EMPIRE Brings Out The Biggest Stars for Pre-Grammy Celebration

If you were in LA last week, anywhere near it, or flew out for Grammy week, you already know how lit the city was. Party invites flowed in abundance as the industry prepared for music’s biggest night.

Heavy-hitting independent label, EMPIRE was no different, throwing one of the livest pre-Grammy parties of the year. Hosted in West Hollywood by CEO/Founder, Ghazi to celebrate Nigerian superstars Asake and Olamide who were nominated in the first-ever “Best African Music Performance” category for “Amapiano”, the event brought out some of the brightest stars.

Stars including but not limited to Larry June, Benny The Butcher, Tiwa Savage, Wale, Jidenna, and Tink. California was also in the building with special guests Too $hort, Kalan.FrFr, RJmrLA, and Joe Moses, whose ”Brrrrrdadumdum” single currently has the city going up. And what would the night be without, Los Angeles breakout star 310babii performing his Billboard Hot 100 hit “Soak City (Do It)” for the crowd.

Music industry executives and veterans like Spotify’s Joe Hadley, Amazon Music’s Steve Boom, Youtube Music’s Tuma Basa, and Nebula’s Faud Hawit were present too, as well as politicians like California Assemblyman Matt Haney and the Governor of Lagos, Nigeria.

Held both indoors and outdoors with vibrant decor to celebrate themes of Africa, the event featured large sections to accommodate guests and groups, plus aerial dancers. Ghazi gave a heartfelt speech in appreciation of EMPIRE’s partnership with YBNL leader Olamide and artists Asake and Fireboy DML. This past week, Ghazi was also named No. 30 on the Leaderboard on Billboard’s coveted Power 100 list. So, if you’re still sleeping, it’s time to wake up!

Catch some exclusive photos from the event, courtesy of Cassidy Maldonado/Getty Images.