by Shannon Booher
All Skullcandy could do Thursday night was win, win, win, no matter what, as they held their All-Star Kickoff party. Fittingly set at the Grammy Museum, the party served to introduce their All-Star Aviator headphones, and to give some of their NBA Skullcandy Crew a chance to set All-Star Weekend off right.
The party was set on the terrace level of the museum, partially indoors, partially outdoors, with views overlooking the downtown L.A. Live area. An open bar and a good DJ kept the party going strong. The very dope looking Aviator headphones were on display throughout the party in glass-encased stands, and Skullcandy let you know what time it was with ill projected logos on a waterfall covered wall.
As you entered the party, the red carpet was setup to the left for various celeb picture and interview opportunities. The center of the party area had a stage and dance floor setup, with the VIP area behind. The DJ was spinning and three fur-booted go-go dancers danced along. Early on, official Skullcandy Crew member Andre Iguodala arrived along with Eric Gordon, Wes Johnson, Julian Wright and agent Rob Pelinka. They posted up in the VIP and soaked it all in.
One cat on the red carpet I did not initially recognize – Mann. My ears clued me in once he went on stage, though, and warmed up the crowed by performing Buzzin, which you may recognize from heavy radio play, at least in L.A. Other celebs included Gbenga Akinnagbe (Chris from The Wire… his mere presence was spooky… had the same look on his face as when he would nail up a Marlo vic in a vacant), Christopher “Big Black” Boykin (of Rob & Big fame), a possible boxer (tipped off by the solid gold boxing gloves pendant), and a possible three-man R&B group.
Soon after the heavy hitters descended upon the red carpet area, seemingly all at once and from different directions. From the right, rolling in crew deep was none other than the Maybach Music Group, led by Rick Ross (RAAAAAAWWWWWWSSSSSSEEEE), Wale and Masspyke Miles. From the left, it was Skullcandy Crew members and OKC teammates, Kevin Durant and James Harden. There was a tense moment where it appeared the room might not be big enough for Harden’s beard and Ross’ beard, but everyone soon realized that the beards had actually formed a strong alliance. Beards have All-Star teams too. Being from L.A., Harden definitely 
had his Hollywood game down. He was the only baller rocking the sunglasses and true red carpet/Hollywood demeanor.
After they did their red carpet rounds, they headed over to the VIP area themselves. And you knew it without having to read it here — a couple bottles of that Rozay sure enough awaited the Maybach Music Group crew. After a few more NBA guys made there way in, including Russell Westbrook (he arrived with KD and was surprising small… just serves to show how much of a baller he is), Nick Collison and Al Horford, it was time for the main event. RAWWWWWWWWSSSSSSSSSEEEEE.
Rick Ross took the stage and did his thing. He went through all the hits from the catalog, from “MC Hammer,” to “Everyday I’m Hustlin’,” to “Aston Martin Music” and some of his best guest verses. May-may-may-may-may-back music. The crowd loved it. Wale was onstage too, and surprisingly, the crowd probably got the hypest for Wale’s verse from Waka Flocka Flame’s “No Hands.” A few more may-may-may-may-may-back music shots from the DJ, and it was a wrap. It was on to the next, as All-Star 2011 had only just begun.
