Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 75

Deberg_1990 · 06-08-2009, 07:17 AM

Wow......Unreal.

http://www.kansascity.com/226/story/1238798.html

Another day, another racial controversy at the Power & Light District.

For a year, the black community has been in arms about perceived racism at the entertainment district, a place their tax money helped fund. But it’s always rebutted. Everyone is welcome at the P&L, officials say.

Well, those who follow the hip-hop music scene have more to chew on since late Saturday night, when one of hip-hop’s icons, DJ Jazzy Jeff, cut short a set of music and left the stage in a dispute over the kind of music his show was spinning.

I walked in just as he was walking off the stage. He had performed less than 30 minutes.

The crowd booed and I heard people, both black and white, yell about how the Power & Light didn’t want him to play hip-hop. I wasn’t sure what happened, but I knew it was bad.

A conversation I had with him early Sunday confirmed it.

He might be best known as one half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, but he is more than Will Smith’s old DJ and friend. The two won the first rap Grammy.

Jeff Townes, his given name, is legendary. He introduced “transforming,” the scratching technique turntablists use. This man has toured for 25 years. He’s an acclaimed producer.

So what exactly happened?

According to his tweets (twitter.com/djjazzyjeff215), he was kicked offstage for playing hip-hop. Jon Stephens, president of the Power & Light District, says it was about the sound levels.

“The issue that arose with the performance last night was completely about the sound levels,” he said Sunday. “His audio tech was maxing out the sound system to a point that risked damage to the speakers and sound system. His sound techs and management refused to bring the decibel level down. They were told to bring it down or cease performance. They refused to go on.”

Hours after he returned to his Philadelphia home, I spoke to Jazzy Jeff on the phone to hear his side.

His set started with sounds of hip-hop and pop favorites — Jay-Z, Biz Markie, Rihanna. His MC, Skillz, hyped up the crowd.

But after 15 minutes or so, in the middle of an R&B hit by Ne-Yo, “Miss Independent,” he was told to stop.

“My road manager walked up to me and said they were having problems with the music I was playing,” Jazzy Jeff told me. “I played three more songs and he comes back. I knew something was wrong. They said I had to kick Skillz off the stage, change the format of the music I was playing or quit. They said if I continued playing they had 30 cops ready to come escort me offstage. So I stopped.”

Jon Stephens says that isn’t so.

“Obviously we have a desire to book a diversity of acts,” he said. “We booked Jazzy Jeff on a Saturday night, the biggest night of the week in the district. We were excited to have him there. It’s unfortunate that his sound and management people had problems adhering to the sound and audio rules. We wanted him to play. That’s why we booked him.”

Jazzy Jeff was excited to play here too.

But it all went wrong. Venue officials said the set attracted the wrong kind of element, he says.

“They said they didn’t like Skillz’s posture,” Jeff said. “They said he made gang-like signs and grabbed at his genitals.”

So P&L officials wanted him offstage. But Jeff felt it was wrong because Skillz is no gang member. He is a father. His hand gestures were the kind of excited movements you make to get the crowd excited.

He wasn’t cursing or being offensive.

“I was playing Rihanna; she is Top 40,” he says. “If they would have let my set play, they would have known I play everything. I play rock, funk, soul, pop, hip-hop, reggae. I don’t play for a certain genre, race or gender. I play for music lovers.”

In his 25-year career, at 44 years old, Jeff has never been told to end a set because of hip-hop. He says he has never felt that kind of racism. The “element” that officials referred to felt like a reference to black people, a hip-hop crowd.

“I’m in shock,” he says. “I didn’t understand what element they were talking about. I looked out in the crowd and it was multicultural, but about 75 percent white. Everyone was having a great time. I wondered what was so offensive. I never had a race issue. I didn’t know how to feel. I was playing ‘Just a Friend.’ Is that offensive? What element? It’s uncomfortable when you feel unwanted.”

**DeezNutz** · 06-09-2009, 10:05 PM

Why are people concerned with FAX's taint?

