VIBE AWARDS: BACKSTAGE & BEHIND THE SCENES

There was a whole lot more to the VIBE Awards than what you saw broadcast on UPN on Friday Nov. 21. There were VIP events, parties, rehearsals, concerts, and more. Some celebrities were invited to a private gift cabana event, featuring items from Akademiks, J-Lo Fashions, Baby Phat, Nautica, and more. Russell Simmons and his wife Kimora also hosted an in-store at Up Against The Wall, and the winners won a chance to sit in the fanzone while watching the red carpet. Other fans in other cities even won the opportunity to attend the concert.

Raphael Saadiq got the party started with the Phat Fashions/Motorola presented VIBE Live! Pre-Awards Concert at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. But the party didnÕt stop there. On Thursday night, when the Awards were taped, Funkmaster Flex not only provided the background sounds, but he also crunk up the after party, where a host of celebrities were in attendance. For an entire week, Santa Monica was feeling the vibeÑif you get my drift. Join me now as I take you behind the scenes.

Click here to check out more behind-the-scenes photos in our gallery!

HereÕs the rundown of the VIBE Awards Activities

Wednesday Nov. 19
VIP Gift Cabanas
12 p.m.-5 p.m.
The Viceroy Hotel

Los Angeles In-Store
4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Up Against The Wall

VIBE Live! Pre-Awards Concert
8 p.m.-12 p.m.
The Knitting Factory

Thursday Nov. 20
VIBE AWARDS: Beats, Style, Flavor Taping
6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

Phat Fashions/Motorola Afterparty
8 p.m.-12 p.m.
The Viceroy Hotel

By Lynne d Johnson