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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.

On the Scene: 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.
On the Scene: 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.

On the Scene: 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.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
05
Zendaya

All black everything.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
06
Vivica A. Fox

Vivica A. Fox strikes a pose.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
07
Andy Allo

Andy Allo’s curls are popping!

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
08
Trevor Jackson

Trevor Jackson poses for a super smooth photo opp.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
09
Andra Day

Lady in red Andra poses for a photo.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
10
Yara and Keri Shahidi

Major mother-daughter  #TWINNING.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
11
Ivy-Victoria Maurice, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lalah Hathaway

Three lovely ladies.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
12
Christina Milian

Christina wins for accessory of the night.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
13
Andra Day and Estelle

So much talent in one pic!

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
14
Andra Day and Trevor Jackson

Hanging out in the lounge.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
15
Antonique Smith

Antonique stands out in the crowd.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
16
Andy Allo

Andy Allo poses near the bar.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
17
V. Bozeman

Ms V. owning the night.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
18
Yara Shahidi Chloe Bailey, and Halle Bailey

Selfies with friends are a must.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
19
Yara Shahidi

Our February cover girl was caught being fab!

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
20
Kelis

Kelis brings the fierce.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Michael Rowe
21
Tweet

A songbird in yellow.

On the Scene: 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.

On the Scene: Inside ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music Event
Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for ESSENCE
23
Zendaya

Too cool for school.

On the Scene: 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.

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

Essence Beauty Box swag!

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

Mixing and mingling.

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

Play Mr. DJ!

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

Goodies galore.

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