How tainted is that taint, by the way? Grow the hair out and it might hide some of this.

**Lzen** · 06-09-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Thank you. I don't know how some of you got the Idea that I am racist. My mom is white, half my family is white. I have cousins that are from Iran and Mexico..all blood related, my family is the ****ing UN .lol..so for any of you to call me a racist is just crazy. Most of you want to dismiss any notion that there is still blatant racism in this world. I DONT PLAY THE RACE CARD. BUT IF I FEEL AS A YOUNG BLACK MALE , I AM BEING TARGETED I HAVE TO SPEAK UP. MOST OF YOU JUST ACTED AS IF THIS ISSUE HAS NO MERRIT, AND THAT WE ARE PLAYING THE VICTOM ROLE. I AM NOT AL SHARPTON OR JESSE JACKSON, TRUTHFULLY I DONT REALLY LIKE EITHER ONE OF THOSE MEN. WE CAN ARGUE ALL DAY ON THIS ISSUE. I DONT PLAY THE VICTOME ROLE, I AM NOT SOMEONE WHO THINKS EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE HANDED TO ME.AGAIN, ITS THE SAME THING, IF ANY ONE OF COLOR TRIES TO POINT OUT ANY FORM OF RACISM, WE GET THE SAME RESPONSE. " THERE THEY GO AGAIN" "PLAYING THE RACE CARD". MY POINT ABOUT NOT KNOWING WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE A MINORITY IN THIS COUNTRY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH PLAYING THE VICTOME. IT WAS SIMPLY A FACT , SOMETHING THAT WE DEAL WITH EVERYDAY, NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO DISMISS THE FACT. DOES THIS MAKE ME BITTER? NO. DOES THIS MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I AM A VICTOME? NO. IT IS WHAT IT IS, AND OBVIOUSLY FROM SOME OF YOUR POST WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO. ......I HAVE WRITTEN LETTERS TO THE PITCH THAT WERE PUBLISHED REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THE PL DISTRICT. I WAS INVOLVED IN PROTESTING IT, AND WILL KEEP PROTESTING THE DISTRICT....IF ANY OF YOU FEEL SO STRONGLY THAT WE ARE WRONG , THEN I WOULD INVITE YOU TO MEET UP WITH US SO WE CAN HAVE A DEBATE ON THE ISSUE....

I think the main reason why you were accused of pulling the race card without possibly a good reason is that this is not a clear cut case. Like others have suggested, the whole booking a hip hop artist and then kicking them off because they decided they didn't want hip hop doesn't make a lot of sense.

Sure, MicJones's theory could be correct. By no means am I suggesting that MJ is wrong or that I know one way or the other. But I think we should not jump to the conclusion that it was simply a racist thing. And I think you should at least acknowledge the fact that you may be seeing what you want to see rather than what the evidence may or may not suggest.

I think more will come out about this story as time goes on. Maybe then we can all make better assessments of this situation.

I guess my pointis that you would be taken more seriously if you didn't come across as someone who appears to hate white, republican, Bill OReilly watching men.

**Lzen** · 06-09-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

DOES THIS MAKE ME BITTER? NO. DOES THIS MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I AM A VICTOME? NO.

From your posts in this thread, I would have to say you are not being honest with us or yourself.

**Reaper16** · 06-09-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

I guess my pointis that you would be taken more seriously if you didn't come across as someone who appears to hate white, republican, Bill OReilly watching men.

Who doesn't hate those ****s?

Seriously, though, someone who watches or listens to Bill O'Reilly is not worthy of anyone's sympathy, understanding, or love.

Pablo · 06-09-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

From your posts in this thread, I would have to say you are not being honest with us or yourself.

He's not a VICTOME.

Pioli Zombie · 06-09-2009, 10:39 PM

My ex wanted me to get a VICTOME. I'm glad I didn't.
Posted via Mobile Device

Mecca · 06-09-2009, 10:40 PM

You all should watch the news with my parents, you'd shake your head.

