Solange Knowles and all her fabulousness were honored at last night’s ESSENCE Women in Music event at Greystone Manor in L.A. Check out all the YBF ladies who came out to support–Kelis, Jill Scott, LisaRaye, Estelle, KeKe Palmer, NeNe Leakes and plenty more–and their gorge purple carpet looks inside…
Honoree Solange, who also performed, kept her signature look of a bold printed leg-baring dress and bold lip color. This one is by London designer duo Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason. And she paired her look with a hot pair of metallic and white-capped toe Nicholas Kirkwood pumps. Fabulous as usual.
During the event, Solo hit the stage to perform some of her new songs….and even got accompanied by Earth, Wind & Fire’s Verdine White!
Jill Scott gushed about it all saying, "@solangeknowles is swag. Ok? She is swag."
Agreed.
Speaking of the fab Jill Scott, she hit the carpet at the event, which was sponsored by the 2013 Lincoln MKZ. Wearing a ruby red front slit Michael Costello (former Project Runway contestant) dress, she paired her look with sparkling pumps and a bold red lip. Gorge.
Leave it to Kelis to bring out a feisty look or the occasion. She rocked thigh high black boots with a gold cap toe, a long snakeskin coat with a black & white dress. Lots going on, including that hair. But that’s why we love her.
"Single Ladies" star LisaRaye McCoy hit the event in a white (her signature) Tadashi Shoji white pintuck illusion dress.
And snapped a pic with Kelis and actress Vanessa Williams.
KeKe Palmer debuted her new curly hair with a sleek black dress. Loves it.
Singer Dawn Richard rocked a silver & white geometric dress and her black Louboutin pumps.
We adore Estelle’s look of printed red & white skinny pant trousers with a matching jacket.
Tamia, who just made history as the first Canadian to be nominated for a GRAMMY in the R&B album category, hit up the event last night:
She kept it trendy in a Michael Costello mermaid leather skirt, Eleven Paris Biggie tee and an Alexander McQueen blazer. Fab as always.
Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell showed off her curves in a fuchsia dress.
"Glee" star Amber Riley kept it pretty in pleated pink.
Former "Charlie’s Angels" star Annie Illonzeh looked ready for spring in her tangerine pants and printed top.
"Single Ladies" star and model Denise Vasi kept it chic in a head to toe black and sheer look.
And singer Goapele went for the all black look as well.
Couples also took to the carpet ahead of the event:
Eric Benet brought his wife Manuela Testolini to the event.
And star of the upcoming Tyler Perry film, Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, Jurnee Smollett hit the carpet with her hubby Josiah Bell. Cute.
Naturi Naughton went for a little blue iridescence on the carpet.
NeNe Leakes came out to support the ladies.
Actress Sharon Leal attended the event with her boyfriend Paul Becker. We’ll keep our comments to ourselves.
Vanessa Williams and her killer gams are still hot.
And speaking of killer legs…model Jessica White rocked a feminine tuxedo pants look for the occasion. Fab times.
“This is easily one the most important songs I have ever done because it provides Hip-Hop with a solution-based perspective meant to combat some of the problems we face as a culture. It’s honest, raw, and transparent. I’ve been friends with Raheem Devaughn for a long time, so to finally collaborate on a song feels great. When I played the record for him, he fell in love with it and instantly added his parts; which took the song to another level,” say’s the David Found His Slingshot author in a exclusive statement to Medium Creative Agency.
Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana’s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career.
Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.
To celebrate “Greener” pastures, following the announcement of her joining Kid Cudi’s ‘Insano World Tour,’ Cleveland native Chelsea Pastel releases the Cassius G-produced single “Price Going Up.” Marking CP’s explosive entrance into 2024, the empowering anthem resonates with anybody pushing forward with resilience and determination. With infectious beats and powerful vocals, she asserts her presence as a rising star to watch. Setting the stage for an exciting year ahead, the brand-new track is a bold declaration of Chelsea’s unwavering commitment to excellence.
“I jumped off that porch, I’m not going back to that house and I mean just that. I’m never looking back. I took a leap of faith and where I land is where I’m staying,” says the talented triple threat in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about her latest release.
Born and bred in Forest City, Chelsea found her passion for music early on, which led her to enroll in the Cleveland School of Arts. After graduating, Chelsea begin to make a name for herself throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her unique sonic style, catchy hooks, and lyrical prowess have earned her the title of Cleveland’s Next Up talent.
Apart from accolades, which include spotlight spots regionally on WKYC and Dirty Glove Bastard as well as national recognition on top-tier entertainment networks like BET, Chelsea is a self-taught instrumentalist who often handles her production, writing, and engineering. Her unique brand of ballads can be best classified as a fusion of Rap and Pop with a touch of Rock accented by old-school flavor.
Press play on “Price Going Up” on your DSP of choice below and watch the visual for “Greener” | HERE via Pastel Productions LLC / Vydia.
Hailing from the vibrant city of Irvine, the rising artist iazY is making waves with her latest single, “Pink Leaf,” released under her own label, iazY Music Ent. This track, produced by The Real Mapa and engineered by Troy “R8dio” Johnson, introduces listeners to iazY’s signature sound—a fusion of Urban pop rock melodies.
iazY shared her motivation behind crafting “Pink Leaf,” revealing, “I just had this vision of just a chill vibe, something for my ladies.” This intention shines through in the song’s laid-back groove and sultry lyrics, creating an irresistible atmosphere that invites listeners to unwind and groove along.
What sets “Pink Leaf” apart for iazY is not only its sound but also the emotions it evokes. She explains, “I think just how the song sounds and how it makes me feel. It just puts me in that ‘have fun chill’ vibe.” With its catchy hooks and lush production, “Pink Leaf” effortlessly captures iazY’s essence as an artist, marking a milestone in her musical journey.
As iazY continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of genres and infectious energy, fans eagerly anticipate upcoming shows and releases. To stay updated on iazY’s latest endeavors, follow her on Instagram @iazyofficial and keep an ear out for future announcements from iazY Music Ent.