Hip-Hop Soiree
October 16th, 2006 by Katie
Ludacris and DJ Sway,
Photo Courtesy of Brad Barket,
Getty Images North America
Ludacris brings new meaning to ’shake your money maker’ with the recent release of one of hip-hop magazine XXL’s “Most Anticipated Records of the Year,” Release Therapy. As an in-the-know, ahead-of-the-curve New Yorker, I couldn’t wait any longer to hear the new album and see the man of the hour during the album release party at Lower East Side club Element.
The invite-only gathering drew a good-looking, put-together crowd. As the line wrapped around the building, I scoped out everyone in the amped up crowd from head-to-toe. Designer jeans, blazers and brand-spanking new baseball caps were a-plenty as three different men saw me rolling solo and dropped the “You’re too pretty to be alone” line to no avail. “Ladies only” announced the booming bouncer, and I stepped to the front of the line. After a sweet pat-down, I was in.
The venue featured two floors with a bar on each level and a VIP D.J. looking down on his consitutents. As usual, an 8-oz. whiskey with a splash of ginger was $13, and, as usual, I took my cocktail for a spin around the dance floor. Red lights, balloons and an AXE-sponsored photo-booth (where “Anything can happen”) made the space feel exclusive.
Luda trumpeted his presence two and a half hours after the post-red carpet doors and was greeted by a throng of adoring fans. Ever so cool, he kept his over-sized, blinged-out shades on in the club, which accentuated his toothy grin. He thanked the crowd, MTV, BET, Glamourite (not really — but I was hoping!), and went to sit with his entourage as beats bounced down on crowd members yelling “Ey, Ey, Ey” in unison.
When the clock hit midnight I stepped out of my Element and headed uptown before this Monday night turned into a late Tuesday morning - and honestly, I was too pretty to be alone.