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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 14 > Entry
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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