ESSENCE Kicks Off GRAMMY® Week with Its Star-studded 5th Annual Black Women in Music Celebration

NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE, the preeminent media brand for African-American women, today announces its fifth annual GRAMMY^® Awards Week celebration with the return of ESSENCE Black Women in Music.  In 2014, the organizers of The ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans and Black Women in Hollywood will showcase the incredible artistry and achievement of Emeli Sande, who has been praised by the New York Times for her "perspective-altering voice" and admired by Sir Elton John for her show-stopping presence, who said: "When she is on stage, you can feel her passion for music and the heart that goes into her lyrics."

The invitation-only reception, held on January 22, 2014, will include an exclusive performance from Sande featuring special guests, as well as music by DJ Kiss.

"We're honored to recognize Emeli Sande during GRAMMY^® Week.  Her soaring confidence as a songwriter and fearless self-expression as a singer is in the tradition of many iconic female trailblazers such as Nina Simone," said ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Vanessa K. Bush.   Michelle Ebanks, President of ESSENCE agreed, stating: "Emeli Sande is a creative tour-de-force who connects with audiences around the world, and is fearlessly charting her own course." 

Launched in 2010 as a part of ESSENCE magazine's year-long 40^th anniversary commemoration, ESSENCE Black Women in Music continues to herald the accomplishments of both emerging and established artists and influencers during GRAMMY^® week.  Previous celebrants include:  GRAMMY^®-winner Mary J. Blige, GRAMMY^® winner Kelly Rowland, GRAMMY®-nominee Janelle Monae, music industry veteran Sylvia Rhone, and singer/ songwriters Solange and Lianne La Havas.

The ESSENCE Black Women in Music event is being held in conjunction with the publication of the brand's special GRAMMY^® Insider package (February issue, on newsstands January 10^th), which profiles Sande and features the "Evolution of R&B"—saluting the past, present and future of the genre. The package also includes a GRAMMY^® Awards flashback, as well as a list of "New and Next" artists to watch and much more.

"What a privilege to have received the news that I will be a part of celebrating powerful, strong, creative women in the music industry today," commented Sande:  "I am honored to have been selected by ESSENCE magazine and look forward to an evening of empowerment."

Emeli Sande got her first big break as a singer-songwriter after her kid sister filmed her performing one of her own songs; Sande sent the clip to a BBC talent contest and was named one of the contest winners. Sande soon started fielding a flood of record-deal offers. But instead of signing to a label, Sande put her music career on hold and embarked on a six-year degree in clinical neuroscience. Cut to present day and Sande's lavishly acclaimed full-length debut, Our Version of Events, has emerged as the best-selling album of 2012 in the UK (where it remains the top-seller of 2013 to date). Our Version Of Events has now logged more consecutive weeks in the UK album chart's Top 10 than any other debut album in chart history, surpassing even The Beatles. Featuring the RIAA-certified platinum single "Next To Me," Our Version of Events spurred Sande to take home the prestigious Critics' Choice Award at the BRIT Awards 2013, as well as a Silver Clef Award and the International UK Award at the 2013 BET Awards.

Lincoln is the presenting sponsor and Cantu is a supporting sponsor of the 2014 ESSENCE Black Women in Music event. Stay tuned to ESSENCE.com for highlights and behind-the-scenes access. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @essencemag #EssenceRedCarpet.  Join in the discussion on Facebook.

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.:

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online.  The company's flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 43 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of 10.8 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women's lives.  Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.

SOURCE Essence Communications Inc.