Hip-Hop Gaming League Launches The stars came out in droves as the Hip-Hop Gaming League launched its highly-anticipated season one during one of NBA All-Star Weekend's biggest galas. TNT basketball analyst Kenny "The Jet" Smith's All-Star Weekend Bash at the Hobby Center for Performing Arts in downtown Houston, Texas was the scene for the launch party, and the HHGL's gaming lounge was the event's main attraction. With the HHGL starting game play in just a few days, the festivities surrounding the NBA All-Star Game in Houston offered the perfect opportunity to spotlight the ever- coalescing worlds of athletics, video games and Hip-Hop music and culture. Kenny Smith's party brought out nearly every major face in both the NBA and Hip-Hop, all coming together in rap's newest hotbed, Houston. While NBA all-stars like the Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas and the Indiana Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal rocked to the sounds of legendary DJ D-Nice, artists, executives, models and athletes crowded closer to the gaming lounge to get a glimpse at what the HHGL is all about. New R&B sensation Chris Brown, former Ms.USA/actress Kenya Moore and radio personality Steph Lova all breezed through the plasma screen and velvet couch-laden gaming lounge to watch party-goers go head-to-head in EA Sports' Madden '06 and a basketball game, all delivered on high-definition screens courtesy of Microsoft's Xbox 360, the HHGL platform of choice. While the HHGL gaming lounge clearly was the night's focus, the party continued throughout the Hobby Center. The guest list included Queen Latifah, Reggie Miller, T.I. and, of course, Kenny Smith's fellow TNT basketball analyst, Charles Barkley. They were also treated to sneak peaks at limited-edition Reebok sneakers, expensive timepieces provided by Krieger, and an up-close look at Volkswagon's Toureg SUV and the luxurious Phaeton. Even with the NBA All-Star game less than 48 hours away, many of the NBA's finest partied and gamed well into the wee hours of the morning. -Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker Related Links: Hip-Hop Gaming League