“Picture the scene from Beyoncé’s “We Like to Party” video: I’m talking back yard white fence, high fashion, red cups, music and BBQ. Now replace those red cups with golden BACARDÍ cups and you got a #BACARDÍHouseParty (minus the BBQ). On this particular Friday night, it was hosted after the No Commission Art Fair curated by Swizz Beatz BACARDÍ. This unique fair brought many artists to Miami during Art Basel to sell their work and allowed them to keep 100% of their earnings.
DJ Esco is labeled as the “COOLest DJ in the World” according to his instagram profile was one of the first acts on stage. He had us moving and singing along to Drizzy & Fetty “My Way” plus more.
Taking a look around at the venue: general admission was strategically placed in the middle of the party. I think it had the best section. GA-ers know how to party. Around GA, sectioned off, were black lawn chairs giving special guest a seated space to say “heeeeeeeey Ms. Parker” as they sat near their private bar.
BACARDÍ brought the house down that’s for sure when, the headliner; Pusha T hopped on the stage. Once he hit the stage, vibes went all the way up! Opening with the track by Kanye West, Pusha T, Chief Keef, Jadakiss & Big Sean “I Don’t Like”, was a sure way to make his presence felt. He also gave us some of that “New God Flow”.
Near my post up area, only 8 feet away was Swizz Beatz vibing in the sound reinforcement area. He seemed to be enjoying the show himself with gold BACARDÍ cup in hand. I wonder what he was drinking...Next to him was, young street artist from California, Skyler Grey @skylergreystreetart. About 5 yards away stood the Kawz statue as the perfect backdrop.
Back to Pusha T, he brought out some nice surprises including The Dream and Fabolous (who recently celebrated a platinum birthday). “Where Brookly at?”, says Fabolous. The entire crowd lost their minds when these legendary musical geniuses’ came to set fire!
For a brief moment Swizz and I made eye contact from the booth. We could both agreed that our head nods equaled we are having a good time.
Sue Tsai in the crowd near the tech booth with 3 fresh corn rolls. Looking fresh after recently selling one of her popular pieces of art. Swizz Beatz comes out on stage and asked the crowd “How y’all fee?”. He went on to say “Create our own art fair our own concert. BACARDÍ great partners. Enough of the struggling artist. The world won’t go round if it wasn’t for artist.”
The finale was Canadian DJ, record producer and Fool’s Gold owner A-Trak. This man mixed, cued, rewind, cross-faded, hopped on top of his table and brought a wonderful set of music. He is a fearless DJ who had us jumping, cheering on a voguer and putting our hands up.
Thank you @BACARDÍUSA #BACARDÍHouseParty.”
Photographer: Chris Desabota desabota.com