THE SCENE :: RICO LOVE’S BIRTHDAY DINNER

[highlight_text] Love, Usher and Blige gathered around the three-tier chocolate birthday cake as the giant sparklers were lit and guests danced to beats provided by DJ Clinton Sparks. [/highlight_text]

The who’s-who of the music, entertainment, sports and art industries came out to celebrate hip-hop music mogul Rico Love’s 29th birthday. The Dec. 2 event proved to be the most exclusive and high profile event during this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach. The ultra-posh private dinner party was co-hosted by Mary J. Blige, Usher and David Manero at Manero’s new installation of Vic & Angelo’s in South Beach. More than 100 VIP guests were treated to a gourmet meal and showered Love with, well, love.

The star-studded group feasted on giant Kobe meatballs and then indulged in an intricate dessert spread, including a giant cotton candy tree that delighted the guest of honor. The partygoers were moved by a grand gesture when pop icon Usher paid tribute to Love–the songwriter and producer who has been integral to Usher’s own success–by gifting Love one of his own Grammy Awards. Finally Love, Usher and Blige gathered around the three-tier chocolate birthday cake as the giant sparklers were lit and guests danced to beats provided by DJ Clinton Sparks.

Lining up on the red carpet inside the patio of the restaurant were actress Gabrielle Union, R&B singer-songwriter and actress Deborah Cox, Miami HEAT star Chris Bosh, Miami HEAT and NBA All-Star Juwan Howard, emerging hip-hop artist Yelawolf, Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis, singer-songwriter TeairraMarí, industry legend Sylvia Rhone, R&B singer Melanie Fiona, BET host Rocsi Diaz, Adriana De Moura from The Real Housewives of Miami and local philanthropist Tracy Mourning.