Friday, September 16, 2011

At 50 Cent’s Street King Party

This past Wednesday September 14, I had the pleasure of attending rapper 50′s cent party at New York City’s Hudson Hotel. Baby, I was so not ready. I had gone out the night before and unfortunately for me I had on my reading glasses in addition to my super casual clothing. I was totally unprepared for the last minute invite for 50 cent’s, real name Curtis Jackson’s launch of his new energy drink entitled Street King.

The rapper/actor has been in the news lately in a big way. He just launched a new initiative to feed a billion children in Africa and is starring in a new movie entitled Things Fall Apart. As you may know, author Chinua Achebe sued the rapper for using the title of his book for the movie. The rapper counter sued and lost, even after offering Achebe aged 80, an astonishing million dollars to use the movie title. Achebe told Broadway Ghana “the novel with the said title was initially produced in 1958 (that is 17 years before rapper 50 Cent was born), listed as the mostly read book in modern African literature, and won’t be sold for even 1 Billion Dollars”.

50 Cent and Achebe

Fiddy subsequently changed the movie’s title to All Things Fall Apart. I spoke to the rapper’s manager Chris Lighty and he dismissed all the talk about 50 as “just pure chatter”. I would love to get 50′s take on this whole debacle. The Queens born rapper allegedly lost 50 pounds for his role in the flick, I like to eat too much, couldn’t have done it.

Before 50 arrived I spotted Gossip Girl actress Tika Sumpter.

She is also on BET’s The Game and is one of Hollywood’s leading ladies. She was super sweet; it was an absolute pleasure to meet her.

I also spotted Grey’s Anatomy actor Jessie Williams. He was there with his girlfriend, real estate agent Aryn. As soon as I walked over asking to take a picture of him, girlfriend answered on his behalf, looked me up and down and promptly said “No he won’t”. Ladies, don’t be with a man if you are insecure. Yes her man is fine, but if he’s at a public event he is working please let him do his job. Jessie, don’t let your lady mess up your opportunities because of any insecurities.

After making my rounds, enjoying the open bar (free cocktails) I spotted rapper Pepa from Salt N Pepa. I almost didn’t recognize her.

Maybe it was the free Ciroc but Pepa almost looked like a shadow of her former self. She was so nice though and happily agreed to take a few pics. To be honest though, ain’t anything wrong with a little plastic surgery to help combat the aging process.

A few minutes before 50 arrived, I also spotted Basketball Wives star Jennifer Williams. I tell you this, Jennifer is way more beautiful in person. I mean just check out the pictures of her, just stunning!

50 Cent arrived to the party fashionably late. He strolled into the party with a myriad of people and flashing camera lights. Within a few minutes he took to the stage really to address the crowd on his new energy drink. Profits from the drink will go towards feeding a billion people in Africa.

To be honest with you, I dig anyone who is down to help African people out. Yes, a billion people to feed in Africa is a lofty goal, especially when you think about what an insurmountable task that is it. I give 50 cent an A for effort. Let’s give him a chance and see what he does with this new philanthropic spotlight.

After 50 spoke, I spotted former B2K singer Omarion in the crowd. He initially acted shady about taking pictures, but once his friend asked once more he happily agreed.

What the hell was he wearing? Maybe that’s why he didn’t want to take the picture in the first place.

The party was from 9pm-1am and I left around midnight. I had an amazing time, 50 seemed like cool people. Let’s see if he will really help heal the world or if this is just a publicity stunt.

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