The spirits were high (for the bar was open) Wednesday evening as members of the industry’s who’s who came together to celebrate the sounds of Cash Money’s international singing sensation Jay Sean, who will release his U.S. debut All or Nothing on November 23.

Birdman and Jay Sean

The music was loud upon entering posh hotspot Greenhouse in New York City, but not so much as to overshadow the humming of conversations about the man of the hour. While the DJ blended a slew of Young Money and Cash Money hits, the latter label’s CEO Birdman pulled up with his entourage, exiting from two Jeeps. Once inside the venue, Jay Sean’s label heads—Universal Motown Republic Group Chairman Mel Lewinter, Universal Republic President Monte Lipman, Cash Money Records co-founder Slim, along with Birdman—took the stage to introduce the newly-crowned King of the Billboard Hot 100.

Slim, Birdman, and Jay Sean

The British-Indian singer greeted the crowd and shared how his single “Down” pulled the Black Eyed Peas from their 26-week run atop the charts. Jay Sean even did his best impersonation of Slim, letting the audience know what his label founder said upon hearing his music for the first time: “Yo dawg, I don’t know where you’re from and I don’t care. I love your music.”

Jay Sean and Melanie Fiona

Afterwards, Sean opened the evening’s performance with “Ride It,” beat-boxing for the track’s beginning in true Biz Markie fashion. “[This was] the first song I released when I decided to go independently and go my own way,” he revealed. Then came an acoustic version of “Down,” which quickly returned to its original sound after the first verse. Since Lil Wayne couldn’t attend the festivities, Jay Sean filled in for his featured verse on the track. In a grand finale, the 28-year-old U.K. crooner ended his one-man show by having the DJ play “Do You Remember,” his second single featuring Sean Paul and Lil Jon.

–Tanya Remekie