I’m going to be straight up with you guys; I wasn’t a fan of The Goon. But, when I skated up to Atlantic Records for his meet and greet, I must admit, he won me over…JUST A LITTLE! Though his music isn’t horrible, it’s jut not my cup of tea. However, I will say, Da REAList sounds like a nice, polished piece of work. His third album in about two years is scheduled to invade the streets December 16 and I’m sure it’ll fair well, even though the climate sucks right now.

Surprisingly, The Goon (sorry, I can’t help it lol) was very personable and emotional yesterday. He explained to us how he never thought he would see the day the big wigs at Atlantic Records would consider him a real priority; it almost brought tears to his eyes (word to Big Bird). He played about 7 records for us; all of which sounded real “Goonish”.

One particular record he cared a great deal about was a track called “Family Straight”. He explained it’s his most personal song he’s ever recorded and how his family might not be to accepting of him revealing their personal business to the masses. Though I enjoyed most of the material presented, I must say, “Me and My Goons” is my FAVORITE track from Plies…EVER! I can’t wait to play that song in the whip with my 4 year-old niece riding shotgun (she give a MEAN screw face when she’s riding with “Uncle LowKey”).

After the meet and greet, which had some of the best Buffalo Wings my tastes buds ever made love to, I jetted back to the office to finish up my portion of the Kanye West Experience Package. The big/lil brother, Niles (Special Opps at Atlantic Records) scooped me up for Plies’ VIBE Magazine Knitting Factory concert downtown. GOON TIME!

I arrived a bit late (we had a drink beforehand), but no worries, Niles shouted to one of the doormen, “Yo, he’s with BET”; ahhhh EASY ACCESS! However, some voluptuous honey dip had a hissy fit when the doorman stopped searching her so I could get in first. To be honest, I was ready to say, “Nah, finish her, I can wait” but since she started sounding like my 5^th grade Asthma Attacks (I couldn’t walk two inches without using my Inhaler, lol), I hopped right in front of her. GET OVER IT!

The usual suspects (YL, The Real, B Dub from VIBE Magazine) were already inside talking industry talk (whatever that means) so I decided to join them. However, since I got there late, the show was minutes from starting which meant we had to go upstairs. One problem: LowKey didn’t have a VIP wristband. No worries, VIBE Magazine’s EIC, Danyel Smith fixed that in a jiffy. GOOD LOOKS D.SMITH!

For his first New York show, The Goon did quite alright. He performed cuts I was obviously unfamiliar with, but he also touched a couple of his commercial hits (“Shawty”, “Bust It Baby”) and a couple features he appeared on in the past 12 months. Big shouts to Funkmaster Flex, Cipha Sounds, DJ Envy, DJ Whookid, DJ Self, Angela Yee, The Real Brothers, Boss Lady, Prezz, YN, B-Dub, B.Dot, Sowmya (you have one more time to punch me) The Gooch, Tashana V (you’re going to be me and Niles’ co-star), Lexx (the worst blogger, JOKING), Wexx, JC from VIBE Magazine, Hillary from Billboard and everyone I ran into yesterday.

Hmmmm, I wonder where I’ll end up tonight……LUDA CONCERT?? YUPPPPPP!

Checkout some photos and video from last nights festivities, below!

Sincerely

Low “Should I take a chill pill???? HELL NAH, I LOVE THIS SH*T” Key

Funkmaster Flex looking all KINDS of constipated in this picture (Great job last night, though).

Oh Terrence…..

This picture actually scares me……

Plies talks about his new album, “The Realist” and gives thanks during his meet and greet at Atlantic Records on November 24.

Plies performs his smash hit, “Bust It Baby Pt.2″ live at The Knitting Factory on November 24. Plies performs “Shawty” live at The Knitting Factory on November 24. Plies performs his verse from Shawty Lo’s, “They Know” remix at The Knitting Factory on November 24. Plies performs “Please Excuse My Hands” live at The Knitting Factory on November 24.

