"I definitely can't wait until this new album comes out," Double-O said of the Kidz's new project, slated to arrive later this year. Kidz in the Hall, which also includes Naledge, recently put out a video for the ‘09 version of Special Ed's ‘80s classic "I Got It Made." The song was made in conjunction with Reebok Classic — classic like a glass of Hennessy or Patrón. There was plenty of it at the bar. There was also a birthday cake that didn't get eaten until well after 1 a.m.

Model Ivana Fields also celebrated her birthday last night at Sutra, and the multitalented Amanda Diva was among the revelers who attended.

BROOKLYN, New York — Despite having existed for 60 years, Puma celebrated its birthday with a trio of young acts on Monday evening. Still young at heart, the German-based sportswear company threw a party at the Music Hall of Williamsburg featuring up-and-coming artists Charles Hamilton, the Knux and Chester French.

"If you look back on any old hip-hop DVD, all you see is Puma," Hamilton said. "It's a cornerstone in hip-hop fashion, and when they hit me up about it, I was like, 'Cool!' "

Clad in his trademark pink shirt, the 21-year-old Harlem MC performed a short set of tracks from the mixtapes he has released in rapid succession. Hamilton, who was featured in last week's "Mixtape Monday" for his Sonic the Hamilton, has already released another, newer mixtape, Intervention. He said he's been releasing so much music as part of what he calls his "Hamiltonization Process," a buildup to the release of his first proper album, The Pink Lavalamp.

"Basically I want people to see that I present work to the fans and the listener, so that they can feel where I am coming from, as opposed to listening and saying, 'Oh, that's cool music.' "

The L.A.-based, Louisiana-born Knux also performed at the event. The duo, consisting of brothers Krispy Kreme and Rah Al Millio, brought energy to the otherwise static crowd, working the stage and urging everyone to make some noise. The duo recently released their Interscope debut, Remind Me in 3 Days, and are on a national tour through the 22nd.

Chester French's D.A. Wallach and Maxwell Drummey, who wowed crowds at the South by Southwest festival earlier this year, may have seemed like the odd men out among these hip-hop acts, but the Pharrell-endorsed former Harvard students made the most of their opportunity.

"As a new artist, a lot of the time you're approached to do things with different companies, and we always are much more attracted to any opportunities where you actually can expose your music to people," said frontman Wallach.

The group had the crowd captivated and dancing along. The preppy, curly-haired Wallach bounced across the stage, shaking a tambourine, clapping his hands and serenading young ladies onstage as he thrust his hips.

Despite having released just one EP, She Loves Everybody, French showed why they were sought out by — ironically enough — hip-hop producers, including Pharrell and Kanye West. While they eventually chose to sign with Williams' Star Trak label, they were more concerned at the moment with winning people over.

"When you come through to a city, as an opener, you almost feel uncomfortable asking people to shell out 30 bucks to come see you, because we haven't even put out an album yet," Wallach said. "Tonight's a great chance, because people were able to come see us for free."

Luda wasn't doing interviews, and while my Mr. October reference at least made him stop for a moment to tell us that his album is dropping November 25, he didn't tell us why — or anything else about it. I did, however, see him at the afterparty. I was enjoying some lo mein and champagne when he walked over and asked us to step aside while he did some press at his station. But we forgot we'd left our food and drinks there and I think they made it into the press shot. Oops!

We also talked to the always funny and beautiful Kristen Bell about "Veronica Mars" possibly enjoying a jump to the big screen, and I let her know about that fanatic Australian who has put her in his own fantasy Batman cast. She was psyched!

Sophia Bush — who won a style icon award last night — talked to us about the recession, and she's actually extremely well-spoken and articulate. She also couldn't stop talking about going home with her best friend, putting on pajamas and watching "Sex and the City" all night. Stars: They're just like us!

Eve told us about her upcoming movie and music plans — it was the first I'd heard of anything since "Barbershop," so that's good news.

Besides an encounter with a very angry publicist, the carpet was a smooth ride.

The afterparty was less star-studded than the carpet, with the exception of Ludacris and the cast of "Mad Men," but we made it worth our while in the champagne room. (Yes, I did just say "champagne room," and yes, they literally had a pink-walled, white-curtained champagne room.)

The high point of my night came at the end when I found myself in a hotel room getting a sneak peek of some of the tracks off Kanye's new album, 808s and Heartbreak. More on that later...

Details and photos after the jump!

» T.I. and DJ Drama performed a secret show in Manhattan.

» At the club Guest House, Avant was promoting his music comeback, while DJ Clue and Fabolous did their usual bottle-popping and mingling.

» Over at the Knitting Factory, Q-Tip and his good friend Busta Rhymes were debuting new songs and running through old classics such as A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario" during a 45-minute set.

Rhymes did warn the crowd not to spend any money until after Election Day when, according to him, "Barack Obama is elected president."
(Q-Tip's The Renaissance also drops November 4.)

» Meanwhile, about a million people waited in line to get into 49 Grove for a party held in honor of Robin Thicke. If you can't get into one party, at least you know you have plenty others to choose from!

What parties are coming up in your area that you think we should cover? Leave a comment and tell us!