Emeli Sandé to Be Honored at Essence’s Black Women in Music Event

Scottish singer/songwriter Emeli Sandé will be the honoree at Essence Magazine ‘s fifth annual Black Women in Music celebration, which will take place on January 22, 2014.

The invitation-only Grammy Awards week reception will also feature a performance by the singer with special guests and music by DJ Kiss . Take a look at what Essence editor-in-cheif Vanessa K. Bush had to say below:

“Emeli Sandé’s 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.”

Essence president Michelle Ebanks added:

“Emeli is a global, multi-faceted artist, extraordinary storyteller and a bold and beautiful collaborator whose future is extremely bright. She follows in the tradition of what Essence has always done: supporting artists who are doing incredible things.”

Emeli’s top-selling U.K. debut album, Our Version of Events , has managed to sell 238,000 copies here in the United States, and peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top R&B Albums charts.

The 14-track record featured singles “Next to Me,” “My Kind of Love,” and my personal favorite <em”>Clown.”

Between the albums’ release, as well as before and after it, Emeli gained attention by collaborating with artists such as Alicia Keys , Nas , Rihanna , Labrinth and Naughty Boy — just to name a few.

Started in 2010 as part of Essence magazine’s 40th anniversary commemoration, Black Women in Music heralds the achievements of both emerging and established artists and influencers.

Emeli Sandé joins a list of previous list of big names such as Mary J. Blige , Kelly Rowland , Janelle Monae , music industry executive Sylvia Rhone and singer/songwriter Solange Knowles .

Thoughts?