'Essence' honors Black Women in Music with concert

With the Grammys days away, Essence magazine took time Thursday evening to celebrate Black Women in Music (as the 7th annual event is called) at Avalon Hollywood. The best way to do that? With soulful performances from Grammy-nominated singers Andra Day and Jazmine Sullivan in front of guests including Queen Latifah, Zendaya, Christina Milian and George Clinton.

Though not a performer at the event, one star that had people talking ahead of the show was Beyoncé and her politically charged single Formation. Attendees seemed to be in agreement: The song was empowering for women of color.

"I just feel like she was courageous," said hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte about Beyoncé's decision to release the song.

"She's trying to make a change and express it through her music," said 13-year-old DJ Young 1, who deejayed at the party and hopes to have a similar kind of messaging in her future songs.

As for the actual show, Day and Sullivan didn't make any speeches about why black women should support one another. Instead, they moved the audience through their vocals, most obviously with Day's liberating Rise Up, which is nominated for best R&B performance. (Day and Sullivan also have R&B album nominations.)

Day also performed her song Gold and a cover of Biggie Smalls' Big Poppa. Sullivan, who took the stage second, had the crowd bobbing to heartfelt songs about failed relationships, Bust Your Windows and Forever Don't Last.

Sullivan shared her gratitude for the event simply: "I am black, and I'm a woman and I'm in music. Thanks for honoring me."