Over the weekend (June 14), I had the honor of celebrating a true legend — Allen Iverson — as he rang in his 50th birthday the only way a Philly icon could.
From the moment I walked into The Prime Rib Philadelphia for his private dinner, I knew the night was going to be one for the books. The setting was elegant, the energy electric, and the guest list stacked with athletes, power players, and tastemakers who’ve supported AI through every era.
We raised glasses of Crown Royal as heartfelt toasts and speeches poured in from brands like Ahari Water, mbg360, Reebok, and Vomos Jets. But as much as the love was flowing, it was clear Iverson had one foot out the restaurant and the other already in the club. Between laughs and delectable bites of oysters, fillet mignon, shrimp cocktail, and much more, AI kept checking the vibe — ready to shift gears to Mr. Ivy for the Sneaker Ball, where the turn-up was set to unfold.
When I finally arrived at the nightclub, the scene was in full effect with the vibe feeling like a perfect tribute to Iverson’s legacy: flashy, bold, timeless, and unmatched. Sneaker heat was everywhere, with many sporting AI’s classic Reebok Questions and other fire kicks, all paired with black-tie suits and elegant dresses. Famous faces showed up heavy, with names like A.J. Brown, Terrell Owens, Charlie Mack, Freeway, Neef Buck, Charlie Baltimore, and Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky all in the building. And just when I thought the night couldn’t get more nostalgic, Philly’s own Freeway grabbed the mic and ran through his classic “What We Do,” sending the whole room back to 2003.
At one point during the energetic evening, I caught up with AI and asked what birthday of his has stood out the most. With a signature grin, he didn’t hesitate. “Probably my 30th,” he said, reminiscing on the over-the-top parties that defined his prime. But even in all the celebration, Iverson couldn’t help but keep it real about hitting this life milestone. When asked how turning 50 felt, he laughed and said, “Old!”
Still, if this is what 50 years look like — memorable moments, cultural impact, and an entire city showing up to give you your flowers — then Iverson’s milestone was nothing short of elite. The night didn’t just celebrate his birthday, it celebrated the Hall of Famer’s influence, his legacy, and his cemented place in sports, fashion and Hip-Hop culture. And I was lucky enough to witness it all first-hand.
Scroll below to see every legendary moment from Allen Iverson’s 50th — because if you weren’t at Prime Rib or Mr. Ivy this weekend in Philly, you definitely missed a moment.
