Luxury watch brand Bulova and the Recording Academy threw a brunch for the ages headlined by one of the brightest stars of our time, Chaka Khan. You read that right.
Decked in all black, swag at a zillion, she tore through smash after smash. ‘Tell Me Something Good,’ got the crowd twisted and turnt, with the singer belting blues licks and doing the damn thing.
‘Sweet Thang’ got us open, too. A jam for all seasons, it’s sumptuous guitar riffs lifting us. Please believe I put my hands in the air.
And of course, ‘I’m Every Woman’ took things to another level. Chaka sounds as indelible and incredible as ever singing the hit of hits. Everyone knows this song, everyone on earth, and this room was proof. We erupted.
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 09: A Bulova watch on display during the Bulova Grammy Brunch 2019 at The GRAMMY Museum on February 9, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Bulova)
This tasty event was held at the Grammy Museum in DTLA, the west coast hall of fame for music’s biggest acts. The lavish rooftop soiree boasted stunning views and tons, I mean tons, of chicken.
Hip hop legend Grandmaster Caz whipped the crowd into a frenzy, mixing classic soul hits with his frenetic, fun as hell banter. I couldn’t stop Harlem shaking, even with a full gin and tonic.
Melle Mel, member of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five came through with a stellar set, covering legendary hip hop songs and referencing his own historic oeuvre.
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Grandmaster Caz, Chaka Khan and Grandmaster Melle Mel attend the Bulova Grammy Brunch 2019 at The GRAMMY Museum on February 9, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Bulova) *** Local Caption *** Chaka Khan; Grandmaster Melle Mel; Grandmaster Caz
Bulova announced a partnership with Windows of Hip-Hop, Caz and Melle Mel’s non-profit, economic development organization promoting hip-hop education.
The party also celebrated the Special Edition GRAMMY watch, which features a percussion design stainless steel case and black silicone strap with stainless steel fret-style inserts. It’s finished with a gold-tone crown along with a gold-tone dial made of GRAMMIUM® — a custom alloy developed by John Billings, the craftsman who creates, by hand, the lustrous gold gramophone statue that is presented to GRAMMY recipients. The watch was personalized for each first-time award recipient with a customized glass case back including the GRAMMY logo stamp, the award and award recipient’s name.
The announcement was the perfect cap on a buoyant and beautiful music celebration.