Rap-Up Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Star-Studded Dinner
Rap-Up toasted to 15 years with an intimate dinner presented by Hennessy at French brasserie Terrine in Los Angeles on Tuesday night (June 23). The most exclusive event of BET Awards week brought out Rap-Up regulars including Melanie Fiona, Sevyn Streeter, Dawn Richard, and Karrueche Tran, who joined founders and brothers Devin and Cameron Lazerine.
DJ B-Hen set the mood with old and new school hits, while guests sipped custom Hennessy cocktails including the Hip-Hop & Henny, Rap-Up XV Mule, and XV Anniversary Punch before sitting down for dinner on the restaurant’s string-lit garden patio. The four-course menu included charcuterie, crudités salad, agnolotti, and bavette steak, with a Hennessy chocolate mousse for dessert.
Rap-Up’s Devin Lazerine shared a few words and Hennessy West Coast Marketing Manager Thuy-Anh Nguyen saluted the brothers for living by Hennessy’s mantra, “Never stop. Never settle.” Rap-Up’s anniversary also coincides with Hennessy’s 250th anniversary.
Melanie Fiona and Sevyn Streeter stunned on the red carpet in midriff-baring ensembles and gave props to Rap-Up for always holding them down. “New York Rising” rapper Charles Hamilton reminisced about doing a photo shoot for the magazine years ago, and Dawn Richard shared some kind words.
“You guys made that awareness for everybody, so thank you for being my outlet, for being my voice,” said the Blackheart singer.
Hot on the heels of her new scripted series “Vanity,” Karrueche stepped out in a silky green slit dress and grabbed a seat alongside Sevyn, Dawn, and Melanie.
Also in attendance were Roc Nation’s Casey Veggies and Melody Thornton, who gushed about the publication as well, saying, “They have always looked out for me, like, a gazillion-one million-gazillion percent.”
The evening culminated with the presentation of a three-tier black-and-gold “XV” cake with sparklers as Melanie Fiona got on the mic to toast Rap-Up.
“We’re so happy to be supporting you tonight and celebrating your success. Thank you so much for doing it positively always, staying true to the craft, the integrity of the music, and we wish you many, many more years,” said the “Bite the Bullet” singer. “On behalf of the artists that you guys support, thank you for making it possible for us to have a platform.”