Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 2

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.”

stevieray · 06-08-2009, 08:23 AM

clubbing is overrated...too many posers....and prices for drinks...?

the hell with that..rip someone else off.

Demonpenz · 06-08-2009, 08:28 AM

I like to take my 30,000 dollars and work out all day long just to get bombed and wear sandles, button down shirt and extra spikey hair all its like minor league dankcman! I have no problem with the dog and pony show down there actually. Good for them I rarely take my money out of lenexa these days though

Micjones · 06-08-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

[B][I]
I would go as far as saying that most of the black people complaining about this so called racism at the PL district, DON'T pay taxes. But thats just me.

I love the idea that there's some large contingent of Black people who are speaking out against Cordish's business practices that've found a way to circumvent being taxed.

This seriously calls your credibility into question CoMo.

Quote:

Who can blame them though? They're revamping that entire side of the city and they don't want it to completely and immediately turn into what Westport has become, which has been take over by crime and drug addicts and gangs.

Unfortunately, when you're being subsidized by some of the very people you'd like to exclude you can't play the "picking and choosing" game.

**Nzoner** · 06-08-2009, 08:30 AM

A week ago Friday P&L had Liverpool,the Beatles cover band there and it wasn't just good it was excellent,too bad I had the bad experience with the margarita or it would have been a perfect evening.

Demonpenz · 06-08-2009, 08:34 AM

awe yeah

wutamess · 06-08-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

I would go as far as saying that most of the black people complaining about this so called racism at the PL district, DON'T pay taxes. But thats just me.

That is just DUMB! Hate to turn this into a race thread but ignorance is ignorance. And you wonder why black people play victim... It's because YOU think we're nothing but government assisted filth. You're THAT GUY that fuels the issues with your stereotypes! You're too young to be THAT ignorant.

I know... You probably have black friends.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Who can blame them though? They're revamping that entire side of the city and they don't want it to completely and immediately turn into what Westport has become, which has been take over by crime and drug addicts and gangs.

Another ignorant statement. It's not the Plaza but it's not The Wire either. EVERYBODY can still go there and have a great time without having to look over your shoulder the entire time.

~ Thought you were better than that.

Fairplay · 06-08-2009, 08:37 AM

This Friday at the P@L district is wear your bling day.

blaise · 06-08-2009, 08:38 AM

They should have had Carlton come down and spin records.

wild1 · 06-08-2009, 08:40 AM

I don't think the dress code is racist if it's applied to everyone equally. it's a good thing if you ask me.

As far as Jazzy Jeff goes... right, they didn't want hip hop played, that's why they booked you at great expense.

I don't buy it. I think they probably asked him to turn it down to avoid damaging the sound system just like they say, but he and his crew took it as disrespect to them and stormed off. Punk MFers trying to ban hip hop.... right...

wild1 · 06-08-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wutamess

EVERYBODY can still go [to westport] and have a great time without having to look over your shoulder the entire time.

until sundown

06-08-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wutamess

That is just DUMB! Hate to turn this into a race thread but ignorance is ignorance. And you wonder why black people play victim... It's because YOU think we're nothing but government assisted filth. You're THAT GUY that fuels the issues with your stereotypes! You're too young to be THAT ignorant.

I know... You probably have black friends.

Another ignorant statement. It's not the Plaza but it's not The Wire either. EVERYBODY can still go there and have a great time without having to look over your shoulder the entire time.

~ Thought you were better than that.

He's being an idiot. The only way somebody could avoid taxes is to move to Montana and live off the land. That's why I ignored it. You should too.

06-08-2009, 08:45 AM

I agree with most here. There's no chance Cordish would book an R&B act if they didn't want R&B played. I'm no fan of Cordish or the P&L but I buy the explanation of the rich white guy this time.

Micjones · 06-08-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild1

I don't think the dress code is racist if it's applied to everyone equally. it's a good thing if you ask me.

As far as Jazzy Jeff goes... right, they didn't want hip hop played, that's why they booked you at great expense.

I don't buy it. I think they probably asked him to turn it down to avoid damaging the sound system just like they say, but he and his crew took it as disrespect to them and stormed off. Punk MFers trying to ban hip hop.... right...

Anyone with an ounce of experience and knowledge on the subject realizes that Jon Stephens' explanation of what took place is a load of shit.

You simply don't invest $500,000 into a soundsystem without also putting safety features in place to protect it. Compressors, limiters, etc. I'm sorry, but after having 12 hours to circle the wagons that was the lamest excuse he could've come up with.

Deberg_1990 · 06-08-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild1

I don't think the dress code is racist if it's applied to everyone equally. it's a good thing if you ask me.

As far as Jazzy Jeff goes... right, they didn't want hip hop played, that's why they booked you at great expense.

I don't buy it. I think they probably asked him to turn it down to avoid damaging the sound system just like they say, but he and his crew took it as disrespect to them and stormed off. Punk MFers trying to ban hip hop.... right...

It sounds like a communication problem between Jazzy Jeff and the P&L people more than anything.

Lets hope both parties cool off and try and try to re-establish open communcation again.

Hopefully its not too late....

Deberg_1990 · 06-08-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Anyone with an ounce of experience and knowledge on the subject realizes that Jon Stephens' explanation of what took place is a load of shit.

You simply don't invest $500,000 into a soundsystem without also putting safety features in place to protect it. Compressors, limiters, etc. I'm sorry, but after having 12 hours to circle the wagons that was the lamest excuse he could've come up with.

Why would you book a hip hop artist only to boot him off mid set because you dont like the type of music he plays? Doesnt compute??

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3644454	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

06-08-2009, 08:23 AM	#16
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2215273	clubbing is overrated...too many posers....and prices for drinks...? the hell with that..rip someone else off.
Posts: 71,456

06-08-2009, 08:28 AM	#17
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2862136	I like to take my 30,000 dollars and work out all day long just to get bombed and wear sandles, button down shirt and extra spikey hair all its like minor league dankcman! I have no problem with the dog and pony show down there actually. Good for them I rarely take my money out of lenexa these days though __________________
Posts: 54,310

06-08-2009, 08:30 AM	#19
Nzoner a haw haw haw Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: MIZZOU Casino cash: $26365802	A week ago Friday P&L had Liverpool,the Beatles cover band there and it wasn't just good it was excellent,too bad I had the bad experience with the margarita or it would have been a perfect evening. __________________ *Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.*
Posts: 27,111

06-08-2009, 08:34 AM	#20
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2862136	awe yeah __________________
Posts: 54,310

06-08-2009, 08:37 AM	#22
Fairplay A certain set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: texas Casino cash: $10026683 VARSITY	This Friday at the P@L district is wear your bling day.
Posts: 25,265

06-08-2009, 08:38 AM	#23
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9999900	They should have had Carlton come down and spin records.
Posts: 22,188

06-08-2009, 08:40 AM	#24
wild1 MVP Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: 31040 Casino cash: $10004900	I don't think the dress code is racist if it's applied to everyone equally. it's a good thing if you ask me. As far as Jazzy Jeff goes... right, they didn't want hip hop played, that's why they booked you at great expense. I don't buy it. I think they probably asked him to turn it down to avoid damaging the sound system just like they say, but he and his crew took it as disrespect to them and stormed off. Punk MFers trying to ban hip hop.... right...
Posts: 6,935

06-08-2009, 08:45 AM	#27
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	I agree with most here. There's no chance Cordish would book an R&B act if they didn't want R&B played. I'm no fan of Cordish or the P&L but I buy the explanation of the rich white guy this time.
Posts: n/a