Ok, so maybe my job doesn’t ALWAYS embody the dopeness that I speak about, but it damn sure makes for some interesting commentary lol. Last night, of course, I was ripping and running through the big apple, event hopping like I had nothing else to do with my life (I actually didn’t). First, TG (BET.Com’s Director of Music Development & Marketing) and I hit up Karina Pasian’s Dinner Showcase at the STK Lounge in the meatpacking district. And while the alcoholic consumption was free, dinner was NOWHERE TO BE FOUND! As far as Karina performance, superb. TG said she reminds him of a young Alicia and I had to agree. 16 years old with such a seasoned voice, shorty is destined for greatness.

At the conclusion of that event, my homey Imo scooped me up and and we headed to the Yung Berg album listening session. Free alcohol once again, I made my rounds with cups of something toxic in my hand. Yung Berg, who’s finally getting his shot at releasing a product to the masses, seemed kind of unenthusiastic during the playing of his album cuts. I don’t know if he was perturbed with the lack of attention he was receiving or what, but something was iggin him, at least it seemed that way to me. I chopped it up with the homey Shaheem from MTV.Com and a couple other media associates for a couple of minutes and then made my way towards the exit sign.

At the conclusion of THAT event, I made my way down to Cipriani’s for DJ Cassidy’s Birthday party. When I tell you that place was a zoo, I hold that sentiment to the highest of it’s abilities. Though I had no trouble gaining access to the red carpet (gooooood loooks, Vanessa), 20 minutes after I got situated, people started coming from every direction possible attempting to get inside. Usually, the ambiance of “Let me in, do you know who I am?” doesn’t bother me, but last night, people were literally overdosing on the sentiment. I can understand people wanna party and have a good time, but damn, let the doorman and security do their job. Regardless, the turnout was major and I had an incredible time witnessing everyone bargaining their life’s away with the doorman and doorwoman attempting to gain access.

Anyway, I have an ish load of work to get done today, and this is only the first of MANY SoundOff posts. Scroll down for  some visuals and colorful commentary from my industry excurison last night lol.

Sincerely

Low “I’m 2 minutes from falling asleep on this keyboard” Key

The house was sort of packed for Young Berg’s album listening session….

Yung Berg introducing a couple tracks off his new album, Look What You Made.

Look at what New York made Yung Berg…..

Look what Cali made Yung Berg...

As you can see, Berg was ready to hit the road…. 

BET’s, Sharon Carpenter hits the red carpet at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Dr. Ben Chavis looks sort of confused, but ready to party….

The line ouside of Cipriani’s last night was INSANE,  so I took a picture of it lol…..

So So Def’s “Digital Darling”, Dondria smiles for the flashing lights 

Executive VP of Def Jam, Shakir Stewart and VP of A&R, Lenny S were all smiles at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day Party…. 

Hip Hop violinist, Miri-Ben Ari hits the red carpet…..

So adorable! Now if only we can get Cassie to release some music…. 

You KNOW Jermaine Dupri was in attendance…..

Mashonda looking oh so scrumptious at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party….. 

Yung Berg and that DAMN Transformers piece….. 

Kevin Liles gets in on the action at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Swizzy The Monster made a quick appearance….. 

Russell Simmons poses for the cameras at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party….

Terrance J and DJ Envy point out each others coolness during DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Lil X slid through to wish DJ Cassidy a happy birthday….. 

Finally, the birthday boy, DJ Cassidy hit the red carpet with his million dollar smile….. 

Maybe I’m buggin, but is a 9-5 supposed to be this much fun?? Nah, right (what up Eskay lol?) I swear, if I’m not talking to one of my favorite artists, I’m traveling across country to an event. And if I’m not outta town, I’m at some function where the alcoholic consumption is free of charge (well not last night, but you get the idea) and Jermaine Dupri is yelling at me to get  his artists’ feature up online (Whas good JD lol, it’ll be done before COB). Regardless of what’s going on, just know your boy is having a blast. Last night I hit up Vibe’s Real Rap Issue Party at Club Ono , and judging by the ambiance that blessed the facility, to the untrained industry eye, one would have thought it was an after party for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

Of course, I had my roadie Edaki with me, so you already know how it gets when we hit the town. However, E wasn’t feeling the sardine can like atmosphere, so he bolted early, but of course I got a nice flick of him reading a magazine lol. PRICELESS! As soon as I stepped foot inside, my homey, Melo purchased me a L.I.T. and since it was incredibly strong, I was feeling a BIT friendlier than usual. We posted up at the bar for a minute, you know, looking cool and ish like that. At first, it was pretty light inside, DJ Envy was in one corner, DJ Cassidy was spinning everything under the sun and the ladies, ahhhhhhh the ladies were looking incredibly scrumptious. King of the South, T.I.P showed up unexpectedly and even posed for a quick snap shot (check below). Talked some business with the homey Shaheem Reid from MTV and grabbed another beverage. After being stiffed at the door, the homey Jackpot FINALLY got inside, which is when the real fun started!

