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Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, Janelle Monae and Big Boi attend ESSENCE ‘Black Women in Music’ event at the Playhouse Hollywood on February 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
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Managing Editor of ESSENCE.com Emil Wilbikin, Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, Janelle Monae, Big Boi attend ESSENCE ‘Black Women in Music’ event at the Playhouse Hollywood on February 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
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Flawless! Janelle Monae looks simply stunning on the black carpet of the second annual ESSENCE “Black Women in Music” event in Los Angeles.
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Talk about star power! Event hosts Diddy and Big Boi pose for a picture with “Black Women in Music” honoree Janelle Monae.
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ESSENCE Contributing Style Editor Toccara looks lovely in her long-sleeved mini dress at the 2011 “BWIM” event.
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Letoya Luckett wears a sexy royal blue ruched cocktail dress.
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Honoree Janelle Monae plants a kiss on Diddy’s cheek. Diddy is Monae’s label head at Bad Boy Records and mentor. “Whenever I need advice, he’s just there,” she told ESSENCE. "And him just being there is enough.
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The oh-so-beautiful Joy Bryant accentuates her natural glow with a feminine floral dress.
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Leona Lewis adds a flash of color on the black carpet at ESSENCE’s second annual “BWIM” event.
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ESSENCE “Black Women in Music” 2011 honoree Janelle Monae looks fierce in head-to-toe black before a 2011 Lincoln MKX.
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Janelle Monae is enjoying her moment in the spotlight. “This is just the beginning of my career so to be recognized this early just gives me more encouragement and hopefully I can open up doors for more young girls.”
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ESSENCE 2011 “Black Women in Music” host Diddy looks handsome in his luxe black tux.
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Big Boi of Outkast is nominated for a Grammy this year for his collaboration with Janelle Monae on the song “Tightrope.”
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Erica Hubbard arrives at the ESSENCE “Black Women in Music” reception honoring Janelle Monae in Los Angeles.
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Tamika Fraser looks super chic in her LBD and turban at the second annual ESSENCE “Black Women in Music” soiree.
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Gospel superstars Mary Mary look classy as ever on the black carpet of ESSENCE’s “BWIM.”
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Starlet Katerina Graham looks fun and flirty in her shiny mini dress at ESSENCE’s second annual “Black Women in Music.” Love those heels, girl! Katerina wearing Charles Albert Titanium Treated Quartz Necklace and Ring.
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Katerina Graham rocks a sensational statement necklace to ESSENCE’s “Black Women in Music.” Katerina wearing Charles Albert Titanium Treated Quartz Necklace and Ring.
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Kem looks smooth in his gray pinstripe suit and crisp white shirt. Love that look on a man!
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Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson wears a fierce sleeveless mock neck mini dress with strappy heels to ESSENCE’s “BWIM” pre-Grammy event.
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The legendary Sylvia Rhone walks the black carpet at ESSENCE’s second annual “Black Women in Music.”
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Swedish-Congolese R&B singer Mohombi walks the black carpet at ESSENCE’s second annual “Black Women in Music.”
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Melanie Fiona wears a bold patterned dress on the black carpet. (Is that a four-finger ring we see?) Fiona is nominated for a Grammy for her track with John Legend & the Roots, “Wake Up Everybody.”
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Nadine Ellis keeps it simple with an elegant LBD and minimal accessories.
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Musiq Soulchild adds a pop of color to his charcoal three-piece with those funky shades-of-purple aviators.
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Melanie Fiona, Toccara and Estelle show some sisterly love on the black carpet.
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Celeb choreographer Fatima Robinson looks fun and funky in her high-waisted trousers, leopard print heels and hint of corset peeking from below her black blazer.
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ESSENCE “BWIM” 2011 Honoree Janelle Monae accepts the ESSENCE award for her unique work in music thus far.
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Big Boi of Outkast performs at the second annual ESSENCE “Black Women in Music” awards event in Los Angeles.
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Outkast’s Big Boi introduces ESSENCE 2011 “Black Music in Music” Honoree Janelle Monae, who strikes a pose onstage with her chic cape.
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Janelle Monae performs at the second annual ESSENCE “Black Women in Music” event at the Playhouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.
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“I want to encourage people to love themselves by giving them an experience,” says Monae. “Somewhere they can go whenever they want to escape. It’s not just a collection of songs, but an experience.”
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Janelle Monae attends the ESSENCE ‘Black Women in Music’ event at the Playhouse Hollywood on February 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
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Janelle Monae had a special guest in the audience sharing her moment: her mentor Prince (who wouldn’t allow any pictures). “He has inspired me and given me the blueprint as an artist.”
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Janelle Monae is flanked by her backup singers onstage.
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Janelle Monae and Big Boi have some fun onstage.
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Monae told us: “I want to thank ESSENCE. There are a lot of wonderful beautiful girls doing their thing — making a mark. So to be honored, I’m honored!”
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Janelle Monae’s stage presence is electric!
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Janelle Monae attends the ESSENCE ‘Black Women in Music’ event at the Playhouse Hollywood on February 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
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Nia Long looks rocker chic in her leather jacket and peep-toe booties at ESSENCE’s “BWIM.”
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Anthony Hamilton and Kelly Price get up close and personal at ESSENCE’s “BWIM.”
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Diddy attends ESSENCE ‘Black Women in Music’ event at the Playhouse Hollywood on February 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
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Grammy-nominees Bruno Mars and Melanie Fiona have some fun.
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Janelle Monae and Nia Long at ESSENCE’s 2011 “Black Women In Music.” There was a lot of love in the room!
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Melanie Fiona and Kem attend ESSENCE ‘Black Women in Music’ event at the Playhouse Hollywood on February 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
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Janelle Monae and Toccara attend ESSENCE ‘Black Women in Music’ event at the Playhouse Hollywood on February 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
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Perri ‘Pebbles’ Reid arrives at the ESSENCE ‘Black Women in Music’ event held at Playhouse Hollywood on February 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
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