‘devyne stephens’

Akon Gets Decked Out For Kontrol Magazine

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Kontrol LabelsIssue 321 e1322600400747 Akon Gets Decked Out For Kontrol Magazine

I love Akon, such a nice gentleman! He did a recent photoshoot with Kontrol Magazine for the Label issue. I love me a chocolate drop and Akon know he is fine! Julian Lark styled him in Versace,Dior, True Religion and his own label Aliaune. I see that his brother Bu got in on the action too from looking at the video! I’ve been to Akon’s mansion for Devyne Stephen’s birthday party back in the summer.Where the shoot took place, I was sitting on that very same couch lol. Click here to see pics. I loved the all white decor and see through floor in the living room area, very posh! Check out the pics and video! Thanks to Kontrol Mag for sending the pics! xoxo

Kontrol LabelsIssue 34 e1322600485342 Akon Gets Decked Out For Kontrol Magazine

Kontrol LabelsIssue 35 e1322600528473 Akon Gets Decked Out For Kontrol Magazine

Devyne Stephens Shows Out For His Big 4-0!

Monday, June 20th, 2011

IMG 2817 509x1024 Devyne Stephens Shows Out For His Big 4 0!

I was heading out to the 40th birthday bash of Devyne Stephens, CEO of UpFront Megatainment, so, of course, you know I had to be styling! I’ve known Devyne for quite a while now, and I know he throws the most lavish parties in Atlanta. I was a party planner in Cleveland many moons ago, so I was interested to see what he had up his sleeve this time. Stephens’ parties always outdo the ones I threw and are surely more extravagant and over-the-top.

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Ciara,Guest,Kandi and Devyne

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Ciara’s Loubi’s

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Devyne Stephens and Mayor Kasim Reed

Well, this year, with his turning 40, I should have known he was going to celebrate it in a big way. The invites that came were for a secret location, and there was a strict dress code to be dressed in black or white. The invite pictured Devyne dressed in the hottest black and white attire, sitting poolside with two beautiful girls in bikinis. Think James Bond (lol). I knew then it was going to be a fabulous affair!

IMG 2757 1024x682 Devyne Stephens Shows Out For His Big 4 0!

IMG 2748 1024x682 Devyne Stephens Shows Out For His Big 4 0!

When I arrived, I was escorted by shuttle to a huge estate with big fire pits and a long black carpet greeting me. The Hawaiian luau theme made me feel like I had stepped onto Fantasy Island. I got my picture snapped, was given colorful leis (mine were pink, of course), then headed down an aisle of white, sheer-draped cabanas with white couches … sexy! Bar stations were throughout the all-white house with indoor and outdoor pools, where people played. I even saw Akon take a quick dip in the pool. There were nibbles being passed around, and I saw a five-tiered black and white cake ready to be sliced.

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IMG 2737 682x1024 Devyne Stephens Shows Out For His Big 4 0!

The house was decorated with all white walls and leather furniture, black mink chairs and huge, rhinestoned chandeliers. The furniture, with its unique shapes, was very modern. In one particular sitting area, there was a see-through floor.

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IMG 2784 1024x682 Devyne Stephens Shows Out For His Big 4 0!

What got me into the party mood was when I went upstairs to another pool area where there were go-go girls dancing adjacent to the rocking deejay and, on the other side, were luau dancers who were actually Polynesian! There was laser signage flashing, “Happy Birthday, Devyne” on the rooftop as well. The girls were shaking their hips so fast I was getting dizzy! There was even a Samoan fire dancer.

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IMG 2776 1024x682 Devyne Stephens Shows Out For His Big 4 0!

Celebrity sightings included Akon, Ciara, Jasmine Guy, Demetria McKinney, “Atlanta Housewives” Kandi Burruss and Sheree Whitfield, Mayor Kasim Reed, actress LisaRaye McCoy, Too Short, Ronnie Devoe and Q Parker. There also were plenty of socialites, political figures and local radio and TV personalities. The crowd started gathering out front when word got around that Devyne was getting ready to make a grand entrance. A drummer started playing really loudly, and the hula girls lined up to welcome him. He flew in via helicopter and landed right on the front lawn. Yep, now that was grand! I was so close that I could see the African American pilot smile at me for my camera (lol).

IMG 2772 1024x818 Devyne Stephens Shows Out For His Big 4 0!