All of a sudden, it got a tad bit crazy. First JD and the digital darling, Dondria (whad up, DD lol?) showed up. Then Ebro, Hot 97’s Program Director came in and hit the bar. Next, Fabolous and his Street Family goons hit the VIP section with DJ Clue close by. Lenny S discreetly maneuvered his way around the lounge while Young Sav and Steve-O kept things poppin on the patio. Ace Hood slid by as DJ Envy punched me in the elbow making me almost drop my drink (prick, lol). Young Sav and I asked Lenny S about the “Put On” remix with Jay-Z, in which he gave us this GUILTY smirk (that means it’s coming soon). JD and I talked about keeping Dondria’s online presence strong because that’s basically where she originated. He explained to me in DETAIL on how he wanted to execute that plan, which sounded pretty damn solid. Danyel Smith, EIC of VIBE Magazine, took some time to ask me why Howard University was blanketing the entire entertainment industry with its insanely talented personnel (her online editor, Jozen Cummings is also a Howard alumni, WHAD UP HOMEY?)

As I was making my rounds, I bumped into a young lady by the name of Nicky Nice. During my spot to spot moves, she was nice enough to watch my drink….which was pretty damn awesome. During our chop it up session, the man of the hour, Young Jeezy appeared out of nowhere lol. He made his way to the VIP patio and basically took over. Soon after, Swizz Beatz, Chaka Zulu, Terrence J, Alesha Renee, Irv Gotti and Nas came through and basically made Ono, the spot to be July 8, 2008.

I can’t front, this is pretty much a dope ass job with some dope ass perks. And to show you how dope it is, check out these DOPE ass pictures , Me, Johnny Nunez and Ronnie Wright snapped last night! I’m GHOST!

Sincerely

Low “Does life get better than this? Yea, so keep it locked to see how good it gets” Key

Vibe Magazine and Tequilla 1800 kept the party going till about 1am….

Sean Pecas, Jermaine Dupri, Swizz Beatz, Irv Gotti,Young Jeezy and Fabolous mean mug for the flashing lights..

TI hitting the VIP patio…

VIP Patio at club Ono….

Cute lil honey dip at Vibe’s Real Rap Issue Party…Damn it, I should have asked for her name!

DJ Cassidy getting busy on the 1’s and 2’s.

VIBE EIC, Danyel Smith and Irv Gotti share a couple laughs…

The man with no title hits the red carpet…

I have NO idea who this is, but she’s a cutie….

VIBE correspondent, Audrea chats it up with video director, Little X…..

Red Cafe and DJ Envy throw it up for BET.Com…..

Jermaine Dupri and Ebro chop it up on the VIP Patio….

Young Jeezy and Fabolous sippin on some Tequilla 1800….

Swizzy, Sean Pecas (the tall bald one) and Young Jeezy meet up on the VIP Patio……

The homey, Nicky Nice, held it down for VIBE Magazine…..

“Can’t front, I’m missin the old DJ Clue tapes”- Joe Budden

Tim Glover, Young Sav and Steve-O repping strong for Def Jam records and Best Of Both Offices

Either he was confused on how small my camera was or how CLOSE it was to his face lol……(no he’s not giving me the finger lol)

LowKey at it once again…..

I swear E was sooooooooooo focused on that Young Jeezy article…….

Young Jeezy and his Tequilla 1800….

INCREDIBLE……

Young Jeezy acting a fool with Playboy’s “Girls Next Door”…..

The brown skin vixen, D.Wright…….;)

Look at Jeezy stuntin……

Nas, Swizz Beatz and Young Jeezy get it poppin at Vibe’s Real Rap Issue Party….

DJ Cassidy gets a taste of the flashing lights and some Tequilla 1800….

Not ONE scuff. That’s how you maneuver through a party with a fresh pair of kicks….lol!