelechi-Watson
Susan Kelechi-Watson steps out in style at the 2017 Essence Black Women in Music in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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TOPICS: Celebrity ESSENCE Black Women in Music Fashion Erykah Badu
