So where does the big winner of the 2005 Grammy Awards go to ball after taking home an armload of trophies? Why, to his own tribute bash thrown by himself, for himself, of course–at least, that’s what Kanye West did.
“It’s an emotional time. I’m still elated, overjoyed–I can’t put it into words,” said Kanye as he walked up a red carpet sprinkled with flower petals at the Kanye West/Dave Meyers/Boost Mobile/Rolling Stone bash. West said that despite the wealth of post-Grammy parties, the rap artist–still clad in his white-on-white suit and a “Victorian” hairstyle (“The idea I had for a while, but I wanted to save it for a special night”) had one specific reason for hosting his own blow-out: “I threw the party so I could go party!”
After being shown some love from Ludacris as they arrived near-simultaneously at midnight, Kanye was hailed by a 12-piece orchestra of violins and cellos playing on the red carpet as the guests entered–the songs included “Eidelweiss,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Yesterday” and “Think of Me” from The Phantom of the Opera. The Dropout Bear from Kanye’s album cover and videos greeted the guests, kissed the hands of all the ladies, and briefly stepped before the orchestra and conducted it, taking deep bows. The Bear and Kanye also exchanged a respectful handgrip as they passed each other.
The bash, held in the converted lobby of a Wilshire Boulevard office building near the La Brea Tar Pits, was billed as a formal affair. Although not black tie, there was a strict no-jeans policy and some of the denim-clad celebrity guests were given a hard time getting in–including Warren G, who were hassled at the check in. Warren didn’t let it get him down, though–he was still enjoying a party packed schedule. “Grammy night? I thought it was more like Grammy week! I’ve been partying all week,” he grinned. “But tonight is really special. Kanye, I’m very happy he won. He paid his dues and it’s paying off.”
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Inside, the party was decorated in themes matched to Kanye’s videos. One area was forest-like, with tree-stump tabletops, thick foliage and an enormous plush snake that several people could sit on at once with ornate chandeliers hanging overhead. Another mini-room was black-and-white-themed, with a checkerboard floor, square leather tables and seats. The very-tattooed waitresses wore black mini-dresses and bright pink wigs, while the waiters and bartenders wore black shits and pants with similarly bright pink ties. There was a dance floor with a DJ and a pair of tattooed go-go dancers, and another area designed to look like the check-in stand at a “Scout Airlines” terminal leading.
“I had to do something that represents Kanye’s diversity and his unique stamp on the business,” said the colorful and acclaimed video director Dave Meyers, who was really the guy behind the bash on Kanye’s behalf. (Along with directing videos for Kanye, No Doubt and scores of other top acts, Meyers also envisioned the colorful dancing Apple iPod ad campaign). “We had to completely diversify and support the vision that he’s brought to us musically. I’m trying to embody that into a party experience.”
Meyers and Kanye go way back: “He’s the first rapper to rap about me!” exclaimed the director. “And he was also the guy who was on all of my sets about four or five years ago, doing the cameo shots: getting tattoos and ‘Dave, Dave, will you film me?’ And I’m like ‘Who is this guy?’ And now here he is celebrated, and it’s nice to still be a part of his career.” So I had to ask: would Kanye let Dave touch his Grammys if he brings ’em in? “If he brings them in, I’m sure!” laughed Dave. “He’s got 55 family members here, so I’m in a long line of priorities, but I’m at least here to create the environment for him.”
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The very young, very tall Grammy winner Joss Stone was one of the celebs experiencing trouble getting up to the second floor VIP area when the fire marshal blocked off the crowded elevators. Once the Luca Luca-clad singer finally got up there, she kicked off her Michael Kors wedges and danced up a storm with Nip/Tuck‘s Julian McMahon. As we trotted out of the party to our cars, Joss summed up her evening: “It was wicked!”
Meanwhile, Beyonce and Jay-Z arrived together and went to the upstairs VIP party via the staff entrance. Apparently the party was abuzz that hip-hop’s hottest couple had been in a running argument all weekend, and when they arrived Beyonce kept insisting that they only stay for a little while. Jay-Z wanted to stay at the party all night, but Beyonce was determined to leave, left in a huff and went back to her hotel by herself.
Outside on the first floor was a smokers’ patio with full bar: there were backdrops depicting New York City skyline and brownstones; the patio was dressed like a park, with park benches and a dance floor made of Astroturf grass in front of a bandstand where a powerhouse Zydeco band played, as handsome actors like Simon Rex and Eddie Cahill struck up conversations with the endless bevy of beautiful women that streamed through the party, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Nikka Costa and Tatiana Ali. Tatiana told me she remains like family with her “Fresh Prince” co-star Will Smith, who’s still mentoring her in the recording studio. “Now that I’m in the studio and he just finished his album, we got to hang out a LOT while we were in the studio together,” she revealed.
Next up was a Brazilian Carnival band complete with multicolored, scantily clad dancers shaking their vibrant tail feathers to the beat with the guests as sipped Grey Goose drinks, white wine, beer and champagne, and inhaled cigarettes and cigars–actor Chi McBride was the classiest tobacco aficionado in the crowd, clad in a custom designed pinstripe suit from his Chicago tailor as he puffed on an expensive stogie.
The partiers noshed on mini-waffles with strawberry and cream, fried chicken nuggets on toothpicks, deep-fried balls stuffed with mac ‘n cheese and mini BBQ burgers. The guys from Hoobastank grabbed a passing waiter and they and their entourage devoured a tray full of goodies in seconds. “I’ve had better nights,” admitted the band’s Dan Estrin. “I’ve got a bad headache. I just think it’s too much adrenaline and stress in the last three hours–it’s getting to me. But we’ll be able to contribute to the headache with the loud music and alcohol.”
Meanwhile his bandmate Chris Hesse was thrilled with his latest superstar encounter at the official Grammy party. “I ran into Kevin Bacon and his wife Kyra Sedgwick at the bar and I introduced myself to them–I’m a huge fan of both of them,” Chris told me, “and then Kevin Bacon came up to me later in the night and said ‘You know what, man? I think everyone here is a winner’–because we lost three awards–and he started telling me how he’s never been nominated for anything. I was blown away.”
As they left, with big gift bags in tow, rising star Christina Milian–dazzling in a gray and silver Versace loaded with baubles, bangles and beads–and boyfriend actor Nick Cannon-and a perfectly complimentary gray Armani suit-indulged in some pre-Valentine’s Day nuzzling and kissing as her manager-mom Carmen watched approvingly while they waited for their car.
Did the lovebirds plan their matching ensembles? “No!” insisted Nick. “It just turned out this way. We didn’t plan it at all. It just sort of happened that we had the same thing on, so it’s kinda cool. Usually we do talk about what we’re going to wear, but she was like ‘I’m going to surprise you this time,’ and she did her thing. And it was a nice surprise.”
Lil’ John was the last star to arrive at the party, showing up at 2:45 a.m. When he was told at the door that the party was over, the Grammy winner simply pulled out his wallet and asked them “How much to keep the party open?”
