Russell Simmons’ Surprise Birthday Bash

Everyone who knows me (personally) knows that I LOVE BIRTHDAYS! So when my girlfriend, Darra Boyd (Like Dat – Charm School, Flava of Love) convinced me to go out with her Sunday and I found out we were headed to Russell’s birthday… I knew I would have a blast. Of course I took client Amos Winbush {pictured left with Kimora} along. He had a blast as well. Apparently, Kimora planned the elaborate party as a surprise. His 50 & Fabulous party. And it was. It was held at Gustavino’s on 59th street. They were formerly a restaurant, but are now only open to parties of 100 persons and more. Dinner started the evening, but we attended the after-party, which was held in the same space.

The décor was Buddha chic. Gongs, Buddha statues, red candles, red silk couches, chiffon covered gazebos, and false trees which gave an autumn feel. The venue had an overall sexy maroon hue while soft music and several flatscreen montage picture displays of Russell and family greeted guests. It was a great tribute.

Once dinner was over, everyone came downstairs and the party began. DJ Kid Capri was on the wheels of steel. He started spinning classics and today’s popular music, “I got my drink and my 2-step…” and then Kimora greeted everyone. She then stated how this was a surprise birthday party and brought out the biggest surprise, Ms. Patti Labelle{sorry for the dark picture, but that is her above singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"}, to sing happy birthday. Ms. Labelle tore it up! A massive pink and gold cake was cut and passed around. I didn’t try it, but it looked good. I don’t like massive thick pink frosting, but I bet the spongy cake part was good. Shortly thereafter the performances began. Musiq Soulchild was up first. I swear I see/hear him all the time when I’m out and about. He didn’t have anything new to sing and the crowd was clearly bored. He kept hollering at us to see if we were still there. Uh, yeah, but sing some new ish! He sang about 3-4 songs. Then Kid Capri got back up there and made us groove again. Now, I saw Ladies Love Cool James in the house, but didn’t know he would perform. He rocked the house! LL Cool J is hard as hell! Battle anybody I don’t care if you tell. He excels, they all fail. Now let him continue to ROCK THE BELLS! Ahhh and he did. The lips were scrumptious. He kept drinking from a bottle of champagne and then pouring it out for the homies. When LL performed ‘Jingling Baby,’ he brought Ms. Labelle (with the promise that he wouldn’t do anything kinky. Remember the last time she brought a man on stage and he started freaking her. She had to put him in his place and tell him who she was. Lol), Kimora and some random chick on the stage. I tried to convince Darra to go up there, but she didn’t.

We had a good time. We were whisked into VIP and I was chilling with Michaela angela Davis – Honey and Essence magazine (who invited me to Black Girls Rock! this Saturday so I need to pull my pennies together for that $300 ticket. She doesn’t even get comped and she’s a board member) Kimora, family and friends.

Guests we spotted:
Djimon Hounsou – Kimora’s boyfriend (still don’t understand how that works, but it works for them so I’m not one to complain)
Gabrielle Union
Zab Judah
Andre Royo (The Wire)
Idris Elba (Tyler Perry movies and The Wire)
Doug E. Fresh
BJ Coleman – Of course
Kevin Liles
Andre Harrell
Gayle King
And a gambit of high-powered songwriters and music execs

Good times were had by all.

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