On Sunday night (Nov. 3), BET aired the Eighth Annual 'Black Girls Rock,' a show dedicated toward empowering women of color. The honorees this year included the likes of hip-hop pioneer , tennis player Venus Williams and Patti LaBelle, who received the Living Legend award.

The night wasn't just about giving awards though. Great performances from Janelle Monae, Eve, Kelly Rowland and Jennifer Hudson stole the show.

Monae was the first to perform. The songstress started things off with a group of women -- the fictional sorority Electrified Betas  -- performing before she warmly greeted the crowd and moved into 'Electric Lady.' With the help of her backup singers and dancers, the varsity jacket-wearing singer easily had the crowd singing along.

Hudson followed Monae with a less theatrical set. Dressed in leather pants, she took over the stage with a fierceness to sing her new track, 'I Can’t Describe (The Way I Feel).' The fire in Hudson's performance juxtaposed Monae's effervescence, but they both carried a similar sense of empowerment.

After Grammy-nominated Ledisi and 'Glee' actress Amber Riley took the stage, Rowland strolled through the crowd to perform Janet Jackson's 'Gone.' Sevyn Streeter was on stage to assist the former Destiny's Child songstress with her own soulful vocals, while Eve rapped some fiercely delivered bars from the upper seating. A short dance number from Streeter and Rowland helped bring the show to a close.

While the showcase of these talented women's vocal abilities was more than appreciated, the night belonged to LaBelle. She didn't use a gimmick, dance number or anything of the sort during 'You Are My Friend;' she simply let her voice and legend captivate the audience.

Watch Janelle Monae Perform 'Electric Lady'

Watch Jennifer Hudson Perform  'I Can’t Describe (The Way I Feel)'


Watch Ledisi Perform 'I Blame You'

Watch Amber Riley Perform 'I Am Woman'

Watch Kelly Rowland Perform 'Gone (Remix)' Feat. Eve & Sevyn Streeter

Watch Patti LaBelle Perform 'You Are My Friend'

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