Rap icon takes over Las Vegas Strip nightclub for birthday No. 50
It is said silence is golden. But that isn’t the case if you are rap superstar and actor Nelly when celebrating your birthday at Tao Nightclub.
Gold was the theme and the volume was high as the frequent Tao Group Hospitality headliner was feted with a star-studded surprise party at The Venetian hotspot. The shindig was thrown by Nelly’s wife and fellow superstar, Ashanti.
A-list actor and Resorts World headliner Kevin Hart led a party entourage of Anderson .Paak, Jermaine Dupri, Too Short, Trinidad James, Lloyd, O.T. Genasis, Chingy and Estelle. Club hits, cocktails and champagne flowed freely. The stars took to the club’s katwalk — er, catwalk — to wow the crowd.
Nelly has won three Grammy Awards and sold 50 million albums. He and Ashanti have a baby boy named Kareem Kenkaide Hayes.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight posted on social media,Nelly was asked how he viewed his life and career 20-30 years ago.
“I grew up in St. Louis, so everything wasn’t mapped out,” the “Country Grammar” hitmaker said. “(It took) hard work, determination, good parents, people who are trying to do their best. Once you grow up, that’s all you want your kids to have from you.”
In a piece of the ET interview, picked up by the Daily Mirror, the artist born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. addressed talk of a possible Las Vegas residency. He headlines Jewel Nightclub at Aria on Nov. 23, and Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand on Dec. 7.
“There were talks not too long ago about that very thing,” the rapper said, referring to a residency booking. “I’m not gonna say too much more, but hopefully everything continues the course. I love Vegas, she loves Vegas. We both love Vegas for very different reasons.”
Tao Group Hospitality is reportedly not in the equation for such dual production. MGM Resorts International is not expected to be a player, either.
The 44-year-old Ashanti (born Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas) once popped into Brian Newman’s “After Dark” show at NoMad Library to sing with Lady Gaga, following a “Jazz + Piano” performance. A Nelly-Ashanti partnership, or individual productions, is conceivable.
Stallones on the Strip
Sylvester and Jennifer Stallone are being honored at the Las Vegas debut of amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS gala during F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend. The event is set for Nov. 22 at Wynn. Jay Leno is booked as host, with Diana Ross the night’s headliner.
The Stallones are receiving the organization’s Award of Inspiration. AmfAR was founded in 1985, raising more than $900 million in the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education and advocacy. Previous recipients of the award include Richard Gere, Ava DuVernay, Cher, Miley Cyrus and Charlize Theron.
The event’s live auction features the exotic car known as “The Last Gullwing,” the final Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ever built. Cue “Eye of the Tiger,” and bid accordingly. Tickets and table buys are available at amfar.org, and know that this opportunity is in the fast lane, price-wise.
Cool Hang Alert
Some intense vocal-group action is set for 8 p.m. Friday at Golden Nugget Showroom as the Cowsills hit the stage. This is the act that inspired “The Partridge Family” hit TV show in the early 1970s, with Barbara Cowsill’s real-life position in the band portrayed by Shirley Jones. The show launched Jones’ stepson David Cassidy’s career as teen idol and recording star.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.