Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 77

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.”

Dottefan · 06-09-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Read my posts, man. I've worked with the Sudanese guys for years. In America. Dumbass. Here. Not in Sudan. I've never once seen a black American at a meeting. Not one time. Read my posts.

That's Nashville, though. I don't know what goes on in KC - it's why I asked the question originally. I'm not on a high horse, you ignorant, illiterate, caps writing, dipshit. I roll up my sleeves and work with people you would probably spit on. Give me a break.

Put on some baggy pants and roll with your friggin' homies in your mutual self-pity. Meanwhile, some of us "racists" will help your African brethren get jobs and an education. Dumbass.

I have an idea for you. If you don't like things the way they are. Work to change them. Don't come gunning for people who do. Dumbass.

FAX

Fukk boy...did you read my post.............I am on the front line everyday helping out my community..I volunteer my time..so you can keep your lame as post about rolling up my pants and my self pity? where the fukk did that come from..lol..My best friend started up a foundation that I volunteer for. I volunteer about 25 hours a week , I work full time and I go to school...so you can save that BS for some other cat..and as far as helping out some AFRICANS ( again I put that in caps just so you can cry about it ) , I am taking care of home first. Its good that you help some AFRICANS

but I am the last cat that you need to preach to about " helping my people out"l...get the fukk outta here with that shit.ps...

**Bugeater** · 06-09-2009, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

Am I on ignore? No ones responding to my posts

Poop.

Happy now?

FAX · 06-09-2009, 11:56 PM

These guys aren't "Africans", dumbass. They're refugees, dumbass. Am I getting through to your dumbass, yet? Or, is that even possible? They're working hard for their citizenship, dumbass. Getting jobs. Going to school. Why? Because they'd rather do that than live like an "American" inner city black kid who aspires only to his next bowl of crack and knocking up his 12 year-old cousin.

Go cry me a river. Dipshit. Home first? How did your community get in such sorry-ass shape that you care more about baggy pants than crime or hunger or education? Are you that friggin' stupid or are you trying to pull whitey's chain so you can feel better about your black ass?

You have no idea what you're talking about. None. You wouldn't know true racism if it bit you in the ass. Ever had your arm chopped off? A foot? Go blow yourself, you friggin' racist piece of shit. I only work with guys who tell the truth - not fake activists such as yourself you insincere, false, illiterate, misinformed cretin.

FAX

**Bugeater** · 06-09-2009, 11:58 PM

I don't believe I've ever seen FAX this angry. Nice going Dottie.

Mecca · 06-10-2009, 12:00 AM

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 as presents because she likes the guy so much.

They aren't republicans or watching of fox news but they are in their early 50's and when they watch the news and they show crime there are consistent phrases like..

"i bet he's black" "look at all the black crime"

FAX · 06-10-2009, 12:01 AM

You know how I can tell if someone really does volunteer to help?

When they encourage other people who do ... not tear them down because A) they don't do it in their city or B) they don't do enough.

Dottydipshit is full of shit.

FAX

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-10-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Poop.

Happy now?

Thank you. At least I know I'm not on ignore.

What's strange about the DJJJ thing, I've seen "DJ's" argue both sides. Some said it absolutely looked to be a sound issue and the others say it isn't a sound/speaker issue but a hip hop/black issue.

Was DJ Z-Trip allowed to do his hour long hip-hop set because he is white?

Quote:

after two hours of trouble-free fun -- including a rousing one-hour set by hip-hop DJ Z-Trip

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

These guys aren't "Africans", dumbass. They're refugees, dumbass. Am I getting through to your dumbass, yet? Or, is that even possible? They're working hard for their citizenship, dumbass. Getting jobs. Going to school. Why? Because they'd rather do that than live like an "American" inner city black kid who aspires only to his next bowl of crack and knocking up his 12 year-old cousin.

Go cry me a river. Dipshit. Home first? How did your community get in such sorry-ass shape that you care more about baggy pants than crime or hunger or education? Are you that friggin' stupid or are you trying to pull whitey's chain so you can feel better about your black ass?
You have no idea what you're talking about. None. You wouldn't know true racism if it bit you in the ass. Ever had your arm chopped off? A foot? Go blow yourself, you friggin' racist piece of shit. I only work with guys who tell the truth - not fake activists such as yourself you insincere, false, illiterate, misinformed cretin.

FAX

wow......are you really that lame?. No I don't blame whitey( I know you want me to , but that is so 1980`s) Oh, and I liked how you said " fell better about my black ass" what is that all about ..lol..you don't know anything about me. You sound more like a racist than I do. Why is it that you think I care more about baggy pants then crime? really explain that one to me..why because I am having a debate with you? So if I go by your logic, then you care more about proving me wrong then the Sudan people that you are helping out..you make no sense at all...you know nothing about me. Fake Activest..lol..I am no activist,you sound like the fake one to me bro.. ...lol..fukk you and your high horse. I am just an average joe trying to help some kids stay out of trouble nothing more nothing less. If you think that I am a cretin or Illiterate, or false or insincere because I want to help some kids out, then I guess I am.

**Bugeater** · 06-10-2009, 12:07 AM

Just an FYI Dottie, bypassing word filters is a violation of the TOS. Just type out what you want to say and those who want to see it will see it.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

You know how I can tell if someone really does volunteer to help?

When they encourage other people who do ... not tear them down because A) they don't do it in their city or B) they don't do enough.

Dottydipshit is full of shit.

FAX

( DID THIS IN ALL CAPS JUST TO PISS YOU OFF) HOW THE FUKK DID I TEAR YOU DOWN FOR VOLUNTEERING ANY ONE WHO DONATES HIS OR HER TIME TO HELP SOME ONE GETS

FROM ME, JUST LIKE WHAT I GAVE YOU. HOW THE HELL DID YOU COME TO THAT CONCLUSION..FUKK BOY READ YOUR LAST POST AND THEN LETS SEE WHO IS TEARING WHO DOWN....FUKK OFF.

