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Third Annual GM All-Car Showdown: Celebs Compete for Coveted “King of Bling” Title
With enough Bling and Ice to light Los Angeles, General Motors and Shaq “Diesel” double-teamed Paramount Studios with the Third Annual Rollin’ 24 Deep during the ESPY Awards Week. A highly anticipated, invitation-only event that has so many stars, folks wouldn’t wish to be at any other spot besides this utopia of current and vintage whips.
 From Travis Barker and Matt Leinart, to Maria Menounos, all competed to take home the prestigious “2006 King of Bling” title. And you know Automotive Rhythms was front and center to raise the competitiveness of all contenders with our set of tastefully designed Strut Escalades -- 2007s of course. They caused chaos early in the game since they were positioned for celebs to examine upon arrival to the red sand. And the soup continued to get hot in the kitchen, when NFL rookie Vernon Davis of the San Francisco 49ers showed off his whip that drew a crowd as he dissected his Strut-grilled chariot that had boxing champ Bernard Hopkins and I squaring off for driving rights.
Back to the set! Lights, cameras, and action mesmerized the crowd as Reggie Bush broke through the hole by cutting back to the runway with his flipped HUMMER H2 with 30” rims that could have filled the Grand Canyon. But he didn’t score! The playing field got cold with Ludacris’ 1954 multicolor, green Chevrolet Bel Air which won "Best Exterior.” The big dog himself (Snoop) put his paws in the game by pounding down "Best Interior" for his 1966 white Cadillac Deville customized with three chandeliers right out his grandma’s house. Cedric the Entertainer kept it O.G. (Original Gangsta) by winning "Best Old School Car" for his 1952 midnight blue, candy coated Buick B52. However, a young “flash” got crowned. “The 2006 King of Bling" title was dished off to Dwyane Wade for his 2006 white HUMMER H2 SUT.
I didn’t envy the ringside officials of the event either. Judges included sports commentator James Brown, actor Nick Cannon, tennis great Serena Williams, and GM’s own Susan Docherty, and they all had to make selections among twelve celebrity automotive customization specialists with the pressure of hundreds of onstage fans from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles. A $2,500 donation was made in each participant's name to the charity of their choice. Wade’s winning $10,000 donation was to his own Dwyane Wade Foundation, which provides support to various youth, educational, health and family service programs that benefit the underprivileged and underserved.
The night didn’t stop when keys left the ignitions. Music filled the streets with the lyrics of the socially conscious hip-hop guru, Common. Celebs and influencers all showed off their dance steps, including even Shaq and Alonzo Mourning.
Thumbs up to all the team at GM, Shaq “Diesel,” and my folks over at STRUT. Remember, “If you keep this swagger yaw’l will never get lost within “The Urban Automotive Experience.”
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Tameka Jacobs & Kimatni |
The Judges Corner |
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Serena Williams and Snoop Dogg |
The 2007 Escalade with the real King of Bling -- STRUT Grilles |
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King magazine's Adell Henderson, Serena Williams & Kimatni |
Ludacris, La La and Shaq on stage |
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Vernon Davis seems to be a Fan of Girlfriend Tracee Ellis Ross |
Tom Brady with Automotive Rhythms |
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Cedric and 1952 Buick on stage |
Shaq arriving on stage in his Escalade |
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Snoop Dogg and Shaq with trophy |
Eric & LA LA |
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Shaq & Kimatni Rawlins |
Bernard Hopkins arriving on stage in H2 |
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Eric Squaring off with B Hopkins |
Stacy Keibler and Cadillac SRX |
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Eric, Vernon, Tommy, Ali Al & Kimatni |
Nick Cannon and Dwyane Wade with Trophy |
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Maria Menounos with '63 Chevy Impala |
Vida Guerra Loves her some STRUT |
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Reggie Bush and HUMMER H2 |
The Boys at STRUT, Automotive Rhythms & Vernon Davis |
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