IMG 2752 1024x682 Devyne Stephens Shows Out For His Big 4 0!

Timothy Bloom and V. Bozeman

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Ronnie Devoe and wife

Devyne came out of the helicopter, and the first person that greeted him with a huge kiss was his mom. He was dressed in a linen tuxedo that was, of course, white trimmed in black. He hit the black carpet where he smiled for all the cameras. He came over to me and gave me a kiss and said, “Come on inside,” but it was getting late. However, I did want to wish him a very happy 40th birthday personally. It was really a great night for a party, and I’m glad he enjoyed all of his close friends and family coming out to celebrate with him. I would like to thank the staff at UpFront Megatainment for the invitation. It never disappoints when Devyne Stephens’ name is behind it.

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IMG 2786 682x1024 Devyne Stephens Shows Out For His Big 4 0!

Radio Personalities Frank Ski and Ryan Cameron

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The always stylish Dr. Zelda Pittman

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IMG 2782 682x1024 Devyne Stephens Shows Out For His Big 4 0!

Fellow blogger Kodak Boi and I

 

Devyne’s other extravagant affairs in the past:

devyne-stephens-christmas-gala

puttin-on-the-ritz-with-devyne-stephens


 


www.upfrontmegatainment.com

 

BMI’s 14th Annual Showcase Headlined w/ Ricky Rozay

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

IMG 1241 1024x682 BMIs 14th Annual Showcase Headlined w/ Ricky Rozay

I’m still blurry-eyed after being out all night at the BMI’s 14th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase held at Buckhead Theater. When I arrived the place was already packed with artists, record label personnel, crews and more. I am the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of the hip-hop crowd, but there are some artists sprinkled here and there that grab my attention and that I really like and want to see. When I read that Rick Ross was the headliner for the BMI Showcase, I was ecstatic about seeing him!

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DJ Spontaneous

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Rocko the Don and friends

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Lil Chuckie

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Dallas Austin

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1 of the top songwriters in the world, Sean Garrett

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Rapper Diamond

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Award recipient Devyne Stephens(Owner of Upfront Megatainment) and new artist Majic Massey

Before the showcase began there was a red carpet for photo opts, cocktails. With the music blaring from DJ Spontaneous and DJ Holiday the huge crowd hung out, mingled and mixed. I saw Dallas Austin, rapper Diamond and Kaleen from Dirty Money on the carpet. I asked Diamond was it true she was dating Soulja Boy and she replied that she was, but that Scrappy was still her boo. Kaleena, who is very fashionable, wore huge designer heels that she told me were designed by Jeffrey Campbell.

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Cristyle, Exec from BMI Catherine Brewton and Singer Kaleena

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Kaleena and fan

Everyone got along very well and it made my job much easier. We all know that some hip-hop events can get out of hand, but BMI’s events are usually very well organized, so I knew it would be fine.

IMG 1172 682x1024 BMIs 14th Annual Showcase Headlined w/ Ricky Rozay

Chase N. Cashe

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Pastor Troy

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Travis Porter

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BMI features some of the best unsigned artists to perform in front of a crowd of influencers, producers, record execs, other artists and more.Shortly afterwards, the doors opened to the main venue and people gathered by the stage. Devyne Stephens received the Legends of ATL Award from BMI and told me he was happy to get such an honor. Finalists Jus Nice, Saunders Sermons, Chase N.Cashe and FKI all did an amazing job. I liked Chase N Case’s performance best and so did the crowd and judges. He took home the grand prize that evening. Later comedian Lil Duval who hosted,  brought to the stage, Ace Hood, Sean Garrett, Travis Porter and my fav, Rick Ross.

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There were also some artists who took the stage, but were not on the roster like Pastor Troy, who did a great job, and Kirko Bangz, who did a sample of “What Yo Name Iz.” Rocko the Don also hit up the stage singing one of his latest hits and the crowd went wild. Travis Porter performed a few of their hits, and finally Ricky Rozay stormed on stage with a great performance. He talked about his new album Selfmade that hits stores Monday May 23, and he performed about five songs. I’m a huge fan of this artist and afterwards I had a chance to go backstage and say hello to him. I interviewed Rick Ross a few years ago at patchwork studios in Atlanta and he was the nicest guy, then and now.What a great early birthday treat to see him perform live! I thank BMI for the personal invite, I had a great time.

 

 

www.bmi.com