Janet Jackson Honors Missy Elliott At ESSENCE Women In Music Event

ARY 25: Essence Black Women in Music sponsored by Lincoln Motor Company at the Highline Ballroom on Thursday, January 25, 2018, in New York, NY, USA.

Aaron J. / RedCarpetImages.net for Lincoln

Janet Jackson Surprises Essence Women In Music Party To Award Missy Elliott

Partygoers who attend Thursday’s ESSENCE 9th Annual Black Women In Music event in NYC got a surprise treat in the form of Janet Jackson who, along with Mona Scott Young, presented Missy Elliott with the Visionary Award.

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 25: Essence Black Women in Music sponsored by Lincoln Motor Company at the Highline Ballroom on Thursday, January 25, 2018, in New York, NY, USA.

Aaron J. / RedCarpetImages.net for Lincoln

The Lincoln Motor Company was the exclusive automotive sponsor for the event, which was held at the Highline Ballroom. During the event, recording artists Rapsody and Leikeli47 performed amazing tributes to Missy performing her hit songs, “Hot Boyz” and “She’s a B****”.

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 25: Janelle Monae and T.I. attends the Essence 9th annual Black Women in Music at Highline Ballroom on January 25, 2018 in New York City.

Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Essence

Celebrity arrivals, including Naturi Naughton, Lil’ Mo and Beyonce’s stylist, Ty Hunter posed on the red carpet alongside the all-new Lincoln Navigator. The 2018 Navigator was just awarded prestigious “Truck of the Year” honors at the 2018 North American International Auto Show, the country’s largest, most influential auto show. Other celebrities in attendance included rapper T.I., Slick Rick, Remy Ma, Janelle Monae, MC Lyte, June Ambrose and Tracklib ambassador Erick Sermon, who attended the event with his daughter. Civil rights activists Tarana Burke and Kaia Burke were also in attendance.

Check out more photos below and hit the flip for social media posts from Janet and Missy about the event.