Pioli Zombie · 06-09-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

You all should watch the news with my parents, you'd shake your head.

Mecca. Raised on Riots died for you!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

Pablo · 06-09-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

You all should watch the news with my parents, you'd shake your head.

Probably not. They're probably white 50-60 somethings. I'd imagine FOX News probably gets some viewing time in their house.

My Grandma watches Bill O'Reilly religiously. I've even bought her a couple of his books as presents because she likes the guy so much.

**Reaper16** · 06-09-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PostRockPablo

Probably not. They're probably white 50-60 somethings. I'd imagine FOX News probably gets some viewing time in their house.

My Grandma watches Bill O'Reilly religiously. I've even bought her a couple of his books at presents because she likes the guy so much.

You are an enabler, that's what you are.

**Lzen** · 06-09-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Who doesn't hate those ****s?

Seriously, though, someone who watches or listens to Bill O'Reilly is not worthy of anyone's sympathy, understanding, or love.

I happen to like O'Reilly and I watch his show occasionally. I hope you are joking because that is a very close minded comment. I guess the liberal media will tend to make some people think the way you do. But hey, I never asked for sympathy or love.

Ok, enough with that. My point was more about his racial items in his posts. I guess the "Power and White" district shouldn't bother me as I have no affiliation. Hell, I have never been there myself.

Pioli Zombie · 06-09-2009, 10:46 PM

I should have known the ex and I had drifted apart when she started saying Bill O'Reilly was handsome. Sweet Moses.
Posted via Mobile Device

**Reaper16** · 06-09-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

I happen to like O'Reilly and I watch his show occasionally. I hope you are joking because that is a very close minded comment. I guess the liberal media will tend to make some people think the way you do. But hey, I never asked for sympathy or love.

No wonder you like Rudess-era Dream Theater over Moore-era Dream Theater. Sheesh.

**Lzen** · 06-09-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

No wonder you like Rudess-era Dream Theater over Moore-era Dream Theater. Sheesh.

I don't recall ever preferring one over the other.

But I will say that SFAM is one of their best albums (quite possibly the best).

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-09-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Again, all I am saying that as a young black male, I feel like this dress code descrimatnates against mainly young black males, that's it.

I happen to disagree. Go do a google image search of gang members. That is what they are trying to keep out be it white, black, hispanic or asian. Urban fashion has just taken too much from gang culture. Here's a little quote from a gang expert on modern gang clothing:

Quote:

"Most of these [Hispanic] gangs got their start in prisons. Since inmates are not allowed to wear belts, the baggy pants were worn below the waist. That's where the trend of 'saggin' [wearing one's pants below the waist] came from. It always amazes me that the street gang members have no idea why they do some of the things they do - like saggin' - and don't know the history behind them.

"Prison gang members considered any inmate a bundle of sticks [homosexual] who allowed the skin above his knee to be exposed in public. So inmates always pulled down any shorts that they wore so the hem was below their knees. Today, that has translated into three-quarter length pants among gang members and, again, they don't even know why that is done, or why it was done in the first place.

When I look at the dress code, on a normal day I wouldn't get in. So if I would like to go to P&L I'll change the way I dress.

KMBC did an extremely small experiment with the dress code and here's the results.

Quote:

In the end, four people were turned away: two white, one black and one Latino.Gish reported that in his small experiment, the dress code was strict, but everyone was treated fairly.

that article is at http://www.kmbc.com/news/18148171/detail.html

If they enforce the code differently among races, then yes, you would have every right to be pissed and I would be upset for you. Personally, I've only heard of everyone getting turned away.

