Grey Goose celebrated the launch of their new flavor Grey Le Melon on Friday June 27 at West Hollywood nightclub 1Oak on the famed Sunset Boulevard. Grey Goose partnered up with artist Kehinde Wiley to create the “Modern Kings of Culture” series. The cocktail reception was followed by a Q&A moderated by KWL Enterprises CEOKevin Liles between Kehinde Wiley and Swizz Beatz.
Russell Simmons, Terrence Jenkins, Lauren London, Drumma Boy, Ty Dolla $ign, Sebastian Mikael, Legendary Damon, Bizzy Crook and Amber Rose all came out to support cultural King, Swizz Beatz and the unveiling of his custom portrait by Wiley. The Q&A began with Swizz Beatz taking the time to thank Grey Goose for giving back to art “allowing him to spread his craft on a global level,” whilst continuing to give recognition to black music month. When Wiley was asked how important art is to our culture, he responded, “art is everything.”
Beatz defined art as “my drug. Art is the reason why I can produce endless music … art is music, fashion. business. Everything is art.” When Wiley was asked to describe her journey, he responded, “anything you do well takes a lot of work … I’m not someone who replicates, I’m someone who creates culture.”
As we approached the climax of the night, the unveiling of the portrait, Beatz expressed admiration for Wiley. He said “In life there is power. Some people have it and some abuse it. This painting is about this king right here,” as he pointed to Wiley and then Liles dropped the curtain, unveiling the custom portrait of honoree Swiss Beatz and his extraordinary path to achievement represented by Wiley’s “signature style of fusing history and style in a unique and contemporary manner.”
Beatz showed his appreciation and gratitude for being one of the selected individuals in Wiley’s series before getting in the DJ booth and getting the party started. The night continued with open bar and upstairs was roped off for VIP access. Guests continue to enjoy drinks by Grey Goose and the evening ended in special appearances by Trey Songz, Chris Brown, and Bow Wow who took the stage for their VIP table and kicked off BET weekend as the club DJ played their latest singles to a packed house.
Guest sipped on bevy of Grey Goose Le Melon signature cocktails like the Grey Goose Le Melon Fizz, Grey Goose Le Melon Mule, Grey Goose Le Melon Royale, and a special commemorative cocktail, the Grey Goose Le Melon Beatz.
Check out this slideshow from the event below! GREY GOOSE Le Melon Toasts to Musician Swizz Beatz with art commissioned by award winning artist Kehinde Wiley at 1OAK Los Angeles on June 27, 2014 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Grey Goose).
-Sanaz Sarshad
