JASMINE AT THE RTS AWARDS-PRE DINNER RED CARPET
Started the week last Thursday celebrating Persian New Year with an abundance of food, flowers and family around our Persian church. Then ran off to so solids much hyped come back gig at the indigo 02. Next was the big Jodeci, SWV, Blackstreet concert at Wembley Arena, finally finished the weekend back at my own ballet school in west London-shout out BABEL SCHOOL OF DANCE and my ballet teacher Sara Ridley. Then it was the v inspired awards at Camden’s roundhouse. So much great engaging life in this city!
The most fun part of the week was attending the annual ROYAL TV SOCIETY dinner and awards. The RTS Television Journalism Awards were founded in 1978 and seek to recognise creative and excellent journalism by organisations whose broadcasts are received in the UK and by the agencies, which supply UK news broadcasters. The Awards ceremony is held each February in central London. At the Grosvenor house hotel, the evening was black tie and full of the really real powers behind the UKs TV. I was attending in my capacity of being an RTS Futures committee panel member. (The RTS fUTURES are an absolutely essential group to become a part of if you want to be in TV. Its free and easy to join up online and the best place to make those early TV industry contacts).
On the night the Grosvenor was a heaving, very formal venue of fabulousness. Black taxi’s pulling up, tipping out black tie clad tuxedo slick shiny shoed men. Very swishy knee length cocktail dresses on not to be messed with feisty TV females in vertiginous heels. The occasional long sweeping ball gown on a TV princess. I fell into the latter.
On arrival after sweeping down the famous ballroom staircase and passing the red carpet photo pit where TV faces like Ant & Dec, Keith Lemmon, Jo Brand, Coronation Street actors, high drama actresses and more were posing and pouting for the paps, I was guided to the very VIP reception on the balcony overlooking the Great Room. Determined to stay sober for as long as possible I scooped up water and wandered around seeing whom else I knew. I stopped at the huge dinner plan board to check out where I would be sat and whom with. To my horror even though the names were clearly in alphabetical order and clear as day I couldn’t find my name!. I looked again, tried all the usual mis-spelt spellings of my name but nothing. Just as I was about to question this with the head of the RTS organizing committee, I paused to check out who was at the uber fab top table? As I scanned the table plan I spotted my name. There must be a mistake I assumed. I can’t be sat with the Patrick Younge’s and Trevor Phillips of the industry. Yet-indeed I was. I didn’t point it out to anyone in case they’d realized they’d made an error and felt that id better get my best dinner party conversation genie ready fast.
JASMINE’S TOP TABLE SEATING PLAN.
Luckily all was well as I was sat next to other lovely RTS members that I knew so we talked shop, laughed, talked home DIY, men and more over the sumptuous 3 course dinner. The fish starter, lamb main and chocolate orange dessert were all delicious. The brandy/port option at the end as we toasted the Queen reminded me of the regality of the event and off the awards began.
The evening was hosted by female comedienne Jo Brand, who was hilarious, fast, witty and very entertaining. Whatever she was paid was well worth it. A TV audience are very tough to please. Many of us think we’re way smarter than your average Joe Blogs and it takes a hell of a lot to keep us cynics amused. We’ve seen it all, heard it all and experienced it all. It’s hard to impress a TV bod.
THE LEGENDS ANT & DEC ACCEPTING THEIR AWARD-RIDICULING JESSICA EXPLETIVE FILLED SPEECH JUST BEFOREHAND LOL
I live tweeted all the awards as they happened to the great joy and disappointment of those not there that were part of teams that won or lost awards. By now you know the winners list. The most touching moments of the night were a unanimous standing ovation room for presenter Clare Balding, the whole of the Coronation St cast onstage to accept their award, Keith Lemmon heckling Jo, Ant & Dec acknowledging the previous best comedy winner actress Jessica Hynes expletive filled hilarious acceptance speech which included loads of “fuck film- TV rules’’ statements. (Funny the next days press suggested that the audience were gasping and shocked at her speech-nope-they were laughing and entertained-press hype LOL!) When THE BANK OF DAVE won best nations and regions show, Dave showed how eccentric his personality is by trying to do a call and response moment with the TV bigwig crowd which fell spectacularly on its head LOL. All the ladies present fell over themselves to gush over how sexy best male actor winner Sean Bean is.
