SO SO DEF RECORDINGS IGNITE GRAMMY WEEK WITH STAR-STUDDED
Grammy-winning producer, Songwriters Hall of Famer, and cultural architect Jermaine Dupri officially set the tone for Grammy Week with the launch of his first-ever pre-Grammy celebration, So So Def Recordings Presents: Jermaine Dupri & Friends — After Dark, an exclusive, invite-only experience held Wednesday, January 28th at the legendary Troubadour.
Inside the full-capacity, invite-only room, Dupri delivered the kind of once-in-a-generation, only-in-LA moment that fused legacy, community, and the timeless soul of R&B music. The venue transformed into a So So Def playground—complete with a custom-branded cushioned photobooth—while Casamigos fueled the night with specialty cocktails.
The musical energy was curated from the moment doors opened, with dynamic DJ sets from DJ Derek Monteiro (@djderekmonteiro), Lathon (@lathon_macon), Mix Master David, DJ Mos (@djmos), Paul (Nineteen85) and more, creating a seamless soundtrack that moved between eras, genres, and generations. The evening’s host, Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Bryan-Michael Cox, guided the packed house through a celebration that honored the golden era of R&B and hip-hop while showcasing So So Def’s ongoing influence.
The live performances kicked off with a soaring, deeply soulful set from Ari Lennox, who recently released her third studio album Vacancy, a project shaped heavily by Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. Following the success of their hit “Pressure,” the performance offered an intimate, full-circle moment between collaborators.
The stage then shifted to DVSN, the So So Def signee who delivered a medley of fan favorites, raising the temperature inside the room with their signature blend of R&B and late-night sensuality.
But the night’s biggest eruptions came from a series of unannounced superstar appearances that instantly turned the Troubadour into a time capsule of early 2000s greatness. Bow Wow, Trey Songz, Amerie, B2K, Jon B, and more stepped onto the stage to perform the hits that defined an era—tracks that still live rent-free in playlists, nostalgia, and Culture at large. Each surprise brought the crowd to its feet, creating a communal celebration that was felt as much as it was heard.
What emerged was more than a party—it was a cultural reset, a testament to Jermaine Dupri’s enduring impact as a producer, label head, and curator of moments that shape generations. “Jermaine Dupri & Friends: After Dark” not only kicked off Grammy Week—it set the bar.
A night of legacy. A night of lineage. A night only Jermaine Dupri could deliver.
Notable Attendees + Performers
Bow Wow
Trevor Jackson
Algee Smith
BJ The Chicago Kid
Vanessa Williams
TA Thomas
Kes Kross
John Platt
D-Nice
Domani
Jon B
Trey Songz
George Daniels
Sharon Carpenter
Rei Ami (K-Pop Demon Hunters)
Estelle
Jozzy
B2K
Amerie
DVSN
Ari Lennox
Sevyn Streeter
Mona Scott-Young
