I must admit that have a weakness for Latin music. But I didn't realize how much I missed it until I walked into the George R. Brown Convention Center and heard Oscar d'Leon belting out a popular salsa tune during the Latin Grammy after party.
It only took a verse, and I was already moving to the music and ready to take in the Latin Grammy nightlife.
Now let me just say that after the Latin Grammy Awards show on Thursday night, there were parties everywhere throughout the city, but there is only one "official" after party...and that is one put on by the Academy.
The official party is a black tie affair and only Academy members, Grammy nominees and winners, and special guests are invited - or at least is that is what I was told. I'm sure there were some other people there-- but don't worry, your secret is safe with me.For those of you that were there, you know that night which was sponsored by Heineken was filled with great food, fabulous Mojitos and unforgettable music.
The night began with a performance by up-and-coming Latin artist De la Ghetto.
Ghetto has just recently released a few songs, and while his name sounds like he should be tough and scary, he was a really down-to-earth guy when I talked to him. And for the girl-fans out there, he really is kind of sweet.Ghetto's performance was followed by the legendary Latin superstar Oscar d'Leon, who I totally love. Like I said, I enjoy Latin music, but had no idea that d'Leon sang so many of my favorite songs.
But what made my night was Frankie Needles.
Frankie was the official host, emcee and DJ of the event. It was his third year doing the official after party for the Latin Grammys, but what I didn't know was that Frankie took his job as "host" serious.
No really...Frankie made sure that me and my photographer, Christine DiStadio, not only met De la Ghetto and d'Leon, but made sure that we got pictures of most of the stars that were present at the show including actress Claudia Camacho and singer/songwriter Melissa Jimenez from Kumbia AllStarz.Of course, Needles is a superstar himself. He's has a cable show on mun2 called "One Nation Under Hip Hop." He also has a syndicated radio program on LBC and Westwood "One called The Top 20 Latin-Urban Countdown. But what you may not know is that Needles is big into helping new artists.
He found De la Ghetto and made sure he got into the Grammys, and he's also worked with other artists over the last 10 years."It's what I like to do," said Needles. "I know what it's like to start out in this business, so I try to help new artists break into the music scene."
Needles is true to his word. He's even in the process of making his first album that will include a mix of new and well-known artists - many of whom he helped break into the business. He told me that many of the songs for the CD, which is due out in January, are already done.
"Pooh Bear, who produced a couple of Usher's songs, helped with the first song,"said Needles. "I'm also doing one that combines the talents of a Cuban band with the Marley's from Jamaica."
But while Needles career is booming, Thursday night, he was there for the attendees. It was all about having fun and making sure that the crowd that included actresses, Grammy winners and everyday people were having a good time.
"It's like doing a big wedding," said Needles, when asked how he decides which songs to DJ. "You have to spin the music in a way that pleases everyone."
That's a hard job when your audience includes Mexicans, Cubans, Columbians and other Latinos, as well as newbies like me. (That's me pointing at Frankie in the photo to the right).
But when it was Frankie's turn up on stage, I was amazed. He was even more fabulous than the Urban Hip Hop videos I had watched. He was able to mix pop music with Latino mix with Hip Hop classics.
Once he got up there up in the booth and began mixing up his magic Latin beat, it was non-stop dancing all night.
Naturally, I had to do a little salsa dancing too...because how often do you get to attend the Latin Grammy after party?
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