The BBC lifetime award winner was sports caster Dave Gordon who made us all well up saying “thanks to BBC for making my dreams come true-I’ve enjoyed being an ambassador for them-I can die a happy man”. The final judges awards of the night went to channel 4 for its coverage of the Paralympics and to Danny Boyle for his vision of the Olympics opening ceremony. No one argued that UK TV was strong and made stronger by its pride in being British. A great night!
JASMINE’S JUICE featuring WRETCH32’s birthday bash, Dean Atta’s book launch.
(All pics courtesy Paul H)
JASMINE WITH CHIP AND BIRTHDAY BOY-WRETCH!
Well readers I have competition. My annual parties have been a staple on the London urban lifestyle calendar since the 1990’s. From underwear parties at The Spot, to my joint Halloween parties with Mariah at The Collection and the Mandarin Oriental hotel, to my geisha girls meets pimps party at Queensgate where Usher, Lennox and Joe danced up a storm, to a multitude of other themed parties from Motown and Old Skool Hiphop at Anaya and more.
Other parties have come and gone but none have stood the test of time for the classic reputation of great music, great crowd and a truly unique night. Until now. A certain North London lad called Jermaine Scott otherwise known as Wretch32 has quietly started making his mark annually on his birthday with a really well turned out party. His crowd and peers from the next generation have been showing the rest how a classy shindig really does go down. Last year he held his birthday bash in Jermyn Street and by midnight it was full of his family, friends and peers like Leona Lewis, Kano, Bashy, and more.
JASMINE WITH PR MAVEN JODIE DALMEDA, DJ MANNY NORTE, MUSIC GURU RICHARD ANTWI.
This year he stepped his game up with a party at private members club Holborn House where the theme code was ‘’all black everything’’ probably to coincide nicely with his current hot single ‘’Blackout’’. Also the invite stated ‘’ Please note all mentions / advertisement of this event is strictly prohibited on any social networks or public forums.’’
Now you know once that’s up there on the invite it’s going to be a very exclusive, private affair.
JASMINE WITH WRETCH, GEORGE THE POET, GEORGE’S LOVELY LADY.
On arrival outside the very easy to park at venue, there were flame-throwing fire eating scantily black clad suspender and basque girls lighting up the street. In the past when attending industry bashes I’ve been careful to be demure and slightly business like as it wouldn’t be too professional to be seen all skimpy in the presence of young uns who I work alongside. However on this occasion I threw caution to the wind in the knowledge that I could be slightly less formal and adventurous as we’re all one big professional family now so my cleavage had a bit of an outing lol.
JASMINE WITH THE ALWAYS GORGEOUD PRINCESS NYAH
As I entered the venue I noticed a distinct change in the way I was greeted by all. Males were ‘’omg Jas-you look around 23! Amazing!’’ Females ‘’oooh Jas you sexy kitten look at you!’’ This made me both smile and worry, LOL that’s me, a Capricorn who’s never comfortable with compliments.
We went and made a beeline straight to our host Wretch to wish him Happy Birthday. The Wretch32 branding was everywhere-walls, cakes, cupcakes, ceiling, everywhere. Ever the gent he introduced us to everyone and beckoned for us to have a drink. At his side was his great friend Chip who had a huge welcoming smile on his face. I’ve always known Wretch and Chip to be supportive friends to each other from way back so it warms my heart to see their friendship is still strong and real. Throughout the night the two were seen to be laughing and hanging out together. 
JASMINE WITH A YOUNG MAN SHE’S CHAMPIONED SINCE 2006-CHIP!
I caught up with Chip for a while and am happy to inform you all that his new music is imminent. I teased him on being all grown up now. He laughed ‘’yes Jas-look at me-I even have some chin hair now!’’
