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It’s In NY #4

L.A. Reid
Luxurious limos lined up outside of the Pierre Hotel. I was so excited to be invited to such an exclusive event honoring L.A. Reid that as I pulled up in my limited edition Toyota Echo, I decided to treat myself to valet parking. Then the valet requested “$50.” Not!

After I parked my car in the considerably cheaper garage, I joined the hundreds that braved the midtown heat to honor their colleague and Chairman of Island Def Jam, L.A. Reid, a.k.a. the “La” in LaFace Records. L.A. Reid and Babyface were the dynamic production team who signed historical acts TLC, Usher, Pink, Goodie Mob, Toni Braxton, and Donnell Jones.

To tell you the truth, I don’t think I’ve ever even heard L.A. Reid speak.

Stylish in black rimmed glasses and gray tailored suit, L.A. Reid exudes a quiet confidence. Mr. Reid was overwhelmed by the award telling me, “I feel amazing. It’s really not so much about me being honored than it is about a community pooling their resources together to help other people who really needs help” referring to the United Jewish Association (UJA) that honors “distinguished” entertainment industry leaders to support non-profit causes. I also appreciate Mr. Reid for taking the time to speak to me even when a pesky reporter tried to interrupt. Thanks Mr. Reid for sticking up for me!

The talent of Mr. Reid, at minimum, was reflected by the people on hand to help honor him. Jay-Z, Russell Simmons, BET’s Stephen Hill, Sylvia Rhone, and Lyor Cohen braved the heat to show support for their colleague.

Here is how L.A Reid’s friends describe him:

Jay-Z - President of Def Jam Records
“Mr. Ried is someone who just doesn’t look at a genre of music, he just believes in good music. He is someone who I follow in his path. Someone who has worked with Avril Lavagne, to Dido, all these individual artists.”

Russell Simmons - Founder of Def Jam
“I’ve always been inspired [by him]…He’s the melody man. The man who really knows the music. He knows the things that are part of the hits. It’s inspiration the way he’s managed the arts, developed them, and protected them for all these years. It’s important to have a chairman like him who not only has business savvy, but a real investment in the arts. This gentlemen is one of the best that has every done it.”

Stephen Hill - Executive Director, BET
“My first exposure with L.A. ever was when he was with the band The Deal, who I was a huge fan of when I was in college. I love seeing someone go from the performance side to really learn the business, and come around and do tremendous things on the business side. And he is still creative. I love that he still has drumsticks in his office.”

Sylvia Rhone - President, Motown Records
“L.A. is a great fun and a very respected music man he is just a role model for all of us.”

Bou Legged Lou - Songwriter, Full Force
“He and Babyface came up around the same time as us. They had their jehri curl before us. He is a pioneer and we have nothing but respect for him. We love L.A.”

Jay-Z also shared that “Rick Ross is going to be the next one. Like Jeezy was the rookie of the year, I’m predicting that Rick Ross will be rookie of the year”. More importantly, Jay-Z also promised me that he would talk to his business partner Carol, of Carol’s Daughter, about reinstating the Ocean Sea Salt body lotion. “I heard that [complaint] a couple of times,” he laughs.

Exclusive from the Wendy Williams Dons and Divas!

Hot Reggae artist Baby Sham told me to look out for the new “Ghetto Story” Video featuring Alicia Keys! He “was excited when Alicia wanted to do the remix” Sham whispered to me in his sexy Jamaican accent.

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By Stephanie Taylor on 7/31/2006[read on] [Make a comment]