I rarely like to brag about functions, well non work related functions, I attend, but gosh darn damn, this probably had to be one of the BEST….EVER! After browising the internets, I noticed that these EXCLUSIVE pictures were obsolete from allll the other music blogs, so I guess it wouldn’t hurt if I provided you guys with an inside look at Steve Rifkind (Founder of Loud Records) and James Cruz’s (SRC) BET Awards After, After Party at Steve Rifkind’s estate in honor of Stephen Hill. Yes, this party…..WAS THAT DEAL! Don’t believe me, scroll down for the pics!

Told You So Pt.1: Gabrielle Union and Sanaa Lathan

Told You So Pt.2: Quincy Jones and Debra Lee

Told You So Pt.3: Nelly and Ashanti get cozy

Told You So Pt.4: Lisa Raye, Lil Kim, Jill Marie Jones, Tamala Jones

Told You So Pt. 5: Lil Kim, Diddy (and his gut) & the million dollar baby, Lil Wayne

Told You So Pt. 6: Angie Martinez, Queen Latifah,& Xzibit

Told You So Pt.7: You better put that away, Queen

Told You So Pt. 8: DJ Cassidy matching his laptop

Told You So Pt. 9: Polow Da Don & Tierra Marie

Told You So Pt.10: Michelle Williams & Quincy Jones

Told You So Pt.11: Jermaine Dupri, DJ Felli Fel & Lil Kim

Told You So Pt.12: Polow Da Don and his vanilla shake

Sincerely

Low “I told you so” Key

I swear if they don’t hold the one year anniversary of R&B Live at the Hammerstein Ballroom or MSG, Spotlight Live is going to collapse. Last night, LowKeezy slid over to 49th & Broadway for another evening of the industry’s grooviest R&B tunes by some of today’s newest and hottest R&B stars.

While it was fiasco just getting through security at the entrance (Aye T-Money, I think that security guard was a rookie, lol), the evening went pretty well. Every industry exec, wannabe, socialite,  hasbeen, and anyone else you can think of was in attendance last night. We first hit the penthouse to snag some interviews from the night’s performers which included Suai (a new artist on Universal Motown), Grits (Lyfe Jennings’ new artist), Lloyd, and Ryan Leslie.

I guess Ashanti thought she was too big of an artist to do pre-performance interviews because she completely blew the entire press room off.  (Booo!) After being stood up, we skated down to the floor to grab our seats. Once again, let me reiterate…the one year anniversary needs to be held at The Hammerstein Ballroom or The Theater at Madison Square Garden because there should NEVER be that many people in that small of a space.

The show began with Suai capturing the attention of every blackberry button pushing executive in the room. Seeing how I already witnessed a performance from her, I proceeded to email JackPot about his whereabouts (you picked a HECK of a night to miss Spotlight lol). Grits, Lye Jennings new artist, hit the stage next….and goood lord, she destroyed that room (and I mean that in the best way possible).  Like our Music Development Director said: “YESSSSSSSSSSS” lol.

During a brief intermission, EVERYONE decided to say hello to each other. E-bro (Hot 97’s Program Director) and Angie Martinez dipped out, while Stephen Hill, Michael Kaiser, and Free (former 106 & Park host) grooved to some ol school hits. Meanwhile, two seats down, Kevin Liles and video vixen, Angel Lola were looking MIGHTY comfortable (as they were at the last 4 Spotlight’s). Irv Gotti greeted K.O. (Kim Osorio) with a warm hug while Sylvia Rhone pranced around to Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop.”

After everyone sat their happy asses down, Ryan Leslie took to the stage and KILLED IT. I’ve NEVER seen so much energy, so much passion, so much excitement from ANY artist since my days of witnessing live performances. Anyone that was in attendance can and will attest to my claim. And for those that STILL don’t get it, RYAN LESLIE IS THE TRUTH!

Lloyd did his this thing, accompanied with that BRIGHT ass smile that he’s known for. Irv looked like a proud father as he was watching him slide back and forth across the stage. And though Ashanti was the headliner, she sure didn’t perform like it. Think I’m lying? Ask Irv, oh wait….he wasn’t anywhere to be found! Missed last night’s show, don’t worry check out my flicks below.

Sincerely

Low “Watch me get into Terrance J’s party with Levis Denim Jeans lol” Key

Universal Motwon artist, Sway! Good lord she was looking soooooooo right….

Shantelle getting busy with B.E.T.’s Black Carpet!

Lyfe Jenning’s new artist, Grits, DESTROYED her time on stage. Make sure you keep an ear out for her!

Black Carpet’s, Alesha Renee interviewing Slyvia Rhone(The best Cougar of all time) and guest.

Slyvia Rhone and Lloyd have a moment before the show.

The man of the hour, Ryan Leslie blessing the Spotlight media room!

Sway tickling the ivory during her performance.

Irv Gotti arrives at R&B Live.

 Hot 97’s Program Director, Ebro, chopping it up with BET’s, Stephen Hill.

Ryan Leslie and The Diamond Band (I just made that up lol) getting ready to tear down R&B Live.

Took off the blazer, loosened up the tie….step on stage, Ryan Leslie’s alive!!! Best peformance at R&B Live…EVER!!!  

Lloyd giving some Lessons In Love (the title of his third Lp) during his performance.

Slyvia Rhone loosing herself to Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop”…….

Ashanti decided to sing to me…..I DARE SOMEONE SAY OTHERWISE!!!  

Or maybe she was singing to the dude who TOOK my seat……Yea, Flo-Rida took my SEAT!  

Jealousy? Yea some might suggest, but of course Irv shows a completely different hand. Last week, Irv sat down with Hot 97’s DJ Enuff for an intimate interview about what Irv has up his sleeve for 2008 and of course, the current status of his former princess, Ashanti.

To the untrained eye, these two were inseparable. They made millions together, received accolades for their hard work and then two earth shattering events occurred; Irv went to trial and Ashanti found herself a rich country boy. From a bird’s eye view, things went down the way you saw it; he got in trouble, she hit the road. And judging by these quotes, Irving is hurting (lol that rhymed…ok sorry)

“It’s like a gradual thing; it doesn’t really hurt, it’s just like shocking when a person you did so much for wilds on you a little bit. It’s like ‘yo I don’t wanna be with The Inc’ and that’s just like a shocker. It’s more than the hurt, it’s like a shocker….like ‘word’?“ Irv said. But sir, what do you expect? A young female from the suburbs being dragged through a federal court case, and you thought she was going to ride that ish out….I don’t care how much you made her, as soon as she saw those flashing lights shorty hit the bricks!

He also had this to say about her departure (if that’s what you wanna call it) “She wanted off the label, and I was like cool, but someone has to cut me a check! I didn’t do all this work for nothing. You can go free if someone cuts me a check. Now the problem with that is no one wants to cut me a check. Everyone had question marks as to what would happen with me not being involved with her, so no one wanted to cut the check. With no one wanting to cut the check, we just evolved into what we are now. I’m like Lyor Cohen to her; I sit back, let her do her and fund the situation.”

Oh really Irv??? Well I’ll leave it at that, but I believe there’s other reasoning involved in this split.  Anyway, share your thoughts, I’m curious to hear what you people think about the situation. And if you don’t care, don’t worry, I’ll have something new up in an hour or two…..

Sidebar: Gotti’s Way returns in November

Sincerely

Low “It’s Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrdaaaaa lol” Key