I had to do a double take when I spotted Misha B who had red hair extensions put in her hair-she resembled a very young Missy Elliott whom I worked with many moons ago. Whilst the majority of party people looked very slick and elegant in their black attire, there were as expected the usual few who were more keen to make an impression with their nakedness. One lady had on a bra and g string with a bit of net lace over the top. Another wore what was clearly a top as a dress and when she lifted her arms her underwear and way too much else was on show. Also there was A LOT of fake hair extension action going on. Ladies no one believes its your own once its hanging past your butt!. So many ladies did get it right though and looked gorgeous.
JASMINE WITH JODIE AND MUSIC ACT NY!
North London music act Nyomi Gray, known to many under the name NY, looked classic and sweet in her sequined mini dress, as did model Tia Ward in her shorts and shirt ensemble. Princess Nyah showed how to show a lil bit of flesh yet keep it classy. Radio host Reg Yates was chilling with his lady and having from early on in the night, as was new kid on the music block George the Poet and his lady.
I had to scold DJ Manny Norte for not following the dress code (again-he didn’t follow it for my party last year either), as he was certainly not in black but he did as ever rock the party so was forgiven. The other gent that kept the dance floor hot was Twin B who set it off correctly.
Wretch’s friends are indeed a diverse bunch and upstairs were Only Way Is Essex birds Lauren Pope and others that aren’t as well known. She was rocking a striking knee length black leather dress with metal studded shoulder and looked hot. Singer Egypt had on a dress that seemed to be stuck on with cellotape and was extremely riske!
Dancer / choreographer to the stars Royston was dancing around with singer Terri walker and songwriter Carla Marie. SBTV founder Jamal Edward’s also turned up not rocking the black dress code but I could see more than one person had told him off so I decided to smile and hug him for his misdemeanor and not mention what was already quite clear.
West London’s finest lyrical wordsmith and performer Bashy rocked the rocker look in a black leather jacket and had many a lady attempting to catch his eye.
Music industry major player Richard Antwi was very merry. (Don’t worry Richard-its our secret). Alexandra Burke looked cute, comedic mystro Kojo turned up late!, Sincere, Skepta and Scorcher partied hard. Naughty Scorcher also didn’t adhere to the blackout dress code!
JASMINE WITH JODIE AND CHOREOGRAPHER/ DANCER ROYSTON.
During the night the Fire eating ladies gyrated and writhed around on the bar, which did at times make ordering a bellini awkward. ‘‘Hi please can I get a bellini, a kir royale and a JD and coke?’’ (Whilst trying not to focus on the legs akimbo pum pum spread eagled in my face lol). A certain very high profile music industry bod actually had been watching too many hip-hop videos and at one point was seen pouring his champagne down said dancers butt as she crawled on all fours on the bar.
JASMINE WITH JODIE AND SONGSTRESS EXTRORDINAIRE-TERRI WALKER!
Wretch had a lovely breakout area upstairs with a photo booth where his guests were taking photo after photo to commemorate the night. Also on display were cupcakes emblazoned with the number ‘’32’’. One friend said ‘’aw is it his 32nd birthday today then?’’ ummm.
Also a huge square ‘’Blackout’’ cake was on display. Wretch was very presidential all night with an air of relaxed fun and hospitality where he made each and every guest feel welcome and at home. Like every great party shots were flowing, bottles were popping; much laughter was in effect, North London really repped well. Wretch isn’t just a champion in the charts-he’s a champion human being!
JASMINE WITH DEAN ATTA-FUTURE POET LAUREATE!
2 nights later it was time for a very cultured moment as North West London’s Dean Atta launched his book ‘’I am nobody’s nigger’’ at the Hammersmith Lyric Theatre. He performed a live set of poetry from the book whilst a live paint artist reworked the books title artwork on the stage backdrop. The evening was touching and inspirational. He performed pieces about his growing up in northwest London, his mother, his mixed race heritage and his sexuality. Dean is a very talented gifted wordsmith that can perform live poetry in a new and very unique manner. With accolades from other great wordsmiths like Benjamin Zephaniah and more he is on his path to greatness! Asked at the end of the evening what his future ambitions are Dean replied ‘’Poet Laureate?’’
