Glamazons,
Confession: I’ve always wanted to go to the Grammys so I started covering it on this blog years ago just to live vicariously. And honestly, it’s not just the Grammys that I want to attend. Anyone who follows that magical time in Hollywood (AKA Awards Season) knows that the week leading up to the Grammys is just as much fun as the Grammy Awards Show itself. From the Roc Nation brunch to Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy party, the events surrounding the Grammys are pretty epic on their own. Thanks to Lincoln Motor Company, I got to attend one of the most-attended pre-Grammy events: the Essence Black Women in Music event in Hollywood. It was one of the best live music experiences I’ve had ever (next to Essence Festival!).
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I stayed at the super swank Redbury boutique hotel in Hollywood, which was right next door to the Essence Black Women in Music venue: Avalon Hollywood.
Apparently, the Redbury was the place to be. Some of the night’s biggest performers stayed there, and Lexi of Lexi With The Curls and I ran into Frank Ocean, Common and J. Cole as they were headed to a party in the lobby. Read more about my hotel stay HERE.
After eating at the luxe Spago Beverly Hills, a sleek bistro by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck (remember I ate at his restaurant in DC?), we headed to the hotel to get dressed.
Lexi and I having way too much fun in our Lincoln car on the way from Spago
Once I got to the hotel, I realized I had a last minute shoe snafu (literally, I only packed one shoe…who am I, Cinderella?!) so I picked up a quick dress from H&M and paired it with my Alice and Olivia pumps and Kate Spade ‘Pop’ clutch.
The good news is my shoes matched the car on the red carpet: the 2015 Lincoln MKC with Black Label trim (it was meant to be!).
But I was even more excited about the new 2016 Lincoln MKX luxury crossover vehicle. Alongside the MyLincoln Mobile app that allows you to find and remotely start your car, the Lincoln MKX has an upgraded sound system thanks to a collaboration with Harman‘s Revel division. And for a music lover like me, an out-of-this-world sound system is a must! The 13-speaker premium audio system makes your music sound like you’re at a symphony, or sitting front row at your favorite concert.
Me trying to keep my cool like Chaka Khan wasn’t right behind me on the red carpet!
And speaking of front row at your favorite concert, that’s exactly where I stood for performances by Chaka Khan and Jill Scott (!!). But before the epic concert started, I spotted all my faves on the red carpet.
Ciara looked absolutely stunning in a Zuhair Murad black floor-length gown.
Amber Riley was chic as always in a printed Givenchy sweater and tiered ruffle skirt with silver pumps (I’m stealing this outfit).
Queen Latifah tried to skip the red carpet but eagle-eyed fans spotted her, and I grabbed my camera just in time for this quick shot. Love her!
I got to chat it up with the ladies of “The Real,” (Tamera Mowry-Housley, Adrienne Bailon, Loni Love and Jeannie Mai) and they were all so sweet. Tamera was glowing as she cradled her adorable baby bump in an Adam Lippes gown, and Adrienne Bailon beamed when I congratulated her on her recent engagement.
Zendaya slayed the red carpet in a bold, fashion-forward number by Sergio Hudson.
Jill Scott twirled on the red carpet in a Tadashi Shoji blue gown accented by colorful Jimmy Choo sandals. That figure! Werque, Miss Scott.
My favorite Essence ladies (EIC Vanessa K. Bush, Entertainment Editor Cori Murray and President Michelle Ebanks) posed with Lincoln Multicultural Marketing Manager Shawn Thompson and honorees MC Lyte and Lianne La Havas
Inside, the performances were epic! Brandy took the stage to sing some of her biggest hits and to my delight, she teamed up with MC Lyte for “I Wanna Be Down (Remix)” which had the crowd screaming. The ’90s girl in me was in her element!
I was not at all prepared for how stunning Lianne La Havas is in person. She wowed us on the stage, passionately crooning her soulful tunes. Love her voice!
MC Lyte had everyone (including Vanessa A. Williams and A.J. Johnson from “Baby Boy”) on their feet, rapping along to her classics.
And music icon Chaka Khan sang a flawless version of “Ain’t Nobody,” hitting every powerful note just like she did on the original record. It was the first moment of the night when I literally couldn’t believe my eyes. Imagine my luck to be thisclose to the stage as one of my all time favorite singers performs.
The second pinch-me moment came by way of Jill Scott. Her performance was a surprise (I totally wasn’t expecting her to perform when I wrote this post) and it ended up being the highlight of my night. She sang with so much soul, taking us through fan favorites from her first album (“The Way”) and mainstream hits from her newer records (“Golden”). But her performance of “He Loves Me” was the best of the night. Not only did she belt out notes that climbed into operatic range, she let the song flow into a passionate rendition of “Jesus Loves Me” that took us all to church. I’m pretty sure I teared up. LOL.
Afterwards, the performers gathered onstage for a moment that embodied the sisterhood I spoke about HERE.
And then, they joined us offstage to dance into the wee hours of the night. I caught up with friends like Ursula Stephen and A.J. Crimson, and took selfies with my blogger bestie Lexi and framily member, Niki McGloster of Hype Hair.
And speaking of selfies, have you tried the Lincoln #MusicSelfie experiment? I’ve been having way too much fun with it since it launched the day of the event. Basically, you upload a selfie and you can have it set to music based on your facial features. Check out a screenshot of mine below and listen HERE:
Essentially my face gives a bit of classical music with booming percussion, like hip hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari. I’m here for that! Create your own #MusicSelfie HERE.
What an amazing time in L.A. I’ll be back for Essence Black Women in Hollywood (squeal!) so stay tuned! Thank you Lincoln for an incredible experience!
Kisses,
Glamazon Jessica
Images: Yours Truly, Essence.com, Instagram, Frank Micelotta/Picture Group.
