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BUDDIES: Jasmine with Kelly

I know it was a couple of weeks ago but I’ve only just landed in the UK so I need to get my two pence in belatedly: How out of touch were The Brit Awards?

If it wasn’t for Kelly Rowland presenting an award, there would’ve been just one person of colour onstage that night. Leona Lewis was shafted like Craig David before her years ago. What more can this girl do to get recognised by the industry? She broke all chart and sales records last year and gave the best performance of the night, but still left with no awards.

If aliens had landed in the UK and watched the show, they would’ve thought that nobody of colour contributed to British music culture, and that hip-hop and R’n’B played no part in the lives of British youths. It’s pathetic.

In the same week, Daren Dixon of Musicworld (Mathew Knowles’ record label) invited a select group of people to celebrate at Kelly Rowland’s surprise birthday dinner at The Lane restaurant in the East End, just off Brick Lane.

As a west London born and bred chic, the furthest I go east side is Euston. So you know it had to be something real special for me to venture to the grimy side of the capital.

We had been warned NOT to be late, so all of us arrived at 7.30pm. At 8.30pm, our throats were a little dry and our bellies were rumbling, as there was still no sign of Daren with Kelly. My heart sank as he paged me, “25 mins away.”

Daren’s a true example of the BPT (black people’s time) stereotype, so his message could really have meant he was still at home getting ready!

We panicked more so coz, being a guy, Daren had managed to arrange the dinner, the guests and the cake but alas, the table was bare of other festive essentials. So a couple of guests kindly went up to Brick Lane to fetch balloons, poppers and other festive accessories that only a female would’ve thought of.

Finally, Kelly arrived at 9pm and we all pulled poppers, whilst screaming, “Surprise! Happy birthday!” Fellow diners also joined in our commotion.

As many of my mates were there it was tough trying to sit near everyone to gossip and catch up but we managed. Guests included PR supreme Jodie Dalmeda with her twin brother and DJ to the stars Jarren C, Ruth and Chadni from Dolce and Gabbana, Musicworld singer Lana, creator of Colourblind Cards Jessica Huie and other friends.

Bizarrely, at the next table sat athletics cheat Duane Chambers, who we didn't pay any attention to. We had been waiting too long to eat so that's all we could focus on!

Once the meal began, we were presented with what we thought were espressos. Upon further inspection, we discovered we’d been given pepper pot soup in tiny espresso cups. Cute! The main course was curry goat in a pastry basket and rice and peas, which Kelly and I wolfed down very fast.

Finally for dessert we were very naughty and demolished a rum soaked carrot cake with strawberry and cream. I couldn't finish mine but Ms Kelly ate Daren’s too! As if we could be any more stuffed, Kelly’s birthday cake– which was soaked with yet more rum– was then wheeled out!

Kelly blew out her candles and made a speech. It was actually a really nice moment where she got a little emotional and said she felt grateful to know she had friends in the UK.

We drank more ‘Flirtini Martinis’ before someone boring (me) announced it was past midnight. Suddenly, there was a panicked mass exodus as we oldies hit the road to escape east London. Sorry– I'm a west London snob!

But sticking with east Enders, Hackney’s much-loved comedian Kojo kicks off the line up for Young God’s of Comedy, which will take place at Shaftesbury Theatre on March 16. Get those tickets fast if you want the best seats in the house. With comedy coming from Kojo, Paul Chowdry and US comedian Wil E Robo, you’ll laugh until your drink squirts through your nostrils, I promise! See you there!

PS: Congrats to my mate, former Honeyz front girl Celena who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl last month!

Published: 02 March 2008
Issue: 1310

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