JASMINE AND DEAN, WITH THE COMPLETED ARTWORK FOR DEAN’S BOOK.
And the media tells us consistently our young men of colour are no good, without ambition and not achieving? See above. That’s all.
JASMINE’S JUICE featuring IDRIS ELBA, TREVOR NELSON and GIRL POWER LUNCHES!
JASMINE WITH OLD FRIEND IDRIS ELBA AT LOVE & LIQUOR
March really is a month for fun. It’s as if all the end of year cobwebs and early new year depression have finally cleared, the daffodils are blossoming and the fabulous soirees are back in full effect!
This week alone has been like a chapter out of Craig David’s diary .The week began on the Friday- (THE VOICE week always begins Friday as we go to print every Thursday! Fridays the new Monday lol)
On Friday I dragged some friends down to West London’s Kilburn High Street where THE WIRE and Luther star, actor Idris Elba has a DJ residency for a few weeks. The club is called Love & Liquor and really is as good if not better than most West End clubs. Its bars are cool and sexy with a very New York vibe. Its DJ and VIP booths are aptly designed and look out onto an always-heaving dance floor. The drinks aren’t unreasonably priced and even better, whilst their door is busy and not easy to get in, they don’t seem to have issues with folk of darker melanin pigmentation and so the crowd mix is hugely diverse and sexy. Guests were dressed smart casual and trendy and the vibe was welcoming and all were dancing without the hostile over whelming vibe of drugs and sleaze that you feel at many West End clubs with their oppressive security these days. Even better, actor Idris was joined on the decks for one night only by my mate DJ Trevor Nelson who I had gone to the club with (thanks Trev). Between them both they threw down a wide selection of classic old skool bangers both big and niche that had the crowd jumping up and down all night. The VIP was heaving with ladies trying to catch Idris eye but as ever he was the consummate professional and kept it moving. I have known Dris since he was a raver back in the day standing in the corner of parties nodding his head passionately engrossed in the music. I’m embarrassed to say that a few years ago at a Jazz Café event when he came over to say hello, his cap was pulled so far over his head that I smiled, nodded and moved on quickly not recognising him. Weeks later he was a superstar. Anytime he’s met me during my days at MTV the men I worked alongside have been just as excited about his presence as the women!
The most fascinating thing about him really is that he remains as humble as he’s always been. On Friday at the club I could see that on the other side of the VIP he was chatting to people so I didn’t want to interrupt him (however well you know artists there’s always a teeny tiny part of you that thinks they might not remember you –silly but true!). I stayed put and was chatting to my mates when he came over and interrupted us and to say hi to me and we caught up. Many artists have way too much pride to do that. Just shows how absolutely real this man is. You can take the boy out of hackney but you can’t take the hackney realness outta him.
He laughed humbly when I congratulated him on his continued career success and sex symbol status pointing to his beard saying ‘’I don’t know about that Jas-look at my white speckles of hair in my beard –I’m getting old’’
Asking about his side line music career and passion he revealed ‘’I have to focus on the main job of the screen stuff and dabble in my music where and when I can’’
Meanwhile Trevor was very merry. In fact more merry than I’ve seen him in a long time. He was DJ’ing, dancing up a storm in the VIP, trying to remain professional as Jamaican girls were winding up on him in a very sexual manner- go uncle Trev! LOL!
Photographer to the stars Paul H was present, and for once not working so it was great to see him relaxing and not snappy snapping away with his camera. BBC marketing exec Jay Davidson (works with Idris on Luther) was wilding out too. Great to see her having fun! International PR maven Rozan Ahmed (United Nations) was working the room with the artist manager-the lovely Chanelle Newman.
JASMINE WITH TRAILER HAPPINESS (PORTOBELLO RD) OWNER SLY.
Adidas head honcho Paola Lucktung was looking fly in her black and silver sexy off the shoulder sheath dress. She was dancing up a storm with her mate fashion stylist Natasha Chang-Lewis.
