Stars Shine at Essence Black Women in Music

(The Root) -- It's Grammy week, and there are more parties in Los Angeles than there are traffic jams.

The 4th Annual Essence Black Women in Music event was the place to be Wednesday night as the magazine and its title sponsor, Lincoln, saluted breakthrough artists Lianne La Havas and Solange Knowles at Greystone Manor Supperclub.

A steady stream of entertainment notables attended the event, including Jill Scott, Estelle, Erica Campbell of Mary Mary, Eric Benet, Kenny Lattimore, Andra Day, Jurnee Smollett, Bilal, Tahj Mowry, Nene Leakes, Tamia, LisaRaye McCoy and Vanessa A. Williams.

The event was hosted by Essence Editor at Large Emil Wilbekin and Grammy winner Kelly Rowland.

Although the evening was all about La Havas and Knowles, who performed short sets, there was still a lot of chatter on the red carpet about the Destiny’s Child reunion during halftime at the Super Bowl.

"That was very hot," Benet said. "They should definitely tour."

Added McCoy: "I was glad that Beyoncé said, 'C'mon up here with me and show the world what you can do and what we can do together.' "

There were also people remembering Whitney Houston. "She was the standard," Scott said. "How can we not miss that voice, that talent? Yes, it will always be missed."

Miki Turner is an award-winning photojournalist based in Los Angeles and the author of Journey to the Woman I've Come to Love. Follow her on Twitter.

Like The Root on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.