Watch: Toni Braxton’s Star-Studded ‘Essence Festival’ Tribute #ICYMI

Published: Sunday 3rd Jul 2016 by Rashad
thatgrapejuice toni braxton essence tribute

With a career that spans over 20 years, 60 million+ albums sold, 7 Grammys, and countless other honors, R&B veteran Toni Braxton is long overdue a worthy tribute.  Thanks to the good folks at Essence, that time finally came this weekend.

Billed as one of the festival’s “must see events,” some of R&B’s most prized acts were assembled to pay homage to the singer’s life and times, which includes her critically acclaimed discography and ongoing philanthropic efforts in support of Lupus and Autism research and funding.

Calling on the talents of Kelly Price, Eric Benet, Kenny Lattimore, and, of course, Braxton’s talented sisters Traci, Towanda, Tamar, and Trina to serenade, attendees were escorted down memory lane to the sounds of Toni’s memorable hits ‘Breathe Again,’ ‘Unbreak My Heart,’ ‘Another Sad Love Song,’ and more.

Keen to see how the performers fared?  See the full showing below:



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  1. ???????Chile, take this “Itty Bitty Piggy” to the market and make sure you hold her hand while crossing the street!??????? July 3, 2016

    She sold 60+ million albums? Wow! I know that her debut album and “Secrets” are diamond-certified, but I didn’t think her total was close to 60 million. Good for her!

  2. Fancy BISH July 3, 2016

    Toni Braxton is the epitome of class!

    • Royalkev July 3, 2016

      I totally agree!

    • Maurice July 3, 2016

      While I agree, the woman is dating BIRDMAN of all people.

  3. Queen Bey in 2 days ?? July 3, 2016

    Amazing tribute for an amazing artist but I wish the sisters would of done the tribute they planned a couple of years ago; where each sister would of sang a Toni song I would kill to hear them do one by themselves they all have amazing voices!! But nether the less they sounded beautiful l!

    • Maurice July 3, 2016

      Only Tamar can sing. Trina a little bit.
      The others didn’t get a part because they don’t have those vocals, and that’s no shade, but Towanda is very flat. And Traci… welll.auto tune anyone?
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3Op1TRzz7E

  4. Queen Bey in 2 days ?? July 3, 2016

    Amazing tribute for an amazing artist but I wish the sisters would of done the tribute they planned a couple of years ago; where each sister would of sang a Toni song I would kill to hear them do one by themselves they all have amazing voices!! But nether the less they sounded beautiful!!

  5. Usual Observer July 3, 2016

    I was there! It was amazing. Toni is definitely a living legend and an overcomer. #WhatLupus ❤️

  6. Smoove Jones July 3, 2016

    It’s about time she received a tribute. She’s deserving of one. She sold 67 million records (albums + singles combined)

  7. Royalkev July 3, 2016

    Toni’s such an amazing artist! Her music was heartfelt and so sultry! She’s a one of a kind alto, that really balanced out the industry! This tribute was outstanding! The Braxtons sisters were great as usual (I’m still hoping for a Trina and Tamar album one day), Kelly Price and the guys slayed too!

  8. Del July 3, 2016

    This tribute is well deserved. Toni and her music are timeless. It’s amazing that she didn’t like Un-break My Heart, but it ended up becoming her signature song. It’s one of those songs that will never get old.

  9. What Now July 3, 2016

    Kelly ass wasn’t playing with Unbreak My Heart.

  10. Pat July 3, 2016

    No one on earth can sing like black women. Damn kelly!

  11. Dev July 3, 2016

    That was a nice tribute. Who knew Trina still had vocals and the guys did well too. Kelly was good but the end ruined it for me. I don’t know who arranged it but it spoiled the simplicity of the song and that wasn’t really Toni’s style of vocals so it looked like Kelly was making it about her.

    • Fancy BISH July 3, 2016

      Yeah, Miss Kelly was a little extra at the end lol..but I guess she said that’s what they got her for…to SANG…she probably said if they wanted soft vocals they should of gotten Taylor Swift lol…she sang for tha GODS tho…

    • Dmoney July 19, 2016

      Toni’s style of vocals was originally and pervasively gospel. The same thing Kelly did here, Toni did in her run on Broadway in Aida. For example, her take on “Gods Love Nubia”…coincidentally, before Toni’s run, Kelly did an amazing rendition of that same song for the show’s concept album…def worth a listen or 50 lol

  12. brazio July 3, 2016

    Kelly showed up and showed out…that heart is now unbroken

  13. Love it July 3, 2016

    Amazing, Kelly was not playing.

  14. Angela Wesley July 3, 2016

    I really like the tribute to Toni Braxton. Tamar and the
    rest of the braxton sister did a good job.

  15. ow Reddish tran ivy blokz Need UK timely Ukuyi July 3, 2016

    Amazing

  16. Kay for Toni Braxton July 4, 2016

    Amazing tribute for Toni Mehn….. Her music are timeless still enjoyable! Well deserve. I hope she gets her own Hollywood walk of fame soon!

  17. Chris July 4, 2016

    Great tribute! Who was the lady after Eric benet?

  18. Chris July 4, 2016

    I figured it out…It’s V Bozeman

  19. TeamKeysh July 5, 2016

    Tamar…..you had ONE job.

  20. Amanda C. July 7, 2016

    Nice tribute. I think Trina is a better singer than Tamar and should have song more because Tamar over does it. Hey y’all left out V. Bozemen. Nice performances from everyone. Kelly Price is so underrated.

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