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3634454	Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff Wow......Unreal. http://www.kansascity.com/226/story/1238798.html Another day, another racial controversy at the Power & Light District. For a year, the black community has been in arms about perceived racism at the entertainment district, a place their tax money helped fund. But it’s always rebutted. Everyone is welcome at the P&L, officials say. Well, those who follow the hip-hop music scene have more to chew on since late Saturday night, when one of hip-hop’s icons, DJ Jazzy Jeff, cut short a set of music and left the stage in a dispute over the kind of music his show was spinning. I walked in just as he was walking off the stage. He had performed less than 30 minutes. The crowd booed and I heard people, both black and white, yell about how the Power & Light didn’t want him to play hip-hop. I wasn’t sure what happened, but I knew it was bad. A conversation I had with him early Sunday confirmed it. He might be best known as one half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, but he is more than Will Smith’s old DJ and friend. The two won the first rap Grammy. Jeff Townes, his given name, is legendary. He introduced “transforming,” the scratching technique turntablists use. This man has toured for 25 years. He’s an acclaimed producer. So what exactly happened? According to his tweets (twitter.com/djjazzyjeff215), he was kicked offstage for playing hip-hop. Jon Stephens, president of the Power & Light District, says it was about the sound levels. “The issue that arose with the performance last night was completely about the sound levels,” he said Sunday. “His audio tech was maxing out the sound system to a point that risked damage to the speakers and sound system. His sound techs and management refused to bring the decibel level down. They were told to bring it down or cease performance. They refused to go on.” Hours after he returned to his Philadelphia home, I spoke to Jazzy Jeff on the phone to hear his side. His set started with sounds of hip-hop and pop favorites — Jay-Z, Biz Markie, Rihanna. His MC, Skillz, hyped up the crowd. But after 15 minutes or so, in the middle of an R&B hit by Ne-Yo, “Miss Independent,” he was told to stop. “My road manager walked up to me and said they were having problems with the music I was playing,” Jazzy Jeff told me. “I played three more songs and he comes back. I knew something was wrong. They said I had to kick Skillz off the stage, change the format of the music I was playing or quit. They said if I continued playing they had 30 cops ready to come escort me offstage. So I stopped.” Jon Stephens says that isn’t so. “Obviously we have a desire to book a diversity of acts,” he said. “We booked Jazzy Jeff on a Saturday night, the biggest night of the week in the district. We were excited to have him there. It’s unfortunate that his sound and management people had problems adhering to the sound and audio rules. We wanted him to play. That’s why we booked him.” Jazzy Jeff was excited to play here too. But it all went wrong. Venue officials said the set attracted the wrong kind of element, he says. “They said they didn’t like Skillz’s posture,” Jeff said. “They said he made gang-like signs and grabbed at his genitals.” So P&L officials wanted him offstage. But Jeff felt it was wrong because Skillz is no gang member. He is a father. His hand gestures were the kind of excited movements you make to get the crowd excited. He wasn’t cursing or being offensive. “I was playing Rihanna; she is Top 40,” he says. “If they would have let my set play, they would have known I play everything. I play rock, funk, soul, pop, hip-hop, reggae. I don’t play for a certain genre, race or gender. I play for music lovers.” In his 25-year career, at 44 years old, Jeff has never been told to end a set because of hip-hop. He says he has never felt that kind of racism. The “element” that officials referred to felt like a reference to black people, a hip-hop crowd. “I’m in shock,” he says. “I didn’t understand what element they were talking about. I looked out in the crowd and it was multicultural, but about 75 percent white. Everyone was having a great time. I wondered what was so offensive. I never had a race issue. I didn’t know how to feel. I was playing ‘Just a Friend.’ Is that offensive? What element? It’s uncomfortable when you feel unwanted.”
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06-09-2009, 10:39 PM	#1116
Pioli Zombie Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: olathe,kansas Casino cash: $10004900	My ex wanted me to get a VICTOME. I'm glad I didn't. Posted via Mobile Device
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06-09-2009, 10:40 PM	#1117
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2237050	You all should watch the news with my parents, you'd shake your head.
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06-09-2009, 10:46 PM	#1122
Pioli Zombie Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: olathe,kansas Casino cash: $10004900	I should have known the ex and I had drifted apart when she started saying Bill O'Reilly was handsome. Sweet Moses. Posted via Mobile Device
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