My Night At the Smiranoff Signature Series Event

The homie Jay hooked it up again and got me on the list for the Smiranoff Signature Series Party last night with Q-Tip, Common & KRS-1 along with Dre from Cool & Dre, Just Blaze and DJ Premier. It was at this spot called Element on the lower east side, two floors, pretty cool for a show as it has a stage and a pretty good sound system. Just so happens I get a call from Dave Lighty asking whats going on for the night and since he's on the guest list as well (you couldn't buy your way into this joint for the most part) we decided to meet there. Good thing too as the people on the regular guest list were not allowed to enter the venue until 7pm and did not have access to the upstairs VIP area. Me walking in with Dave allowed me to receive one of those coveted red bracelets that gave you autonomy to roam freely.

The first person I see walking in is Sway of MTV fame. Very personable guy. He was the show host and I appreciated the fact that he actually spoke to me as if he knew me which is always cool. I hate when lames act all Hollywood. As we walked across the dance floor to the nearest bar, which had all the free Smironoff you could want, I saw Jonny Nunez, which many people wouldn't know by face but I'm sure you've gazed at more than one of his photographs of celebrities mainly hip hop celebrities. I always see him out but for some reason we never really acknowledge that fact. I guess that's a New York thing.

While at the bar waiting on a drink who walks right up next me? Consequence of Kanye's label GOOD Music. The interesting thing about seeing him is that we actually had words, though very few, at this Usher party last year. This was before Don't Quit Your Day Job actually dropped but not long after The Cons Vol 3 - Da Come Back Kid was released. Anywho, at the time I was really feeling that mixtape so I said something to that effect to which he graciously thanked me. This time though, I didn't say anything but I did catch something in his face that saw something familiar in mine. Once again, that new york thing... And just to add my 2 cents, I wasn't really feeling DQYDJ. Something was missing from what I found so infectuous on the mixtape. I guess if you can't say something nice...

So after getting a not so tasty concoction of the Blueberry Smironoff and lemonade mix drink that was inspired by Q-Tip it was upstairs to the VIP area. We sat directly next to Dre's table. Dave actually knew him so fifteen minutes into sitting there we were all smoking together. He's cuter in person. Most times I see him in videos or on tv he looks kinda droopy in the face. You know, the sleepy eye look. But in person not so much.

Before long Sway stepped on stage and introduced Q-Tip. Donning an old school black and gold addidas suit Tip looked and sounded like he was in good form. It was good seeing him perform as I haven't really whitnessed him doing anything other than DJing as of late.

Next up was Common. I havn't seen Common perform in a long ass time. It's easily been a couple years. And I was reminded of how great a performer this man is. And how fine! Of course he did the favorites and did a dope freestyle to end it all. I have to make sure I make a point to see him the next time he comes to the city to perform.

Lastly, came KRS -1 whom I'm not ashamed to say I don't really know. I was born and raised in Texas and if i never felt like a New Yorker, it was last night when this man hit the stage. Cats was madd hype to see him. Old heads, young heads, everybody. Although, I know the choruses to songs like South Bronx and Criminal Minded the only song I could probably recite is Self Destruction....Obviously, he didn't do that song.