Entrepreneur and socialite LaToya ?Leigh? Wise poses with Kawan ‘KP’ Prather & Rico Wade as they were honored during the first annual ‘Live and Die for Hip Hop’ Black Out Gala held this past weekend (September 6, 2014).
The formal event, held at Atlanta’s Woodruff Arts Center, commemorated the life and legacy of the late multi-platinum music artist Chris Kelly, half of the rap duo Kris Kross and was produced in conjunction with Kelly’s mother, Donna Kelly-Pratte.
The event was hosted by hip-hop legend Ed Lover; daughter of mega rapper Lil Wayne, Reginae Carter; and socialites the Three Brown Girls (Eboni Elecktra, Kim Porter & Nicole Johnson).
The event was curated by reality television phenom Dwight Eubanks, formerly of The Real Housewives of Atlanta and produced by Leigh Wise, Donna Kelly-Pratte and Delanie Barber.
Atlanta music industry legends, Kawan ?KP? Prather (Vice president of Atlantic Records and former A&R for LaFace Records) and Rico Wade (founder of Organized Noize), were each honored during the event for their contributions to the hip-hop industry.
[WATCH: ATL: The Untold Story of Atlanta’s Rise in the Rap Game (FULL VIDEO)]
Attendees included: Tameka ‘Tiny’ Harris (formerly of R&B group Xscape), Kirk and Rasheeda Frost (Love & Hip Hop Atlanta), reality TV personality Toya Wright, music industry veteran Shanti Das, Sheree Whitfield (ex-RHOA), Sheree Buchanan (Atlanta Exes), Zonnique Pullins of OMG Girlz.
World renowned DJ Nabs was also on the 1’s & 2’s while legendary Atlanta rapper Bone Crusher grabbed the mic for a special performance.
Photos + video from the event below…
3 Brown Girls (Nicole Kelly, Kim Porter, Eboni Elecktra)
Chris Kelly’s mom, stepfather and grandmother,? Donna and James Pratte and Rosina Williams
Toya and Reginae pose for a selfie w/co-host Ed Lover…
Sheree Buchanan (Atlanta Exes)
Sheree Whitfield (formerly of RHOA)
Rasheeda and Kirk Frost strike a pose…
Dwight Eubanks is looking dapper as usual…
Chris Kelly’s mom (Donna Kelly-Pratt) poses with DJ Nabs
DJ Jelly strikes a pose…
The vision of the Live and Die for Hip Hop Black Out Gala was birthed out of a desire to celebrate the life of Chris Kelly and offer music scholarships to students that attend the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media, Kelly?s alma mater.
Proceeds from the gala awarded Atlanta Institute of Music and Media (Kelly?s alma mater) student, Javaun Mundle a music scholarship.
Donna Kelly Pratte presents check to sponsorship recipient, Javaun Mundle
Major props to the Kelly family, 3 Brown Girls and all involved for hosting such a positive event!
Photos: Chuck Brown Photography
CLICK HERE for more photos from this event.