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Kelly Rowland, LaLa Anthony, Lauren London, Oprah Winfrey & MORE Attend The Sixth Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Luncheon

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The 6th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon was held yesterday afternoon drawing out Oprah Winfrey, Naomi Campbell, Kelly Rowland, Lauren London and many more. See photos inside….

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Oprah Winfrey was among the many high power celebrities who attended the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel earlier yesterday.   It was an event that tops the list of the YBF folks during Oscar season, and is a lovefest for all involved. 

Clearly O was trying out a new ‘do….that we’re not feeling.

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At the event, Oprah was honored alongside five other special guests– Alfre Woodard, Gabrielle Union, producer and TV writer Mara Brock Akil, Naomie Harris and Quvenzhané Wallis.

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She even brought her "daughters" as she calls them from her school in Africa.

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"Beasts of the Southern WIld" star Quvenzhané Wallis was honored during the event with a super cute floral dress and her staple puppy purse.

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Supermodel Naomi Campbell, who’s currently starring in "The Face", showed off her amazing legs and skin in a flirty white Azzedine Alaïa dress. 

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Holly Robinson Peete looked great.

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TV personality Shaun Robinson wore fushcia cocktail dress.  And we just found out this woman turned 50 last July.  50!  She looks AMAZING.  And needs to write a book on how to look like you’re still in your 30’s at 50.

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Kelly Rowland showed off her tiny waist line.

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Producer Tracey Edmonds chose an animal print for the event.

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Star Jones, who’s travels the country speaking out about heart disease, wore red (maybe she wanted to draw attention to the cause…hopefully).  Red fur is very rarely ok.

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KeKe Palmer is headed to the small screen as Chilli in the upcoming TLC biopic for VH1.

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Regina Hall will soon appear in The Best Man sequel.

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Jill Scott looked trim in her leather pants and blazer.

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Garcelle Beauvais wore a puffy teal gown.

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"Being Mary Jane" star Gabrielle Union was also there to support Mara in a vintage Versace look. 

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Rapper Common posed on the carpet.

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"ET" host Rocsi Diaz switched it up and walked the press line instead of being behind the mic.  LOVE these pants.

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"Happily Divorced" star Tichina Arnold was there.  This distressed denim blazer though….

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"The Game" star Lauren London came out to support her show creator Mara Brock Akil who as an honoree.

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Kelly Rowland posed with Jeanette Jenkins and Mara Brock Akil (wearing Peter Pilotto) herself.

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Jurnee Smollet, who’s starring in the Tyler Perry sizzler, Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, made her rounds.

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"Deception" star Meagan Good looked amazing wearing Christiane King.

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Alfre Woodard arrived with husband Roderick Spencer.

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Anika Noni-Rose wore a beautiful Carmen Marc Valvo dress.

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Remember when we peeped Loretta Devine with Newport on the red carpet?  This time…she’s got someone’s business card in her hand.  Always multi-tasking….

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We would have LOVED for Jill Marie Jones, Persia White and Golden Brooks to have met up with Tracy Ellis Ross for a "Girlfriends" reunion on the carpet to honor show producer Mara Brock Akil.

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"Necessary Roughness" star Mehcad Brooks came out to support the sistahs.

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Niecy Nash was all smiles in her glittery pants.

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Michael Ealy looked sexy….as usual.

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Naomie Harris, one of the most recent Bond girls (Skyfall) looked amazing in a printed Monique Lhuillier Resort 2013 dress. Her booties were Stuart Weitzman booties.

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"Second Generation Wayans" star Tatyana Ali wore Brian Atwood shoes and tweeted, "Shout out to my@brian_atwood Bs. They secretly made me very happy."

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"Eureka" star Salli Richardson-Whitfield stepped from behind the lens for a walk for the press line.

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Jeanette also posed with Tia and a post-baby voluptious Tamara Mowry.  Not loving this dress Tia as it does nothing for your cute bod.

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Wendy Raquel Robinson joined LaLa, Kelly, Jeanette and Lauren at their table.

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Essence’s Michelle Ebanks snapped a cute pic with Mara.

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LaLa rocked a Moschino dress for the occasion as she posed it up with producer Will Packer.

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Lala posed with her bestie Kelly for a few pics.  

