A taste of Suite success

Words by C. Daniel

Photos by Allwyn Crichlow and George Butler

Black star power is rare – for real.

Probably the most anticipated event of the entire weekend, the BET Preview Style Suite returns to Atlanta with luxurious star treatments and an all-star gifting lounge. The event is sponsored by Are You In, Inc.; BET.com; BET Rap it Up Campaign; Interscope Geffen A&M and Boost Mobile.

Hosted not too far from the Atlanta Civic Center, the awards show venue, on Oct. 9, 2009, the Rare Lounge might’ve been the hottest spot on the eve of the BET Hip Hop Awards. That heat inside is no joke; the walls start to sweat. Still, it’s all good. The Hennessy and Belvedere IX bar keeps it cool; another shout out to the ladies of Ty-Ku (for the Ty Phoon), NUVO and Rhythm for holdin’ the bar down also.

Konsole Kingz Gaming Lounge

Fellas could get on the sticks and get they Madden 10 or 2K10 on courtesy of my peeps, Konsole Kingz. Beauty starlet extraordinaire Sabrina Peterson and the Glam Bar squad are on deck to give the ladies Hollywood movie set hair and make-up. A master barber does his thing with the clippers while Yolanda Owens, CEO of Iwi Fresh, hooks me up with the hand massage with her ripe lime oil. It’s quite a sensual smell considering every oil and lotion is made from a fresh fruit. I must admit; she has the softest, most soothing hands, too!

RepJa and AKOO display booth

The fellas and lady of RepJa

Down the red-floored hall, you could get your swag right. The boys of Fli Pelican bring out the varsity sweaters and graphic tees alongside Broccoli City’s green conscious Organic + Fly flavor. RepJa’s tees hipped me to some of the dancehall fashion; the “I’M SO SPECIAL” tee speaks volumes. Needless to say, I have one. For the ladies, Sugar Mama represents with the baby tees along with Godeva’s loungewear. The paisley dripping, gentleman flare of Executive Clothiers steps the game up with the tiles of custom neckties and handkerchiefs. Across from there, Jennifer Garippa, strategic alliance manager of Custom Identity, places some custom jewel-encrusted cufflinks in my hand with quite some weight on ‘em.

8732 Clothing on deck...they showed lots of love!

Classic Shit...Adidas!

My Adidas! The Wall --

New Era Atlanta and Tradition...

Of course, the street flavor is laid out. AKOO, T.I.’s clothing line, and The Legendary Convertible Bertt (peace to D.Mapp and them boys) brought out some good tees; but the folks from 8732 (thanks 2 Conrad, Edmund and Erica 4 all of the love) give a good look. Their décor across the benches is on point: wool-trimmed fitted caps; ski vests; baggy denims; velour sweatsuits; jackets; cargo pants and polos. Big homie Gerard Murray showed love for Tradition along with the fellas from New Era Atlanta with the fitted hats. Adidas displayed the custom shelltoes with a series of tees acknowledging hip hop luminaries (Salt ‘N Pepa, Method Man, Slick Rick and Redman) as face cards.

World Famous G-Mack on the 1s and 2s...

Oh, it’s cool. DJ Trauma and World Famous G-Mack are on the beats as everyone nibbles on soul food appetizers; of course, the macaroni and cheese would disappear first. On the other hand, the mac and cheese didn’t disappear as fast as the delectable CamiCakes, wrapped in a cute pink box tied with a brown bow. Shit, everyone is a star for a day.

Lance Gross (House of Payne); producer Drumma Boy; OutKast member Big Boi; actor Rodney Perry; Darkchild/Interscope artist Verse Simmons; Konvict artist Ray Lavender; vocalist Raheem DeVaughn; Sheree Whitfield (Real Housewives of Atlanta); Rock City; rapper OJ da Juiceman; comedian Lil’ Duval; reality show star Neffe; BET stars Tiny and Toya; comedian Chris Spencer; rap group Playaz Circle; DJ Don Cannon; DJ/radio personality Greg Street; Fonzworth Bentley; music video director Dr. Teeth; Upfront Megatainment female group Krave; singer Ester Dean; film director Will Packer; actor Columbus Short; fashion designer/reality show star Mychael Knight; Zone 4/Interscope rap artist Rich Boy all stop by.

 Thanks to the Garner Circle and Branded PR for their great work in creating another successful day. It is one for the books. I guess it’s official – yes, I am in!