Rocco Ritchie's DJ Performance Fails to Ignite Grammy Party Crowd
The exclusive Warner Music Group Pre-Grammy awards party in Los Angeles on Thursday night featured a surprising turn of events when Rocco Ritchie, the 24-year-old son of music icon Madonna and filmmaker Guy Ritchie, struggled to fill the dancefloor during his DJ set.
Madonna Remix Fails to Attract Partygoers
Tasked with closing out the prestigious bash held at the former Amoeba Music record store location in West Hollywood, Rocco attempted to energize the crowd by playing a reworked version of his mother's legendary 1990 hit Vogue. Despite this musical homage to the Queen of Pop, the remix failed to draw attendees to the dance area, with only a handful of people standing and dancing in what appeared to be a nearly empty room.
An eyewitness at the event revealed to Daily Mail: 'He was doing the bare minimum as a DJ. He never interacted with the audience.' Following his performance, Rocco reportedly walked off the stage without acknowledging the crowd, though he appeared to remain in good spirits despite the lackluster reception.
Other Performers Outshine Ritchie's Set
The evening featured several other musical acts who reportedly received much warmer responses from the celebrity-filled audience. Israeli musician Noga Erez, 36, along with 24-year-old singer PinkPantheress and vocalist Remy Bond, performed before Rocco and successfully filled the room according to sources.
The star-studded guest list included notable figures such as musician and actress Scout Willis, 34, singer-songwriter Benson Boone, 23, and model-actress Cara Delevingne, 33, though even their presence couldn't transform the atmosphere during Rocco's closing set.
Family Connections and Recent History
Rocco's Grammy week appearance comes just weeks after he joined his famous mother and her 29-year-old boyfriend Akeem Morris on a family holiday in Morocco earlier this month. The trip also included siblings David, 20, Mercy, 19, and twins Stella and Estere, 13, with the family enjoying activities ranging from riding stallions through dunes to camel riding experiences at a desert camp.
This recent closeness marks a significant improvement in the relationship between Rocco and Madonna, which had been strained following a highly publicized custody battle in 2016. At that time, the then-16-year-old Rocco chose to leave Madonna during her Rebel Heart Tour to live with his father in London, sparking a lengthy legal conflict that was eventually settled with Rocco remaining in the UK.
Madonna's Emotional Reflections on Custody Struggle
In her first interview in nine years with Jay Shetty last September, Madonna opened up about the profound emotional impact of the custody battle, revealing: 'There were moments in my life I wanted to cut my arms off… I actually contemplated suicide.'
The Grammy-winning artist described the experience as 'one of the most painful moments in my life' and explained how she had to perform nightly during her tour while dealing with the emotional turmoil. 'I would just be lying on the floor of my dressing room sobbing,' she recalled. 'I really thought it was like it was the end of the world.'
Despite the past difficulties, Madonna now reports being 'good friends' with her son and credits her spiritual practices for helping her through that challenging period.
Rocco's Musical Homage Tradition
This isn't the first time Rocco has incorporated his mother's music into his DJ performances. Last year, he played various Madonna remixes at the Warner Music & Hennessy's BRIT Awards after-party in London, continuing a pattern of paying tribute to his mother's musical legacy through his own artistic endeavors.
The contrast between the successful earlier performers and Rocco's poorly received set at the Pre-Grammy party highlights the challenges facing celebrity offspring as they attempt to establish their own artistic identities separate from their famous parents' shadows.