Warner music’s one woman branding bombshell Taponeswa Mavunga was in the house as was the once in a lifetime personality of sly who runs the Trailer Happiness bar in Portobello road. A great raucous time was had by all.
A night well worth checking out again- shout out to the main man that runs the night-Clement!
SATURDAY AFTERNOON GIRLS POWER LUNCH- JESSICA HUIE, (BABY J), JODIE DALMEDA, NADIA EL KHOLTI, JASMINE AND ROZAN AT THE RUM SHOP.
Then came a Saturday afternoons ladies power lunch with PR Maven Rozan Ahmed, British PR maven Jodie Dalmeda (Sony Music/ Virgin Unite etc), Colour Blind Cards founder and CEO Jessica Huie and her baby, and Nadia El Kholti (Sony etc). We all met at the Rum Shop just off Portobello Rd and took over half the venue with food, noise, baby escapades and laughter! We debated so much and so loudly that we had to have a rule in place which involved us holding a white table napkin in order to speak and make ourselves heard!
The same evening it was time to pop on my ‘’ all black everything’’ themed outfit with me attending Jermaine Scott aka Wretch32’s birthday party on the weekend.
His invite said ‘’ Please note all mentions / advertisement of this event is strictly prohibited on any social networks or public forums.’’ You gotta love an invite that says that right? (More on that next week!)
Then on Sunday of course it was all about mummy- every year that passes and they’re still with us is not ever to be taken for granted!
On Monday after a day at work and an exhausting circuit gym session I attended a sold out Tabernacle in Westbourne Grove where we saw the great and the good of the music world gather to see one of the last intimate shows that future superstar Laura Mvula will perform. Key influencers like Mervyn Lyn and Mastercards Shaun Springer were in the house. Laura’s voice was stronger live with a full band than on record and she really blew the crowd away. Big things for her coming!
Next I had lunch with an old friend. Back when we were all raving at Subterania and Hanover Grand nightclubs, a young man named Lonyo Engele was a DJ, MC (known back then as Comme Ci Comme Ca ), and artist that sang a catchy summer hit called ‘’Summer of love’’ (got to no.8 in the UK charts). Last year he cut his teeth in the acting world playing the lead in a film titled ‘’David is dying’’ for which he won numerous acting accolades and awards. This year he’s stepped up a level by being cast in a screen adaptation of the bible aptly titled The Bible, which is getting rave reviews and humongous ratings in the states. (More on that next week too!)
Onwards to another acting world talent when I went to see film director Mo Ali, who invited me down to his film set to watch the filming of his latest movie ‘’Montana’’…yep more on that next week too-not enough room on one page.
The next evening I enjoyed a catch up with my fellow Ladies Talk TV cast (Angie Le Mar, Jackie Michaels, Jacquie Joseph and Bonnie Greer) in Soho. Currently the shows in between series but we’ll be back in a few weeks-look out for the bigger, new and improved series!
I love staying busy! My tip for life is acquire great friendships, nurture them, make them a part of your extending business network for brainstorming and have as much social fun as possible with them. The harder you work on your friendships, the better your business goes. Sounds strange but believe me it’s the truth!
JASMINE’S JUICE featuring KANYE WEST and BARAC ACTIVIST GROUP!
JASMINE WITH MISTER WEST.