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-10-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

( DID THIS IN ALL CAPS JUST TO PISS YOU OFF) HOW THE FUKK DID I TEAR YOU DOWN FOR VOLUNTEERING ANY ONE WHO DONATES HIS OR HER TIME TO HELP SOME ONE GETS

FROM ME, JUST LIKE WHAT I GAVE YOU. HOW THE HELL DID YOU COME TO THAT CONCLUSION..FUKK BOY READ YOUR LAST POST AND THEN LETS SEE WHO IS TEARING WHO DOWN....FUKK OFF.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

What the hell do you know about what is going on in the inner city? Your point is BS. How do you know that no body reaches out? who are you to say that there are no black role models? how many kids have you helped? how many hours have you volunteered? when was the last time you were actually in the "hood" to find out any thing about what you are talking about for yourself? or are you just going off of sound bites from the news media? ...get off your high horse..how do you know the same kid in baggy clothes is not helping out in his neighborhood..you don't. just for the record, I do volunteer in the inner city, I do act as a role model, and council young kids about staying out of gangs and drugs. I am on the front lines everyday helping kids out...AND SO ARE ALLOT OF OTHER BLACK MALE ROLE MODELS.(AND I PUT THAT IN CAPS JUST FOR YOU LAMES TO CRY ABOUT)...For you to even compare what is going on the Sudan and the PL is BS.

To be fair You did call him out after he had already stated that him and his wife have been involved for a long time in this very thread....I believe it was years but didn't relook it up

FAX · 06-10-2009, 12:15 AM

I know more about you than you realize, you lying sack of stale, Boone's Farm puke. Go learn how to spell, then maybe we'll have a conversation you ignorant, nescient, simpleminded, fuckhead.

I've had a belly full of your whining bullshit. If you were half the man you think you are, you'd take a night class and learn basic grammar so you could become a better role model for your baggy pants wearing, bling toting, cockeyed hat sporting crew of miscreants. That way, your government forms would be easier to read.

FAX

**Bugeater** · 06-10-2009, 12:17 AM

I admit it, I had to go look up "nescient".

FAX · 06-10-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

To be fair You did call him out after he had already stated that him and his wife have been involved for a long time in this very thread....I believe it was years but didn't relook it up

What really got me was when he decided it was terribly clever to bust me for working with "Africans" instead of inner city youth (which, according to him, I know nothing about). Africans who, by the way, are fresh out of the friggin' camps.

As I mentioned, it's easy to tell who really works and who really doesn't. It's in their attitude about people who do. Dottedipstick is lying.

FAX

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

What really got me was when he decided it was terribly clever to bust me for working with "Africans" instead of inner city youth (which, according to him, I know nothing about). Africans who, by the way, are fresh out of the friggin' camps.

As I mentioned, it's easy to tell who really works and who really doesn't. It's in their attitude about people who do. Dottedipstick is lying.

FAX

dude I never blasted you for helping out the Africans,..what are you talking about, are you really that stupid..I think its a good thing that you help them..wtf..and what did you give me in response? you did nothing but shit on the fact that I help kids stay out of gangs and off drugs..wow. and by the way , I am working on my masters in social work. sorry to disappoint you, and I don't own any bling or gold, I don't sag, and I don't have gold teeth...any more stereotypes you want to put out there. Obviously you have a real problem with us American Africans.....just going by your post.

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3684454	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.”
Posts: 66,914

06-09-2009, 11:56 PM	#1143
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	These guys aren't "Africans", dumbass. They're refugees, dumbass. Am I getting through to your dumbass, yet? Or, is that even possible? They're working hard for their citizenship, dumbass. Getting jobs. Going to school. Why? Because they'd rather do that than live like an "American" inner city black kid who aspires only to his next bowl of crack and knocking up his 12 year-old cousin. Go cry me a river. Dipshit. Home first? How did your community get in such sorry-ass shape that you care more about baggy pants than crime or hunger or education? Are you that friggin' stupid or are you trying to pull whitey's chain so you can feel better about your black ass? You have no idea what you're talking about. None. You wouldn't know true racism if it bit you in the ass. Ever had your arm chopped off? A foot? Go blow yourself, you friggin' racist piece of shit. I only work with guys who tell the truth - not fake activists such as yourself you insincere, false, illiterate, misinformed cretin. FAX
Posts: 44,492

06-09-2009, 11:58 PM	#1144
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	I don't believe I've ever seen FAX this angry. Nice going Dottie.
Posts: 70,443

06-10-2009, 12:01 AM	#1146
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	You know how I can tell if someone really does volunteer to help? When they encourage other people who do ... not tear them down because A) they don't do it in their city or B) they don't do enough. Dottydipshit is full of shit. FAX
Posts: 44,492

06-10-2009, 12:07 AM	#1149
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Just an FYI Dottie, bypassing word filters is a violation of the TOS. Just type out what you want to say and those who want to see it will see it.
Posts: 70,443

06-10-2009, 12:15 AM	#1152
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	I know more about you than you realize, you lying sack of stale, Boone's Farm puke. Go learn how to spell, then maybe we'll have a conversation you ignorant, nescient, simpleminded, fuckhead. I've had a belly full of your whining bullshit. If you were half the man you think you are, you'd take a night class and learn basic grammar so you could become a better role model for your baggy pants wearing, bling toting, cockeyed hat sporting crew of miscreants. That way, your government forms would be easier to read. FAX
Posts: 44,492

06-10-2009, 12:17 AM	#1153
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	I admit it, I had to go look up "nescient".
Posts: 70,443