Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine hosted an exclusive pre-Grammy party at his Holmby Hills estate on Thursday. The guest of honor: producer extraordinaire, guitar hero and Chic founder Nile Rodgers, who was just signed to Warner Bros. Records with new music on the way.
The intimate event, held in a tent adjoining the Iovine home, was a who’s who of the music industry. Executives in attendance included Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grainge, CAA music head Rob Light, Warner Music chairman Len Blavatnik, Warner/Chappell CEO Jon Platt, Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta, Atlantic Records chairman Julie Greenwald, Bruno Mars’ manager Brandon Creed and award-winning songwriter Diane Warren. Also there: music bookers from The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ellen, Today and The Talk.
Nile Rodgers’ Life Work Honored By Recording Academy
Among the artists who came out to toast Rodgers were John Taylor and Simon LeBon from Duran Duran, Ric Ocasek, RZA, Keith Urban, Aloe Blacc and Daft Punk sans helmets. Actor Craig Robinson was also seen cutting a rug to an 80s-heavy set featuring songs by Stevie Wonder, Duran Duran and Madonna. Later in the evening, the playlist segued to 90s hip-hop with 2Pac’s “California Love” prompting guests to bop in unison.
Beats sponsored the low-key soiree, with Iovine opening up much of his home to guests who wandered around wide-eyed looking at artwork and mementos — like a letter John Lennon had written to a recording studio owner in the 1970s apologizing for urinating on the console.