My boy Kanye never fails to disappoint. He’s been hopping from here to Paris and back again this fortnight with his solo shows. Beautiful sets and costumes greeted us. The show was full of hits for part 1 and then expected in part were his going off road into ranting territory. He’s always been honest, opinionated and out spoken. He challenges the status quo and I will always love and respect him for that. Many music acts can’t even string together an articulate acceptance speech at an awards ceremony these days. Long gone are the days when real rock and roll stars had a political stance, an opinion about the world and encourages their fans to take an interest in it. Someone once said that if you have the chance to stand in front of any number of people and speak, you should make sure you have something significant to say. Acts like U2, Prodigy, Michael Jackson, Annie Lennox and more always used awards show wining moments to say something worthwhile. Nowadays people can barely join 3 simple sentences of thanks together. Clearly seen by Brit winner Ben Howard just a fortnight ago. Kanye has always been opinionated, well informed and out spoken, in the first few times I worked with him when he was still a producer for jay z and dame dash, he was eloquent and straight talking on what he liked and didn’t. He tried to convince jay and dame for years that he could be an act in front of the mic instead of behind it. Jay wasn’t convinced at all. Dame always wanted to give all his team a break and usually gave them a few shots at the big time. I attended a few dinner parties at Damon’s London, Chelsea crib around a decade ago. One infamous moment saw Kanye and Mos Def free styling in an upstairs doorway post dinner. They went back and forth on verses over and again. A few months later dame let Kanye step out from the production board and attempt a solo career. The rest, as they, is history. So kanye comes out, smashes it in global charts, dabbles in fashion, isn’t afraid to wear a ‘’tighter fitting jean’’ like a European and show his prison baggy dressed American brethren how to dress classily, he has the balls to say what we’re all thinking on the national hurricane Katrina telecast, he stands up and speaks up for the gay community, he openly and proudly admits his fascination for porn, he directs a pro-black film, he designs a fashion collection, he loses his mother, mourns for his mother, is responsible for urban catchphrases like ‘’ima let you finish but xxx…’’, he is openly happy about declaring his love for reality star Kim Kardashian, third in overall digital sales of the past decade. He changed the portrayal of hip-hop having to be about a street imaged thug. He made being smart cool. He has sold over 30 million digital songs in the United States making him one of the best-selling digital artists of all-time. He is also one of the most awarded artists of all-time. Kanye is a real man.
Kanye has accomplished more and influenced more of today’s popular culture than many superstars have managed in decades.
Every time I’ve interviewed him, as a journalist I’ve had to prepare really well. No run of the mill, fly by my pants interview I can wing. When you’re going to speak to Kanye you better do some great research, come up with some great questions and have an interesting conversations or this man will tell you about yourself. I always have a long, good nights sleep before talking to him. I need to come with my A game for him or I’ll soon be pulled up. He’s not a question answer type of star. He’ll push you and ask about your opinions and test your knowledge.
So at his recent London shows at Hammersmith Apollo he has the balls to rant about art not being for arts sake anymore and it all being about corporations, sponsorship deals and shampoo adds. He cusses the Grammy awards for bumping him one year for lady gaga. He makes news. People are outraged. Really? This is Kanye. He has hits, can put on a great show but also has something to say. This is my idea of a perfect artist-someone interesting that has something to say!
His father is Ray West, a former black panther, his mother Dr. Donda West, was a Professor of English at Clark Atlanta University, and the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State Uni. How could he not have excelled with DNA like that? I had the pleasure of working with and spending a whole day with Donda a few years ago. She was so inspiring and positive. Her energy radiated love and intellect. I adored her. She brought up her son to be unafraid of the world and articulate himself so he could stand alongside greats and be counted.
He’s done everything on his own terms; I for one will always be team Kanye.
JASMINE WITH ACTIVISTS LEE JASPER AND ZITA HOLBORN
Started the week in the House of Commons with activist’s Lee jasper and Zita Holborn. Others in attendance for the initial committee meeting included actor Vas Blackwood, representatives from the national union of teachers, council trade councils, London underground and more.
JASMINE WITH THE BARAC GROUP AT THE INITIAL LAUNCH AT HOUSE OF COMMONS
Lee and Zita have joined forces to form BARAC (black activists rising against cuts). The organisation want to bring awareness to the fact that after the 2008 recession the large cuts to the public service and jobs have meant that predominantly women of colour have been forced out of the workplace at a higher percentage than the rest of society.
All funding for all single supplement groups like Caribbean elders, Asian women, young black men and so forth has all been stopped. In times like this, austerity amplifies racism and deprivation and Lee and Zita are hoping to give a voice to all BME communities to take a stand.
They are also going to ensure that the UK celebrates martin Luther king’s 50-year anniversary of his ‘’I have a dream’’ speech in style. August 28th 1963 was when it happened, this august will mark 50 years since that great speech and so MLK50 is born. You heard it here first! Mark that date in your diary and look out for MLK50!