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Jeanette and Lauren posed for a few snapshots in their seats.  Tracee Ellis Ross was also there.

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Emil Wilbekin posed with Skyfall actress Naomie Harris.

Fab times!

 

Photos via Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images North AmericaWireimage/Granitz

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Kayla Janae’s “Heart Crime” Proves She’s a Rising Force in R&B

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R&B fans, if you haven’t heard of Kayla Janae yet, now’s the time to get familiar. Her latest single, “Heart Crime,” featuring the soulful group Afterours, is a standout track that blends old-school R&B vibes with a fresh, modern sound.

On “Heart Crime,” Kayla showcases her impressive vocal range, moving effortlessly from smooth, ethereal tones to powerful, commanding notes within a single track. Her ability to blend emotion and technical control makes her a standout in today’s R&B landscape. The song begins with her signature soft and sultry sound, gradually building in intensity and emotion, taking listeners on a dynamic journey.

The collaboration with Afterours is a perfect match. Their harmonies add depth to the track, creating a lush and textured sound that’s both timeless and innovative. The emotional depth of the lyrics, especially in the poignant bridge where Kayla sings, “When we start over / We can start over baby, we can make it right,” gives the song a deeply personal touch that resonates with listeners.

With “Heart Crime,” Kayla Janae is proving she’s a force to be reckoned with in the R&B world. Her upcoming EP, “Always and Fornever,” set to release on September 27th, promises to showcase even more of her vocal talent and storytelling ability. As she continues to rise, one thing is clear: Kayla Janae is a name to watch in R&B.

Listen to “Heart Crime” now:

 

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T.O. Lestat: Merging Boom Bap and Mental Health in a New Era of Rap

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Hip-hop fans, prepare to dive into the world of T.O. Lestat, an artist who is seamlessly blending the hard-hitting sounds of boom bap with the deep, emotional exploration of mental health. Since his emergence in 2022, T.O. Lestat has quickly gained recognition for his powerful performances, striking art installations, and heartfelt music that sets him apart from others in the industry. This is more than just rap—it’s an immersive journey through the mind of an artist reshaping the genre with raw emotion and visual creativity.

Beyond the music, T.O. Lestat offers fans exclusive access to his world through limited-edition merchandise, including autographed physical media, posters, and other rare collectibles. His “Private Selection of Art, Music & Merchandise” allows supporters to own a piece of his legacy, giving them a glimpse into his expansive artistic vision.

T.O. Lestat has released a string of standout projects, including FukOffMe, Insights, Fukin Judith (T.O. Mix), Baby Mama Drama EP, Microphone Maestro – T.O. Mix, and Mental HELLth. Each release showcases his versatility and talent for reimagining boom bap with innovative lyrical patterns and dynamic wordplay. His storytelling is vivid and visual—you don’t just hear his bars, you see them.

T.O. Lestat’s music takes listeners on an emotional journey, blending raw personal experiences with abstract visuals. His project Abstraxt Conxergence stands as a perfect example, merging gritty reality-based rhymes with distorted still photography, creating an artistic experience that hits both the eyes and ears.

In his most recent project, Mental HELLth, T.O. Lestat dives deep into the struggles of mental health, offering an introspective look at his personal battles with setbacks and disabilities. It’s a powerful and vulnerable exploration of the mind, filled with clever bars and intricate flows that fans have come to love. In an industry where creativity can feel limited, T.O. Lestat refuses to be confined, blazing his own trail and pushing boundaries.

With more on the horizon, T.O. Lestat’s journey is just beginning. Explore his music and step into a world where rap and mental health intersect, creating a profound and unforgettable artistic experience.

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New Video: Brandon Grindz x Bugsy – Loosing Weight

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Check out the latest visual for “Loosing Weight” by Brandon Grindz and Bugsy, shot by Clipsfilms! This music video delivers a gritty street narrative with raw energy and authenticity. The visuals complement the track’s hard-hitting lyrics, showcasing the duo’s unique rap flows and chemistry. If you’re a fan of underground rap, this video is a must-watch, with its sleek production and captivating scenes. Catch it on YouTube for a fresh taste of Brandon Grindz and Bugsy’s undeniable talent.

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