Kelly Rowland brought some sunshine to the red carpet while attending the 6th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Thursday. The “Ice” singer was radiant in a yellow top, showing off her legs in a navy pencil skirt at the intimate pre-Oscars event.
She was in good company, rubbing shoulders with some of the most powerful women in Hollywood, fashion, and music including Oprah, Naomi Campbell, and Jennifer Hudson. Other attendees included Jill Scott, Gabrielle Union, La La Anthony, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Lauren London, while Miguel entertained the ladies.
Kelly will be back on the red carpet this Sunday. But this time she will be hosting the pre-show for the 85th Annual Academy Awards, which kicks off at 7 p.m. EST.
It was ladies’ night at the 4th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Music event on Wednesday. The magazine honored Solange and British soul singer Lianne La Havas at an intimate celebration at Greystone Manor Supperclub in West Hollywood during Grammy week.
R&B’s leading ladies and some fresh faces including Kelis, Jill Scott, Dawn Richard, Tamia, Estelle, Leah LaBelle, and Bridget Kelly toasted their fellow females. Solange entertained with some new material off her EP True and was joined onstage by her collaborator Devonté “Dev” Hynes and Earth Wind & Fire’s Verdine White.
Their male counterparts including Tank, Bilal, and Eric Benét also came out to show their support.
See more pics of the ladies showing out on the purple carpet.
Following Jay-Z, G.O.O.D. Music, Rick Ross, D’Angelo, and Janelle Monáe, the “Made in America” festival returned for a second day, bringing performances from a wild crew (Odd Future), hip-hop royalty (Run-DMC), soulful songstress (Jill Scott), and a pop rebel (Santigold). Catch their entire sets below.
Drake, Run-D.M.C., and Jill Scott will all descend upon Philadelphia for Jay-Z’s “Made in America” festival. The artists are the latest to be added to the bill for the two-day concert extravaganza on Sept. 1 and 2.
Jill Scott tore the roof off the Hammerstein Grand Ballroom in New York City during her captivating set for “VH1 Storytellers.” The Philly songstress changed outfits and wigs while acting out different characters to illustrate some of her musical influences. She took on various roles including a “Round the Way Girl,” a bride-to-be, and an intellectual, as she powered through old and new material including “Come See Me,” “Golden,” and “Blessed” off her latest album The Light of the Sun.
Jill Scott counts her blessings in the self-directed video for “Blessed,” a cut off her latest album The Light of the Sun. The soulful songstress finds happiness in her daily life, whether she’s in the studio, at home with her husband and son, or chilling with her girlfriends.
“This record spoke to me as an inspiration for myself and for others to remember to count your personal blessings every day,” said Scott, who will perform on “VH1 Storytellers” on May 21. “The money, cars, trophies can all disappear immediately. It’s about what’s happening in your life like your family, friends, and health.”
Put a smile on your face with Jill’s joyful video.
Whitney Houston’s presence was felt at the 43rd NAACP Image Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Friday night. Following a montage of the pop icon’s achievements, Yolanda Adams performed the gospel song “I Love the Lord, He Heard My Cry.” “We love you, Nip,” said Adams, in reference to the singer’s childhood nickname.
Jennifer Hudson and Ne-Yo honored George Lucas by dueting on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” while the filmmaker sang along in the audience.
Looking regal in red, Jill Scott had everyone counting their blessings as she performed the uplifting “So Blessed” off her album The Light of the Sun.
In the music categories, winners included Diggy Simmons (Outstanding New Artist), Cee Lo Green (Outstanding Male Artist), Jill Scott (Outstanding Female Artist), and Jennifer Hudson (Outstanding Album, Outstanding Music Video).
Young Jeezy looks for an escape on the dark “Trapped,” his collaboration with Jill Scott. The survivors’ anthem, produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, appears on his fourth album TM103: Hustlerz Ambition, available Tuesday.
“The record with Jill Scott basically sums up my life in one song,” Jeezy told Rap-Up.com. “It’s basically saying I had humble beginnings, but where I came from, I feel like there was no way out. Everywhere I looked, everywhere I turned it was just hurdles and mountains and hills and it was like, ‘How the fuck do I get outta here?’ or ‘How do I better myself?’”
He hopes the song will provide inspiration to those who feel that there’s no way out. “I just think that should be your theme song because sometimes you do feel trapped, but you gotta know that there’s always a way out of a trap,” he explained. “Even bears get out of them motherfuckers. You gotta just believe in you and just push harder.”
