On Thursday evening Warner Music Group’s pre-grammy bash was the place to be!The party was held at buzzy new hotspots The Grill and The Pool located at 99 E 52nd Street. Notables in attendance included Ciara, Kelly Clarkson, Missy Elliot, Ashley Graham, Josh Groban, Kimbra, Lil Pump, Jason Mraz, Little Big Town, Gucci Mane, Mastodon, Janelle Monae, Rita Ora, Portugal. The Man, Bebe Rexha, and Winnie Harlow to name a few.
DJ’s D Nice, Harley Viera Newton, Mia Moretti and DJ Doug Marshall kept the crowd entertained until the Cardi B took the stage. Guests had three bars to choose from featuring drinks like the “Warner 75” made of Hennessy VSOP Privilege, Lemon, and Champagne, “Bodak Bubbles” made of Champagne, Sauternes, Elderflower and grapefruit, and the “Lil Juicy Vert,” made of raspberry, Blanco tequila, grapefruit and lime.
WMG’s 2018 Grammy-nominated artists and songwriters include Bruno Mars, JAY-Z, Kelly Clarkson, Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, Coldplay, Cardi B, Portugal. The Man, Lil Uzi Vert, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Andra Day, Sia, Michael Bublé, Zac Brown Band, Kehlani, Gorillaz, DRAM, Kraftwerk, The War on Drugs, Ben Platt, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Kaleo, Code Orange, Mastodon, Migos, Chris Stapleton, Brent Cobb, Randy Newman, Joyce DiDonato, Camelphat & Elderbrook, to name a few.
V Magazine and VMAN editor-in-chief Stephen Gan was spotted hanging with Ashley Graham and singer Troye Sivan. Kelly Clarkson who looked fab in a black dress warmly greeted fans and snapped pics with them. Alex Lacamoire, who is best known for Hamilton, was spotted hanging with fellow Tony winners Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hanson) and songwriting duo Pasek and Paul (currently nominated for an Oscar for “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman.)
Soon it was time for the main event. WMG Owner Leonard Blavatnik proudly remarked that Atlantic is the number one record label and Warner is the number one publishing company. Next up, Atlantic Records chairman/COO Julie Greenwald thanked guests for coming and introduced Cardi B. She detailed all of the records that Cardi has broken on her debut project. “She is the baddest women in the game right now,” she said. Cardi B is the first artist to have five simultaneous top ten hits in hip-hop. She is also the first female MC in 20 years, since Lauryn Hill, to go number one on the Hot 100. “She’s making history, she has an impact on the culture, she did it with the smash ‘Bodak Yellow,'” Greenwald exclaimed.
The crowd went wild when Cardi took the stage. Cardi kicked off her set with her verse on “Finesse,” she then performed “Lick,” her verses on “No Limit” and “Motorsport,” new single “Bartier Cardi” and last but definitely not least “Bodak Yellow.” Cardi is nominated for two Grammys for the mega-hit.
The event was sponsored by Citi, Heineken, Hennessy VSOP and was hosted in association with V Magazine. LYFT supplied guests with complimentary transportation, to encourage them to celebrate responsibly. The 60th annual Grammy Awards airs this Sunday, January 28.
Photo Credit: Getty Images