Star Studded Extravaganza at 'Notorious' New York Premiere

© Sylvain Gaboury/PR Photos

Nearly a week to "Notorious" theatrical release in the U.S., Fox Searchlight Pictures premiered the drama biopic in New York City. Taking place at AMC Lincoln Square on Wednesday, January 7, the special screening event was a star-studded extravaganza with the coming in of many Hollywood celebrities, including many A-list hip-hop artists.

Joining the celebration on the evening were some of the film's cast, Jamal Woolard, Angela Bassett, Antonique Smith, Anthony Mackie, Derek Luke, Dennis L.A. White and Naturi Naughton. Director George Tillman Jr., executive producer Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and producer Voletta Wallace, who is also the mother of late rapper Notorious B.I.G., were spotted attending the premiere as well.

In addition to those celebrities, R 'n' B stars seen at the premiere included Beyonce Knowles, Jay-Z, Cassie, Ciara, Faith Evans, Ice-T, Ja Rule, Lil Mama, Mary J. Blige, Q-Tip, Fabolous and Busta Rhymes. NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and "Transformers" actor Tyrese Gibson were also among the celebrity guests attending the event.

Chronicling the short life of rapper Christopher Wallace a.k.a.Notorious B.I.G., "Notorious" features Angela Bassett as B.I.G.'s mother Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke as P. Diddy, Antonique Smith as Faith Evans, Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur, Anwan Glover as Snoop Dogg, Naturi Naughton as Lil' Kim and others. It is slated to be released in U.S. theaters on January 16, 2009.