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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 14
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Parties fill weekend for BET Awards
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wow, what a busy weekend! Buzz was all over town checking out the who’s who and what’s what surrounding the BET Hip-Hop Awards. There was plenty of action — so much in fact, it all won’t fit in this column. So go to accessAtlanta.com and check out Buzz Extra. It’s our chat with Jermaine Dupri at his Saturday afternoon book signing at Border’s as he dishes about his new tome, the hip-hop industry and his upcoming projects.
In the meantime, we caught up with Ne-Yo Saturday night at his BET Awards midnight after-party in downtown Atlanta.
“Being myself is taboo. I have to be what others want,” says the candid artist, who rolled up to the party in an impressive white Bentley with black drop-top roof and leather interior. “Luckily, the industry is coming to a point where it’s swinging back toward talent more than image.”
As the likes of Atlanta Falcon Ovie Mughelli, Bootz and Buckey of VH1’s “Flavor of Love” fame, and Kandi Burruss of Xscape sipped cocktails and nibbled on omelets, grits and bacon, Ne-Yo sat upstairs contemplating his sex appeal.
“At the end of the day, I’m a big nerd,” he says. “Sexy? Nothing’s further from the truth. I look at guys in the club with dark shades thinking that’s cool. The coolest guy is the one being who he is.”
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Just when Buzz thought the R&B superstar would mention being on top of the world with current hits like “Because of You” and racking in huge songwriting royalties from Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable,” we found a humbled, down-to-earth guy a bit unamused by a lot of today’s music.
Of course, the subject of Ne-Yo idol Michael Jackson came up, and he counts the video “The Way You Make Me Feel” among the best ever. Huh?
“It was Mike trying to be something he wasn’t. So he gets an A for effort from me.”
Studio 72 delivers on star power
By 12:30 a.m. Saturday at Dupri’s kickoff party at Studio 72, the party cranked up, with rapper Chamillionaire, Johnta Austin and Ed Lover finally flexing star power on the red carpet.
“It feels so good to see the ATL still bubbling,” Lover told Buzz.
Chamillionaire expressed his continued love for Atlanta and appreciation for a best video nod.
“It’s good to be nominated,” he told us. “That’s dope.”
Then, soon after, Ciara drove up in a shiny new white-on-white Rolls-Royce Phantom two-seater with black-cloth roof (those things run upward of $350,000, you know). Easily the best red-carpet moment of the night, folks.
When she walked the carpet in a sexy blue dress, we were honored she sent Buzz a jubilant “Heeey!” through the crowd.
We asked about her pricey toy.
“No, it’s not mine. I’m just out enjoying it,” she said with her ever-glowing smile.
“I wanted to come out in something cool, something funky.”
Other star sightings include David Banner, Nelly, Ashanti, Busta Rhymes and Chingy.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I don’t have an iPod. I lose everything! This is my fourth phone. And if you want to keep your car keys, don’t give them to me.”
Ne-Yo at his BET Awards after-party at Carrington House
Fashion goodies abound at Opera
Buzz hung out at Opera nightclub Friday afternoon as celeb types like Q of R&B group 112, fashion enigma Mychael Knight of “Project Runway,” Gorilla Zoe and Burruss stopped by to pick up gift bags and sip on Absolut 100, eat munchies and enjoy spa treatment before the weekend festivities.
But it was the makeup artists, stylists and other industry insiders who clamored most over the gift bags from various shops and clothing lines.
“We’re here to get the culture across,” says Bobby Patterson of Young Jeezy’s Eight 732 store. “We got people here from New York and Texas. We’re here to show them fashion is in the South right now.”
So what were the goodies? Let’s break it down.
Bottle of Nuvo sparkling vodka for women, value $100. Box of skin care products (shower gel and moisturizer), value $60. Flip-flop sandals in a silk bag, value $68. Anthony shower gel for men, value $25. Graphic hip-hop T-shirt with skull and rhinestones designed by The Grind, value $100. Flight chain and T-shirt by Eight 732, value $37. Jie Junio T-shirt, value $75. Marilyn Monroe T-shirt, value $40. Limited edition Avia 800 series gym shoes and boots from Laced Up and Triple 5 Soul, value $80-$200. PZI jeans, value $79.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Linda Lavin (“Alice”) is 70. Actress-director Penny Marshall is 65. Musician Richard Carpenter of the Carpenters is 61. Singer Tito Jackson is 54. TV chef Emeril Lagasse is 48. Singer Ginuwine is 37. Singer Keyshia Cole is 26. Actor Vincent Martella (“Everybody Hates Chris”) is 15.
If you have a worthwhile event coming up, let David Graves, the leisure guy, know at dgraves@ ajc.com, or mail info to 72 Marietta St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Buzz Extra: A chat with Jermaine Dupri at his book signing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Buzz Extra
Don’t let Jermaine Dupri’s size fool you.
He’s a tiny thing who stands approximately 5 feet 5 inches, and his hand easily gets swallowed up in a firm handshake. But the man who traded his grungy braids and street persona for a manicured, debonair look, complete with sunglasses and high fashion, is doing big things today.
In other words, he’s a hip-hop giant.
David Graves
Jermaine Dupri signs a copy of “Young, Rich and Dangerous” for aspiring rapper Mark Buford, who drove eight hours from W. Virigina to come to the signing.
He’s now hardly ever seen without one or two mountain-sized bodyguards, who were with him Saturday as he stepped inside Border’s bookstore on Peachtree Street to promote his autobiography, “Young, Rich and Dangerous: My Life in Music,” before the BET Awards show that night.
“It’s only right to put this book out,” the musician says from behind designer stunners as he pecks away at his mobile do-hickey before the signing. “I want to inspire people.”
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Dupri said he wants to lay a foundation for up-and-coming hip-hop artists so that 5 to 10 years from now, “they can look back and say this inspired them.” He said he never had that sort of reference as he grew up in the industry.
And what else is awry with the hip-hop industry?
“Losing all the great people we’ve lost — Biggie, Tupac, Jam Master Jay,” he noted. “They were most important to hip-hop because of the energy they brought to the game. We’re missing that now.”
Dupri said to never see these acts perform again is a tragedy, because young artists like Bow Wow and Chris Brown can’t see the passion they brought to the stage.
“I’ve never been to a concert where I’ve sweated like that back in the day.” he said. When going to a show, “you’re not as excited now. You’re just there. Seeing Chris Brown imitating Michael Jackson is good, but I bet he never seen Michael Jackson in concert.”
One of the first in line at the book signing was Debbie Maehr of Norcross, who’s purchased three copies of “Young, Rich and Dangerous” — officially in stores Tuesday. “I just think he’s a wonderful influence on music,” Maehr, the CEO of a project management/project control company, said of Dupri. “I love his music. I think he has just an incredible talent.”
And why three books? “I have a friend in Uganda I’m sending one to, because she loves the American music. So I send her a lot of music and stuff. I think she’ll just be thrilled to death to get a personalized book from Jermaine Dupri.”
Besides hosting BET Awards parties at his Studio 72 nightclub all weekend in Lawrenceville, Dupri — who reportedly earned $14 million in 2006, according to Forbes — says he’s busy producing songs for Mariah Carey’s and Janet Jackson’s upcoming albums. He also owns Cafe Dupri in Atlanta and has a greatest hits album coming out Oct. 23 — and let’s not forget So So Def Records and Island Urban Records.
Dupri’s one of the hardest working men in hip-hop, and it’s all part of the plan for this 5-foot-5 giant.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
