Rapper T.I. and Ludacris’s manager Chaka Zulu were involved in a brawl at a star-studded event at the Sunset Tower Hotel in Hollywood on Sunday.
Black Hollywood’s best and brightest along with the music industry’s glitterati stepped out in style for the “Power Brunch – L.A.” at the Sunset Tower Hotel. Hosted by Warner Music Group EVP Kevin Liles, the event honored those who have made significant contributions to society and their community. The honorees included Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete for their HollyRod Foundation.
But as the Sunday afternoon event progressed and guests were sampling bellinis, mimosas, made-to-order omelets and fresh fruit, T.I. reportedly attacked Ludacris’s manager and Disturbing Tha Peace Records cofounder and CEO, Chaka Zulu. The madness quickly escalated into a brawl as each of their entourages got involved and the melee reportedly spilled out of the hotel and onto Sunset Boulevard.
According to several sources, T.I. was loud and boastful during the event proclaiming he was the “King of Atlanta.” Although ATL lyricists T.I. and Ludacris supposedly squashed their ongoing beef years ago, the Grand Hustle MC has recently taken swipes at Luda, including telling Sohh.com that he deserved to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album earlier this year instead of Ludacris.
One witness described the scene as “pretty crazy.”
“All of a sudden, I saw a punch being thrown a few feet away from me, and then a couple of people erupted into a screaming match. People started scrambling and running in different directions,” the witness said. “One of the glass tables was broken because people were falling onto the tabletop.”
Security reportedly escorted T.I. from the event. There were no arrests, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson said.
According to the witness, “There was a girl in the lobby whose face was bleeding…I suppose she had fallen in the glass.” That woman is believed to have been treated at the scene by paramedics.
Late Monday, Zulu issued a statement through his publicist explaining that he had to defend himself after an unprovoked attack by T.I. Says Zulu, “It’s a shame that things like this continue to happen, especially with the backdrop of an event that was about benevolence and charitable works. I’m thankful that all issues have been resolved.”
When contacted earlier, an Atlantic Records rep for T.I. and Warner Music Group reps for Kevin Liles said that they did not wish to comment on the incident.
A source close to Atlantic Records said: “Chaka and T.I. haven’t gotten along for years. I don’t know why, but it’s jealousy on someone’s part. Everyone adores Chaka and in this incident, he chose to take the higher road, but the situation got out of hand. Things have been brewing between the two of them and unfortunately T.I. chose this venue to do something.”
Other celebrity guests, such as Evan Ross, Nick Cannon and Brandy had just arrived at the brunch, the source added.
“Now it’s blown over and no charges have been filed. Both are regretting it and are reworking their energy. It was unfornuate and it sucks because Chaka’s a great a businessman and T.I. has a lot going for himself, but it was the wrong place to handle this.”
Another guest at the event agrees.
“It was horrible because it was such a great brunch honoring wonderful people. Kevin (Liles) gave a moving speech that brought Holly to tears. All of the industry’s movers and shakers were there for this power event. It’s just sad that it ended like that and people will remember it for this reason.”
Many of the attendees were in town for Tuesday’s BET Awards. Guests at the luncheon included BET president and COO, Debra Lee, Elise Neal, Omar Epps, Yung Joc, Musiq, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth and a host of music industry executives.